Faults:

Engine blew up at 160,000mi.

Rust.

Nothing else important enough to mention.

These trucks are getting old, so be prepared to fix the little things that will break on you from there old age. just go to the junk yard and take what you need.

General Comments:

Well, when I bought My 4runner it burned oil and stuttered like one of the valves were bad. so I rebuilt the top end of the engine and fixed the rust on the rear wheel wells. For the last 2 years or so, I took the 4runner camping about once a month and did some off roading while I was there. needless to say, The 4runner performed flawlessly. I took it to montreal which is about 9 hours away. and it was fine. If you like that truck feel then youll love the older 4runners. There`s not too much power for the steep highway hills. but it will still get you there reliably.

The reason I'm writing this review is because the engine just blew up. I never checked the oil in the truck because it never leaked or burnt oil. but coming back from an offroading trip this weekend the engine was tapping real bad coming up a steep highway hill, I pulled over and, guess what. Theres no oil on the dip stick, it didn't leak out and I didn't see It burning the oil, so where it went, I don't know?

It needed 3 1/2 quarts! its my fault for not checking the oil before the trip.

Faults:

Rear window motor went out. Cost was $300. Also had trouble with the back door opening. Had to tear it apart to fix.

Clutch slave cylinder went out at 100k, and the slave master went out at 110k miles. Fairly cheap to fix.

Factory radio caught on fire and blew out a bunch of fuses. Cost was $500 including $100 tow and $200 replacement stereo. The factory cassette deck ate tapes and the radio was next to useless.

The seats are really uncomfortable, I am looking for a pair of SR5 seats.

General Comments:

This car has been a wonderful car. I have had it on some far back country roads and always have faith that it will get me home. It's all stock and very nice. People are starting to look twice at it because they are getting a little rare in this shape.

I was in a head-on 30mph collision with it and drove away, which is more than I can say for the 2001 Ford Ranger that hit me.

However, it is really gutless. The 22re gets good mileage, but mine is California emissions.

Some of the interior parts are cheaply built, like the console door, and the gearshift handle.

It really gets bogged down with four people in it. But it always gets me home.

Faults:

The engine was somewhat oily when I bought it and I could smell coolant leaking. Later on, it turned out that the valve cover, oil pan, and head gaskets are slowly leaking.

There was some engine noise when I bought it, but it sounded minor. That noise turns out to be piston/cylinder wall wear, and probably worn valves. I may be able to adjust the valves myself.

The rear leaf springs have sagged a bit, but spring helpers have helped until I can find someone to replace them.

Alternator belt failed on the way home from purchasing it! The alternator tensioner pulley failed at about 210,000 miles. The replacement pulley was about $25.

Tires were the first real purchase. Four new BF Goodrich tires at Sam's Club were about $350.

I replaced the rear brakes at about the same time. Total cost for shoes, new drums, and hardware kit was about $100. Repair shop found the leaky wheel cylinders, which cost another $250.

The neutral/safety switch got gummed up with oil and dirt inside, and failed to work at all. The new switch was $319 from my favorite parts store, much more elsewhere. I ended up cleaning the one I had, and it works just fine again.

Front brakes are a work in progress. Even though I purchased new rotors, bearings (inner and outer), grease seals, and shoes (total of $150), I don't expect to actually need them all. Hopefully I can return the bearings and seals.

General Comments:

For all the smaller repairs & maintenance it's taken, this is still a very fun vehicle to drive.

This truck goes anywhere, never complains, and my wife and son like it, too.

It has lots of windows, sunroof, air conditioning, fold-down rear seat, on-the-fly 4-wheel drive, chrome Cragar wheels, and its ready for another Michigan winter.

I have had 3 offers to buy this 4Runner since I got it about 9 months ago, but I just laugh... and drive away.