[JSALES]

Looking into buying a '97 - '98 Nissan Pathfinder but after reading some reviews it doesn't seem too great on gas mileage compared to the '97 - '98 Toyota 4Runner, I was wondering if any of you could chime in on the pros/cons of the Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota 4Runner. My dad and I are preferable looking into buying the Pathfinder but still unsure.. Thanks

[Volvo-brickster]

I've had a 92 pathfinder 3.0L and currently a 99 pathfinder 3.3L ( mechanically the same as 97-98)

Engines are gutless and torque-less.
Spark plug for cylinder 6 is a giant PITA.
I get around 15mpg city / highway mixed.
Always go for 5MT versus an automatic for a Pathfinder. Automatic Pathfinders are prone to failure.

Solid truck that I would definitely buy again.

Also, R50's have a strut housing recall with many not being salvageable.

Be careful before purchasing.

1996-2004 Pathfinder / QX4 Strut Housing Corrosion Recall : Pathfinder Forum / QX4 Forum (http://forums.nicoclub.com/97-04-pathfinder-qx4-strut-housing-corrosion-recall-update-t534872.html)

4Runners are larger and roomier than the Pathfinder if hauling people / stuff is high on your priority list.

[T4RAWR]

glad to see more people on the forum getting suvs and trucks :fullofwin:



i would say it depends on what your needs are.

if you're looking for an suv for the road, the pathfinder might drive a bit nicer. iirc the 1996-2004 (R50) nissan pathfinders and infiniti qx4 suvs were unibody.


if you're looking for a gear hauler thats capable off road i'd get the 4runner (body on frame). 3rd gens are pretty good on gas and capable off road in their stock form. good tires will be a must if you plan on hitting dirt.


figure out what your needs are and go test drive both. :D

[cdizzle_996]

4 runner hands down. May cost you a little more, but will hold its value. Try and find one with the factor diff lock.

This was my last one, I miss it a ton.
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x271/cdizzle_996/IMG00089-20100814-1349.jpg
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[saveth]

I had a 94 4runner and have driven 96+ 4runners. I'll admit that the 96+ 4runners are awesome. But for the price of a 97-98 4runner you can get a 2001 pathfinder and that's why I have a pathfinder.

The 3.3l pathfinders have a tool in the spare tire compartment that allows for easy removal/install of the #6 cylinder spark plug.
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[beproud]

Hands down for the Toyota! My 97 has just under 180k and it only had ONE major problem and it fixed itself after!! LOL the problem never came back and that was 50k ago??. The 91 4runner had 300k +, and the think the most expensive fix the the clutch replacement. Not many people may know this but from personal experience the 4runner uses less gas eh. 55L gets me low 400 to low 500 km depending on driving condition. My buddy's pathfinder dose that with a 80L eh

[beproud]

Btw did you consider the 94-97 land cruiser? Those thing are sweet looking eh.

[Gh0stRider]

4runner! do it

[narfy]

i have/had 3 3rd generation 3.4L 4runners... they're awesome trucks... one of the most reliable vehicles out there...

96 LTD - currently for sale (PM me for details)
97 LTD - my daily driver... mild ride height correction, 32" tires... my go almost anywhere beast...
99 LTD - sold to a certain someone who put TE37's on it...

i love these trucks and would not hesitate to buy another... the 3.4L engines are bulletproof and changing spark plugs is very easy with basic hand tools... one of the lot guys in my shop currently has 479,000km on his 97 4runner and he's had no engine work done ever... someone changed the timing belt and water pump a quarter million km ago, and it hasn't been touched ever since... no transmission failures either... it leaks a bit of oil, but it's got close to half a million KM on it!

if you can get one with a factory rear differential lock, its pretty damn capable off road... bone stock... automatic or manual, it doesn't really matter. i prefer automatic because it's easier to drive off-road, and i don't really see a benefit to manual transmissions in mid-size SUVs.

[Brianrietta]

Btw did you consider the 94-97 land cruiser? Those thing are sweet looking eh.

You literally could not have posted a worse vehicle into a thread about fuel economy. :badpokerface: Don't get me wrong, I love Land Cruisers but they guzzle more fuel than a Ferrari 458 Italia (13/15/17 6.7gal/100mi).

