what year 4 runner should i look for

blackoctober2002 · 08-20-2005, 05:09 AM

Hey I dont know much about the 4 runners yet, but i know that i want a runner that is older then 96 and I cant afford any of the 2000s. The question is what has been the easiest to lift and problem free. I have a 02 tacoma and i believe that the 96 runners and up have the same front suspension as the tacoma. I love that suspension alot and had no trouble with my lift set up. I only plan to run 285s on the runner and lift it up basically the same as my truck. Any tips would be great.

Bryce · 08-20-2005, 03:44 PM

My friend had a 95 that was a really good Runner, He kept it in good shape. But anyway the first and second gens are both good generations for the 4Runners. The only problem with the second gens is the top heavyness but if you're looking for something nice that does decent off road then go with the second gen. But if you want to do a lot of wheeling go for the first gen.

taco23 · 08-20-2005, 04:25 PM

Ask the guys over at yotatech.com and I'm sure they'd be glad to help you out.

themariachi · 08-20-2005, 04:50 PM

i like the 98s and 99s from what's in your range

sgirt · 08-20-2005, 07:02 PM

The 96 and up would have your same front suspension as the tacoma. the 90 - 95 will be 4 door with Torsion bar IFS up front. All from 90 on have Coil springs in the rear. 86 - 89 will have leafs in the rear and are two door. They share the same front suspension as the 90 - 95. From what you describe, I would get a 96 or newer.

grillmasterp · 08-20-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgirt

the 90 - 95 will be 4 door with Torsion bar IFS up front.

Actually - the 2nd gen 4runners were available with two-doors from 90-92
(My Father had a 1991 two door)

blackoctober2002,
I would go with a 1st gen or 3rd gen personally

terryjmatthew · 08-20-2005, 08:09 PM

After owning a 2nd Gen and a 3rd Gen, there is no way I would ever consider buying a 2nd Gen again. There is a tremendous difference b/w the 3.slow and the 3.4.

klr_toy · 08-20-2005, 11:45 PM

Get an '85. solid axle, removable top, and having leaf springs is going to be the easiest way to lift it.

Ditrut · 08-21-2005, 12:07 AM

what year is it that has e.f.i. and sas?? eighty something. cause thats the one to get for sure.

themariachi · 08-21-2005, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ditrut

what year is it that has e.f.i. and sas?? eighty something. cause thats the one to get for sure.

it's not a SAS if it came with a SFA...

kyle · 08-21-2005, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ditrut

what year is it that has e.f.i. and sas?? eighty something. cause thats the one to get for sure.

1985 was the last year of the SFA Toyotas (I think I've heard that there were a small number of SFA Toys produced in 1986, but they're rare). EFI was first offered for the pickup and 4Runner in 1985, so 1985 is the golden year... SFA and EFI, but not all of them were EFI. My '86 is carbed, and I believe the 22r was standard up until 1988 or so. It was then that they got rid of the 22r and the 22re was standard.

blackoctober2002 · 08-21-2005, 05:20 AM

nice family, I need to sell my taco for something with a little more room. I like what you done to your runner.

Rockrawler · 08-23-2005, 05:52 PM

It is common to swap both the solid axle onto the 86-95 Runners, and also swap leaf spring rear into the 90-95 Runners as well. We sell the rear leaf setup on about half of the 90-95 rigs we sell SAS kits to. I agree that the 1st gen rigs are a better candidate for wheeling, as the lighter weight lends itself better to off roading, but the 96+ is sweet on the street, it just depends what you value more... You could have a built 85-89 for the price of a stock 96+ in many cases. Go with what you like.

runner126 · 10-23-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taco23

Ask the guys over at yotatech.com and I'm sure they'd be glad to help you out.

i like that statement......i have a 2nd gen..... its tough love but i belief that its a very well rounded truck. Its also very well balanced (weight distribution). Also we all know the 3.0 is not the quickest but.......the looks of the 2nd gen really win me over

as well and the reliablity and off road capabilty. I believe IFS in the hands of an experienced driver can tackle alot more than people think. thats my

jon_7248 · 10-23-2006, 12:47 PM

Why in the world did you post in a thread thats over a year old?

runner126 · 10-23-2006, 02:38 PM

sorry didnt know that i couldnt do that, i used the search option

<--(you flamethrowered me

)

Thunderwolfe · 11-03-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terryjmatthew

After owning a 2nd Gen and a 3rd Gen, there is no way I would ever consider buying a 2nd Gen again. There is a tremendous difference b/w the 3.slow and the 3.4.

Yeah me too and the 3.4 is superchargerable!!

