Best year of 4runner

I am in the market for a 4runner,and would like some input as too best most reliable year Toyota made for the 4runner,any input would help.Really want one that has M/T and a timing chain ,No timing belt.

 

Had a 2011 and never had a problem. I have a 2019 now and no problem after driving across the country twice in 3 months

 

Every year. Pick the one you like and drive the shit out of it.

 

Do the 4runners have timing chains or belts ?

 

It depends on the year. Some V6's had belts, some had chains. All V8's were belt, if I'm not mistaken, 2003-2009. The V8's were amazing motors otherwise. Mine had 257K on it when I traded it in, and ran like butter. The new V6 has a chain.

 

1st gen - 85 EFI solid axle
2nd gen - none
3rd gen - 99-00 highlander/sport 5 speed w/locker
4th gen - 09 v6 trail edition w/locker. Very rare
5th gen- 10-13 Trail edition

 

Has a belt though.

 

Basically due to your criteria, you probably looking at a 4th/5th gen. The 2nd/3rd gen both have t-belts. 1st gen probably don’t want a 25+ year old one. Imo I’d go 5th gen.

 

Yes

 

Yes.

 

If by M/T you mean manual transmission then the last year you're looking at is a 2000. After 2000 they only came with autos

 

Don’t freak out about timing belts, they rarely snap and for example the 3.4L in the 3rd gens are non-interference so at worst you’d be left needing a tow home. I love my 1999 SR5. I wouldn’t want any other year except maybe an ‘85. I had a 2013 and it was cool but it was also $30k. Great condition 3rd gens can be had for under $8-10k all day.

 

I've owned a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th gen. Still have the 5th (2013 Trail) least favorite was the 2nd gen. Had a few problems with the 3.0 V6. Still miss the 3rd gen. Still love the 5th gen. Depending on your plan for use, can't really go wrong with any of them.

 

Manual and timing chain sure limits your search.

4G is all I've owned and the only ones I shopped for, because V8. Yes, it's a timing belt, but they're not a common point of failure.

4.7l was what I wanted because I tow travel trailers, and the V8 is the only version you get the nice factory Toyota tow package like on a Tacoma - ClassIV hitch, aux trans cooler, bigger battery and alternator.

 

But it also went 1,000,000 miles in a Tundra.

 

Yes! Thanks for the team 3rd Gen! 2000 Limited in the driveway here!

 

Interested for the second vehicle

 

Ain't nothing wrong with the timing belt engines. It's slightly more maintenance but really not a big deal. Think of how long it takes the average person to put 90k miles (The V8 timing belt replacement mileage) on a vehicle. 10-15k miles is about average per year for most people. So 9 years on the low end and 7 on the high end. Many people don't keep a vehicle that long anyhow. And I believe the early, non-VVT 2UZ V8 motors were non-interference. I could be wrong but that's what my research showed me.

Plenty of threads about failing or replacing timing chains on toyota-4runner.org forums. They are not fail safe. The V6 and V8 get similar gas mileage as well, with the V8 actually winning out most of the time with ever so lightly better. I get 16-17 mpg with mine with the majority of my commuting being 70-80 mph on the freeway.

They are both good motors either way. They both require regular maintenance. So this refusal to get a timing belt motor makes no sense unless you just plain don't want to do any maintenance on your vehicle.

 

I'm more concerned about interference / non-interference

 

I’d say the 3rd gens are best, but I am biased

I’m still on my original timing belt at 83k. Knock on wood, should probably get it changed soon. 22 years trouble free in my family.