Should this be determining factor between getting a 99 4runner vs a pickup with a 22re?

I want to do some off road in the future, possibly long travel.

I heard 4runners are balanced better than trucks, would this make them go over jumps better?

What about the difference between the 4runner, which uses struts and coil springs vs the Toyota which uses lead springs and torsion bars?

Which vehicle should I pick, and why?




Thanx for any and all consideration

 

If it were me, I'd go with a 4runner all day, especially the '99. Nice interior options, smooth ride, e-locker 5 speed option, more power than the 22re with the 3.4, and they look badass. As for going over jumps, you're probably going to f something up on either regardless unless you are dumping copious amounts of cash into serious suspension, frame, and armor modifications.

Because the 4runner has coil sprung suspension, it can get some major articulation with the right spring/shock combo, and the coils ride much more comfortable overall than leaf springs.

However, I feel like you want to go hard on this project with whatever vehicle you end up with and in that case I would just look into finding a solid-axle-swapped 4runner, unless you can do all that fabrication yourself. Just remember that the more you mod the suspension, the more problems you are going to end up with and the list can go on and on for all the necessary pieces to make a long travel setup work decently (coilovers, piggyback shocks, brake lines, UCA/LCA, aftermarket CV's, ball-joints, adj. panhard bar, etc.... $$$$)

 

How much cheaper is it to get the 3.4 fixed vs a 22re?

 

You want to jump it, but not rock crawl?

I'm just gonna make a wild guess and say the pickup might be better for you, less weight. These things are not built for jumping, but it would be easier to build one up to survive it if it weighs less.

I have no experience with a 22RE, but I do no the 5VZ (3.4) just goes and goes and goes. MMy '99 has 219K miles, my wife's '96 has 291K miles, they're both still in great health and will likely go another 150K miles. The most either engine has ever been apart is to replace valve cover gaskets. And both had the clutch replaced at a little over 200K miles.

The 3rd gen 4Runner has very few weaknesses, and they're all fairly well documented and avoidable (pink milkshake, LBJ).

 

Repair costs come down to just what the issues are .

I am sure if you search you can find the flat Rate times for any jobs you want done.

Then it comes down to the rate your paying $60.00 / hour is cheaper then $120.00