Decisions, decisions. This is a tough one. I have had my 1st Gen 4Runner for a long time and i love it for the most part. But kinda tired of fixing pesky problems. This time I have what seems like a vacuum leak i cant find (oscillation of RPM's at idle) and some brake issues (possible master cyl), rust, rear sag. In general, the availability of parts like TPS, AirMassMeter, computer (parts you know are good) seem harder to come by. Plus, their aint any airbags or ABS. I just love the "cool" factor and knowing it's mechanical history.
So, should I buy a newer lightly modded Jeep Cherokee with all the bells/whistles?? A vehicle that is extremely common here in CO and with tons of extra parts around? Most of you will probably say that it does nnot have the reliability of a Toyota...sadly,right now my friend's Cherokee is ahead of my 4Runner and older Toyota V-6's in reliability.
Thanks for any advice.

Is this a daily driver? If so, keep the 4Runner and buy a car to drive around like a Corolla, Camry, or a Civic or Accord. Keep the 4Runner and fix it up slowly, in stages.

The oscillating RPM's at idle is probably your idle air control valve. I've got one here that you can have for free if you decide to keep the 4Runner.


Parts are still very plentiful. your just not looking in the right places. Here, Yotatech, and Pirate4x4, in the classified sections, has TONS of 4Runners being parted out. You just have to look.


Or, just buy a 3rd gen 4Runner. Then you have ABS and airbags, plus Toyota reliablility and the 3.4 v6 is great.

It says in your post that you live in CO. In Denver there is a salvage yard called the YotaYard. Nothing but older toyota stuff. You can try and bargain with them if you go in person, I haven't ordered or have something shipped from them so I don't know how that goes.

Good luck with your decision. Personally, I've always had luck finding parts for my rig. Usually, any auto store has what I want in stock.

Taking all info into consideration. I'm now looking into the 3.4 4Runners, but don't know anything about them. I'll have to do some homework. My wife likes them cause they look safe and you can sleep in the back for camping. I think they look like a boat. Are they off-road worthy/modable?
I've been to the Yota Yard in Denver.
Sometimes a good deal..but they're kinda fickle about some stuff ("no you cant have that rig or that other one cause i'm saving it for a friend" kinda thing). And some parts havent been reliable which are returnable I think, but I want to stock up and save parts--I wouldnt know if the parts were good until I had to use them at a later date. Dont get me wrong--Overall, I love my 4Runner--but, the wifey doesnt want a donor rig sitting in the garage/driveway.

Little time and money they are very wheelable. Or you can go more extreme like Erik B did.

Build thread:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=609488

Adam,
I'll hit you up for that idle air control valve if ya still got it. Gonna fix up the brakes this weekend. Then I'll move on to the oil leak. thanks

I've looked at Cherokees before - they are cool 4x4 with solid axle. Keep in mind that even with the back seat down, there's no room for sleeping in the back. 4runners (especially 1st gen) has lots more room for camping and sleeping in back (extra foot overhang in the back - which gives cherokee great departure angle with little overhang in back.) My 2 cents.

Im assuming you have the 22RE. The varying rpms at idle could be caused by low coolant level. The rpms will also ocsillate when your foot is on the brake if your idle rpms are set over around 900 rpms. Sorry I cant help with the other issues.

I've been pondering a response since you posted this. Since I'm a Toyota veteran of many years it's hard to acknowledge other 4x's. But, Jeep Cherokees with the straight six are pretty good vehicles. Why Chrysler decided to end production is beyond me. There is a demand for them, specially here in the mountains. They get fairly good gas mileage and the engine is a strong runner. And like you say they have the solid axle up front. They're easy to lift and trick out and are pretty darn good off road, I've seen plenty in the boonies of Utah and western CO. Only bad thing I know about them is the tendancy of the exhaust manifold to crack. IMO you wouldn't be making a bad move at all. All this being said, I hope you'all will forgive me for my temporary lapse of Toyota-ness.

X2
This is what a buddy of mine did with his '98 3.4 auto.



Stats:
37" Krawlers on 2pc beadlocks, dual cases(2nd case 4.70), '85 front axle, 5.29 gears w/dual ARB's, and X-over steering. It felt tipsy from the soft coils on the street, but it was actually stable on the trail.

He traded it for this last September,
and except for the portals and center locking diff, he kind of wished he hadn't.