Anyone own/owned a '90-'02 4Runner

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm considering buying one, but need to know approximately what length lumber it can haul, and if it can carry 4x8 sheets inside. This would be with the seats folded. I just want to know how well it can play the truck role.

[cstreit]

I had a '98. No way can you get a 4x8 in there... The wheel wells interfere with laying them flat.. Plus when you try and get stuff in at an angle, the rear door opening is much smaller than the cargo area. Makes getting large stuff in a bit more difficult. I'd guess for laying stuff flat about 6x3.5" is your max.

That said, it was a GREAT truck, we ran ours HARD for years (towing, hauling, short trips) and it was running great at 175k miles... Sold it when the trans started to go (and the shocks, brakes, and other things too, lol)

[Tobra]

There was a recall on the headgaskets of the 6 cylinder ones. Great vehicle though, kinda small inside

[onewhippedpuppy]

That's kind of what I wondered, thanks guys. I suppose there's always the luggage rack.

[IROC]

We own an '01 right now. I wouldn't haul lumber in it. Absolutely great vehicle. I'd get a trailer for the wood if you really need to tow it.

BTW, I think the head gasket issue was with the old 3.0 liter V6s from the late '80s - early '90s. I own two 2001 V6 Toyotas and have never had any recalls.

[Tobra]

am not sure of years involved in recall but worth checking out.

[Vin-barrett]

I had a 1990 V6 automatic

Ran trouble free for years but undercarriage got very rusty, steel fuel lines underneath corroded enough to leak.

Poke your head underneath and see what's doin.

[nostatic]

had a 4-cylinder '96. Great vehicle. Put a roof rack on it and haul the lumber there.

[johndglynn]

I have 2 '96 turbodiesel manuals, bloody brilliant. I wouldn't put heavy stuff on the roof though, stick in inside on a workmat or borrow a trailer - they tow like a dream.

[onewhippedpuppy]

From what I've seen, the recall only affected the early V6 models. Sadly, I think rust is the achilles heel of the '80s and early '90s Toyotas. Otherwise they seem to run forever.

As for the lumber, I need something that will work for occasional use. For large quantites I'll either borrow/rent a trailer or truck, or just have it delivered. I've been looking at compact trucks, but it seems that something like a 4Runner would be just as good for my light hauling purposes, with the advantage of usable back seats and trunk space. I would guess that with the rear window down, a 4Runner could probably haul longer lumber than a small truck with a 4'-6' bed. Oddly enough, 4Runners seem to be cheaper than similar year/condition/mileage Toyota trucks.