rickashay
Explorer
First off, what's your budget? I skimmed your first post so I apologize if I missed it. You said you will be DD'ing the vehicle, what difficulty level of offroading do you plan on doing? How many people are in your family that will be using these rigs?
IMO the 3.4 5VZE is a legendary engine. I used to drive a 3rd Gen 4Runner (96-2002) and it was bulletproof. Fairly gutless but bulletproof. The following gen 4Runners (03-09) had the 4.0L V6 and a 2UZ 4.7L V8 option. Both are excellent motors. I have the 2UZ in my 04' Tundra and absolutely love the motor. It is bulletproof but the starter is in a bad location admittedly and makes it a difficult item to service in the field. Also has weak rods if your thinking of boosting it with a TRD S/C (not that you would need to to S/C one...) unlike the 3.4L that can take a TRD SC no problem. In stock form though the rods will be fine and it's got ample power.
I just sold my 97' LX450 (FZJ80) as it was a pig on fuel, required a lot of upkeep, and really was the most gutless 4x4 I've ever owned. Don't get me wrong, it was a bulletproof vehicle but there are a lot of PM items that require attention and they are fairly expensive to get replacement parts for. VERY capable though (especially if you land one with F/R E-lockers) and have a pretty cool cult following.
If the trails you are planning on doing aren't super tight or rated high on the difficulty scale, I would seriously look at a 100 series. Bombproof and you get the 4.7L V8. It is a BIG vehicle thought and runs a torsion bar IFS suspension in the front which won't articulate like some of the other options.
The 4Runners were still built in Japan (same with the LC's) and the build quality is high. 3rd Gen's are a little underpowered, an awesome size for 2 people, and are relatively cheap nowadays. They have a coilover IFS in the front which will open up a few more suspension options there.
The 4th Gen 4Runners (03-09) grew in size over the 3rd Gen, but you got more powerful motor options as said above. They don't look as nice IMO but thats not for me to decide. Also have coilover IFS and some nice electronic ad ons like A-TRAC. No rear lockers though.
Goes back to my first set of questions, budget and number of occupants. I'd pick up a clean 99' 4Runner for a DD in a second if you only need room for 2. Get one with the E-locker in the rear and the AWD T-Case. If your packing for a family and need a lot more room, go for the 100 Series. If you like the looks of the 4th Gen and you want more power than the 3rd Gen can offer, you have your answer there!
IMO the 3.4 5VZE is a legendary engine. I used to drive a 3rd Gen 4Runner (96-2002) and it was bulletproof. Fairly gutless but bulletproof. The following gen 4Runners (03-09) had the 4.0L V6 and a 2UZ 4.7L V8 option. Both are excellent motors. I have the 2UZ in my 04' Tundra and absolutely love the motor. It is bulletproof but the starter is in a bad location admittedly and makes it a difficult item to service in the field. Also has weak rods if your thinking of boosting it with a TRD S/C (not that you would need to to S/C one...) unlike the 3.4L that can take a TRD SC no problem. In stock form though the rods will be fine and it's got ample power.
I just sold my 97' LX450 (FZJ80) as it was a pig on fuel, required a lot of upkeep, and really was the most gutless 4x4 I've ever owned. Don't get me wrong, it was a bulletproof vehicle but there are a lot of PM items that require attention and they are fairly expensive to get replacement parts for. VERY capable though (especially if you land one with F/R E-lockers) and have a pretty cool cult following.
If the trails you are planning on doing aren't super tight or rated high on the difficulty scale, I would seriously look at a 100 series. Bombproof and you get the 4.7L V8. It is a BIG vehicle thought and runs a torsion bar IFS suspension in the front which won't articulate like some of the other options.
The 4Runners were still built in Japan (same with the LC's) and the build quality is high. 3rd Gen's are a little underpowered, an awesome size for 2 people, and are relatively cheap nowadays. They have a coilover IFS in the front which will open up a few more suspension options there.
The 4th Gen 4Runners (03-09) grew in size over the 3rd Gen, but you got more powerful motor options as said above. They don't look as nice IMO but thats not for me to decide. Also have coilover IFS and some nice electronic ad ons like A-TRAC. No rear lockers though.
Goes back to my first set of questions, budget and number of occupants. I'd pick up a clean 99' 4Runner for a DD in a second if you only need room for 2. Get one with the E-locker in the rear and the AWD T-Case. If your packing for a family and need a lot more room, go for the 100 Series. If you like the looks of the 4th Gen and you want more power than the 3rd Gen can offer, you have your answer there!
