Brand new to this site, and hopefully will be bringing home a `96 4Runner Limited tomorrow.
It has 92,000 miles on it and the price is $10,500.
I bought a brand-new Toyota 4x4 pickup in 1992, but that has been the only Toyota I've ever owned.
My wife drives a 2001 Infiniti QX4 (basicly a fancy pathfinder), and I drive a `98 Chevy 2wd pickup that has been mildly modded.
Anyway, what should I check out on the Runner?
My intended use for it would be as a daily driver (I work 1-mile away) and for towing a small flatbed trailer with a couple of ATVs up into the Minnesota woods.
What kind of hp does the 3.4 V6 have? What kind of highway mileage do they get?
Any potential areas for rust that need to be checked?
Thanks, looks like a great site here and hopefully I can do some dealing and bring home a sweet SUV

 

For a 1996 make sure the Head gasket recall has been done as well as the rear spring recall.

Does it have a rear locker? If not, wait for one that does!! I didn't do that..

Other than that, just check all the fluids, make sure the auto tranny fluid doesn't smell burned.

The output is around 185 hp to the crank. If you don't think that its enough HP, then buy a S/C!!

 

Also Make sure you check the rear Axles to make sure they are not leaking axle grease. That is a fairly common problem in 3rd gens. Also check when the timing belt has been changed. Other than what has been previously mentioned, you should be good to go. These engines will run up to 200k miles easy, as long as you take care of it.

 

its actually 183 hp.

 

Thanks!
I'm also looking at a `96 Jeep Cherokee Limited with 54,000 miles on it. I would usually stay away from a domestic mid-sized SUV, but I've heard good things about the older boxy Cherokees.
It's weird, though. I just moved here to Iowa, and there aren't very many imports where I live.
The 4Runner is priced $2000 below book, and the Jeep, at $8500, is priced $2000 above book .

 

:pat: I was counting it with the Type R breather mod.

 

Sounds like an easy choice, go with the 4Runner!!

 

Please, please, please listen to Travis on this one. I just swapped in an e-locker and the install isn't exactly "fun."

 

Didn't go look at the 4Runner yet. I have an appointment tomorrow to check it out, so I will continue to keep browsing the forums here for some great info.
I also checked out a couple of Jeep Cherokee forums, and it seems that at least 80% of the threads are related to how to fix their Jeeps.
I also noticed that lifting the Jeeps was pretty involved and resulted in hard to get rid of vibrations about 70% of the time.
I just want to run some beefier tires, such as 33s, without having to disassemble my transfer case, buy new driveshafts, and worry about a vibration.
With the 2" spacer lift for the Runner, how big of a tire can you go?

 

"Waiting for one" around here would likely take years . I did a search and found exactly 6 4Runners within 100 miles of me, and only one was a 3rd gen. (the one I'm looking at).

 

Some have been able to run 285/85/16's with a 2 in spacer, others have had to go 3" (either OME springs, SAWS/OME, or 2" spacers and 1" body lift)


Really!?!? Where are you located? There must be 50+ 96-01 4Runners (95% 4WD) in Utah..

 

Well it would be worth your while to travel a little and get one with a locker, IMO. Of course, that depends on where you are and what you will use the rig for. But I garantee, if you hang around here long enough, you will end up using the locker or wishing you had one - your choice.

 

Yeah Christian, you should have bought that Green 97 in SLC that I checked out for you. It had a locker and the black textured flares!!

 

I know, I kick myself about that one all the time. Oh well, mine is almost up to snuff!

 

I live in central Iowa, where "Jap" vehicles are looked down upon. My wife drives an `01 Infiniti QX4 and the mouth-breathers still can't figure out what it is.
I moved here from Idaho in January, and I've owned plenty of foreign and domestic vehicles.
However, out here, I've seen exactly one 4Runner on the street in 8 months, and the owner and I have become friends.
My use for it will be a daily commuter and some light off-roading.
My daily commute is about 1-mile, so mpg and comfort isn't high on my list.

 

Good thing you put that in quotes, otherwise Travis might have to bust a cap.

 

w3Rd!!

 

I don't really think you need the e-locker in rear. Do you plan on taking this thing 4wheeling. Or is it just going to haul a couple of quads every other weekend. 10,500 for a 96 4runner with only 92,000 miles on it is a good deal. i got my 97 I paid 10,500 out the door and it had 109,000 miles on it....

 

For what you'r goign to use it for, you really don't need a locker... yeah, if there was one available that would be a huge plus. But if you are going to leave the serious wheel'n to the ATVs, then you really don't need a locker. If I can make it through tellico w/o one, you will be fine . Though... the lust factor is high for those with a locker. You can get away with 285s using the OME coil lift, you will have to cut the pinch weld in the front wheel wells but you shouldn't need to do more than that. The rubbing will be quite minor. Espcially for DD sort of stuff. Welcome aboard! you hang around here you will be selling the ATVs for mod money before you know it! Then taking the runner places you never thought possible!

 

Now your talking like a real wheeler. Rock on Man. I hope he does get the 4Runner we always need more people joining the community.