Hey y'all! I'm poping over from the first gen crew to ask a question. I've been looking at a some newer vehicles how are the 3rd gen runners with a 2.7 mated to a 5 speed 4x4?
Ya or Na? LOL! it's got just over a 100,000 on the odometer. and is very clean. do they meat the normal yota reliability scale? LOL!

 

good question, I was going to look at a base 97 with 4cyl 5sp but I'm wary of a smaller engine with a mid size truck, especially if it has to haul me up a mountain.

anyone know if any of the 4cyl have a rear locker?

how bout the base model with ABS?

 

The 2.7L may arguably be one of the best engines Toyota has turned out. Its very reliable, has a chain (no maint.), and is/if not more powerful than the old 3.0's.

I have 136k miles on mine and it has yet to fail me, its a very solid engine. Mine is matted with an auto so unfortunately it isn't as fun to drive but the tranny doesn't slip, the engine pulls like it was new! If you're towing, go with the 3.4, or if you live in the mountains as it can get a little sluggish on long climbs. Otherwise, the 2.7L has everything you need to get around town and isn't bad on the highway but does struggle when you try and push past 70 miles per hour.

Here is my 2.7L, mine doesn't offer the ABS which is fine with me (better off-road--just get good tires). I don't know if they offered it with ABS, but mine has all the rest of the creature comforts (CC, PW, PDL, AC, CD, etc.).



That one you're looking at with just over 100k miles is just gotten broken in. Thats a hell of deal, don't be worried over the 2.7L, its an excellant truck/engine that has served me well for more than 2 years.

 

I have a base model 97 with the 5speed and 4wd. Mine has 4.56 gears from the factory, and this thing isn't a dog, get a consistant 21-23 mpg. The only thing i have had to replace is tires, and who knows how old battery. I dont have abs, i dunno if it was an option with the base model. They offered the electric locker with the base model, but i will tell you this i bet is harder than crap to find one. First you have a 5speed 4runner which are rare, then add a 4cylinder (rarer), then add 4wd (even rarer), and finally add 4.56 gears like i have got (even rarer).

I like mine without abs, it stops alot better when offroading, doesnt hesitate on ya.

If your not going to tow, there is nothing wrong with this type rig. I love it

 

Can we get a halleluiah?

 

Just like Skrillah, i have all the creature comforts also, and its also black. But because of my gears and manual it is great on the highway, not sluggish over 70.

 

halleluiah!!

 

I don't have the 2.7 but I did test drive one and its pretty ballsy being a 4 banger. dohc and 2.7 liters makes it pretty decent. If you dont tow I'd say go for it. If you do tow get the 3.4L instead. I was real close getting a 98 w/ a 4 banger but did'nt b/c I tow from time to time. The six has the torque to get the job done an still averages 18-22 mpg daily driving and towing I get about 16mpg highway towing a 4000 lb. boat. What ever you get it will be awesome as long as its a TOYOTA.

 

Mine isn't terribly sluggish, just high rpms and doesn't act like she wants to go much faster even though she's hit 90 before.

I need to check on my gears...is it in the door jam?

 

Yeah its in your door jam, it will give ya a code. Then you can go here
http://www.sonoransteel.com/Toyota_axle_codes.html

Yeah i usually run at around 2600-3000 on the highway. at 3000 i am at 76ish.

I got ya beat i have hit 100 in mine, and its not that fun.

 

I have hit 100mph in my auto 2.7L... I was also loaded down with 4 people and beach gear. It was really slow going but it got up there.

Toyota did a pretty solid job with the motor; most big 4cyl's have some vibration but with the balance shafts as its pretty smooth...

 

Hey! I seem to remember you asking this question too a while back glad to hear it's working out well for ya.

To the original poster, it's all about what you need. The guys who have supercharged their 3.4l aren't going to like the 2.7 very much, but if you are coming from a 1st gen you'll love the 2.7. I was happy with the 22re in my 2nd gen, and absolutely love the 2.7 in my 3rd gen. It really is a great motor.

 

Just as i had hoped, Lots of good things to say about the 2.7 I havn't had any experiance with it. so was curious. I think i'm gonna go throw an offer down on this 4runner. it's very basic almost no options so bare bones. means less to fix ten years down the road. LOL!
thanks for the input, i'll post pics if the truck lords work in my favor and I get the runner.

Peace out!
Rick

 

My '98 has the 2.7 along with the 5-speed and 4wd.

Shes got over 232,000 and still going strong

 

Yeah i seem to remember asking you about yours. Yeah i love it.

The 2.7 has more ooomph over my last suv, which had a 3.9 v8 in it (180hp on a good day but it weighed a crap load), and at least double the mpg.

 

Wow, any recomendations for reaching that mileage?

Any major overhauls (chain, heads, etc.)?

 

We just bought a 2.7 5spd 2wd. It is peppy. We even put 31's on it and it still moves. We get 20-21 combined. I'm excited to see what we get on a long trip.

We have amde a couple upgrades:

Removed running boards, installed nology plug wires, upgraded to late model exhaust manifold (The cast ones crack and toyota fixed it by later producing a tubular header-type manifold.)

One thing to be cautious of is the valves. They tend to tighten up after a while. This can cause valves to stick and eventually burn out. I had this checked immediately after purchase and at 116k it already had a bunch of tight valves. The mechanic did a valve adjustment and we are good to go. He recommended checking it every 80-100k. If this gets bad you will have a misfire on cylinder 3 or 4 and will need a whole valve job $$$$$$$.

You can tell if a vehichle suffers from this by a check engine light, a rough idle and MAJOR loss of power. I was quoted about 2000.00 to fix this. I saw it on 2 4runners before I found ours. Just a heads up.

But if they run solid, they are AWESOME motors.

 

1: I believe we replaced the speed position sensor? a few years ago.

2: I had to replace the spark plug tube seals last month.

3: I need to replace the oil pan, as its rusting on the bottom and starting to leak. It looks like it has an additional sump factory welded to the bottom, and its rusting along the weld. I'm also putting on a new muffler this weekend.

Other than that its just been normal maintenance - oil, tires, new plugs (three times I think), new plug wires (twice), air filters, brakes (I changed the original rears at 220,000 and they looked new with little wear!...probably weren't working well, but nothing felt unusual. Still on the original front rotors.) I think a new clutch may be on the horizon before too long to replace the original.

 

Love my 2.7 in my Tacoma. No problems at all and I live in the mountains.The only time it will bother you is if you have a really long steep grade to climb. Off road it has all the power you need and in 4 wd and low range it will climb a wall. Going down the interstate it will cruise at 75-80 and you won't even know it. You can bury the speed-o. Mine is the auto and I love that too. Just a matter of choice . I got over wanting to shift all the time just because it's fun, a long time ago, Lol. Mike