Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Best toyota 4X4s ?? what years?

I'd be more concerned with what condition a given toy truck is vs. it's vintage. They only thing I would avoid is the 3.0 liter v-6, it was a turd.

My 91 was literally covered in a cosmoline like wax underneath, driven in WA and MT for quite a while and never saw any frame rust....

Mine was bought new, SR5, power everything and an auto trans I caught hell for from everyone of my expert friends. Didn't give it a month before it would get a tow...well after 167,000 miles I never had a trans problem. I sold it when the recall work was done by the dealer at 150,000 for supposedly bad head gaskets. It never was as peppy or got decent mileage after that and that is why I sold it off.

I prefer the late 80s models up til the independent front suspension, but I would just play in it, not really work out of it.

I'm 6-3 and get crampy in small size trucks...

A buddy's Tundra though, WOW it rocks, it also sucks gas so I will stick with my diesel and twice a month fill ups for now.

mine just keeps on running. In January, I drove it to Atlanta, then Birmingham, and back here. Over 1300 hard highway miles, with some 4X4 trail driving in 'bama. Got 20+ on the road, with zero issues at all.
My mechanic keeps it in good shape, and I'd drive it to California tomorrow with no worries.

Just picked up a 97 4Runner.....Installing a new timing belt and changing oil....Will have it tomorrow....
Coupla dents and dings, 260,000 miles, new tires, loaded...Auto and 4x4...
Needs seat covers and new antenna....We'll see how she rolls....

I have a 09 Tacoma, its been probably the best truck Ive had.

With any Tacoma, make sure you take it to a Toyota shop and have the frame inspected. Those that did have the rust problem were serious. My nephew had one. You could see right through the holes in the frame over the rear tires. When the shop lifted it on a hoist to inspect it, the frame actually broke right in front of them. Not all of them had the problem, though, so you want to be sure you get a good one.

I don't know if the frame recall is still going. In my nephew's case, they gave him more than he'd paid for the pickup 5 years before and he was able to buy a newer model with no cash outlay. He came out smelling like a rose on that deal.

not to be a one upmanship on ya there Sam...

1988... 2200 RE, 519,000 miles on it..

last September, pulled a 6,000 lb trailer from Oregon, to New Hampshire... 3800 miles one way... and then home without the trailer...8,000 miles total on the trip...

used Mobil 0 w 40 oil in it... and in all 8,000 miles, the engine never needed to have any oil added...

yours looks like you still run close to factory stock sized tires on yours... I have 16 inch rims on mine, and run 245 x 75 x 16 sized 10 ply tires... plus 2500 lb over load springs..

rides like a brick...

How tough is it to get a new engine for around a 1990 model or have one rebuilt? Is it worth the effort or is it better just to look for one that runs?

If you can do all the work yourself, and plan for the long term, it would be worthwhile looking for a new crate motor. Then you'd be assured of many trouble-free miles. Overhauled, not so much. And paying a pro gets you way upside-down in an old vehicle. Always better to find a cream-puff that needs nothing expensive.

1983 Shortbox 4wd 22 R 5 speed

Close, but not quite the "best". The '85 was the first year of the 22re and the last year with a live axle, and the axle casting was factory "trussed", as I recall in '84. Try finding one used, ESPECIALLY a 4 rnr.

Yup, my 84, bought new, totally basic, was stolen after 11.5 years and I have seen ONE 1985 since that I would buy and missed. For BC hunting, nothing is better, I liked the longbox, reg.cab 22RE x5 spd. I would love to have one, but, NOBODY will sell.....

My '05 Sequoia just hit 225,000 miles and I hope to give it to my 9yr old son for his first vehicle when he starts driving. Although I have been looking at 2007 versions in the Limited edition with low miles. Dealers can't keep them on the lots.

Same goes for '05-'07 Tundra double cabs.
That 4.7 liter V8 just goes forever!

I hope the 5.7 V8 proves to be as reliable.

The 4.7 is powerful beyond its size.

I am partial to the 89-94 x-cab's. Owned a 90 with the 3.0 v6 for 15 years, blew a head gasket. Replaced it with a 94, 22r-e, 5 speed recently. Only 60k on the short block, fair gas mileage, decent power for what I use it for.

Great advice here.

Wow, that is impressive to say the least!!!

Eric

My 1997 4-runner. 262,000 miles. All stock, original motor.

just stay away from 3.0 v6. terrible gas mileage, head gasket problems. Toyota did step up pay for blown gaskets after warranty ran out, dealer tried to stick me a $3500 bill, said they didn't know about the hidden warranty. the engine also has no guts, my 4runner was 92 and 17 mpg is the best I could get out of it. cold start injector and temp sensor would mess up. 3.4 v6 is a good little engine. I have the 4.0 v6 and is powerful and mileage is decent.