Any unique age related issues in 3rd Gen 4Runners?

[Martinjmpr]

Thanks for the terrific feedback.

I'd prefer to get a 5 speed manual transmission; however, as far as I can tell from the various threads I've read, 5 speeds are not very common. I haven't seen any lately on the local CL.

Bill

Well, the 3rd gen ran from 1996 - 2002. 5 speeds were only available from 1996 - 2000 (ditto for the 4 cylinder engine and E-locker.) Not only are 5 speeds quite rare, but they are often found on base-model vehicles that lack desirable features such as the rear E-locker.

The other thing you'll find researching 3rd gens is that in 1999, Toyota made a lot of mid-series improvements to the interior, making them more desirable generally. If you're shopping for a bargain, getting a 1996-98 will save you some money.

You will most likely not find a 2001-2002 in your price range. All 2001-2002 models had V6 engines, automatic trannys and a multi-mode 4wd system that let you use 4wd on the highway. On the 1999-2000 models, multi-mode was only available with the Limited model (again, V6 automatic only.) No 96-98 4runner had a multi mode T-case.

Easiest way to tell the difference between a 1996-98 and a 99-02 is the front bumper. 99s and up got the "fat lip" energy absorbing bumper that sticks out about 6" from the grill. 96-98 models the bumper only sticks out an inch or so past the grill.

FINAL NOTE: If you are on a budget, and if you really want a 5 speed, you might want to check out the 1st generation of Nissan Xterra. The X is just about as capable off road as the 4runner (some would say more), and was always available with a 5 speed. You can get a capable vehicle without paying the "Toyota Tax" which could be important if you want to save money because for the same price as a thrashed out, high mileage 4runner, you can get a newer, much lower mileage X. Just a thought.

 

[Utah KJ]

... but then Nissan became French owned in 1999 and quickly became very, very lame.

 

[Garage Guy]

IIRC the "pink milkshake" phenomenon is pretty much restricted to vehicles that have either been used very hard (i.e. a lot of towing) or hard 'wheeling that damaged the radiator.

Not necessarily. See http://www.yotatech.com/f2/any-body-ever-crack-opened-up-oem-rad-if-not-here-we-go-194976/ for some pictures of the plumbing in these radiators. It's a design that doesn't appear very robust to manufacturing defects, or to aging in general...

 

[Applejack]

Not necessarily. See http://www.yotatech.com/f2/any-body-ever-crack-opened-up-oem-rad-if-not-here-we-go-194976/ for some pictures of the plumbing in these radiators. It's a design that doesn't appear very robust to manufacturing defects, or to aging in general...

We know that it can happen but the point of the question was how likely is it to happen, thus bringing into question is the "pink milkshake" something to fret over.
I have been worried about it too but then wondered if I really need to. And really I don't think so. I kid you not, I have asked dozens of Toyota Techs and independent mechanics, and probably 3 times as many 4runner and Taco owners, and not a single one has had this. For every 5 4runners that get this affliction there are probably 2000 that don't. The internet is pretty famous for making much ado about nothing. But, I realize that I have probably jinxed myself now and will suffer from the much dreaded "pink milkshake" on the way to the lake today.:chef:

 

[Garage Guy]

We know that it can happen but the point of the question was how likely is it to happen, thus bringing into question is the "pink milkshake" something to fret over.

Martinjmpr was talking about an aspect of how likely it is to happen, saying that it's restricted to cases of unusually hard use or damage. I was saying it doesn't seem to be restricted in that way, unfortunately.

Anyway you are certainly right that it would be nice to know the probability of it happening, but I guess only Toyota has the real data on that and they aren't talking. (And also they aren't issuing a recall, fwiw.) But even if it's very rare, the other part of deciding whether to fret over it is the cost of it happening. Which is pretty high (like buy a new transmission and new radiator high). And the cure is cheap: get a B&M tranny cooler and bypass the stock radiator. Which is why a lot of people do that.

Best of all would be to have a way of telling if your radiator is about to fail, before it does. For example maybe if you were inspecting routinely you'd see some warning signs of corrosion. Well the tranny lines going in to the radiator on our '99 4Runner look great, no sign of corrosion, and no sign of corrosion anywhere in the cooling system. So, same as you, I've decided not to worry about it. We will see...

 

[TR4noob]

Pink Milkshake - It happened to me

Some are wondering how often it happens, well if you driving a 3rd gen I would add the cooler or replace the radiator. I got stranded with the milkshake and it cost me $1,200, for the tow, radiator and 90 quarts of fluid to flush the tranny.

Now the corrosive props of the fluid put a pinhole in my heater core and I will be replacing that for only another $250. I say only because i have the luxury of replacing it myself and saving the $300 - $400 in labor.

So almost $2,000 later I would have loved to known about the $55 tranny cooler about a month ago.

My dad has a 98 TR4 and will be adding the tranny cooler this weekend.

BTW - the vehicle has 150k and was driven lightly by a female accountant for about 125k, so no abuse here.

 

[FshTaco99]

Rear wheel bearings and seals... Stupid expensive to have a dealer do them, and pretty difficult without a shop to use. I just did one of mine without the "special" press and it wasn't a walk in the park that's for sure.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Some are wondering how often it happens, well if you driving a 3rd gen I would add the cooler or replace the radiator. I got stranded with the milkshake and it cost me $1,200, for the tow, radiator and 90 quarts of fluid to flush the tranny.

Curious, but did that fix the tranny? I was under the impression that once a tranny got contaminated enough to get the pink milkshake it was toast and would have to be replaced or completely rebuilt.

 

[mrshish]

I'm not sure if the OP is still looking or not but for reference I have a 2000 manual with about 190k on it. It's had basic maintenance including belts and water pump but other than that's it's never been in the shop. The only thing I've ever had break is the clock which wasn't worth replacing. My experience and my one friends is the 3rd gen is rock solid.

 

[MunkeyTX]

Major Items:
Automatic Transmission aka Pink Milkshake (already discussed ad nauseum...)
Timing Belt (Regular maintenance should take care of this)
Rear Wheel Bearings & Seals (Many times once these go, your rear drums need replacing due to contaimnation by diff. fluid)
Ball Joint Failure (Again, regular maintenance should take care of this but can be catastrophic if it happens)
Driver Seat Mounting Bolt Rust-Through (Very weird occurrence, the left front floorboard right underneath the seat mounting bolt will rust through. No indication of rust anywhere else on floorboard.)

Minor Annoyances:
Swaybar End-Link Failure after Moderate Off-Roading (Not 'mission critical', I've completely removed my swaybar, but they do fail nonetheless)
Power Antenna Motor Failure
Sunroof Motor Failure
Dash Clock Failure / Inaccurate (Mine is 3 minutes fast per 24hr period.)
1996 - 1998 Interior (Crappy, flimsy cupholders and useless cubby under radio)

TR4noob, 90 quarts to flush your tranny? That's 22.5 gallons of transmissions fluid...either your numbers are off or the transmission shop you went to really poked your eyes.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Minor Annoyances:
Power Antenna Motor Failure

I think every 3rd gen 4runner I've seen has this failure. When I got mine the antenna wouldn't go up or down but it made a sound like a dying yak (I presume ) every time I turned the radio off or on. I finally got tired of it and fixed the problem by disconnecting the power antenna wire.

Problem solved! :sombrero: