4runner 3.4L V6 Gasoline as an Expedition Vehicle?

[aleks77]

Hey guys, im just in the early stages of planning my expedition, plan is; Canada - Argentina - Africa - Middle East - Europe. The vehicle selection up here is not great, i cant get a Diesel Land Cruiser. I plan to sleep in the vehicle (2 ppl), and my choice so far is a 1999 4runner with Rear Locker + Multi Mode AWD with 3.4L V6 gasoline engine. I can also buy a 1992 LandCruiser RHD from Japan, but i really much preffer the 4runner. Just wondering if this trip is gonna be doable/comfortable in a 4runner? Or should i do everything i can to get a Landcruiser (will have to also be Gas, not diesel ). Thanks!!

 

[Owyhee H]

Why does it have to be gas? I've seen many JDM Diesels in BC.

I think a 4runner gasser would be great to drive around the world. If you want to sleep two inside you will have to be sparing with the rest of your gear, but that is a good idea anyway.

Welcome!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Sleeping two people in a 3rd gen 4runner? Well, it's possible but I don't think I'd call it "comfortable."

I slept (1 person) in my 3rd gen and found it adequate but only just. Here's something you need to consider: When you travel, you have a lot of "stuff" (cooking gear, food, cooler or refrigerator, etc.) When you're driving that stuff is in the back of your truck. But where are you going to put it when you sleep? You cannot sleep 2 people inside a 3rd gen 4runner and have room left over for stuff - it's stuff or people, not both. Again, traveling by myself with a fairly minimal amount of gear I was barely able to sleep in my vehicle with all the stuff inside. When camping I normally set everything outside but if you are traveling in populated countries that's not an option.

I suppose you could build a platform but it would have to be a pretty high platform to accomodate a refrigerator or a cooler. And of course the higher you build your platform the less room you'll have above your head.

I'm not a huge fan of roof top tents but if you are planning on making a long trip with 2 people, that might be a good option. At least it will allow you to sleep off the ground and still have your stuff securely stored. RTT's are heavy and you will have to have a pretty substantial rack to carry one with 2 people in it, but I know there are 3rd gen 4runners that have used RTTs.

But that's only the interior - the other factor that you need to consider (and this is one of my biggest gripes, I always bring this up when talking about the 3rd gen 4runner) is the poor MPG and undersized fuel tank. It's not a big deal in most of the US and Canada or Western Europe but if you are planning on traveling outside of that region, you may want to see if you can either fab up an auxiliary tank (if you can relocate the spare tire to the back bumper, you'll have a space under the rear of the truck for a spare tank) or figure a way to carry several gas cans. The 18.5 gallon tank combined with the 11-15 MPG you can expect with a fully loaded vehicle hauling a RTT will give you maybe 200 miles range, max.

Of course, gasoline LCs also get terrible gas mileage but at least they have a 24 or 25 gallon tank to offset the range issue a little.

It sounds like you have both money and time to plan, I think I would try really hard to get a diesel LC. The LC is not only bigger, it's more of a "World platform" and the diesel model has a big gas tank + decent MPG.

 

[Mrknowitall]

For 2 people, I'd think about an extended cab Tacoma with a 5 speed/4cylinder. Same room up front. You can put the cooler in the back of the cab and stash most everything else nice and low in the bed. Top it with a highrise cap, and you're styling. You might consider picking up a rig for Europe/Africa and in between in Europe. There are lots of capable diesel suv available over there, often for comparative bargains. I've read horror stories about buying gasoline in parts of Africa, but someone here might know better.

 

[p nut]

I'd second an extended cab truck. Diesel Hilux may be the ticket.

 

[Laxaholic]

Would you really consider a 4cylinder/5speed extended cab? The newer generation or the older? I'm very interested in these trucks and the potential for fuel savings...if there really is any?

 

[Mrknowitall]

Would you really consider a 4cylinder/5speed extended cab? The newer generation or the older? I'm very interested in these trucks and the potential for fuel savings...if there really is any?

Absolutely. If I only needed 2 seats, its the ONLY thing I'd consider. A few reasons...
The extended cab has the same front row space as a same vintage 4Runner.
The back can both carry gear and still give you room to sleep.
The manual trans will tolerate a small increase in tire size better, because of the shorter overdrive. I also feel it offers more control off road. Stock 1st gear low range is plenty slow going up AND down for most things I've come across.
The Tacoma 4 cylinder has as much power as the old 3l V6. Not a hot rod, but it will get the job done, unless that job is a bunch of towing in the mountains.
Instead of mid teens, with a built V6 rig, you can still get right around 20mpg highway, dependening on lift and tire size.
They tend to be cheaper.
There's more room under the hood for extra stuff.
Most of the drivetrain from the engine back is the same for 4 and 6 cyl trucks, so the smaller engine is that much less likely to ever break anything.

