Hey Everyone,

Well, I've gotten back into the Environmental consulting game again and am working for a local consulting company. I will be doing a fair bit of field work so I need to be looking at purchasing a 4WD truck or SUV of some kind. I'm thinking something in the mid-size category.

I'm particularly interested in the Toyota 4Runner and am kinda looking at '97 - '98 4Runner Limiteds. I might try to get one out of the US.

Anybody know much about 'em ? Reliability issues ? Problem areas ? Things to look or watch out for ?

Thanks,

Roj

A few of our faculty use 4Runners in the field and have zero issues with them - they are one of the prefered vehicules for this sort of work. Personally, I prefer trucks to SUV's but this mostly relates to what I do and my needs for transport options. Biology types seem to prefer the SUV's - Geography types use trucks.

Craig

The intdependent front suspension on the later ones is kind of a bummer, but you can swap the solid front axle from an earlier pickup in them. They are fairly rust prone around the wheels in the back up until really pretty recently.

4cylinder 22RE motors eat timing tensioner guides and like attention to be paid to the timing chains on schedule as well as thermostats. Other than that, the 22RE is a lot like a B23, but has the intake and exhaust on the "wrong" sides for LHD IMO.

6cylinder motors are pickier about oil and lifters. "Limited" ones often got an LSD center diff stateside that is kind of nice if you want to drive it in 4 wheel drive all the time basically, even though, for whatever reason, Toyota makes it have "slectable "full time" 4-wheel drive." Nice if you want to tow it I guess.

I like toyota trucks a lot. Just wish they came with the landcruiser I6 gas diesel motor more commonly here. I think you guys got the 6cyl turbodiesel no? I'm actually looking for a landcruiser or pickup for a friend...or me.

It's kind of a shame nothing electrical (or mechanical for that matter) really breaks on them for the most part to make it cheap to scoop one up like a 240. That, and the owners that seem to sell them don't seem to actually ding them up, so it is difficult to find a cheap truck that is ugly but functional (the definition of a truck that you actually use in my book).

we only have the diesels because we can get them from japan well, 1993 and earlier anyway. They are great vehicles (still), although at that age I doubt it's worthwhile to get one from the US. never hurts to check i guess.

I dont know much about the reliability but I do know they look badass!!!

(Oh, I heard they like to suck alot of gas though)

They are pretty much the best thing ever. 3.4l DOHC V6, asked my brother about them and he says they are top notch reliable.

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Uhhhhh.....

Good heaven's - what the heck is that atrocity?

If you guys had any idea of the amount of work and $ into that thing.


As much as I love Volvo's, I would have a bagged mini any day of the week. Make's cruising so damn much fun!!

Oh that blue one would be PERFECT for field work ! Even less ground clearance than my lowered 940 T. You could get high centered on a small speed bump in that thing. I don't get it...

I'm looking at one '97 Limited with 200 Kmiles on it for just under $6000 USD and another one with more overall miles but a new engine in it with only 110 Kmiles on it for (asking) $4950. Both appear to be in excellent physical condition. I can't find anything remotely close to that in Canada... People are hurtin' down in the US...

That is a buttload of miles. And rebuilt engine at only 110k miles? Not well maintained if you ask me. They should last quite long if well maintained. Personally, if I was going to be out in the field, I'd make sure to get something that's not going to leave me stranded, which (again, for me) means something with reasonably low miles, and probably not 11 years old! Isn't this a work vehicle that you can write off?

Oh, I think there may be one or two of us around here that understand the amount of time and money...it's the WHY we don't get.

You say it as though the amount of money and work justify (and counteract) the amount of useless ugly built into a bagged mini truck?

Not like we're all ones to talk. I know I've spent hundreds of hours, and probably $5000+ dollars on my car that would be worth $2000 on the open market, at best. SOME people probably think it's ugly too!

Damn it Athal, you took the words right out of my mouth! (Atleast there are enough minitruckers in the world for a international magazine! )

Ohh and to prove I still love Volvo's I think I might be getting another wagon for the wife and kids.