i'm looking to possibly pick up a 4Runner for around $3k or less as a Daily. Basically want your feedback on their reliability and what bad things to watch out for. you know, pros/cons.

i'm looking at '94-'95-'96 to '97 (v6) or (v8) 4Runners.

let me know ur experiences with them, wether good or bad, and explain what your experience was. oh and the factory specs you had.


thanks..

 

Well I have owned 5 4runners already...
2000
2003
2006
2010
2011

Never once had anything major happen other than a broken rear gate lift strut. My parents owned a 1990, 1992, and a 1996 all of which were problem free from what i can remember as well. They are very well built(in Japan) vehicles. You wont find any V8 models until 2003

Obviously buying used is a gamble to an extent no matter what you buy. Best of luck!

Brandon

 

4Runners from almost any year are great SUVs. Like someone stated, they are made it Japan.

 

We used to have a 1995 4Runner V6. That thing was a tank!!! It was pretty much just the regular needed maintenance, but later in its life the head gasket did need replacement. Other than that, it was running fine. I've seen plenty around with more than 300,000 miles on them. They are very durable indeed!

 

Had a 94, regular maintenance, ran forever. I rolled it off-roading with 227k, could have went years more. was abysmal on gas, but other than that, solid truck! I have heard of some headgasket issues among those years, but I never had an issue with mine.

 

Had a 1998 Limited, put 60K miles on, never had a problem, gave its life after being totalled hitting two walls on an Atlanta interstate ... my ex, her dad, and family dog walked away without a scratch... I think THAT says it all

 

2nd Gen 1990-1995 4Runner 3VZ-E 3.0L V6 was the one with the headgasket problems. It was also underpowered considering the V6 only had 150hp and 180 ft/lb of torque.

If you're looking for a good reliable 4Runner, look at the workhorse/bulletproof 22-RE 2.4L I-4 versions of the 1st and 2nd Gen 4Runner. 3rd Gen 4Runner is also a great platform. The 5VZ-FE 3.4L V6 and the 3RZ-FE 2.7L I-4 were solid engines.

 

They dont die. Nuff said

 

Try looking for at least a 96 97 as that's when they came with the 3.4 these things do not die I was going to say watch out for rust as they do tend to suffer from
It quite badly, but you are in Florida but on that same note most of the 4tunnners you look at might be just rwd instead of 4wd

 

Yes go for the two engines mentioned here!

The 3.0 was notoriously known as the "3-point-slow".

 

For 3k it might have to be an older one cause they hold their value pretty good

 

I had a '93 4Runner and still wish i had it!

Like others have said, it was under powered ( i ran a 19.9 quarter mile, haha, friends made me run it...) and head gaskets were a problem. Mine were replaced under factory recall by the previous owner. I replaced them at ~150k miles and they needed to be replaced again when i sold it at ~180k miles. Great car otherwise! The red faded bad, but i waxed it once a week

 

There is no V8 option for 4runner 94-02. I had a 90 and 97 limited, not once gave me any problem, but they drove like a truck ( it is a truck ) and not comfortable on the highway.

 

My brother had a 95 with the 1mz, the only problem he had was the head gaskets. He had it until last year, he rolled it offroading and totaled it. It had 327k miles and it never broke down.

 

4Runners from the 90's RUN FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Literally. Made in Japan, Toyota product, 90's, built to last. My best friends brother has a 1997 with 257k all original engine/transmission. Runs as good as my Lexus