4 Runner 4 me?...

[sardonicus]

Hi all in the toyota forum,
I've been looking at 4 runners recently as you seem to get more for your money than something with a green oval badge on the grill.
I need a good all rounder really,something that can be bounced around muddy fields,willgo on the motorway ,and would be generally reliable on trips to europe etc.
Just wondering about reliability of electicals and electronic engine management stuff.(most other things i could probably fix myself)
Does the 3.0 diesel (93 ish)have much in the way of electronic manage ment?What about turbos and manual gear boxes and are clutches easy to change?
Have read previous posts on same but 2 years old.And i've read about surfs but need a manual gearbox!
Any advice apreciated,thanks.

[graham78]

hey there
the 4 runner is a version of a surf, try looking here it is where we all hide and you can get some decent views....

www.hiluxsurf.co.uk

all the best

graham

[Woodzie]

The 4runner is the uk version ......the surf which is a import is the same ,
if you can afford it get a 3l modlel as the 2.4's do have a issue with cracking heads if badly overheated

As graham said go to http://www.hiluxsurk.co.uk

and have a look here as well http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/faq.htm

[laser_jock99]

Does the 3.0 diesel (93 ish)have much in the way of electronic manage ment?What about turbos and manual gear boxes and are clutches easy to change?
Have read previous posts on same but 2 years old.And i've read about surfs but need a manual gearbox!
Any advice apreciated,thanks.

The 3.0L diesel has a basic ECU- it is fairly robust as ECU's go- I should know mine's been under water twice and never blinked.

The autobox though is the way to go on these cars if you intend to to do any towing or offroading. They are really bombproof and rarely give any trouble even when abused.

[sardonicus]

Thanks for the advice chaps,still considering options but SWMBO doesnt want to get rid of the jeep..
Got put off auto gear boxes(and anything chrysler build) due to owning jeep which isnt very controlable in really slippery conditions,though it is petrol engine.Wouldnt like to go through too deep water in it as the fan does its best to drown the engine in a foot or two taken too fast!
Maybe i can persuade her.........

[supersurf]

hi mate im on my fourth surf now and as posted earlier,
lovely vehicles everything you would expect from a toyota,
the build quality is fantastic,
i take mine off road big time,
every chance i get at least twice a week for several hours at a time,
through some of the worst lanes and farmland,
they just go on and on,
if you get the chance buy a SSRG model as they come with recaro seats and cruise control as standard i have two of them and they never seem to let me down,i bought one as a spare and have never used it off road yet as my number 1 has never broken down,
actually tell a lie it has once i went up something really steep really fast and done in my front diff,
took nine teeth off the crownwheel,
oops,
think that was down to my lead foot,
but apart from that bullet proof,
just make sure that you get a 3.0td instead of a 2.4 as there is quite a difference in the power,
mind you if you just want it for cruiseing about then get a 2.4 as they are far better on fuel i have one of each,
my 2.4 returns 27mpg at 70mph
my 3.0 returns 17mpg at 70 mph
a big difference in running costs but also a difference in the old power,
depends what you intend to do with it,
i use my 3.0 td off road and have many a time pulled  the odd range rover out of the odd ditch,and they are a very heavy beast indeed,  
all in all fantastic vehicles,
you wont be dissapointed,

[plumb bob]

mind you if you just want it for cruiseing about then get a 2.4 as they are far better on fuel i have one of each,
my 2.4 returns 27mpg at 70mph
my 3.0 returns 17mpg at 70 mph
a big difference in running costs but also a difference in the old power,
depends what you intend to do with it,

That's a big difference in fuel consumption, the 3.0 should be about the same on fuel as the 2.4, I'd say that your 2.4 is v. good on fuel and your 3.0 has something wrong with it, try getting the injection pump recalibrated by an injection specialist.

Robert