A bit embarassed by this question, but I am indeed confused. I am ordering new rotors for my 1995 Toyota 4Runner 3.0 V6 2WD, and I came across two options depending on the part of the year the vehicle was manufactered:

1. FRONT, Overall Diameter: 291.0, Minimum Thickness: 23.0, Height: 65.8, 2WD, PRODUCED BEFORE 10/1995.

OR...

2. FRONT, Overall Diameter: 296.8, Minimum Thickness: 20.0, Height: 70.3, 2WD, PRODUCED AFTER 11/1995.

How do I find out when mine was produced? Is there part of the VIN number I can reference? And, out of curiosity, what are the differences and did this only occur in 1995?

 

in the drivers door theres a stamp metal looking and there should be a date on it it should say something like 04/95 or something like that and it will say date right in front of it have fun and good luck

 

oops the drivers door jam on the door or under the hood on the emissions thingy

 

open the drivers doors and there is a tab on the B piller just below the door latch. it will tell you the month and year of manufacturing.


dang, too slow....

 

Yes, there is a sticker near the door latch on the drivers side B pillar. It will have the Vin, date made, axle codes etc. etc.

They used the metal plates in the engine bay in the 2nd gen trucks/1st gen runners

 

You folks are amazingly quick! Thanks. I am away from my 4Runner in another state and was hoping there would be something in the VIN that could offer some clarity. However, I'll call my brother to open up the vehicle and look for the information so that I can order the parts so they they're shipped and ready for install when I fly back into town.

Thanks for the great, and quick, information!

Anyone know the differences between production dates (unless the plate reference was the answer)? I thought for a second it was due to the head gasket issue, but that didn't seem to hold up considering the rotor sizes were different and has nothing to do with head gaskets.

 

Im thinking thats the time they went to the 3rd generation 4runner.


You might be able to check carfax (don't pay). Just put your truck info in and they usually give you a page of the general information about it then they tell you they have X many reports, pay this too see...bla bla bla.

But its a longshot, best to call your brother

Yep, we yotatechers spend alot of time on the computer... it seems too much time!

 

yeah, esp with gas prices as they are....and going up.....lol

 

Yeah, it was a longshot that didn't pay out. Carfax only confirms the year, model and number of reports. Unless I pay them. But now I'm wondering what all those reports indicate (17). Yikes, that seems a lot. Though there was a fender bender back in 2003, I can't think of anything else attached to it since the beginning (unless address changes count as a report).

Anyway, looks like I'm calling my brother (who actually owes me money, so this may be a good lead in).

 

You have the 291 diameter.

James

 

James, that was going to be my guess (since the odds were in my favor), but how did you ascertain that? Go figure, the 291's would also cost more.

 

i was gonna say, i would figure the ones produced in 95 after november would be the 3rd gen.

 

That was the part that confused me. Did the 3rd Gens actually come out in late 1995, but were still considered 1996 even though on part lists they are considered 1995's? Definitely the makings of confusion.

 

They might of been, from what i can remember toyota used to make their (in your case) 96's and they would come out in late 95.

if i were you i would go with the pre november like james says.
Did you get ahold of your brother yet ?

 

I left a message with him on his voice mail (no mention of the money he owes me). I'll probably hear back from him tomorrow. When he returns my call and I find out for certain, I'll post back to confirm. Thx!

 

lol
sounds good

 

Its the 291's.. If you wanted you can check the 94's and then check the 96's. The 291's will exist for the 94' and the other for 96+.. And as was stated, the model is typically 1 year above production...So the majority of 95's would have been buillt in 94..And seeing how the date for rotors changes in the 11th month of 95...then the odds realllllyyy point to the 291's

 

my thoughts exactly