2000's-ish 4Runner for Expo Build?

[lndhark]

I'm pretty new to this forum but not Toyota. A long, long (LONG) time ago I once moderated the TLCA Toyota 4x4 Truck and 4Runner mailing list (****** is a "mailing list"?!? :wings and later on, contributed to Off-Road.com (****** is that, Pt.II). After that, I was the editor for the 4x4Wire (don't ask) Toyota Section and forum moderator there as well. Employed as a certified Master ASE and Toyota Technician at that time, it was inevitable that I'd be involved in some sort of Toyota activity. At that time I owned an '86 short bed, standard cab (RN61L) and wheeled that thing all over SoCal. That truck was treated to, as nearly other IFS-equipped Toyota was of the era, a solid axle swap. I installed 4.1 AA Trail Tamer gears and had everything dialed in just right. Then I sold it :sombrero:

BMW motorcycles were my passion up until about two years ago. Well over 100,000 miles were clocked on three different bikes. But, I had also moved to the "Great" Lakes State of Michigan and there aren't many good motorcycling roads here. Oh yeah, got a completely different job too. Now my wheeling rig is a 2011 Subaru Outback :Wow1:

The time has come to get back into back country exploring once again and that will be further facilitated by a big move "back" west (PNW this time). The hunt for a rig has started and I'm prepping the Outback for sale!

I've messaged Kurt from Cruiser Outfitters several times and he's been great to offer advice and will be my designated vendor for this project. While my initial choice of vehicle was between a Tacoma Double Cab or a 100-Series Land Cruiser, I was considering a 4Runner as well.

I really want to do this on a budget. I was shocked to discover the prices people are asking for Tacoma DC's...upwards of $20,000 for a decent, low-mileage example. UZJ100-L's are fetching far less! My only concern of the 100-series is fuel economy; this will be a daily driver and 12-14 MPG isn't all that appealing. I did discover 4Runners of the same era command a far lower premium than the Tacoma. I've read a handful of build threads and think I might go the 4Runner route. I haven't totally decided yet but it is a definite consideration. Anyone want to chime in about their experiences?

My build list is somewhat short but would likely consist of the following:

ARB bull bar
Safari snorkel
OME suspension
Rear bumper/tire carrier
Sliders
Roof rack
Drawers (for 100/4Runner)
Tires/wheels as needed

Any input is appreciated. This won't be a hard core rock crawler like my last truck. I'm looking forward to getting back into this working on something with more than two cylinders again (but another BMW isn't out of the question either).

 

[Loubaru]

I'm obvious bias (see my sig) but I think they are a great platform. I went through the same decision you did a couple years ago and landed on the 4Runner. Like you said Tacoma's are way too over priced and while the LCs are nice I didn't want to deal with the MPG and higher maintenance cost.

Due to life getting in the way I haven't done any hard core "expedition" trips but it has served us very well for camping trips, exploring FSRs, making runs to the dump/Lowe's. As long as you are okay with the relative lack of space compared to a LC they are great vehicles IMO. Our limited drives very smoothly for a truck, is real nice inside for a 15 year old vehicle, and has been able to easily handle what we've thrown at it. The multi mode transfer case is a great feature too, the AWD makes it handle great in the snow (its very easy to get it sideways, I used to have a WRX STi :smiley_drive.

The only downsides we've came across so far are:
-Fuel tank size limits your range to around 250 miles. This can be fixed with gas cans.
-MPG isn't great at ~15-16 around town and ~18 on the freeway. But I also need to do a tune up so it could improve.
-Factory cross cars are garbage.

 

[adrstout]

When you say "exploring," what do you have in mind? If you are hauling a wife, 3 kids, and a dog the 4 runner might be too small. For most scenarios, I would say it is a very adaptable platform.

 

[lndhark]

When you say "exploring," what do you have in mind? If you are hauling a wife, 3 kids, and a dog the 4 runner might be too small. For most scenarios, I would say it is a very adaptable platform.

