Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at getting a 4x4 within the next 2 weeks. I have max $12k to spend and have been looking at a few 4x4's... I have come to the decision that I want either a Hilux Dual Cab 2.8D or a 4runner 1994 2.8D.

What are the V6 3.0L engine's like in the 4runners?

Its hard for me to choose which is better so if anyone has any comments about either it would be appreciated.

I want to get one and mod it, raise suspension, bigger tyres, snorkel, winch...

I will be using it for driving around the city and as a weekend trips out on 4x4 tracks and at the end of the year a trip out to northern Australia. I would like to get into 4x4ing more in the future...

Your comments are appreciated.

not sure about the hilux but my mate has a 4 runner which has independant front suspension. Which makes it a hassle for him to get it lifted. I think its a pretty close decision as that is what I would be deciding between if I was going to spend my money on a toyota.

Both have heaps of pro's and cons.
Like the IFS on the 4Runner is not as good off road, but is better on road.
The 4Runner rear end coils are generally better than the leaves on a lux in standard form, and can cheaply gain a tonne of flex..
The 4runner V6 has more power and a better gearbox, but lower fuel economy.
The Hilux has a stronger front live axle. But if you wanted extreme, it costs as much to set it up almost as it does to get a SAS on a 4Runner.
The diesel is cheap to run, but costly to maintain. The V6 is costly to run (fuel) but cheaper to maintain.

The list can be endless realy.

The 4Runner is more comfortable but a smidgen less bulletproof off road. The Hilux is a tad more robust, but less sophisticated.

How big is big tyres? A 4Runner can fit 33's or even 35's with 2" spring lift and 2 + body lift. Same with a live axle lux.

I think it comes down to your preferences. Do you want a ute or a wagon? Power or ruggedness? etc etc

I thought that the hiluc went IFS at the same time as the 4runner?

4runner went IFS in late 1985 as an '86 model
Hilux went ifs as an SR5 extra cab only in 1988, and the dual cab SR5 went IFS in I think 91or 92.
The whole range went IFS 95/96 when they went to G4

Our family has owned three 4 runners (two '85's) and I think the '85 4runners are cooler than most hilux's mostly because of the following stuff:

They are the same length as the early '80s SWB hilux (100" wheelbase)

They all have power steer

They have more bling

You can take the top off

The rear seat rocks (pretty much grew up in one)

If I was looking for a non zook project, it would be an 85 fourrunner for sure.

piss easy choice... = hilux

cheap to mod, engine will last forever (if you look after it), simple setup means less to go wrong

parts are common as fark, no ifs

GO THE LUX

better suspesnion not as much hassles of the japanese import, as said for the suspseion of the 4runners if you are thinking of an early one then its onyl a the matter of the one you liek the look of but if you are thinking of going for a new 4runner go for the hilux before 96 because then it goes to IFS.

if you are thinking about buying a dual cab hilux, you will only a able to run 33`s or smaller with out cutting and moving back the rear diff, to run more than 33`s

get a leaf sprung hilux with low K`s

I was tossing up a 84-85 4runner, Having cabin space is really handy unless you have a specific reason for wanting a ute.....


Anyway once you jack it up for offroad you will barely be able to use it as a ute anyway. If you'll only use it a few times as a ute you're better off with a trailer.

Shortened 4 runners look really cool.

suzi_on_46s wrote:GO THE LUX

better suspesnion not as much hassles of the japanese import,

4Runners are about as imported as a Hilux. Unless you are reffering to a Surf....

I prefer having a tray so I can chuck stuff in, so my choice would be a dual cab Hilux 2.8d. If you spend your time mostly on the road, buy a 4runner v6. If you prefer to get down and dirty, a hilux can be cheaply modified to perform well off road.

4in Lift kit for 4 runner = $$$
2in leaf + 2in shackle lift for Hilux = not much

go the $900 zook in the forsale section and spend $3-5k on it and keep the change!

-Nemesis- wrote:

suzi_on_46s wrote:GO THE LUX

better suspesnion not as much hassles of the japanese import,

4Runners are about as imported as a Hilux. Unless you are reffering to a Surf....

that would be the one

go a Surf if your going a 4 runner

The surfs are 2.4 turbo where as the 4runners are 2.8 NA.
The 3Litre V6 gives head gasket problems and can require the block to be machined, I tell everyone to steer clear of them
J Top

i have a 4runner forsale if you interested, 95 model rv6 model, recod gearbox, muddies etc around the price you are looking at spending

I just sold my 86 gunna, cause it was ifs, was a mint 2.4 NA diesel, slow as all fark though, so leave some money for the engine. Apart from that they are very practical cars, and the earlier ones are identical to the hiluxes, (I think a little later luxes though)

GO THE LUX!!!!!

I have an RV6 Forerunner 95 model on lpg for sale if you interested pm me.
Travo

I had the 4 runner and loved it.. now have the ford f150 fx4

I bought a 93 V6 4 runner a bit over a year ago and am very happy with it. It depends whether you want a ute or a wagon. I personally find the wagon more usefull as everything is out of the weather but thats just me.

They can be a bit heavy on fuel, but they are pretty good for power on the road and suprisingly have a fairly decent low torque band for a v6. Admittedly they're not a diese ut not bad all the same. For 4 wheel driving ability they're ok but as with any car with IFS it'll never be fantastic, or even close. Suspension lifts for the ifs are easy to find you just have to get the ones from the US as their were heaps of them over there but they will cost you - $3500 or so. I have a 4" superlift kit on mine and a 2" body lift which makes room for my 35" claws. This along with changed ratio's and front and rear air lockers has made up for most of the lack of articulation.

The only other thing to consider is the distance u can get out of a tank of fuel as the 4runner's 65 litre tank won't get u too far especially off road. There's nothing worse than being stuck out in the boonies without fuel. (had one close call).

Baiscally i got it because of the wagon feature (that and i didn't have enough cash at the time for a 80 series cruiser). Just make sure you get one with manual locking hubs and not the ADD system as this system has the front diff permanently turning. This means no SR5 but if u still want the power windows and such look out for the 1993 model. People call it an sr5 but its actually a getaway and it has most of the luxuries of the sr5 but with manual hubs. Only disadvantage of this is that they don't have the higher gear ratio's of the SR5 which is handy if u want to get bigger tyres. Hope this helps and if you have any questions about the 4runner just ask as much research into them and how to mod them has left me with a pretty good idea of their pro's and cons.

xplot wrote:GO THE LUX!!!!!

thats it

There not bad on gas if you have the right system,when I got mine it ran ok I have just had the system overhauled and it has gone from 280K's for 60 ltrs to 350K's.They are also a much better car to drive aruond just one of the plus's with the IFS.

Travo

what do you mean by system overhauled?

New converter and pretty much everything else under the bonnet, the exsisting converter was the wrong size. I also had to get a new air flow meter as the old one was damaged from backfiring due to the old system. Everything new and well tuned it is all running sweat as now, so much so that i don't want to sell it, but we have just bought an 80 series. The minister for war and finance's doesn't believe that we need 2 4wds.
Regards Travo

cat converter?

bowser wrote:cat converter?

Gas converter