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rwedgee
Ice climber
CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 11, 2017 - 07:22pm PT
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I've been considering getting an older 4runner 4x4 for a while to access a lot of roads the Forester can't clear, mostly due to big rocks/ruts, others could use a low gear. We went up to the bristlecones last week taking Silver Canyon, then down Wyman Canyon to the 168 hitting a few places we had to build rock bridges to keep from high centering. I take it pretty easy as it's car suspension and my daily driver and don't like to beat it up too bad. Had to smash away a 10" high curb of ice on the far side of the last creek crossing at Wyman. Lucky I had an axe and small sledge hammer to break it up. I would have hated to have to go all the way back up that road.
What years of 4runners in the mid 90's to mid late 2000's had the best engines, trans, differentials, etc. ? I have seen a fair number in the ads that have had the head gasket replaced and or the top end rebuilt in the 100K mile range while the majority have about 250K with no issues. Were there issues with the heads on certain years ?
I would love one of the old 4 cylinders but I don't want to be wrenching on a 30 year old car all the time so I've been looking at a few with less than 150K miles in the $4,000-$5,000 range.
What are the good and bad ones ?
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ruppell
climber
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Dec 11, 2017 - 07:29pm PT
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97-98 4runner with the 3.4L V6. They're a true j shifter on the transfer case and have nothing electronic to fail on the 4X system. They're bullet proof. Here's a little trip report I did in mine this summer. Just happens to be the reverse of what you did. Up Wyman and down Silver. No clearance issues with my rig. I've done a little work to it. lol
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2790449-post37.html
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limpingcrab
Trad climber
the middle of CA
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Dec 11, 2017 - 07:32pm PT
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Whatever you do don't get the 4-cylinder unless you'll only be driving downhill.
I had a 4 cylinder 4runner for a while and it made my 1985 subaru GL station wagon feel like a formula one champion.
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Hoots
climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
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Dec 11, 2017 - 07:41pm PT
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I always wanted one of the pre '90 4Runners, the ones with the roll bars and removable rear roof. Probably not too many of those in decent shape floating about these days though.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Dec 11, 2017 - 07:49pm PT
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I have a 2006 4Runner sport V8 with almost 200,000 miles. It’s got locking rear diff and full time 4 wheel drive, as well as low 4 gear. Never any mechanical problems, just the usual maintenance. Had water pump and timing belt replaced as routine high mileage maintenance. That year has the Prada engine which is the same engine that was in the Land Cruiser and that high end Lexus SUV. I used it a lot for moderate off reading and tons of winter driving.
I did buy a new 2017 4 Runner but I kept my old one I love it so much. They don’t make the V8 anymore. I really liked that power
Susan.
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Q- Ball
Mountain climber
but to scared to climb them anymore
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Dec 11, 2017 - 09:20pm PT
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I had a 2001 and put 280,000 rough miles on it in 8 years with never a problem... Then I hit a deer in Big Timber MT... Adios 4Runner. I smacked that buck good enough to throw all my airbags out.
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clinker
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, California
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Dec 11, 2017 - 10:27pm PT
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I used it a lot for moderate off reading
Driving off road to find a nice quiet place to read Susan?
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ontheedgeandscaredtodeath
Social climber
Wilds of New Mexico
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Dec 12, 2017 - 07:57am PT
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We had a 2002 that went 300,000+ including lots of hard miles. I sold it to a mechanic guy and still see it around town! We now have a 2016 that has been good so far. Definitely a little cushier on the inside, but I don't mind.
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Dec 12, 2017 - 08:02am PT
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As a one-time traveling salesman, who used to drive around 45,000 miles a year in the Northern Rockies, I went through a lot of 4runners, which were mostly my vehicle of choice. The most miles I ever put on, was on one of the 1980's 4-bangers. It ran like a top up to 198,000 miles, before I paniced & sold it for very little. I should have kept it as an off-road vehicle.
I did know a fellow who rolled one of the 1980's 4-runners. He totaled it & hurt himself in a low-speed accident. He didn't like 4-runners after that.
Aboout 2008, they changed the way the rear seats fold flat, so that more recent models now have about a 1" drop-down about where my hips hit, when I sleep in the back. I've gotten used to it, but I miss my pre 2008 flat 5' 10" long sleeping platform.
I've never had a mechanical problem with a 4-runner. Pretty amazing vehicles.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Dec 12, 2017 - 08:12am PT
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Driving off road to find a nice quiet place to read Susan?
Oh now that is funny. Yes to read my Fifty Shades series by Ray Ban.
Susan
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