Hunt4Steve · 11-03-2006, 04:08 PM

Best year; 99 V6 SR5 model. You get the V6 (mo power), and you don't have to worry about the Multi-matic transfer case in the Limited.

jbstrd · 11-03-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hunt4Steve

Best year; 99 V6 SR5 model. You get the V6 (mo power), and you don't have to worry about the Multi-matic transfer case in the Limited.

Or a 2000 SR5 Sport Edition with a Manual Tranny.........Siccccckkkkk!!

eightyfive · 11-05-2006, 06:58 PM

85 runner, done

08-20-2005, 05:09 AM	#1
blackoctober2002 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 57	what year 4 runner should i look for Hey I dont know much about the 4 runners yet, but i know that i want a runner that is older then 96 and I cant afford any of the 2000s. The question is what has been the easiest to lift and problem free. I have a 02 tacoma and i believe that the 96 runners and up have the same front suspension as the tacoma. I love that suspension alot and had no trouble with my lift set up. I only plan to run 285s on the runner and lift it up basically the same as my truck. Any tips would be great.

08-20-2005, 03:44 PM	#2
Bryce Newbie Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 15	My friend had a 95 that was a really good Runner, He kept it in good shape. But anyway the first and second gens are both good generations for the 4Runners. The only problem with the second gens is the top heavyness but if you're looking for something nice that does decent off road then go with the second gen. But if you want to do a lot of wheeling go for the first gen. __________________ I wish I had a Taco.

08-20-2005, 04:25 PM	#3
taco23 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sunny SoCal Posts: 556	Ask the guys over at yotatech.com and I'm sure they'd be glad to help you out. __________________ Pics of my pavement pounding street queen... deal with it!

08-20-2005, 07:02 PM	#5
sgirt Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 92	The 96 and up would have your same front suspension as the tacoma. the 90 - 95 will be 4 door with Torsion bar IFS up front. All from 90 on have Coil springs in the rear. 86 - 89 will have leafs in the rear and are two door. They share the same front suspension as the 90 - 95. From what you describe, I would get a 96 or newer. __________________ 1969 Toyota FJ40. FJ80 Axles, Chevy 5.3, Dodge NV4500HD. Full restore with enhancements. My Web page

10-23-2006, 12:47 PM	#15
jon_7248 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,281	Why in the world did you post in a thread thats over a year old? __________________ My 2 cents = 1 peso -Jon

08-20-2005, 04:50 PM	#4
themariachi Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,078	i like the 98s and 99s from what's in your range

08-20-2005, 08:09 PM	#7
terryjmatthew Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 648	After owning a 2nd Gen and a 3rd Gen, there is no way I would ever consider buying a 2nd Gen again. There is a tremendous difference b/w the 3.slow and the 3.4.

08-20-2005, 11:45 PM	#8
klr_toy Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 36	Get an '85. solid axle, removable top, and having leaf springs is going to be the easiest way to lift it.

08-21-2005, 12:07 AM	#9
Ditrut Put Er In Low Eh? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Warman Sk. Posts: 338	what year is it that has e.f.i. and sas?? eighty something. cause thats the one to get for sure.

08-21-2005, 05:20 AM	#12
blackoctober2002 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 57	nice family, I need to sell my taco for something with a little more room. I like what you done to your runner.

08-23-2005, 05:52 PM	#13
Rockrawler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Right Coast Posts: 316	It is common to swap both the solid axle onto the 86-95 Runners, and also swap leaf spring rear into the 90-95 Runners as well. We sell the rear leaf setup on about half of the 90-95 rigs we sell SAS kits to. I agree that the 1st gen rigs are a better candidate for wheeling, as the lighter weight lends itself better to off roading, but the 96+ is sweet on the street, it just depends what you value more... You could have a built 85-89 for the price of a stock 96+ in many cases. Go with what you like.

10-23-2006, 02:38 PM	#16
runner126 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Posts: 4	sorry didnt know that i couldnt do that, i used the search option <--(you flamethrowered me ) __________________ 1994 green runner v6 5spd 3.0l.........front end replaced too many times lol. QMT(quarter mile time)~ eventually (but i still love the motor hahaha)"ryan, i know you like to drive slow, but come on now if a street sweeper passes you ......."- jon Doctor said if this happens ill need to come back for secondary medication

11-03-2006, 04:08 PM	#18
Hunt4Steve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Santa Fe Posts: 314	Best year; 99 V6 SR5 model. You get the V6 (mo power), and you don't have to worry about the Multi-matic transfer case in the Limited. __________________ http://www.Hunt4Steve.com Hunt4Steve@Yahoo.com

11-05-2006, 06:58 PM	#20
eightyfive Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 286	85 runner, done __________________ .__________________________________________ \|\|____________\|\|____________\|\|___TOYOTA__\|\| \|\|____________\|\|____________\|\|____________\|\| 1985 4runner

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