So I know there was some 4Runner chatter in Konata's thread. But those were newer.

I am wondering about the mid nities (gen2?)

I see many with 190k-250k miles. 3.4l v6. both auto and 5sd. Price is $2500 to $6k

Wondering specially what one would look for in one that was in the 200k to 230k mileage range and what one could expect for service out of one of that vintage.

What would one want to know when looking to purchase one that was not an off road vehicle that looked in pretty darn good shape for age and miles.
Or should one steer away from these in general.

Thanks

Frame rust out at the rear is the big concern, front ball joints wear out on them. Other than that, great truck.

I've been wanting on for a while. They are impossible to find in nice shape with the 5 speed. When you do they are $7000ish and they sell instantly.

If you see one that's been for sale a while, be cautious.

Frame rust, the autos had trans issues, rear axle seals and some other things. There are huge resources out there for buyers. Most everything is pretty easy to resolve outside of heavy rust.

And I know it's the prior generation (early 90s) but stay away from the 3.0L.

I sold my 1997 4runner last year with 192k on it. Great cosmetic and interior shape. It did have a minor frame issue. Other than what is posted, the timing chain/belt (can't recall which it is) should be changed.

I recently picked up a '96 Tacoma 4x4 from the husband of a woman I work with. In the process of learning about it I stumbled across Tacomaworld forum. There are a few others, as well. There are Toyota forums that are general, such as Toyota Nation, and there are specific ones such as Tacomaworld. There is a 4Runner forum on Toyota Nation, and I'm sure there must be specific 4Runner forums. On these forums I found answers to any and all questions I had, as well as much, much more. Do a little digging and you will get lots of good information and advice focused on just the model(s) and years you want.

I found a one owner 2001 Limited down in Virginia with very low miles (like 65k I think). Dealer promised me the rust wasn't bad...when I got there I saw it parked right out front freshly cleaned. First thing I did is walk over and look at the underside. I could (and did) peel off huge chunks of rust off of the frame rails alone. Lord only knows what the exhaust area looked like. I just left without even talking to the guy.

 
Don't know if it was still available in your years, but the I6 4.x F engine was a solid choice. A real workhorse, with tons of low-end torque.
 

Mine ran like a champ with 210k until it broke in half at 70 mph. Walk away if it's rusty.

quote:

Originally posted by amals:
I recently picked up a '96 Tacoma 4x4 from the husband of a woman I work with. In the process of learning about it I stumbled across Tacomaworld forum. There are a few others, as well. There are Toyota forums that are general, such as Toyota Nation, and there are specific ones such as Tacomaworld. There is a 4Runner forum on Toyota Nation, and I'm sure there must be specific 4Runner forums. On these forums I found answers to any and all questions I had, as well as much, much more. Do a little digging and you will get lots of good information and advice focused on just the model(s) and years you want.

Ditto for me, I just bought a 1996 Tacoma extra cab (only 2 wheel drive) with 12500 miles from a friend. I started going to those forums and have been able to find most of what I was looking for. I think the main things are rust and with that mileage water pump and timing belt/chain needs replaced.

Buddy of mine just bought one of these and loves it. He spent some money replacing joints and bearings.

The main things are rust and with that mileage water pump and timing belt/chain needs replaced.[/QUOTE]

That is what I am thinking too along with good general maintenance history and not abused.

Ball joints and axles seals seem like other items to have checked too. Thanks for that.

Thanks for the input guys.

Have you considered looking at the same vintage of Land Cruiser? There are some pretty reasonable deals out there for them. A bit more roomy.

Wife has a 99 SR5 she bought with like 24k on it. She now has a little over 185k I think. Has the V6. I did the timing belt at ~120k. I don't care for the seats, I think they are too narrow. I also don't like how you sit so close to the floor...But I don't drive it much, wife loves it.

Expect to replace the power antenna every year. I looked into replacing it with a manual one, but it's a huge PITA. I did the same with our Honda Accord and it was a 5 minute job.

One of the rear axle seals went out earlier this year. Not a big deal to replace in the driveway. I did have to have a shop press the bearing off and a new one on.

Every few years I do a full flush of fluids..front and rear diff, transfer case, radiator, transmission, full tune up. It's been several years, so I bet I have to do it this fall. That will be an entire weekend.

Overall it has been great, with no major issues.

3rd gen, the best 4Runner IMHO, came out in 1996.

The 2nd gen are good trucks but the 3.0L V6 is a trouble spot.

I have a mid Gen 3 (1999-2000) limited, with nearly 300k miles on the original engine and tranny. Worst problem ever, so far, was replacing rear axle seals at around 250k miles. This version (1999-2000 limited) has more options than the others (2wd, 4 hi and lo, AWD, rear locker on a button on the dash, moon roof, etc). See the 4runner forums for more...

It's great, bought it on the cheap a while back, definitely have less than $10k total invested including everything but gas, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The only things I'd change, if given the choice, would be better MPG (I average just shy of 20mpg), a wider center console, and a little more umph (it's a little slow when loaded down and climbing hills), and mine gets driven regularly, in town, on highway, and in the mountains on and offroad, from 4000ft elevation to above 12000, winter, summer, and everywhere in between. It's my beater 4x4, doesn't get babied, and I'll run it into the dirt - if it ever dies.

Can't recommend it highly enough.

Also, BTW, the 4runner forums are a wealth of information, with many threads regarding common issues, ones talking about what to look for before buying, and various mods.

Yep, I have a 1998 SR5 with 165k miles on it. i bought it a few years ago after it was owned by a single woman for 15 years.

I did the timing belt, valve covers, water pump, axle bearings/seals, etc. All the parts are really inexpensive and available everywhere.

Mine was bought with the TRD supercharger that was a dealer-installed option. I don't think it was ever driven hard. After I did all the maintenance to catch up, I couldn't resist getting a smaller pulley for the SC, along with bigger injectors and an AEM piggyback computer. Now that I have it tuned it is downright peppy!

All I lack now is the Transgo kit for the trans. It will firm up the shifts a bit as the 1-2 is a little lazy. The springs in there get a little soft after almost 20 years.

The 3rd Gen 4runners are my favorite.

quote:

The 2nd gen are good trucks but the 3.0L V6 is a trouble spot.

Found a gen2 I believe a 92'. Sounds like the owner has had for a decade and has taken good care of and done maintenance and repairs regularly. I am waiting on further details. Supposedly the top end was professionally done fairly recently.
Don't know if that is good or bad?

Thoughts.

We had a 98 Runner Limited. The thing was rock solid and performed flawlessly. By now you'll need to change the timing belt, water pump, idler and tensioner pulleys, thermostat, serpentine belt. I'd do the ball joints, tie rod ends inner and outer. Check the steering rack for leakage. New shocks and struts made a huge improvement over factory for us. Thing is, all of this work will be worth it on a vehicle this well engineered and executed. Check your drive lines too. Front axle bearings are a cinch if you have the ball joints out. Same with the wheel bearings, but those are sealed and tend to last forever IME.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

quote:

The 2nd gen are good trucks but the 3.0L V6 is a trouble spot.

Found a gen2 I believe a 92'. Sounds like the owner has had for a decade and has taken good care of and done maintenance and repairs regularly. I am waiting on further details. Supposedly the top end was professionally done fairly recently.
Don't know if that is good or bad?

Thoughts.

Ask him if he had a blown head gasket b/c that is a failing with the 3.0 V6.