Alright, I am planning on building a daily driver/ weekend wheeler as my next project. I want a rig that I can do the rubicon in and also have it be daily drivable. I was thinking if I did a 2nd or 3rd gen: SAS, locked f&r, gears and 35-37" tires. Basically the same for the 1st gen, preferably not the SAS though. (1985). I daily drive a basically stock 1990 4runner with the 4 banger, so that would have to be rebuilt (300,000+ miles), and my dad owns a 1999 4runner that I might inherit soon. As for the 1st gen., hopefully I can find a '85. So based upon your experiences with SAS and $$ and 4wheeling these rigs, which one would be the best for a daily driver/extreme wheeler?

 

They all have their strengths and weaknesses. 1st gen is the easiest to build up. Not as much power with the 84-87 4cy, little better power with the V6. Removable top is the best. 2nd gens are cool, nicer interior, but no removable top. Heavier. Still short on power. 3rd gens are excellent. Nice interior, good power, solid all the way around. But will be more expensive and more involved to buildup.


Take your pick. Any 4Runner will do the job. Do you want to look pretty and go fast while doing it? Get a 3rd gen. Do you want a solid truck thats easy to build, with a classic styling? Get a 1st gen.

 

I really like the 1st gens. They are absolutely sick with their removable tops and cool styling. The thing is, lots of people have them now and I have not seen any 3rd gens out there so it might be unique to build one. I have access to a 2nd and 3rd gen 4runner right now, but I do like the 1st. This is why I am so tossed in between them. If you guys have any other opinions about 4runners, fire them away. thanks

 

Also about cost. Between buying a used 1st gen, and SAS'ing the other 4runners, I guess they will be farely close in price. It just depends on how mild or how WILD you want to make it. I would like to see some pics of 4runners that are "extreme" daily drivers. THanks again

 

There are numerous kits available to SAS the 2nd gen. The third gen would be quite a bit tougher though. I think it would make the most sense to SAS the 2nd gen you have, wheel that, and use that 3rd gen as a DD/light wheeler. That's just me though...

 

IMO your above description is a contradiction of itself. A locked, geared SAS'd runner w/ 35-37" tires isn't going to be a great daily driver. Stick with the IFS (for now) and see what you can do with that. When you start breaking stuff, then you can think about all that other stuff. Keep your 90, put on some 31's (will fit on stock rims) $400-$450, Ball joint spacers $120 and IFS truss $50 up front, new rear springs $200 if you've got saggy rear end, lunchbox locker in the rear $250. For $1000 to $1200 you can wheel the crap out of that truck and learn about what you really need. And thats kind of high since it counts tires which you're going to need eventually anyway. Then wait for your Dad's 99 to come available. But Adam hit it on the head. What do you want to do? Wheel? Go fast? Or look cool in your high school parking lot?

Personally I like the 4 banger for it's reliability and ease of build up but there are plenty of high opinions about the 3.4 also on this board. I don't think you can go wrong either way there.

 

I think my project is similar to your goals, excepte for the SAS thing. Lots of guys run the rubicon with IFS. A built IFS should fair better. The front suspension kit I have will work on a 2nd gen, and it will greatly improve(Yes, I said improve) your street ride, especially if you install coilovers.







The cost is similar to a well built SAS. I wanted a vehichle that could perform as a competent daily driver, a little bit of high speed prerunning, and a good deal of trail crawling. Check out what BruceTS has done with a similarly built 3rd gen. If you want a strictly trail rider, I say go SAS, but otherwise check out the IFS options.

 

I have already built up my 1990 a little bit. 31" mud terrains, rear downey HD coils, new shocks...and I have figured out that I want a solid axle. There is no way why I wouldn't do a SAS because I am sick of doing all the easy trails. I want to go more extreme. I know a lifted SAS'ed 4runner on 35-37" tires won't be the "best" daily driver. I know a guy that daily drives his dual locked, dual t-cased, geared 1st gen 4runner with 37" swampers, driving 500 miles a week. Don't try and talk me out of it, I just need suggestions on which one I should build.

 

As for what kind of wheeling: Rock crawling on the 'con and simiar trails. Trips to Hollister while looking good wherever it may be.

 

Get and 86-89 1st gen and do a SAS, you'll already have the desirable steering box and a 22RE or V6 are gauranteed.....no chance of carbs. Plus the later models have wider rear axles. I would prefer that over an 85, plus they're easier to find and cheaper to buy.

If you want leafs all around, get a 1st gen
If you want coils in the rear build your 2nd gen.

No offense, but some new shocks and rear coils are hardly going to improve your front suspension travel, let alone allow you to witness the potential of a built IFS. Regardless, I won't try to talk you out of it.

 

Okay. Good luck.

 

i drive a SASed, Spooled, 2nd Gen with 34" LTB's

also have a white 1st gen 4sale soon as the motor is finished being built $3900 OBO not cheap but ready for another 250,000 miles -- motor being built be a race shop in Mooresville, NC

 

has anybody seen or can post pics of a 3rd generation 4runner with a SAS. I have seen a green one on here once, but I can't find it anymore. Please someone find it.