The 3rd Generation Toyota 4Runner Is a Great Old-School SUV

CHECK OUT THIS 4RUNNER ON CARS & BIDS!!!

The third-generation (1996-2002) Toyota 4Runner is becoming an icon. Today I'm reviewing this third-gen 4Runner to explain why people love these so much. I'm going to show you all the quirks and features of this 4Runner, and then I'll drive the 4Runner and let you know what it's like on the road.

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DOUGSCORE CHART:

[DougDeMuro]

Fun fact: when I was in college, I had a friend who owned one of these. Years earlier, she had been messing around with friends and they rolled it over in wet grass. They got it back on its wheels and *drove it home.* She then drove it around — FOR YEARS — with dents on the roof but otherwise perfectly fine. I personally drove it 500 miles from Atlanta to Savannah and back, no issues.

[wyodriver]

The “spoiler” isn’t for downforce. It’s for aerodynamics and helping to keep the rear window clear. School busses have them too.

[pedroperez]

4Runner prices after this 📈 as if they weren’t expensive as shit already .

[nf]

Most reliable car to ever be bought at a Chrysler dealer

[Mrskpark]

my moms water broke while driving one of these thru a chicago blizzard
im forever grateful for the 3nd gen 4runner that got an unborn me and her to the hospital

[speedhunter]

The amount of reliability these early 90s to mid 2000s Toyotas have is MIND BOGGLING

[tjwt]

I was lucky enough to work at a Toyota dealer in high school when these were new. We couldn't keep them on the lot, people knew how good they were 20+ years ago. EDIT: Just saw what it sold for... I think this model topped out at maybe 30k. That's like basically ZERO depreciation.

[prestonbraun]

2 other things to note about these are that it has a non-interference motor. So if you blow a timing belt, you only have to re-time it and put a new belt on, no damage to the head. If you have issues with power windows and lock functions, check the wires in the driver's door jam, they commonly break there

[DyslexicMitochondria]

If doug gets pulled over by a cop, he'd be like "but before I show you my license and registration, make sure to check out cars and bids"

[andayimushenye]

I have a 1997 with 370, 000 miles, no issues and will never sell it. Ready to spend 5k in upgrades. I call it 'Brother' because it has always been there to see me through very difficult times in my lives and never let me once. I cannot betray it by selling because of the great memories it has given me.

[navywolf]

My friend recently purchased one of these used. 2001, SR5, 2WD, base cloth interior with the 5VZ-FE engine... and almost 290, 000 miles. Once I drove it, I immediately fell in love with it. The front cloth seats are unnaturally comfortable, the dash gauges and controls are everything you need, and nothing you don't. Folding the rear seats flat basically turns it into a covered short bed pickup. Despite the mileage, it still runs phenomenally well, and will most likely make it past 500, 000 miles with regular maintenance. Truly one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.

Edit, over 1 year later. After multiple failed sales and people who "leased" the 4Runner from my friend, and him trying his absolute hardest to kill it, I purchased it for a whopping $600. There's now over 304, 000 miles on the odometer and the V6 still sings happily, though I'll be changing the fluids and plugs soon. the radiator leaks, but it holds temp fine (I will be replacing this though). there was a CEL from an evap code, which eventually stopped appearing. I used it to move out of my last semester of college, with crap packed all the way to the roof and I had to use my side mirrors only. I used it to move out of an apartment as well. These trucks are that one friend who is always there for you, no matter what.

[Paulodealgumacoisa]

Man, as a poor car enthusiast, I can't put in words how cool it is to see Doug making a positive review in the car that I own :)
I have a 96 Hilux Surf, as we call the 4 Runner here in Japan, it has 230k KM, and my mechanic keeps saying "It will run at least, for some more decades" XD
Much success for you in the years to come Doug ! You deserve !

[DownShiftRecords]

I will go on record and say this was one of the greatest vehicles ever made. My parents bought our 5-speed manual 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 brand new. As of last month, it has 450, 000 miles on it on the original engine! I learned how to drive on it as did my sister, it took us both to college, it’s taken us on countless vacations all over the US and Canada and it never skipped a beat. If you have one of these, do not let it go. Years from now it will have a charm that many people overlook when a vehicle is somewhat new: nostalgia.
My mom is adamant that regardless of how tired our 4Runner may get, we are never selling it.

[michealcorleone]

* doug uploads supercar video * me - "eh"

* doug uploads 3rd gen 4 runner video * me - "👀👀👀"

[jamieseed]

I've got a 1997 Limited 3rd Gen with the E-locker and it has 420k miles on it now. Running strong! I have driven it all over the country and aside from basic maintenance such as oil changes and repairs as parts literally wear out (most recently a rear wheel bearing), it just won't quit. They are so easy to work on and I have learned so much from doing my own repairs on her over the years, from those oil changes to water pumps, timing belts, AC compressor, alternator, the aforementioned wheel bearing (I just bought a salvage axle and saved a ton of time and $). Next up is the valve cover gaskets! 3rd Gen 4Runner fam for life. I will never sell it.

[freezenexusblogspot]

This is how SUV should be: Capable, Simple, durable

[BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

That rear spoiler was to direct air across the rear window to keep it clean. 🚙

[Apalapse]

I just watched a 26-minute video on a 4Runner LOL.

[zeffevnon]

As an owner of a 2002 4Runner, I just want to thank you for continuing to do car reviews for the little guys 😂

[sawyerramos]

i am in love with my 3rd gen. Its 20 years old and still rocks the biz!