Thinking of getting a 4Runner

Richard

Richard

Commoner
Club Member
I want to start taking the whole family with me now including the dog, and my YJ isn't what I want for this: there's no room for the dog and we need ear protection on the highway (really, we do).

So I've been doing searching used trucks and I think a 3rd gen 4Runner would do the trick. They look capable enough for the kinds of trails I'd take the family on, and I can get one for under $7k which will leave me room for repairs or minor upgrades. I don't plan a SAS or any extreme changes...
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trixter192

trixter192

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Club Member
My roommte has an 04 v8 4runner with rear locker and he's looking to replace it for something bigger. I can ask about it for you. Many parts are identical to the FJC. Front suspension upgrades are expensive. $5k for a LT kit, $1.3k-4k for a cheap 6" lift. SAS will mean you lose ABS, which may not be legal anymore. What are you going to do with the YJ? If I were you, I would just put a big roof rack on it so you can fit everyone inside.
 
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junkpile

Well-known member
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1362974699.872165.jpg
To give you an idea, here's my 3rd gen on 33's (255/85R16) with no lift yet, minor inner fender trimming required. Tons of inexpensive suspension choices out there, coil overs up front and coils in the rear. Lots of room inside for gear, decent leg room (I'm 6'6") Gets about 18mpg, has sufficient power for a four cylinder but a supercharged 3.4 would be a lot more fun I can imagine, e-locker is genius, ARB does make a locker for the front 7.5". On the down side, the gas tank hangs down past the frame pretty gay, front unit bearings means no manual hubs, and pay close attention to the lower ball joints they are under tension (terrible design) and if worn out and ignored can be deadly!
 
aweber

aweber

This thread is :rainbow:
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I'd get a 89-97 FJ80 - Solid axles, hi pinion e-locker in the front, etc.....

 
R

Root Moose

Guest
I'm with Adrian. There is no relative difference in price and the FZJ80/LX450 is an awesome truck.
 
F

funkysandman

Well-known member
x2 what junkpile said about lowerball joints... 1st , 2nd gen didn't have that design.
earlier 3rd gens can be found with rear e-locker and manual transmission.
Rear window mechanism is notorious for failure, on 1st/ 2nd gen - gets slightly better with 3rd gen.
 
Richard

Richard

Commoner
Club Member
trixter192 said:
My roommte has an 04 v8 4runner with rear locker and he's looking to replace it for something bigger. I can ask about it for you. Many parts are identical to the FJC. Front suspension upgrades are expensive. $5k for a LT kit, $1.3k-4k for a cheap 6" lift. SAS will mean you lose ABS, which may not be legal anymore. What are you going to do with the YJ? If I were you, I would just put a big roof rack on it so you can fit everyone inside.
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We have a big dog, he won't fit behind the seats, and I don't want to expose my kids to ear damaging sound levels. I'd keep the YJ, I'd still use it for the more difficult local trails, or if I'm going out without the whole family.
 
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O

O.D.

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Club Member
Yeah, those cruisers are very nice indeed:

 

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R

Root Moose

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YJ_Driver said:
What was the model name for these? Most people don't use these designations.
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Canada didn't officially get the Land Cruiser FZJ80 (referred to as Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon) but you see them around occasionally. The "best" years had the 1FZ engine and started in 1993. 1995 - 1997 got a revised dash and other niceties like dual air bags.

The Lexus LX450 is the exact same truck more or less. Minor things lke colours, spring rates, etc. are different but from a purchasing point of view irrelevant. We got the LX450 in Canada.

If you want to spend a bi more money you can get into a UZJ100 / LX470. These trucks are larger, V8 and IFS. The IFS on these trucks really works well. Again, Canada didn't officially get the UZJ version. The LX is a little more different in this generation but it's mostly cosmetic stuff and air suspension. IIRC 2003 is the first year for the 5 speed auto and supposedly is worth 1-2 mpg.

If I were in the market I'd pony up the cash for the UZJ, they are a nicer truck as far as a on-road driver is concerned IMO. A UZJ could realistically replace your pickup as a tow vehicle. I think the tow rating is somewhere around 7000 lbs.

HTH
 
Richard

Richard

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Club Member
Other than Adrian's find in Kitchener, all I found was a '94 Cruiser 3.5 hours North in Quebec: http://autocatch.com/used-cars/1994~toyota~land_cruiser~873323.htm
Not a bad find, but would take a whole day just to go up there and maybe buy it.

They're hard to find, but I'll keep searching.

Chris, this will be for off-road only, not daily driven and not meant to tow my Jeep (I don't have my pickup and trailer anymore BTW).

Thanks for all the info, if anyone finds a good lead do pass it on.
 
R

Root Moose

Guest
You can find kick-ass already built stuff on Mud for around your budget occasionally. Distance is a factor but if it's built properly could be worth the trip.

If it's a wheeling rig consider a Jeep wagon?
 
D

Djtc

Well-known member
Want mine? :)

I was fortunate to snatch up a 2000 3.4 with a 5spd.You won't regret buying a 3rd gen they're awsome trucks!When I bought mine I dumped a ton of money for preventative maintenance and now she's been great.Unless the IFS bothers you , get one!Unless you're getting the jdm LC80's, they're pigs on gas.

 
Richard

Richard

Commoner
Club Member
djtc, thanks for the offer, but I'm going to look for an automatic so Barb can drive it, and I would prefer a solid front axle.
 
dwcjwerfner

dwcjwerfner

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I think the Lexus come with a transfer case lock too if I remember correctly as one of the guys in EOTB had one. Cruising trails with a locked/locked/locked Lexus with the heated seats on and some Bach on the stereo......I like it.
 
trixter192

trixter192

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Club Member
dwcjwerfner said:
I think the Lexus come with a transfer case lock too if I remember correctly as one of the guys in EOTB had one. Cruising trails with a locked/locked/locked Lexus with the heated seats on and some Bach on the stereo......I like it.
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Anything less would be "roughing it" lol
 
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