Well I have always liked toyota trucks since I was a kid and my dad still swears by the 86 4runner he used to have..

So what I would like some opinions on are what to get. From experience what is the most reliable, cheap/easy to repair, and fuel efficient toyota 4x4 pre 2000s. I know that's probably a broad questions but I drive a 99 ram1500 with a 5.9 and i hate everything about it. I'd like to have a pickup but 4 seats is convenient... I'm thinkin dad had it right with the 4runner and the 22r but I just started researching yesterday and I'm sure there are a hundred things I'm missing.

 

btw sorry if this isn't the appropriate section just kindly tell me and I'll put it somewhere else

 

If you are looking to often seat more then two people, i wouldn't recommend the Toyota Pickups.. as for reliability and all that, i'm still new to Toyotas so i can't help you there. But, welcome to YT!

 

i have had 2 different rigs 87 pick up ex cab long bed with 22r and a 91 4runner with the v6 auto that i just swapped to a stick. i would say that the 22re in a ex cab or 4runner is a good way to go. if u look around u can find a nice clean one for not too much money. but that dodge needs to go... before your trans goes on u. best of luck looking for a rig..

 

I have never had a problem with my 83 pickup 22R. Right now im trying to talk a buddy out of an 85 4runner so I can take my whole family. If you want to get there fast don't get a 22r but they never die

 

sounds good, thanks for the fast replies. and yeah, lol, the dodge sucks the spring plates in the rear end shattered at about 100K.. and the battery died once and it wouldn't hold an idle for almost 20 miles... And today the harmonic balancer seperated? I seriously thought I had something wrong with a bottom end bearing or something it was crazy, dieing, clacking, and shaking all over the place.

 

You should have gotten a 99 Ford F-150! But good luck with the Ram.

 

a pre '90 4runner will be bit more utilitarian, but it's also an older vehicle and might require a bit of upkeep depending on the previous owner. I've heard good things about the '98/'99 4runners (3rd gen) which come with a 3.4L V6 and are typical of Toyota reliability, some of these even came with a factory electric locking rear differential. Some people will try to steer you away from the 3.0L V6 that was only offered in the 90's - some had head gasket problems, but it doesn't seem as bad or widespread as it's hyped up to be.

 

hmm.. whats the gas mileage difference between the v6 and the 4 cyl?

 

Well they all really suck on gas lol, I think your best bet for mileage would be the 3.4 in 3rd gens. My 3.0 gets about 16 in the city and 21 highway if I'm easy on the gas. From what I read here the 22re isn't much better, I think they average low 20s. Whatever you get make sure the gearing is right for the tire size, that is the main factor in mileage.

What do you plan on using it for? Do you have a lot of passengers usually? If you do then def get a 4 door. My runner is a 2 door, I personally love it to death but it's a pain when people have to get in the back seat. It doesn't bother me because I'm always driving but it does take a little longer.

If that's not a concern then it's basically do you want a back seat or a bed. I think the best of both worlds would be a 1st gen 4runner. Has a backseat, but you can take it out and there's a rear seat delete panel that makes a flush floor so you basically have a truck bed... Plus the top is removable!

As far as reliability, all yotas are reliable but it all depends on the condition and how the previous owners took care of it. Everyone says the 3.0 sucks but mine has been taken care of since day one and at almost 240k miles it runs amazing and has never given me much trouble!

 

22r 4runner dude removaeable top

 

A fuel efficient Toyota 4x4 is like Sasquash...some crazy rednecks say they exist, but most people have never seen one.

 

For what you are looking for I would suggest a 3rd generation 4runner as well...

 

I've had a few toyota's:
1990 pickup reg cab 4x4 22re 5spd
1997 4 runner 4x4 3.4 auto with locker
1998 tacoma ext cab 4x4 3.4 5spd with locker
and now 2003 taco double cab 4x4 3.4 auto with locker
After having all those i'll never buy anything other than a 3.4 v6 4x4 with the locker. I'd say for what you want go with the 3rd gen (1996-2002) 4 runner with the 3.4 V6. mine got around 17-18 mpg and it was all stock but it also had over 200,000mi, I loved it but it couldn't replace a truck for me... if you have the $$$ you could go for the double cab taco but the runner will be much cheaper.

 

oh and as for reliability, the 22re had 230,000 mi and ran great, the runner had i think 260,000 but i could be wrong on that one and it ran great and both the taco's have 160,000 and run great

 

3rd gen 4runner, '96-'02. Any year, any drivetrain. Manuals will get slightly better mpg. Either engine is bullet proof, better than the 22r(e), IMO. Both the 3rzfe or the 5vzfe will get better mpg than the 22r(e) and 3vze.

 

selling my 89 4Runner in maryland. It is in western md (haggerstown) atm. needs motor and clutch. those are floating around in the parts section. im selling for 700 (scrap is way up right now and i can get 600 for the metal)
but im hoping someone on YT will keep it alive. im just in a money crunch and need to sell my toys to get "something reliable" aka gets me to work.
i can put you in touch with someone with a motor for $350 and a clutch cant be too hard to find. if youre looking for a little fun project let me know. my # is (443) 797-3698.
sorry for soliciting your post but i need my 15 posts to list it