Tell me about the "dark side"...

[duckhunter71]

I had a 2001 XJ Sport 4x4 that I sold to buy a 99 4Runner SR5 4x4. I loved my Jeep, but only liked the 4Runner. The 4Runner was definitely well built and did everything I asked of it, however it lacked the personality of the XJ. I'm wanting another older rig to modify and play with, but I do not find myself wanting another 3rd gen 4Runner.

My biggest gripes about the 4Runner are the comfort/seating position, cost, and powertrain - it was wimpy and lacked the torquey feel of the 4.0L in my Jeep.

That being said, I don't really think you can go wrong with a 3rd gen 4Runner, but I did want to offer up my opinion since I made the same switch you are considering.

If I were to be in that position again with the same budget that you have, I think I might have actually gone with an 01.5-04 Pathfinder as they have the excellent VQ35 V6 and are a little more comfortable/feature rich. I ALMOST bought a loaded 02 SE 4x4 Pathfinder with 78k miles after I sold my 4Runner, but ended up with an 07 Frontier CC Nismo 4x4 with 20k miles because I felt I needed something better suited for towing.

There are other options out there that are just as good as the 4Runner for a lot less money.. Something to consider!

 

[MCObray]

Bought my 4runner a year ago and it has been great. Like yourself I researched for a LONG time, and determined for ME, that I wanted a '99 or rare '00 with AWD/4WD and a locker..... my wife wanted leather and sunroof. Pre-99's have different interior plastic, which sounds pretty petty, but after dealing with the riduculous cupholders on my '96, I knew I wanted the updated plastic. Anything after Mid-00's loses the Rear Locker for the central diff lock. I also wanted a moderate lift, 32/33 tires, under 200k, and well maintained.

You aren't that terribly far from me, so I imagine our searches would be similar. I would hit up craigslist 3 times a week, in all of Washington and Oregon..... occasionally Idaho, and search for *runner (as people list them as 4runner, 4 runner, forerunner, fourRunner, etc...)

Bend actually seemed to have the highest amount of stuff for sale during the period I was looking.

I ended up with a 99 Limited like I wanted. 33's, Bumpers, sliders, winch, front AND rear ARB lockers, 3" lift, 185k. I openly admit that I overpaid at $8000, as it did need a bit of work (steering rack, mainly), but it suited my needs, and was at the upper limit of my budget. I had to pry the keys out of the previous owners hands.

While the limited, did not ALL have the locker, it was a pretty common package, and I would say more than half of the Limited editions came with the locker. To get a locker on a non-limited was typically customer request or special order.

The Holy grail or 4runners (so I have been told), is a '99 with a 5speed and a locker. Limiteds never came with a 5speed, and non-limiteds rarely came with a locker. Also the '99 is the tallest of all the stock 3rd gens.

In my case, I wanted the Auto transmission that came in the 99-early 00 limiteds, which had the central diff lock (AWD) in addition to 4x4. Pushbutton AWD for icy highways, with real 4x4 for goat trails.

Our searches sounds, very, VERY similar. Sounds like you got yourself a great deal. 4Runners here in the PNW are completely in-demand and people pay the price for them, as I have seen a few I liked, and then the ad is gone the next day. I wanted a completely stock 4Runner, so that I can/could make it my own. With that said though, if I did see a 4Runner with tasteful modifications, paperwork/receipts, and in great condition, I might have just sprung the cash to find one. I was on Craigslist everyday, for what seemed like hours, scouring and searching for what I might think be "the one".

I appreciate your insight, and glad to hear that you are enjoying your 4Runner! Heck, I might even catch up with you someday off the pavement path.

I had a 2001 XJ Sport 4x4 that I sold to buy a 99 4Runner SR5 4x4. I loved my Jeep, but only liked the 4Runner. The 4Runner was definitely well built and did everything I asked of it, however it lacked the personality of the XJ. I'm wanting another older rig to modify and play with, but I do not find myself wanting another 3rd gen 4Runner.

My biggest gripes about the 4Runner are the comfort/seating position, cost, and powertrain - it was wimpy and lacked the torquey feel of the 4.0L in my Jeep.

That being said, I don't really think you can go wrong with a 3rd gen 4Runner, but I did want to offer up my opinion since I made the same switch you are considering.

If I were to be in that position again with the same budget that you have, I think I might have actually gone with an 01.5-04 Pathfinder as they have the excellent VQ35 V6 and are a little more comfortable/feature rich. I ALMOST bought a loaded 02 SE 4x4 Pathfinder with 78k miles after I sold my 4Runner, but ended up with an 07 Frontier CC Nismo 4x4 with 20k miles because I felt I needed something better suited for towing.

There are other options out there that are just as good as the 4Runner for a lot less money.. Something to consider!

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It's pleasant to hear this information from someone who made the same exact switch that I am making.

 

[MCObray]

The search has concluded. I found me a 4Runner!