Did I find the last one? And why are there 2wd 4runners? Shouldn't they be 2runners?

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Looks like the odds are that I will be getting to live in the Willamette Valley during the week and drive back to Bend on the weekends. So I started the search for another 3rd Gen with a 3rz, manual trans, and 4wd. Would prefer a 1999-2000. I cannot find one.

So far I have only found 2 1996-1998. One guy said his was a 1999 clearly isn't then he stopped responding when I asked for a VIN. The other guy said that if his rig didn't sell by the end of the week 2 weeks ago that he was moving to the Philippines for 24 months - no return emails so I am thinking he moved.

Holy hell! Where are they.

And don't get me started on the 2wd 4runners. Facebook marketplace searching sucks. It would be slightly easier if the 2wd versions were a different name.

Well shit! May have to break down and get a 5vz. Maybe I can rationalize that having an auto wouldn't be too bad.
 

4runner DOA

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Looks like the odds are that I will be getting to live in the Willamette Valley during the week and drive back to Bend on the weekends. So I started the search for another 3rd Gen with a 3rz, manual trans, and 4wd. Would prefer a 1999-2000. I cannot find one.

So far I have only found 2 1996-1998. One guy said his was a 1999 clearly isn't then he stopped responding when I asked for a VIN. The other guy said that if his rig didn't sell by the end of the week 2 weeks ago that he was moving to the Philippines for 24 months - no return emails so I am thinking he moved.

Holy hell! Where are they.

And don't get me started on the 2wd 4runners. Facebook marketplace searching sucks. It would be slightly easier if the 2wd versions were a different name.

Well shit! May have to break down and get a 5vz. Maybe I can rationalize that having an auto wouldn't be too bad.

Search in southern California. They're a dime a dozen but they can get pricey because the overlanders want them. I can go check it out for you since I'm not doing shit (as long as it's not too far from OC) then you can fly down and drive it home.
 

theesotericone

Build It Beat It Break It. Repeat
Fredo Baggins
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Looks like the odds are that I will be getting to live in the Willamette Valley during the week and drive back to Bend on the weekends. So I started the search for another 3rd Gen with a 3rz, manual trans, and 4wd. Would prefer a 1999-2000. I cannot find one.

So far I have only found 2 1996-1998. One guy said his was a 1999 clearly isn't then he stopped responding when I asked for a VIN. The other guy said that if his rig didn't sell by the end of the week 2 weeks ago that he was moving to the Philippines for 24 months - no return emails so I am thinking he moved.

Holy hell! Where are they.

And don't get me started on the 2wd 4runners. Facebook marketplace searching sucks. It would be slightly easier if the 2wd versions were a different name.

Well shit! May have to break down and get a 5vz. Maybe I can rationalize that having an auto wouldn't be too bad.


I'll keep an eye out for you. Whatever happened with the Reno thing?
 
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I have found some fwd ones - I wonder how hard it would be to swap in a rear drive axle.
 

theesotericone

Build It Beat It Break It. Repeat
Fredo Baggins
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Too slow. Looked like great shape for $2k

Gotcha. I know a guy that had a 96(I think) last June with a blown motor. Last I talked to him he was going to scrap it. If you have any interest I can get a hold of him. Pretty sure it was a Cali rig it's whole life. It's a manual 4 banger.
 
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Gotcha. I know a guy that had a 96(I think) last June with a blown motor. Last I talked to him he was going to scrap it. If you have any interest I can get a hold of him. Pretty sure it was a Cali rig it's whole life. It's a manual 4 banger.

Thanks - trying to stay away from the 1996 ones. They had some weird stuff on them that was different than the 1997-1998 (Carson's 4runner that I flopped was a 1996).

Maybe a 5vz wouldn't be too bad.
 

theesotericone

Build It Beat It Break It. Repeat
Fredo Baggins
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Thanks - trying to stay away from the 1996 ones. They had some weird stuff on them that was different than the 1997-1998 (Carson's 4runner that I flopped was a 1996).

Maybe a 5vz wouldn't be too bad.

I've got a 5vz in both my rig and my Taco. 250,000 and 350,000 respectively. It's a damn fine motor. The Taco's a 5 speed with 265/70/16 and it has plenty of power. I get 18-20 MPG depending on how bad I romp on it.
 

Dezert4Runner

Pineapples belong on pizza
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Oct 23, 2018
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Looks like the odds are that I will be getting to live in the Willamette Valley during the week and drive back to Bend on the weekends. So I started the search for another 3rd Gen with a 3rz, manual trans, and 4wd. Would prefer a 1999-2000. I cannot find one.

So far I have only found 2 1996-1998. One guy said his was a 1999 clearly isn't then he stopped responding when I asked for a VIN. The other guy said that if his rig didn't sell by the end of the week 2 weeks ago that he was moving to the Philippines for 24 months - no return emails so I am thinking he moved.

Holy hell! Where are they.

And don't get me started on the 2wd 4runners. Facebook marketplace searching sucks. It would be slightly easier if the 2wd versions were a different name.

Well shit! May have to break down and get a 5vz. Maybe I can rationalize that having an auto wouldn't be too bad.

I think finding a manual with a 3.4 will be easier than what you’re looking for. It’s a great engine and the mpg isn’t as far apart as you’d think from what I remember seeing in T4R.org. The 96’s had 2 less rear body mounts. Before I bought my 2000, I had a ‘96 2Runner auto with the 3.4 and it wasn’t any different than a 97-98 other than that. When it was on the stock split 3 spoke 15’s with 225/75R15 (28” tires) I got 22-23 mpg on road trips that were all highway. That was only a few months before putting on 265/75R16 so that changed mpg pretty quick.
 

Dezert4Runner

Pineapples belong on pizza
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By the way, my 2000 is a manual 3.4 with over 350k so reliability won’t be a factor between the two engines.
 
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Is there a major reason why you are so stuck on the 3rz?

I like them and know them well. I like working on them better than my son's 5vz in his Taco. And I like the timing chain vs belt.

That said I have started looking for good deals on manual 5vz rigs. Not too many of those out there either.
 

theesotericone

Build It Beat It Break It. Repeat
Fredo Baggins
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I like them and know them well. I like working on them better than my son's 5vz in his Taco. And I like the timing chain vs belt.

That said I have started looking for good deals on manual 5vz rigs. Not too many of those out there either.

Why another 4runner and not a commuter? Do you actually need the 4x4 for the drive?
 
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Why another 4runner and not a commuter? Do you actually need the 4x4 for the drive?

I still am toying with getting another 2nd Gen Mazda 3s with the 2.5 and 6 speed.

Issue is Santiam Pass. It can have a decent amount of snow/ice on the road for 5-6 months of the year. I suppose I could take the dually and save money on gas the rest of the time.
 
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