Was driving my '94 (bought it new) when I saw this thread so I got out and took some photos. It has @210K miles on it and everything works great. Looks almost like new. It had pretty much all the options except leather (preferred cloth) including a trailer hitch. It has a cd multidisc player and a cassette. It also has a roof rack and a detachable set of ski/board carriers. It is great in the snow! It is a V6 auto.

I have towed cars cross-country multiple times as well as cargo trailers. It has served me well while we lived in the desert of Albuquerque and Las Vegas, in the frigid cold of Minot ND, the humidity and traffic of Atlanta and the beaches of Florida (yeah, we move too much). It has no rust and original paint except for a small touch up spot. Here are some photos from today:



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401488430.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401488449.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401488477.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401488494.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401488513.jpg

That would be just about perfect with a manual.

I havent discounted picking up another Trooper, although its hard to find one with a manual.

My old one was starting to get long in the tooth, steering rack was leaking, clutch starting to go and it needed new tires. I sold it to a friend who likes to tinker.

It has held up nicely for 20 years. Thay are well built vehicles.

What about a '90's Jeep Cherokee. The 4.0 straight six is a good engine.

I've had a 2nd, 2 3rd's--still have one and currently a 4th generation 4runner. They are all reliable and capable vehicles and are all a bit different.

The gen2's are much more truck like. Louder and harsher ride. The stance is a bit narrower and I think the wheelbase is a little shorter.

The 2 gen3's I have and had are much more civilized and comfortable, but just as or more capable off road. Between the 2, 400,000+ miles of driving. The one I still own is at my Az place and is the TRD factory supercharged model. It's approaching 200K and nary a problem. It will get 24-25 mpg on the freeway, but due to the s/c it needs premium fuel.

The one weak point that I have found on the 2 and 3gens is the front rotors. They warp easily, make sure to torque the lug nuts, not just tighten.

I vote a gen3 for your price point with the v6....you'll be happy. Good shopping.

Great looking truck fint! About time for new rear springs though, it's got the usual rear sag going on.

I looked a little after my first post, around here the 3rd gen 4Runners with the excellent 3.4 can be had around $5k. Probably the best all around T4R of the early ones. I had a 2003 that was fantastic, sold it to Paul (Seahawk) who has well over 200k with nary an issue. Fantastic trucks but over your price range.

Listening in and also beginning a search for a 4Runner (4WD auto, budget <$7k)...

The rest of the truck isnt good. I'm just not a fan of American trucks of that era.

1st gen 4runner with the "3.slow" and automatic. I wouldn't have had it any other way (the 3.0 was only bad to people who NEVER OWNED ONE) and the automatic was tough as nails for off-roading.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401511322.jpg


Oh, you were probably looking at something more stock, right? :D

That should be an easy one around here, but expect it to have 150-180k miles on it.

I've just begin looking and I'm focused on NorCal first, although I will open up the search to SoCal as well.

The high mileage doesn't scare me on these trucks as they seem built to, as someone suggested, outlast us!