Going to buy a 4runner this weekend

2069 Views 9 Replies 8 Participants Last post by 93 Camry LE V6, Oct 15, 2004

Tomsriv

Discussion Starter · Sep 17, 2004

Hi, I'm new

I am pretty sure I will be buying this 4runner this weekend. I never planned on buying a SUV or an import, but I wanted Rear wheel drive and decent mileage. This seems to fit the bill perfectly.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...d_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=BURGUNDY&cardist=57

I don't trust the dealer. I went there two weeks ago and the stupid salesman tried to tell me it was 4WD. Then I couldn't test drive it because the entrance was blocked with construction trucks.
I wrote them an email about my bad experience and they offered to drop the price $700. I'm going to give it another look. All I want is the truck, no warrenty, so the dealer doesn't really matter.

My questions is, how do I check to see if it has anti-lock brakes? I noticed their is a metering block with a bunch of brake line tubes on the passenger side firewall. Is this part of the system?

My next question, and I'll probably get some flak for this... How hard would it be to lower it 2-3 inches. It looks to tall without the running boards, and I don't really want to add running boards. Plus, I want the slightly increased aerodynamics and better handling.

Noone seems to make lowering springs specifically for the 4runner. I was thinking I could use Tacoma front springs and get rear springs from an early 90's 4runner (the ones with the sagging rear springs).

Finally, I want to add a header. I saw a good article on installing an LC Engineering header. I think I will go that route. Anyone have any comments on headers for the 2.7?

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obex26

· #2 · Sep 17, 2004

If you are wanting to buy that specific 4runner My first point of imput is that you may find it a bit underpowered for weight to power ratio. Second the dealer probably has 8500 into the purchase of that truck and will probably go lower then his offer. Eibach might have a lowering kit for it. Most people who modify them to lower them usually run air bag suspensions.

http://www.streetsourcemag.com/OwnerProfiles.aspx?Model=13&Search=Search

there are diffent 4runners with modifications there. A header at most will recoupe you 5-7 hp and with a 400.00 price tag I don't feel it will financially benefit you. if your looking just for sound go for a free flowing muffler and high flow catilyaic (SP) converter. You will get about the same 5-10 hp gain or a little more with those and the cost range is the same.

The best option to improve handling is probably a polyurathane bushing kit. The easiest way to cheat lower the truck would be to put a lower profile tire on it.

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Tomsriv

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 18, 2004

Thanks for the input Obex26. I will try to get a better price, but it is the cheapest one I have seen that is clean. I'll have to research airbag suspensions. I think the header will be worth it. Since I drive about 2600 miles a month I will save about $70 in gas with the 4 cyl. So compared to a V6, the header and exhaust system will probably pay for itself in six months. I can get a cheap turbo muffler because I don't want it to be loud. The only engines that should be loud are V8's!
I'll check into the bushing kit. I have them on my 71 Riviera and now its less of a boat.

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humanoid

· #4 · Sep 18, 2004

Try asking the guys at www.yotatech.com with your question. There's a lot of knowledgeable guys there about Runners. Hope it all works out for ya!

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dutchq

· #5 · Oct 2, 2004

Try CARFAX before you buy! It will tell you the make and model of your vehicle as well as if any problems have occurred over the years or if it has been in a reported accident, flood, fire, crash, etc. And if you find that this sweet thing is not for you and you have purchased a month of CARFAX searches (you can do 20 or so in a night!), why, you can narrow your choices from local dealers right at home before you visit the dealer. That's how we got our daughter her first car and we use it when we buy any car. Worth the money hands down!

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Munsterkz

· #6 · Oct 10, 2004

Did u say u were going to buy a 4cyl 4-runner ? Do they make 4cyl 4-runners ? I would not recomend it. I bought a 93 Toyota 4 cyl pick up and it is gutless. Compression checked out good. Had the fuel pump tested- good. Computer checked out good. Replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor, timing chain, and still gutless. So I decided to spend some money and I installed a custom doug thorley tri flow header, flowmaster muffler, got rid of the cat- straight pipe instead, installed a stage 2 wild camshaft. It was a lot better after all that. Worth the money for the mods ? NO! The truck still loses about 10 mph on the little inclines on the freeway. It drives me nuts. The only conclusion I came up with is that no 4cyl should be 4 wheel drive. The gears are to low and the tires too big(stock) and gears are too heavy. I even got rid of the tailgate and the rear bumper and the spare tire for weight reduction. Still sucks. I am selling the truck and am going to lose over a thousand bucks in the process. Maybe u will have better luck with non 4x4. Mine sucks ass!

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obex26

· #7 · Oct 11, 2004

Munsterkz said:
Did u say u were going to buy a 4cyl 4-runner ? Do they make 4cyl 4-runners ? I would not recomend it. I bought a 93 Toyota 4 cyl pick up and it is gutless. Compression checked out good. Had the fuel pump tested- good. Computer checked out good. Replaced plugs, wires, cap and rotor, timing chain, and still gutless. So I decided to spend some money and I installed a custom doug thorley tri flow header, flowmaster muffler, got rid of the cat- straight pipe instead, installed a stage 2 wild camshaft. It was a lot better after all that. Worth the money for the mods ? NO! The truck still loses about 10 mph on the little inclines on the freeway. It drives me nuts. The only conclusion I came up with is that no 4cyl should be 4 wheel drive. The gears are to low and the tires too big(stock) and gears are too heavy. I even got rid of the tailgate and the rear bumper and the spare tire for weight reduction. Still sucks. I am selling the truck and am going to lose over a thousand bucks in the process. Maybe u will have better luck with non 4x4. Mine sucks ass!

You could solve all of your problems by going to either a 4.30 gears or even 4.56 Toyotas were designed as compact economical 4x4's not drag racing trucks.

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captainehh

· #8 · Oct 12, 2004

On the 4cyl comment.... Is there a competition to get to the top of the hill? What's wrong with going a little slower and getting better mileage?

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D'mon

· #9 · Oct 13, 2004

Yeah! Four cylinders rock!

Speaking as an owner for the second time of a 22R (this time a 22RE in a '88 4Runner with 31" tires), there is enough power unless you are trying to make the cops rich. There are lots of performance mods available for a decent price (cams made for rock crawling is a great start!), but are not necessary. And the 22R block is bullet-proof (unlike certain gas-guzzling 6 cylinders I've heard about...). BTW: I get about 30MPG (Imperial gallons, though) in a mix of highway and city. And if I am correct, there is little difference in the torque between the 4 and 6 cylinders. we are talking trucks (where torque is more important), aren't we?

There are two problem areas in the 22R's, though. Timing chain guides are plastic after '85 and get eaten up after about 120,000 miles, then eat thru to your water jacket making a big mess in the oilpan. And I understand that the head gaskets may be a problem, but there is plenty of good quality aftermarket out there, so I would not worry. Nothing is perfect, but the 22R is the closest I've ever had....unless you like flashing lights in your rearview mirror.

Just my poor opinion. No flaming please.
D'mon
:lol:

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93 Camry LE V6

· #10 · Oct 15, 2004

That box is probably the ABS system. That is what a ABS system typically looks like. Another way to check is to turn on the ignition and see if you see a "ABS" or "anti-lock" light illuminated, then it has ABS. I am not sure of the year of your 4-Runner, but I think ABS was standard beginning in 1996, but it may have been optional even then. I am not sure.

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