[GabAlmighty]

4runner hands down

[beproud]

LOL! But land cruiser are soo cool! But ya, didn't realize how bad it was on gas eh haha

[JSALES]

Thanks for all your help guys, I appreciate it. It looks like we might be looking into the 4Runner as it seems the more reliable vehicle and better on gas. Also the recall for the corrosion on the strut housing kinda refrains me from buying the Pathfinder.
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[RRxtar]

absolutely no question that generation 4runner. Probably one of the all around best daily driver real SUVs out there. (and I drive a Grand Cherokee). Comfy, look good inside and out, reliable as hell, decent performance, good offroad.

make sure to get a limited tho.

[corollagtSr5]

1990 Toyota Land Cruiser VX Ltd. SUV - Price Reduced! - Vancouver Cars For Sale - Kijiji Vancouver Canada. (http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1990-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-VX-Ltd-SUV-Price-Reduced-W0QQAdIdZ402169204)

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMDA=/$(KGrHqF,!hEE-FdmSisJBQHuZEjYtw~~48_35.JPG

The toyota diesel landcruiser is capable of 20mpg.

[T4RAWR]

so just outta curiosity... what are you guys looking to do with the 4runner?

[XplicitLuder]

I've been thinking about these 2 as well for when my maxima dies. I think ill be going for the 4runner :) it'll mostly be used as a DD but also planning in doing its fair share of off road/going up to the mountains for boarding and such. And if I go camping I can take out the back seats n sleep in there haha
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[68style]

Sounds like you already made your decision, but just to reinforce it for you my coworker had a '98 Pathfinder and it cost her like $10,000+ in repairs around the time it hit 200,000kms and every week something new was going on it.......... I found her a nice '97 4-Runner my old neighbour was selling and she dumped the Pathfinder and picked that up... in 2 years now with about the same mileage she had the original Toyota battery from 1997 pack it in........ that's it. She couldn't be happier with the change.

[JSALES]

so just outta curiosity... what are you guys looking to do with the 4runner?

My dad wants to use it for hauling things around and if needed to take the grand children around. I, on the other hand wouldn't mind getting it lifted so I can go off roading.
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[T4RAWR]

I've been thinking about these 2 as well for when my maxima dies. I think ill be going for the 4runner :) it'll mostly be used as a DD but also planning in doing its fair share of off road/going up to the mountains for boarding and such. And if I go camping I can take out the back seats n sleep in there haha
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No need to pull the seats. The rear seats in the 4runner folds flat.

My dad wants to use it for hauling things around and if needed to take the grand children around. I, on the other hand wouldn't mind getting it lifted so I can go off roading.
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Sounds it'll do just what you need it too. A mild lift and good tires will get you 90% of the places you need/wanna go especially with a rear locker.

[Qmx323]

^^ good choice, 4Runners are awesome cars.

Might be thinking of switching over to SUV's

[Brianrietta]

1990 Toyota Land Cruiser VX Ltd. SUV - Price Reduced! - Vancouver Cars For Sale - Kijiji Vancouver Canada. (http://bc.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1990-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-VX-Ltd-SUV-Price-Reduced-W0QQAdIdZ402169204)

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzUwWDEwMDA=/$(KGrHqF,!hEE-FdmSisJBQHuZEjYtw~~48_35.JPG

The toyota diesel landcruiser is capable of 20mpg.

Except that (sadly) every single North American 80 or 100 series came with a 1FZ, 3F, or 2UZ so if you want a diesel cruiser it'll be either RHD or swapped. Not as terrible as a daily driver as a RHD car as the visibility issues are mitigated by being taller than most things on the road but still really not optimal.

No need to pull the seats. The rear seats in the 4runner folds flat.

Pfft. Sleep on top of the truck. :troll:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/drewmedhed/ND1sm1.jpg

[T4RAWR]

Pfft. Sleep on top of the truck. :troll:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j227/drewmedhed/ND1sm1.jpg

:lawl:

[sdubfid]

Are there any common problems with 95-01 4runners? Does the 4cyl 5spd version come with elocker?

[XplicitLuder]

so which year do you guys recommend the most for the 4runner? one with little to no issues

[narfy]

3rd generation 96-02 3.4L 4runners have the least issues...
96-00 LTD 4runners have e-lockers. a must have for anyone who wants to go off-roading.
96-98 have the old dash with the cup-holders above the radio, 99-02 have the more desirable cup holders next to the e-brake...
LTD models have electronic transfercase actuators. 96-98 SR5 models have the old J-shifter transfercase. more reliable than the very reliable electronic actuator.

imo, 99 LTD is the model to get... has all the good stuff... E-locker, updated dash, auto climate control, 4WD open centre diff, 4WD locked transfercase... but 96-02 models are all equally reliable...