Two people maximum, no dogs. Exploring meaning back country trails, Usal Road (Northern California), Death Valley, etc. A RTT might be a future add-on at some point. I certainly don't NEED the size of a Land Cruiser. Some of the amenities would be nice but a certainly not a necessity.

 

[lndhark]

I'm obvious bias (see my sig) but I think they are a great platform. I went through the same decision you did a couple years ago and landed on the 4Runner. Like you said Tacoma's are way too over priced and while the LCs are nice I didn't want to deal with the MPG and higher maintenance cost.

Due to life getting in the way I haven't done any hard core "expedition" trips but it has served us very well for camping trips, exploring FSRs, making runs to the dump/Lowe's. As long as you are okay with the relative lack of space compared to a LC they are great vehicles IMO. Our limited drives very smoothly for a truck, is real nice inside for a 15 year old vehicle, and has been able to easily handle what we've thrown at it. The multi mode transfer case is a great feature too, the AWD makes it handle great in the snow (its very easy to get it sideways, I used to have a WRX STi :smiley_drive.

The only downsides we've came across so far are:
-Fuel tank size limits your range to around 250 miles. This can be fixed with gas cans.
-MPG isn't great at ~15-16 around town and ~18 on the freeway. But I also need to do a tune up so it could improve.
-Factory cross cars are garbage.

Thanks for your input Loubaru. Me might be neighbors (WA) in the near future!

My jaw literally DROPPED when I saw the prices being asked for Tacomas...crazy.

 

[Applejack]

5 years ago I ended up with a '99 4runner Limited. I was looking previously at a nicely built '00 100 series but because the cost of parts was more and the mpg thing, I ended up with the 4runner. I am very happy with the 4runner overall but it is really not comfortable after a couple of hours of driving. I'm 6'1 and I feel pretty cramped in it. So many times I have wished I bought the LC instead. My wife and I can sleep in the back but only just. Fuel economy turned out to be a non-issue because I get about the same as an LC 13-14 in town and 15-16 maybe 17 avg highway mpg and I do not get the V8 grunt of the LC.
Obviously I am happy enough with the 4runner to have kept it, but I say look for a 99-01 LC with the rear locker.

 

[OverlandKyle]

I love mine for what it is.... It's a 1999.... Has everything on your list..... Except that the ARB is an CBI... I get about 19 mpg mixed

 

[bikerjosh]

Yep, 4runner is a pretty capable platform. As others have said, space is the biggest issue. With gear for a few days on the trail, it really becomes a two person vehicle (even if you leave the steamer trunk of shoes and ball gowns at home :sombrero.
Mileage is always going to be a sore spot, I think I was lucky to get 15-16 on the highway (lots of added weight-armor, bumpers, tires, etc). One of my sore spots was needing to carry enough extra fuel since I had to run premium, and you can't always find it on the road. If I had to build another 4runner I would leave the motor stock and just be ok the power output.
Josh

 

[bigwapitijohnny]

Been there, done that...

Indhark,

I had a '98 4runner as a daily driver for several years (V6, automatic). The 4runner is a great platform to build upon, however, there are some things that you have to consider. My build consisted of several 'heavy duty' pieces that if I had to do over again, I would not do. Specifically, my type of exploration and travel did not require some of the extras that I added (HD rock sliders, custom cabinets, HD front rear bumpers, etc). Don't make the mistake that I made by taking EVERYTHING into the field ~ there is a cost to doing that which is fuel efficiency. I did not think that my additions made that big of a difference, but it all adds up. I chose not to go with 285s, and still my mpgs turned out to be 14mpg with mixed driving. I do have an off-road trailer, and mpgs suffered even more ~ 10-11 mpgs...

