I currently have a 95 4Runner V6 that I kind of fell into by accident. Since I got it though I decided to try out offroading. I am definitely liking it and thinking of building up the vehical a little. The more I read the more I am thinking if I am going to invest in modifying the truck, I don't want to start with the wrong platform.

I got the 4Runner of a women coworker who owned it since new and was going to trade it in for a brand new 4Runner. The dealership offered her peanuts for it and she offered it to me for the same and I could not pass it up. It has a full dealership service history and 85,000 miles and never been off road. Despite that, I am thinking instead that I should be dropping it and picking up a 96+ with E-Locker.

Besides cost, are there any real disadvantages to a 96+ model vs the 90-95 gen? More powerful, better gas mileage, e-locker. The one con I keep reading is tire size. Everyone says you can't fit a 33x12.5 on the 96 without a lift. I would like to keep the susp stock. Of course, most people say that about the 90-95 too but I running 33x12.5 with a completely stock suspension right now and having no rubbing issues. The rears still tuck under compression and in the front I just pounding the seam flat and took a cutting wheel to the back inside corner of the fender. Would I be able to do the same on a 96?

For the extra cost (not insignificant), should I just look at dropping $1500 into a ARB locker for the current truck?

Thanks,

 

I'd take a 1990-1995 4runner with a 3.4 swap hands down over a 1996+ bodystyle but if it was stock I'd probably go for the 96+.

 

I liked my 93 a lot more than my 99 stock except for the power. It's a good mix between utility and comfort, 1st and 3rd gens, they almost got it perfect. For a DD definately the 3rd gen, offroad I'd mod a 2nd gen.

 

I had a '92 SR5 4x4 5spd & now have a '96 Limited 4x4 auto. The only thing I miss about the '92 is the tailgate. I like tailgates. I like the extra power & slightly larger size of the '96. Now if I could get a 4.0 V6 & lockers, then I'd be happy. Of course if I was doing a trail vehicle, I'd get an FZJ 80 Land Cruiser with front & rear lockers.

Paul

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm in Canada but...I got the current 4Runner for $2K. After some used 33" tires, custom bumper, etc etc, I have about $3000 into it. A decent 96+ will cost me about $7K here. An 80 series in good shape with fr/rr lockers is more like $9K-10K.

I'm not looking for a fully built trail rig. I drive this vehical 20miles roundtrip to work every day. My goal is stock susp, 33s, a little armour, and a rear locker. Despite the extra cost, the 3.4 and OEM e-locker seem pretty attractive from a 96+.

Can you tell me why?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

For the cost difference to upgrade to a 96+ model that will buy alot of modifications. I love my '92 with 3.4 swapped power. I much prefer the early torsion bar suspension- parts are cheap and a SAS is much more viable down the road. I am on the look out for e-locker to retrofit. IMO keep the earlier truck, wheel it and modify as you go.

 

I would stick with your current runner. Considering what you have in the truck i would be happy with it. Granted, the 3.4 has more power (Dont be fooled its still slow) i would put a little more $$ into your 2nd gen and have a great DD and offroad rig. For the price of the 3rd gen with all the goodies you want your looking at a lot more money.

 

My suggestion is stick to what you have and make it the way you want it, my 99 is still slow and under powered, when I go up hill, all cars still passes me by. Save up and get a newer model with more power, unless you really like the body style of a 3rd gen like me.

 

I agree you should stick with the cherry 4Runner that fell into your lap. 2nd gen's are plenty capable. I'm with SoCal, too. I like the tailgates. I hated having anything that can roll fall out of the cargo area when I opened the hatch.

Forget the e-locker. Just go for the ARB. That way, if you decide to do a front locker, you'll already have a compressor ready to go.

And I never realized that you can stuff 33's in a stock 2nd Gen?? Technically, you can do that with 3rd Gen's, but not without a lot of trimming.

 

Well, the truck is mechanically solid with low miles but the previous owner did let the body go. There is rust around the rear arches and under the rear bumper that is pretty bad.

Everyone said no and everything I had read says no. Yet, I am running them. No t-Bar crank, 1.25 spacers in rear just to level. I don't have running boards or mud flaps and I did pound the seam and trim the bottom corner of the fender a little. But no rub that I have noticed on the street or when offroad.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

like people have told you, you can make your 2nd gen pretty awesome with the money it would cost to pick up a 3rd gen. While each of them has their advantages, Both are great vehicles with great off road capability. I say go and drive a 3rd gen if you can and decide for yourself whats right for you. Either way you go your going to have a toyota 4x4 so.....

 

The reaso I'd mod the 2nd gen is cost. The ease of doing a sas, the 3rd gen is more street than trail to begin with I find other than the locker, which you can add to a 2nd gen easily within the buying price difference. Also you can wheel it hard on the 3vze and just keep saving your money for when that engine quits and do a swap to 3.4 or a chev 4.3

 

Thanks to the recent gas prices around here, an FZJ 80 in good condition with lockers can be had for around $8400.
Paul

 

I had a '92 with a 5 speed and hated that gutless V6. And I live in Florida where there are no hills. The 3rd Generation 4Runner will give you more power, a bit roomier interior and a factory locker. The 2nd Generation has more gauges (oil pressure, voltmeter), aforementioned tailgate and bolt-on locking hub capability. If you are satisfied with the power you currently have I say keep what ya got and mod it.

Perhaps others will chime in on the head gasket issues with the 2nd Generation V6. I dunno how common the failure is but could rack up a significant repair bill.

 

I'd like to see one stay on the market for a day. So many Cruiser heads in a search for a clean 80, it's almost impossible to land a clean one.

 

To hijack my own thread. These are just the 80 series for sale right now in my city. In canada we are completely inindated with RHD japanese imports. Prices have come down as well recently.

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ94818228
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ94817537
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ59591485
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ94434007
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ90907032
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ85342639
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...QAdIdZ83448938

 

Those are some damn sexy land cruisers !!

 

I haven't looked at these, but I've seen others. I was going to buy an FZJ 80, but at 12 mpg & gas @ $4.79/ gal I decided on a 4Runner that can get 17 mpg.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=14

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...0&rdpage=thumb

 

Yeah, there are plenty for sale. That's not what I'm saying. 99.9% of those still on the market have something wrong with them. I looked for one for over a year before just giving up (still on the look out, but not every day like I used to).

 

I had a 95 2nd gen and loved it with the 22Re.

If your new to you 2nd gen has the 3 slow V6 and no rebuild yet-it is going to need it sooner or later.

You "may" do better to sell off that low mile 2nd gen to invest in a 3rd gen.

Just like folks are dumping their 80s, lots of folks are dumping their Runners for more affordable rides.

The 3rd gen 3.4 V6 is not slow with a manny tranny. I routinely dust drivers napping at stop lights-which is not good for fuel economy but fun all the same. Call me juvenile go ahead.

The creature comforts of the 3rd gen are highly desirable-but having said that I would not recommend anything older than the 99 model year when most of the newer options were standard-that cup holder is perhaps the most talked about....

Drive the snot out of your 2nd gen and develop your off roading prowess in stock form. You will retain good sale-ability with low miles and then enable yourself to move up to a 99-02 3rd gen later. Just watch over that V6....