3rd Generation 4Runners

[89s rule]

Its all been stated above. Especially the links just posted.

I have owned 2 3rd gens and an 80 series as well. 3rd gen gets the vote hands down unless you need a 3rd row everyday or you wheel hard enough to really need a SFA. 3rd en in more comfortable and relaying as a DD and MPG is much better as well. We get ~ 12-13 mpg in our 80 with 285s and 3" OME lift. I'm getting ~17 mixed driving in my current 3rd en with 255s and ~ 3" lift.

I do not know anyone with the JK wrangler but know several with TJs and reliability will be a major difference than the ones I know.

What's your budget? That can affect what your looking for/at as well. 3rd gens can vary a ton on costs: when I bought my current one the first of this year I talked to people who were selling from $3500 - $9500.

 

[Elbee]

In response to an earlier comment: There is ton of parts and support for 4runners outside North America, especially in countries with major import of Japanese vehicles. The 3.4L engine is also used in land-cruiser prado (not sure how common non-diesels are). But overseas especially in places like eastern Africa and south america. You see a ton of 3rd generation hilux surfs. The parts and know how are available. I would bring an extra North american computer for your truck and research any other unique components possible unique to a North american chassis.
I wonder while traveling overseas if you could just drop a 3.0 L 1KZ-TE turbodiesel I4, it seems like it should just bolt right in ( probably will have to replace the ECU).
But you want to travel for a longtime overseas, just pick up and old NGO or UN 70 series land-cruiser. You can't go wrong there.