My epiphany occured when I went on a trip through Northern Arkansas. My son and I went for a few days, and my 4runner struggled throughout the trip. I was towing my trailer (1800 lbs ~ 10 gallons fuel / 15 gallons water) and we had gear for both my son and I. Mpgs suffered and it struggled to traverse the 'hills' of Arkansas...I can imagine what it would have been at altitude in Colorado...That being said, I have since upgraded to a 2011 Tundra. Mpgs is BETTER and I have more power than I need.

​

Be intentional with your additions and consider the hit to weight / mpgs and you should be fine.

Good luck!

Regards,

BWJ

 

[AxleIke]

BWJ has a good point. These can't tow to save their lives. If you plan on a trailer, its going to be an issue. I have towed 2.5 tons of dirt in a trailer with mine. It had plenty of power, but it wallowed all over, and the brakes were SEVERELY overtaxed. They are not meant for heavy loads.

I have a different view of the power, but my 99 is a 5 speed and has a supercharger, plus 4.3 gears for the 33's. It flies up the passes here in CO, 2 people, a dog, and a full compliment of gear, and has ARB front bumper, winch, rear bumper with a tire carrier, sliders, etc...

As for size, its all relative to what you want to deal with. As a kid, we would do 6 day overlanding trips to canyonlands and elsewhere in the backcountry in a 1987 4runner with a lab, 3 kids, in car seats, 2 adults, and 30 gallons of water. It was slow, but it did Elephant hill and everything else we threw at it, and it was stock except for an overload leaf in the back. Some folks like to be able to see out the back, which you cannot if you pack it that tight.

 

[Utah KJ]

I was working for a car dealership back in 2011 when we took a 1997 4Runner in for trade on a new KIA; I got it for $1800. I put an OME lift on it and some 235/85R16 MT/Rs and 3 years later, D.A.V.e is still going strong with 250k miles. I don't have a lot of modz on it, but the more talent you got, the less gear you need.

 

[Arktikos]

I really want to do this on a budget..

Then toss the build list and keep it stock. Other benefits will be better gas mileage and more power. With the sunroof these trucks are a bit shy of head room for a tall person, but otherwise are plenty roomy.

 

[lndhark]

Then toss the build list and keep it stock. Other benefits will be better gas mileage and more power. With the sunroof these trucks are a bit shy of head room for a tall person, but otherwise are plenty roomy.

Or just get a Land Cruiser instead. I'm 6'5" tall so I think the 4Runner will be a bit too tight for comfortable road trips. I also got to thinking about the GVWR on these...it's not huge and I'm sure that with some mods and gear, I'll be well over the rated capacity. Oh well...budget be damned!

 

[fireball]

We have a nice 3rd gen 4R that was our family vehicle until the family got too big. We got a siberian husky and our kids have kept growing so we bought the 100-series a year ago and it works great for our needs. This is the 2nd 3rd gen 4R I've had and I think the 4R excels if you can keep it close to stock. We have sliders and a +1 size BFG all-terrains and the OEM rear locker. It's a pretty nice setup. The 4R doesn't do well with lots of add-ons and lots of weight. So with only 2 people, and a mild build I think you will do great. Don't expect too much in the MPG department though. The 4R gets 17-18 on the highway, the LC gets 15.

The LC is vastly superior in terms of interior driver comfort and space.

 

[AxleIke]

We have a nice 3rd gen 4R that was our family vehicle until the family got too big. We got a siberian husky and our kids have kept growing so we bought the 100-series a year ago and it works great for our needs. This is the 2nd 3rd gen 4R I've had and I think the 4R excels if you can keep it close to stock. We have sliders and a +1 size BFG all-terrains and the OEM rear locker. It's a pretty nice setup. The 4R doesn't do well with lots of add-ons and lots of weight. So with only 2 people, and a mild build I think you will do great. Don't expect too much in the MPG department though. The 4R gets 17-18 on the highway, the LC gets 15.

The LC is vastly superior in terms of interior driver comfort and space.

I'd point out that the auto makes a big difference. The 5 speeds do quite well with mods and add ons.