Educate me on the 4Runner.
 

I need to get a good work truck for around $3-4K.

It occurred to me that i don't know much about the 4Runner.

The only for sure things I want are a manual transmission and 4WD. Did the 4Runner come with the 22RE? I'm kinda thinking that motor might be under powered in that chassis, so V6?

Things to look out for?

The 22RE was available until 1995 IIRC. While it might be a tad underpowered, that engine will outlive you and basically just requires gas and the occasion oil change. Absolutely bullet proof as is most of the 4Runner.

The 4Runner will rust away long before the mechanical bits give up the ghost.

Yeah, the 22RE is bulletproof. I drove one with a blown head gasket for a month when I was a starving student. Just kept adding water. I eventually fixed it and it ran fine for 8 years after when I sold the truck at a premium to some laborers.

I would think that it not going to be enough for the chassis. What V6 do they have? As good as the four?

Rust isnt too much of a concern here in the PNW. I'd like something that I could have a little mild off road fun with.

The beauty of the 22Re is there is tons of aftermarket for it. Some companies even make drop in performance 22Re. Personally, I'd do the usual cheap engine mods (intake, headers, cam) and then change the gearing to deal with making the engine feel like it has more get up and go.

Otherwise you can opt for the V6...but the gas mileage is truly terrible for the little gain in performance (about 35 more HP) you get. It's only a 3.0 (the 22RE is a 2.4L)...so the gain isn't tremendous and not worth the reliability or gas penalty. IMO

You must be talking about the earlier ones with the 22re motor. They are freaking amazing in terms of durability. I had that little in two of my 4wd trucks. Just put gas in the tank. running gear are pretty damn good on those little trucks. In terms of power, its under power, but what are you doing with them? Enough for general off road use, but don't expect it to haul a 5 adults and go over a mt pass doing 70. My trucks floored will get up to about 80-85 depending on the head wind and terrain. Their 93 (and several years after that) V6 isn't as good and is a know problem with blown head gaskets. Other then that, I have talk to many who own them to be very happy and have zero issues with them. The 95 to 02 trucks are great, but the 03- 09 are better because of the big V8 in there, but that v6 is no slouch. Those might be out of your proce range.

Why pay the Toyota tax (I have done many time before and just did)? Look at the X-Terra. I feel they are a tiny bit smaller, but just as solid and don't resell as high as the 4 runner.

Could you find an Xterra for cheap in good condition? Tell me more.

not sure if 3-4 K will buy anything in good condition there days?

Nostril Cheese,

I looked, and they are out there for 5-6K, just not too many of them around areas near you. The V6 is a pretty good car. A friend's brother works for Nissan as a tech and he said the X terra or Pathfinders are good cars and not too many thing go wrong with them besides the brake pads and general wear stuff.

You can find a first or second generation 4Runner for $5k, it just might take some looking. In those the 3.0 V6 is a dog (aka three point slow), and there was a recall done for head gaskets. After the recall they are generally reliable, but get worse MPG for not much power. I would absolutely get a 1st gen 4Runner with the 22RE and a stick, it would be a bulletproof truck. Plus you can take the top off!

Pathfinder and XTerra are good as well, though if you get one with the early V6 they are also a dog. Look for one with the excellent VQ V6, which I think is the 3.5. They should be less than a comparable Toyota.

Others to look at if you want a bulletproof older SUV with some character:
Toyota Land Cruiser - the FJ80 and FZJ80 can be found for $5k. Slow, terrible MPG, but they have as much character as a classic 911. Also very nice to drive, and with the tail gate folded down you can haul 4x8 sheet goods. The only weakness is the head gasket on the FZJ80 models, otherwise they are incredibly overbuilt. I still regret selling my FJ80.
Mitsubishi Montero - sold as the Pajero in other world markets, another true expedition vehicle like the Land Cruiser. Easy to find for not much money. Note that there is a Montero Sport which is smaller and a POS, you want the Montero.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attach...gen-topoff.jpg

My old FJ80:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401449457.jpg

A true Montero:

http://fp.images.autos.msn.com/meris...y/c431188a.jpg

I have a prerunner with the 3.4 v6. Bought it with 59,000 on the clock for 14,000. It now has 315,000 miles on it with absolutely zero issues. Always gets 20 mpg. City or hiway 20 mpg. Best money I ever spent on a vehicle.

