[IROC]

Pretty much agree with everything said. I've had three 4Runners (1987, 2001 and now own a 2008).

1st gens in good condition are getting hard to find and the decent ones are pricey.

I would personally avoid a 3.0 V6, but they're probably not that bad these days. The 3.4 V6 is a great engine (I like it better than the 4.0 V6).

I've put probably a total of 200k miles on these things (+ 135k miles on a 2001 Tacoma) and they are simply ultra-reliable beasts.

I current have an 1997 Lexus LX450 (aka FZJ80 Land Cruiser). Built like a freakin' tank, but as Matt says, the mpg isn't great (I average about 14-15 mpg). Hard to find for your price range unless you add a couple of kilobucks to do the baseline maintenance.

For $3-$5k I'd look at a late '90s 4Runner.