There is a 1997 4runner for sale locally with 5 speed and 4X4. It looks like a base model so i guess it is a 2.7L. It has 135,000 miles and i think they want $4200 for it. I have no idea if it is in good shape or trashed. All i have done is read the add. What would be the pros and cons of these over the more common 3.4/auto? Is the 5 speed really any better for off roading? I almost think it would be a lot of clutch work trying to 4 wheel in a 5 speed but i dont have much experience off reading. Whats your opinion?
thoughts on 4 cylinder 5 speed 4x4 3rd gen for expedition rig
- Thread starter rc51kid
- Start date
Lot's of factors at play here, as a recent convert the 3rd gen 4runners here's my two cents....
Properly maintained, tuned and geared for your vehicle, i really like th 3rz. I have driven several in taco's and for a four cylinder i found the power adequate. As with any 4 vs 6 comparo, a 6 will almost always handle added weight and rolling resistance better than the 4. Having not driven a 3rd gen runner with a 3rz, i can't accurately speak to how it moves a stock 4runner with its extra weight, but a 5 speed will surely help there. I know that the 3rz doesn't have that much less HP than the 5vzfe, but for me, its torque that matters.
A good questions to ask would be what you're planned uses are for the runner?
As far as 5 speed vs auto....that debate rages on. I prefer an auto for off road work for many reasons that i won't get into here.
Mike
Properly maintained, tuned and geared for your vehicle, i really like th 3rz. I have driven several in taco's and for a four cylinder i found the power adequate. As with any 4 vs 6 comparo, a 6 will almost always handle added weight and rolling resistance better than the 4. Having not driven a 3rd gen runner with a 3rz, i can't accurately speak to how it moves a stock 4runner with its extra weight, but a 5 speed will surely help there. I know that the 3rz doesn't have that much less HP than the 5vzfe, but for me, its torque that matters.
A good questions to ask would be what you're planned uses are for the runner?
As far as 5 speed vs auto....that debate rages on. I prefer an auto for off road work for many reasons that i won't get into here.
Mike
My intended use is actually pretty simple. Mostly it will be a DD that i plan on keeping for about 10+ years with about 10,000 miles a year that i drive. That is about my past track record on cars. It will also be used for traveling with me and my GF and maybe one or two of our small (20lb) dogs. We will be building a sleeping platform and sleeping in the truck. Sometimes just in rest stations off the highway. Other times hopefully in the middle of nowhere. We already do a lot of backpacking, MT biking and recently my GF picked up surfing. So mostly the truck will get us to where we are going and be a place to sleep if we dont want to tent.
I dont do any 4WD stuff but plan on giving it a try as a new activity exploring the back country. Probably mostly as a way to a destination rather than extreme 4 wheeling. But who knows what it will lead to. Plans for whatever 4runner i get are basically just mild quality lift if any, good tires, recovery gear, sleeping platform and maybe lockers or something like a "lunch box". Bt nothing to exotic.
Honestly if i budget and wait a while i can afford something like a 4th gen 4runner with a small loan. I have no problem with that. But there is a appeal to something older, cheaper more basic and then having cash in the savings account. It is kind of nice to not worry about dents and scratches.
I dont do any 4WD stuff but plan on giving it a try as a new activity exploring the back country. Probably mostly as a way to a destination rather than extreme 4 wheeling. But who knows what it will lead to. Plans for whatever 4runner i get are basically just mild quality lift if any, good tires, recovery gear, sleeping platform and maybe lockers or something like a "lunch box". Bt nothing to exotic.
Honestly if i budget and wait a while i can afford something like a 4th gen 4runner with a small loan. I have no problem with that. But there is a appeal to something older, cheaper more basic and then having cash in the savings account. It is kind of nice to not worry about dents and scratches.
verticaltrx
Observer
Before I got my 3.4/5speed 3rd gen runner I was really looking for a 2.7/5spd model. This was mostly due to the excellent use I got out of my little regular cab, 2.7/5spd tacoma. Bone stock with nothing more than some 235/75r15 mud tires and a camper shell, it was an amazing little truck for off-roading and back country adventure. I also got 270,000mi out of it completely trouble free (in some respects I think the 2.7 is a more reliable/long lasting motor than the 3.4, but that is purely speculation.)
Anyways, I found out that 3rd gen 4runners with a 5speed were pretty rare, and ones with a 5spd/2.7 were extremely rare. I eventually found a clean '97 4runner setup like I wanted and went with the 3.4L. It's a great vehicle off-road, comfortable on-road and with only a modest lift and A/T tires I still get over 20mpg on nearly every tank. I think for your uses any of the 3rd gen models would fit the bill, it's mostly about personal preference from that point. Don't go into debt to buy a 4th gen, not worth it on many levels IMO.
Anyways, I found out that 3rd gen 4runners with a 5speed were pretty rare, and ones with a 5spd/2.7 were extremely rare. I eventually found a clean '97 4runner setup like I wanted and went with the 3.4L. It's a great vehicle off-road, comfortable on-road and with only a modest lift and A/T tires I still get over 20mpg on nearly every tank. I think for your uses any of the 3rd gen models would fit the bill, it's mostly about personal preference from that point. Don't go into debt to buy a 4th gen, not worth it on many levels IMO.
