3rd Gen 4runner experts... walk me through this
 

So I've had my apple carts upturned in the past month, and it looks like a fleet adjustment will be required to accomodate the changes. I am going to be staying at my mother's home for the winter while she's in China, and her home is on a particularly tough hill. Also, I'm buying a cottage next week, and I'd like to be able to drive in and out of its 2000ft driveway year round.

So, the fwd v70 is going to be retired, and I'm looking at 3rd gen (96-2001) Toyota 4runners. Initially, I was looking for a base model with the 22re and a 5 speed, but the more I've read, the more I'm leaning towards the '99-'00 4runner Limited, because:
- Leather interior is more washable/kid friendly
- "Multi-Mode" transfer case has a lockable center diff, so you can run it unlocked (awd) or locked (4x4). (only available 99-2002)
- electric actuated locking rear diff (only available until 2000)

The downside to the Limited is that they were only available as automatics, and I really prefer a manual transmission. Having said that, the selectable center diff in the transfer case makse quite a difference when you drive in a climate like ours, especially where this will become my primary driver for a year or two. A straight 4x4 is a handful in the snow when it's a commuter vehicle, especially on the highway.... being able to toggle between awd/4x4 might trump gettibg a manual transmission

What say ye?

3rd gen 4runners are great! I've had mine for 6 years now as my daily and plan on keeping it that way for a long time. I have a auto 4x4 and love it..I too wanted a manual v6, but they are tough to come by and the one I picked up was a one owner so I jumped on it. I haven't seen a snow the 4x4 can handle! 4hi is great but believe it's only rated up to 45mph.. Unless you plan on doing some off roading you really don't need the diff lock, and I do plenty 4x4 trails without it now. You should go for the 99-02 4runner as 99 brought in some updates that are very nice one of them being a better engine and power outlets in the front and rear of the truck.

Yours is an SR5 so it has the regular transfer case, as opposed to the selectable open/locked diff in the Limited's tranfer case, correct?

The locking rear diff is a $500-800 bolt-in upgrade in any of the gen3's, and a quick scan shows that they are readily available... but that "Multi-mode" transfer case in the 99-02 trucks is *really* appealing

I was surprised at how many 5spd gen3's I can find, but then again I am looling at cars 3000miles away and looking foeward to the drive home!

That's correct. I have put a link below from the forum that I like to hangout in for 4runner stuff. This link should provide you with everything you want to know! In 01-02 all the trucks got the multi-mode t-case so that should open the door up for you in terms of finding the perfect truck!

3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

What kind of gas mileage are you getting? 18/20 seems to be about average

I had an 01 Sc'd SR5 2WD auto and I'd get 16 mpg on it, mostly city driving. I had cloth seats with Wet Okoles and hauled a lot of stuff in that vehicle, The Wet Okoles cannot be beat.


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...r/P1010056.jpg

I currently have 99 for sale in NYC with new timing belts , water pump , drive belts , spark plugs ,
Valve cover gasket, rear shocks and radiator .

This was posted today on FB 4 Runner group. $6500 in Atlanta Ga.

1995 4Runner
SR5 4x4

Engine 250,000 original miles
Rebuilt engine (less than 5000 miles)
New brakes front and back
New re differential seal
Air Conditioning and heat work
Power window power door locks
CD player, radio
Weather tech floor mats
Sun roof
5 speed transmission

Cell-404-788-2888

I have a 1997 4x4x Limited Edition Gen 3, with the 3.4 v-6 auto . Love it! It has a locking diff button on the dash as well. The only thing I added was the trans cooler. I bypassed the radiator cooler as there is a chance of "strawberry milkshake syndrome" should the trans cooler in the radiator end up sharing the same space. $70 later , no worries:)

is the current model 4th gen?

5th gen. Jake, here's a link to the 4 Runner FB page. You should join, rigs are posted almost daily for sale by enthusiasts who have taken care of them.....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/toyota4runners/

I have a 4th Gen I bought from 1WP over ten years ago. I think the 4th gen is a better car mechanically but I really prefer the looks of the 3rd Gen.

Hard to go wrong. Happy hunting!

That would be a 2nd generation, not 3rd. Pretty worthless if it's a V-6, unfortunately. One of Toyota's rare *swing and miss* vehicles. The 3rd gen fixed everything, especially the drivetrain, and was a great rig. The trick at this point would be finding one with lots of young miles still left on it.

I've given up on the notion of buying a US truck... by the time I pay the US/CAN exchange, taxes, duty and fees, it adds 70-80%.

I've also decided to only look at the 1999/2000 Limited version for the reasons noted above. This is going to be my DD, so the AWD/4x4 and locking rear diff makes it a perfect balance.

Also did some reading last night, and enough people have done a 5speed manual swap in the Limiteds that I am reasonably assured I can go that route if I don't like the automatic. There are plenty of rusty donor vehicles to be had for $1000.

There's an enthusiast-maintained 2 owner 2000 Limited in Toronto that I'm haggling on now. Binder of receipts, dealer maintained, Rust Checked every year. Fly in, drive home.

The gas mileage is going to be an adjustment conpared to ghe fwd volvo, but I'd have to buy a pickup otherwise. This saves me maintaining and insuring 2 vehicles

Thanks for the great advice.

PM me if you need a ride anywhere around town.

I didn't realize Toyota had produced the awd/4x4. It sounds like a great DD. I DD a newer Tacoma and we're in for a long winter here. Switching in and out of 4x4 to go between the plowed and deiced streets and the others where we've got thick snow and ice on the ground can be a pain. Hopefully your deal works out.

i'm fairly certain a locking rear is not the best thing to have in snow.

What's your thinking on this?
I can see at higher speeds a sudden throttle change may lead to over steer, but at the speeds one would use a locking rear diff, that wouldn't be an issue.
I drove an '87 4000 Quattro years ago and I must say the locking diffs (rear and centre) were greatly appreciated a few times. In fact the only time I locked the diffs was in snow. I never had the car in deep mud.

Best
Les

On my Toyota's, locking the rear differential only happens below 3MPH or when the truck is stopped.

Locking the rears is essential in some snow circumstances. Once out, back to 4HI.

If youre open to a Nissan, you need to look at the pathfinder. -

Mine is a 2001 with: 4x2,auto, 4-Hi and 4-low so no matter how much snow i have to deal with I never get stuck.

The best part is that the Pathfinder (In my opinion) is as good as that 4Runner but is like a 1/3 or 1/4 of the price.
The engine is that 3.5lts from Nissan that still in use with Infinity and Nissan new models so you know its reliable as it gets. This gen has a Towing capacity of 5,000lbs!! (that's more than any modern small&mid-sized SUV)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Pathfinder#Second_generation_R50_series_.28 1995.E2.80.932004.29

Note: do NOT buy the next gen up, so many issues..

Good luck!