Your opinions and experience may, as always, vary.

 

[aleks77]

Thanks a lot for all the replies! I don't want to buy a RHD older land cruiser (only way I can get a diesel under $10k), and the Lexus lx450 are v8s....I'm not buying this truck for the sole purpose of this expedition either. This truck will be my daily before and after the trip. I looked into adding an extra fuel tank and will be doin this (extra 20 gallons). The two people travelling/sleeping in the car are me and my gf, 5'10 and 5'1, 160/100lbs so I think we should have enough room to sleep in the 4runner. I plan to keep some of the "stuff" on the roof rack locked up, where usually people have an RTT and I will build a platform to sleep on and keep more of the "stuff" in. I don't plan on lifting or running 33"+ tires either, no winch, maybe arb bumper. Gonna try keep weight down as much as possible.

We are budgeting $25k, not inc truck+mods. Also plan to spend about 25% of our nights in hostels and hotels. I think we might skip Europe because of high gas prices and hotels.

Any criticism welcome, these are all just ideas and I love your guys input! Thanks!

 

[dubk_trd]

the 3.4 v6 is too underpowerd

 

[RobD]

I picked up a '99 Limited with 234,000 kms for $6200. Added a set of Duratracs for about another $1200, did the "blue wire mod" so I can lock the differential in any range.

So far, I average about 450 kms on 60 liters of fuel, mixed city and highway driving. Not bad, not great. Consider that it is a block on wheels.

Power isn't bad. I've gone through the Roger's Pass, loaded with 4 adults, 1 infant, and enough Christmas crap to choke the Grinch. Climbed it just fine.

My only complaint is that the '99s and 2000s had a goofy fuel gauge/sending unit. Both may need to be replaced to get an accurate reading. Right now, I guestimate and refill around 425 kms, just to be safe.

 

[Mtn Mike]

I love my 4R 3rd Gen. I've never done anything near the scope of what you're talking about, but I've done plenty of camping in the back of my 4R. Two people will be cramped but it's possible, especially if you plan on storing gear up top. I'm 6'2" and have headroom to spare with my platform: http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...our-drawer-storage-system?p=531138#post531138 It does get a little cramped if you like to stretch out. Some type of storage system will be a must for you. You'll find about 1000 other designs in the same thread. I like the idea of installing an auxiliary tank. I think I only get about 400-450 km's per tank. Keep us up to date on what you end up doing.

 

[Christian P.]

I have had a 2001 4Runner for 5 years now. Bought it with 62000 miles and it now has 115000 miles. The only thing I did was to replace the battery. It still drives and feel like the day I got it.

We just drove it all the way down to Cancun and it's been driven back now as we speak. I would not hesitate to drive it around the world tomorrow morning, exactly as is.
They are extremely reliable, more fun to drive than a larger Land Cruiser (as long as you don't overload it) and you can still expect 20 mpg.

The secret is to keep it as light as possible and as close to stock as possible. I know someone who has one with 289000 miles on it and still run fine.

the only downside is that it is a bit small inside, so it would be tight if you plan to sleep in it.

 

[stonepa]

the 3.4 v6 is too underpowerd

Funny - I drove my 3L / auto 94 4Runner all over North and Central America. Felt like it had plenty of power for me. It was a little slow on mountainous highways in the States but plenty powerful on any muddy track everywhere else. Reliability was the number one consideration for me and it never let me down.

 

[stonepa]

the only downside is that it is a bit small inside, so it would be tight if you plan to sleep in it.

One thing to consider is sleeping in the front seats. I did this a lot where I couldn't or didn't feel safe enough to sleep in my tent. The 4Runner seats are extremely comfortable when folded down and the advantage is that you can keep the vehicle loaded and ready to go. Sometimes this ability to move quickly is helpful.

I made some screen inserts to fit the front door windows which allowed me to sleep with the windows open but keep the bugs out. Worked like a charm.

 

[Stick Figure]

Storage is the challenge for sure. We just finished up a 5000 mile trip in my 2000, and I think it is doable for a longer trip. One of my limitations was a sleeping platform with the ability to retain the back seat. http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...my-3rd-gen-4Runner-quot-Hide-A-Bed-quot-build

If ... er WHEN I take a longer trip, the plan is 100% removal of the back seat and to replace them with a storage box that is covered by my middle section. I might try drawers that pull out through the side rear doors or I may settle with only top access, but this would allow me a LOT more storage than we had on this trip. We only utilized the roof space for extra fuel and jack/shovel storage. We of course also didn't take anything to actually cook with, minimal close, and no real method of bathing. I wish I had a few pics of the truck packed up but since we went from brrr to OMG its freezing I didn't really worry about grabbing the camera too often.