J
JWP58
Guest
Why not get the 4cyl? You're not looking to buy a race car are you? The 4cyl will get you down the road just fine in my opinion.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
The 2.7/5-speed would be the combination I would look for. That 2.7 has nice output and fuel economy as well as a lifetime timing chain (vs the belt on the 3.4 that requires more maintenance). I agree that the 5-speed would make better use of the available power and would just be more fun to drive. I also try to avoid automatic transmissions because of the extra service required. With some practice, 4-wheeling with a 5-speed works very well. The low-range in the 3rd gen seems low enough--when I 4-wheel my parents' I rarely use 1st gear--usually second or third.
The base may or may not have the 2.7. It could have either engine. The 3.4 is also nice, especially if the timing belt has been done. It has great low-end torque and still gets respectable fuel economy. I averaged 21 mpg when I borrowed my parents' 3.4/5-speed for a mountain trip.
If you have found a 2.7/5-speed, I would check it out for sure! I think the 3rd gen is a great platform. They're capable, comfy and easy to own. I like them better than the 4th and 5th gen, myself.
The base may or may not have the 2.7. It could have either engine. The 3.4 is also nice, especially if the timing belt has been done. It has great low-end torque and still gets respectable fuel economy. I averaged 21 mpg when I borrowed my parents' 3.4/5-speed for a mountain trip.
If you have found a 2.7/5-speed, I would check it out for sure! I think the 3rd gen is a great platform. They're capable, comfy and easy to own. I like them better than the 4th and 5th gen, myself.
Nullifier
Expedition Leader
I have a Tacoma with 3rz and 5 speed. Love love love that set up. I am currently running 33" tires but when I had 31" tires the truck was still astounding. In my current set up I,am getting right at 20. Mpg highway. For an expo built, lifted, geared and locked expo truck that is hard to beat. Since this is your dd truck I would say if you found a nice one pull the trigger and get it.
DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
Nullifier, is your 20MPG corrected or indicated? I was getting 21ish MPG with my 22R-E/5speed running 33" and 5.29 but the speedo was off by almost 20% so in reality my mileage was 17~18MPG.
I personally like 5 speeds and wouldn't hesitate to stick with a 4 cylinder. Besides mileage I find the mini truck is better built around a physically smaller engine, so oil changes, tune-ups, those sorts of things don't require tiny hands and an extra wrist. Since you're also planning on the long haul, one head gasket to R&R, one head to rebuild, etc. Lower cost, less time, those are the trade-offs for less power. But also don't fool yourself, you do miss the power doing a 2-lane traffic pass or towing that rental log splitter. It's a matter if you can live with the downsides for the upsides.
I personally like 5 speeds and wouldn't hesitate to stick with a 4 cylinder. Besides mileage I find the mini truck is better built around a physically smaller engine, so oil changes, tune-ups, those sorts of things don't require tiny hands and an extra wrist. Since you're also planning on the long haul, one head gasket to R&R, one head to rebuild, etc. Lower cost, less time, those are the trade-offs for less power. But also don't fool yourself, you do miss the power doing a 2-lane traffic pass or towing that rental log splitter. It's a matter if you can live with the downsides for the upsides.
Nullifier
Expedition Leader
That is corrected. I run 4.88 gears and 255/85/16 on stock aluminum wheels. Course that is highway but that's also with full expo load. Mine is not a daily driver but I consider mileage a huge factor in an expo rig. Most of my friends can't go on trips because their jeeps with 40's get 8 mpg on a good day ya know.
Mrknowitall
Adventurer
As long as you're fine with getting down the road in a leisurely way, you can't go wrong with that setup for your stated requirements. Some have reported milage as high has 25, which is beats a 2nd gen Vitara/Tracker (with much better ... everything).
Gen3 M/T 4Rs are rare, and the seller probably knows that. I think the price isn't too crazy, as long as the truck is clean (cleaner than the MT Trooper I just looked at anyhow).
Chances are, this 4Runner will do everything you ask it to right out of the box, with nothing more than some good tires. If it DOES turn out to be a V6, dont let the timing belt scare you. I changed mine in about 5 hours, using hand tools and less than $100 in parts. Busting the crank-bolt loose was the hardest part. I always thought it was sad, that Toyota felt it right to offer the 4R with the 3RZ, M/T & 4wd, but not the (lighter) Crew Taco.
Gen3 M/T 4Rs are rare, and the seller probably knows that. I think the price isn't too crazy, as long as the truck is clean (cleaner than the MT Trooper I just looked at anyhow).
Chances are, this 4Runner will do everything you ask it to right out of the box, with nothing more than some good tires. If it DOES turn out to be a V6, dont let the timing belt scare you. I changed mine in about 5 hours, using hand tools and less than $100 in parts. Busting the crank-bolt loose was the hardest part. I always thought it was sad, that Toyota felt it right to offer the 4R with the 3RZ, M/T & 4wd, but not the (lighter) Crew Taco.
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PirateMcGee
Expedition Leader
Depends on where you live.......if you're in a flat low elevation state I would go 4cyl. If you live in the west and play around in the Rockies/Cascades/Sierras I would go V6 as it's likely to get very similar gas mileage in the mountains. I had a 1st gen 4runner with a heaviliy built 22re and 31's which is similar in power/weight to a 3rd gen 4cyl and while it was great offroad, light, nimble, and fun to drive, the gas mileage was only really better around town and even then only by 1-3mpgs in comparison to my Montero Sport (very similar mpg's to 3.4l 4runner) while having waaaaaaaaaaaay more power.
Honestly you might consider a montero or montero sport with the 3.5l.....it will still leave you money in the bank and provide a little more room/power with comparable mpg's
Honestly you might consider a montero or montero sport with the 3.5l.....it will still leave you money in the bank and provide a little more room/power with comparable mpg's