I've had an 88 22RE 4Runner, a 98 4runner (also 4 cyl) and my dad currently has an '08. All three were crazy reliable, but especially the '88 and '98. I will say if you get the 4 cyl 1st gen model, don't expect to accelerate up an on-ramp, they are very slow but they will slowly climb up a damn wall if you want them to. The '98 was a Ferrari compared to the '88 when I got it. The only issue with the '88 we EVER had was rough running once, my dad thought "ok, this is it" took it to the shop and $60 later in new spark plug wires it was good as new. Sold it 13 years/135,000 miles after new for 60% of what we paid out the door.

'98 is a similar story...dad loves his '08. Basically, I don't think you can go wrong with whatever year you choose.

I want one of those so bad.

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.

Skip the gen 2 3.0 V6. I have a 91 with the v6, and it is really underpowered. And due to the design of the exhaust, head gaskets only last about 70k - 80k.

That being said, it is a tank, and fairly easy to work on. You can pick one up with a blown head gasket in the $1500 range, and it is a weekend and less than $500 in parts and supplies.

But I would rather go this route...

Clean 1989 Toyota 4runner

I've had 2 4Runners a 88 and a 99 both where great trucks. I'm looking for an 87 or 88 right now for my son to be his first car. The 22re is a brute will take you anywhere you wanna go. I also drove with a blown head gasket on my 88 for a couple months when I was a poor kid. Its hard to go wrong with the early Toyota trucks. Just watch for rust.

The early Montero's are nice vehicles and can be had cheap. I had a truck with the 4 cyl 2.7 and it was bulletproof. This one has the 3.0 V6 and is in nice condition.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401465964.jpg

Mitsubishi Montero Montero | eBay

I owned an 89 4Run 3.0L from new. 18-22 mpg everywhere. We put 260k on her without a flinch and sold her when we needed more car. She pulled a 4000lb boat across the desert and over Baker grade at 65mph regularly in 110F and the temp gauge barely moved. One of the most capable and reliable cars I have ever owned. A lotta truck for the buck.

14-15 mpg??? that's damn good, I average 12-13 on the hay.

I miss my 80 LC a lot. I drive a 5 gen 4 runner, but its not the same.

Not sure you can buy the 3.0 turbo diesel 4 Runner Gen 2 in the USA but if they are available it is worth finding one as they are so much better than the 3.slow petrol V6

I bought a 1994 UK spec. 3.0 TD last Nov. as we have a house in the mountains and needed a go anywhere all year round family wagon. It cost me under $3k for mine, one owner, only 120k on the clock and in pretty good condition.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1401485169.jpg

First job was to fit a set of winter tyres, very reassuring knowing you will get to where you want no matter how bad the weather is, It is also not too old so ride is comfortable and it keeps up in todays traffic even on the freeway.

I love the fact it is comes from an era of car build quality where a car was made to last, not complicated and if something breaks you can easily fix it rather than replacing it.

Over time I will slowly convert it to a round the world exploring wagon, nothing extreme just want something comfortable and reliable so my wife and I can go for long drives like from the UK to South Africa or Vietnam or around Iceland or up to and above the artic circle in Scandinavia.

I would say my 4 runner is the best all round car we have owned and its a keeper, buy one, you won't be disappointed. I think if I was in the USA I'd skip the 3.slow petrol gen 2 version and buy a gen 3

I've owned two. A 95 V6 standard (still have it) and a 99 V6 auto.
Both of them dead reliable. Never had any trouble with either one. The V6 in the 99 had way more power but the 95 did fine as I never towed anything with it.