[sdubfid]

3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide - Toyota 4Runner Forum (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html)

[skylinergtr]

as mentioned, for those years, a 4Runner hands down.

the older pathfinder 3.3L engine has bad fuel economy, gutless, and maf airflow sensor failures are common.

The 2001+ ones with the 3.5L are much better.

[GabAlmighty]

so which year do you guys recommend the most for the 4runner? one with little to no issues

Are there any common problems with 95-01 4runners? Does the 4cyl 5spd version come with elocker?

Just expanding on what was mentioned in a couple posts above.

From what i'm seeing and assuming what people want I would go with a 3rd gen (96+) 4runner. They did not come with 4cyl motors, only the 3.4L. That motor has more power and better fuel economy than the gutless 3.0L pig.

I don't know of any real big problems with the 3rd gen, the only "real" issue that the 4runners ever had was the headgaskets on the 2nd gen 3.0L. The e-locker like mentioned was available on the limited models and I would highly recommend getting it, and then do the grey wire (confirm?) mod so that you can lock/unlock while in 2H/4H/4L. In reference to the electronic tcase, personally I would want the old school mechanical one but the nice thing about the electronic tcase is that you have an AWD mode which (once again assuming what you guys want out of the trucks) is "superior" in the snow.

Once again, that info and recommendation is for someone looking for a street friendly SUV that's going to see the slopes in the winter and some mild offroading/camping in the winter. If you wanted to build a SAS'd machine on 37's then my reply would have been different haha.

[Volvo-brickster]

The 2001+ ones with the 3.5L are much better.

Don't forget about the intake sucking up the loose power valve screws :okay:

[T4RAWR]

some inspiration:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/wtfniga/P1120067-1.jpg


:fullofwin:

[GabAlmighty]

Stop it. I miss my 4runner.

[T4RAWR]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachments/3rd-gen-t4rs/32607d1283835322-3rd-gen-toyota-4runner-picture-gallery-88cccf040f762890-large.jpg

:awwyeah:

clean and mean lookin

[JSALES]

some inspiration:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v396/wtfniga/P1120067-1.jpg


:fullofwin:

looks fuckin' bad ass!

[JSALES]

saw this one on autotrader haha

http://ps3.cdn.autotrader.ca/Adsonline/0/6000000/6289000/6289992/6289992-0-orig.jpg?w=800&h=600

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Toyota/4Runner/VANCOUVER/British%20Columbia/19_6289992_/?showcpo=ShowCPO

[T4RAWR]

^that ones been up for a longggggg time.

been having trouble selling it. also its a ford 302 under there plus a shit load of other modifications.

personally i'd buy a stocker and build it from the ground up rather than buy something already worked on.

i'm sure its a capable rig but not my cup of tea.

[GabAlmighty]

20k for a second gen 4runner? I want what he's smoking cuz it's some good shit. That thing is worth AT BEST 9k. That's what clean sas's are going for. Hell, I could get something on tons for cheaper than that probably haha.

[narfy]

From what i'm seeing and assuming what people want I would go with a 3rd gen (96+) 4runner. They did not come with 4cyl motors, only the 3.4L. That motor has more power and better fuel economy than the gutless 3.0L pig

the 3rd gen WAS available in a 4 cylinder model from 96-00. although rare, they were avaiable... noticable differences body wise was the lack of wheel arch mouldings, black bumpers, and small piddly 15" wheels with tiny tires... i wouldn't waste my time on one of these... to slow to get out of its own way... very reliable engines though...

i've had two 2nd gen 3.0L 4runners as well... one i manual, one in automatic. i will never own one of these ever again... EVER! power of a 4 cylinder, fuel consumption of a V8, and the rear wheel arches tend to rust on them... oh, and if the tailgate window regulator fails, you can't get into the trunk unless u go thru the back seats...

[Geoc]

dem BFGoodRich tires :ahwow:

How well do Michelin LTX AT/2 stack up against those?

[GabAlmighty]

the 3rd gen WAS available in a 4 cylinder model from 96-00. although rare, they were avaiable... noticable differences body wise was the lack of wheel arch mouldings, black bumpers, and small piddly 15" wheels with tiny tires... i wouldn't waste my time on one of these... to slow to get out of its own way... very reliable engines though...

i've had two 2nd gen 3.0L 4runners as well... one i manual, one in automatic. i will never own one of these ever again... EVER! power of a 4 cylinder, fuel consumption of a V8, and the rear wheel arches tend to rust on them... oh, and if the tailgate window regulator fails, you can't get into the trunk unless u go thru the back seats...

I stand corrected! Honestly, I loved my 2nd gen. And people can harp all they want on the 3.0 as being slow and pigly but it's a reliable as heck motor (unless you suck water into it, the connecting rods don't like that). The regulators are relatively "easy" to fix as it is usually just a bad ground from what I have been told but yes a poor system to start with.

I have a 22re right now in my pick up and it's honestly your stereotypical Toyota engine. Thing is bullit proof, too bad the rest of the truck is poo

[T4RAWR]

dem BFGoodRich tires :ahwow:

How well do Michelin LTX AT/2 stack up against those?

they're not a bad tire from the research i've done while looking for tires myself.


happy with my good year wrangler silent armors.

was also considering the bfg at/ta ko's.

also looked at cooper discoverer at3's.

next set of tires i'm getting will be MT's most likely.

[GabAlmighty]

Pfft, silly AT's... MT's are where it's at. If you want a streetable MT look at the Hankook Dynapro RT03's. I've had them on two trucks and they are pretty sweet. Or get duratracs, everyone loves those.

[T4RAWR]

Pfft, silly AT's... MT's are where it's at. If you want a streetable MT look at the Hankook Dynapro RT03's. I've had them on two trucks and they are pretty sweet. Or get duratracs, everyone loves those.

no point in MT's at the moment since i dont have a lift and my driving is 85% on road 15% off road.

after a lift then its a whole different story :ilied:


i'd like to get a set of bfg km2's in 255/80/17.

tall skinnies :fullofwin:

here's what they look like on a black trail edition

http://i465.photobucket.com/albums/rr13/sepdev/MY%20T4R%20TE/IMG_1590.jpg

[Geoc]

Pfft, silly AT's... MT's are where it's at. If you want a streetable MT look at the Hankook Dynapro RT03's. I've had them on two trucks and they are pretty sweet. Or get duratracs, everyone loves those.

Holy shit, those hankook's are sooooo cheap:sweetjesus:

[GabAlmighty]

I've heard mixed reviews about the KM2's. When at first I did my readings I read nothing but awesomesauce but then started to read about other less desireable qualities. My friend has a set of 35's on this sas'd 4runner.

The RT03's are middle of the road, expense wise, but most if not all of the reviews I read are awesome.

[RRxtar]

KM2's are garbage. if you want an awesome MT get a new Goodyear MTR-K. Love mine!

[Brianrietta]

BFG still sells KM2's based off of the reputation of the KO's being a bulletproof high mileage tire. Honestly the tire I've been most impressed with lately is the Interco TrXus MT. Used 35's of those year round in Ontario. Lots of sizes including 255/85 so quite popular on runners.

[narfy]

...And people can harp all they want on the 3.0 as being slow and pigly but it's a reliable as heck motor (unless you suck water into it, the connecting rods don't like that). The regulators are relatively "easy" to fix as it is usually just a bad ground from what I have been told but yes a poor system to start with.

I have a 22re right now in my pick up and it's honestly your stereotypical Toyota engine. Thing is bullit proof, too bad the rest of the truck is poo

the tailgate window regulators would bend because the motor would push the regulator up against the glass, which would have rusty brackets, and as a result, over time, things wear out...

i put tailgate window regulators, motors, and glass brackets into both 2nd generation 4runners... easy fix, but still... u never have to worry about that on the 3rd gen...

the 22R is one of toyotas best engines ever... as u said, typical toyota engine...bulletproof, reliable, long lasting slug... i'm glad toyota put bigger, more powerful engines in their vehicles starting in the mid 90s...

[Volvo-brickster]

If I didn't have my current Pathfinder id buy this

2000 Toyota 4Runner (http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/cto/3594463726.html)

5MT > AT

[Brianrietta]

5MT > AT

3rd gen runners have always conflicted me. You can't get a manual tranny in a Limited, but you can't get a bunch of the options I want in a Sport or SR5. Are leather, fulltime AWD and all around betterness (not a real word, I know, I'm tired) worth not having a manual and not having ugly side cladding? I dunno.

[imp>dom]

my personal experience with 97 4R LTD: tiny tiny gas tank and super dim headlights, otherwise very good

[saveth]

Pathfinders have shitty headlight also but it's nothing a retrofit can't fix.
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[T4RAWR]

3rd gen runners have always conflicted me. You can't get a manual tranny in a Limited, but you can't get a bunch of the options I want in a Sport or SR5. Are leather, fulltime AWD and all around betterness (not a real word, I know, I'm tired) worth not having a manual and not having ugly side cladding? I dunno.

Swap manual into limited :fullofwin:
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