Specs, fluids & service · 1996–2002

Toyota 4Runner 3rd Gen specs, fluids and service intervals

The numbers you need in the garage, on one page: spec sheet, capacities and service intervals, wheels and tires, and the parts to order. Sourced from owners, specialists and the factory; tags marked confirm in manual haven't been checked against a factory source yet.

Read the full guide

Spec sheet

CHASSIS	N180 (Prado J90-based)
YEARS	1996–2002 (US model years)
ENGINE	5VZ-FE 3.4 V6 / 3RZ-FE 2.7 I4
OUTPUT (V6)	183 hp @ 4,800 · 217 lb-ft @ 3,600
TRANSMISSION	5-spd manual (to 1999) / 4-spd auto
4WD	Part-time; Multi-Mode from 1999
LOCKER	Rear electric, optional 1996–2000
WHEELBASE	105.3 in
LENGTH	183.3 in (2002 SR5)
CURB WEIGHT	3,616–3,902 lb (Wikipedia; Auto Channel lists 4,245 lb for a 2002 SR5 4x4)
TOWING	5,000 lb
FUEL TANK	18.5 gal

By year

YEARS	PLATFORM	ENGINE	OUTPUT	NOTES
1996–2000	N180 · 2WD/4WD	3RZ-FE 2.7 I4	150 hp / 177 lb-ft	Base engine; five-speed manual (dropped for 2000) or four-speed auto. Four-cylinder gone after 2000 in North America.
1996–1998	N180 · pre-facelift	5VZ-FE 3.4 V6	183 hp / 217 lb-ft	Lever part-time 4WD; rear E-locker optional on 4WD.
1999–2000	N180 · facelift	5VZ-FE 3.4 V6	183 hp / 217 lb-ft	New nose and dash; Multi-Mode t-case optional; E-locker still offered. Highlander ('99) and Sport Edition ('00) trims.
2001–2002	N180 · late	5VZ-FE 3.4 V6	183 hp / 217 lb-ft	Auto only; VSC and traction control standard, Multi-Mode standard on 4WD. No rear locker.
N180 era · Japan	Hilux Surf KZN185	1KZ-TE 3.0 turbodiesel I4	≈130 hp	Japan-market only; intercooled version (≈140 hp) from July 1996. Importable to the US under the 25-year rule.

Fluids, capacities & service intervals

Assume nothing on a 20-plus-year-old 4Runner: unless there are receipts, do the timing belt, every fluid and the cheap 5VZ-FE wear items in one go. The 5VZ-FE is non-interference, but with a 90,000-mile belt interval most trucks are on their third or fourth belt, or overdue on their second. Capacities below come from Toyota's own 1999–2002 owner's manuals, cross-checked against Toyota-Club.net's compilation.

ITEM	SPEC / CAPACITY	INTERVAL	NOTES & PARTS
Engine oil & filter	API SJ/SL 'Energy-Conserving' or ILSAC multigrade · SAE 5W-30 preferred · 5.2 L (5.5 US qt) with filter (Toyota owner's manual)	Then every 5,000 mi or per the owner's manual	Spin-on filter on the 5VZ-FE. Check for valve-cover seepage while you're there (see repairs).Oil filters for the 3.4 V6 · RockAuto ↗
Engine air filter	Panel filter in the airbox	Inspect at every oil change; replace when dirty	Dusty-trail trucks clog these fast.Engine air filters · RockAuto ↗
Cabin air filter (add-on)	None from the factory	Optional add-on	AdventureTaco notes the 3rd gen 4Runner never had a cabin filter; their kit fits in the blower-motor housing under the glovebox (three T25/8 mm screws).AdventureTaco in-cabin air filter kit (3rd gen 4Runner) · AdventureTaco ↗
Spark plugs	Denso K16TR11 (Toyota 90919-01192) or NGK BKR5EKB-11 · gap 1.1 mm (0.043 in) (Toyota 2001–02 owner's manuals; Toyota-Club plug table)	Replace now if history unknown	Six plugs; Toyota-Club lists the same plug for the 5VZ-FE in the 1999–2003 Tundra and the Hilux Surf.Spark plug, Denso K16TR11 (Toyota 90919-01192) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Spark plugs (other brands) · RockAuto ↗
Timing belt, water pump & thermostat	Belt 13568-69095 · Aisin pump · 82 °C thermostat 90916-03075	Every ≈90,000 mi (or now, if undocumented)	Do the pump, idlers, hydraulic tensioner, cam/crank seals and thermostat with the belt — AdventureTaco's OEM kit list. See the repair card above for the procedure.Timing belt (Toyota 13568-69095) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Thermostat, 82 °C (Toyota 90916-03075) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Timing belt & component kits · RockAuto ↗
Coolant	Toyota red Long Life Coolant (00272-1LLAC concentrate, mixed with distilled water) · 8.0 L (9.0 L with rear heater)	Drain and refill now; renew with every timing belt	AdventureTaco refilled with two gallons of red concentrate plus distilled water after the belt job. Don't mix in green conventional coolant.Toyota Long Life Coolant, red concentrate (Toyota 00272-1LLAC) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗
Drive belts	A/C 99364-20870 · alternator 90080-91090 · power steering 90080-91126	Replace with the timing belt	All three come off for the timing job anyway; part numbers from AdventureTaco's OEM kit.Drive belts · RockAuto ↗
Automatic / manual transmission	Automatic: ATF Dexron II/III · ≈2.0 L per drain and refill (4WD). Manual: 75W-90 GL-4/5 · 2.2 L	Drain and refill now, then per the owner's manual	A drain and refill replaces only part of the automatic's fluid, so on a truck with unknown history repeat it two or three times over a few hundred miles rather than one high-pressure flush.Automatic transmission fluid · RockAuto ↗
Transfer case	75W-90 GL-4/5 · 1.0 L (lever control) / 1.2 L (lever + button control)	Change now, then with the diffs	Crack the fill plug before you drain.Transfer case fluid · RockAuto ↗
Front & rear differentials + rear breather	Hypoid GL-5 · front 1.15 L: owner's manual gives SAE 75W-90 for A.D.D. trucks, Toyota-Club lists 80W-90 · rear 2.45 L (no locker) / 2.75 L (with locker): SAE 90 above −18 °C, SAE 80W or 80W-90 below (owner's manual)	Change now; after any deep water crossing	The rear axle's breather sits on the housing and can suck in water when a hot diff is submerged. AdventureTaco's fix: a union plus hose run up to a breather plug behind the fuel door.Gear oil · RockAuto ↗Breather plug (Toyota 90930-03136) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Breather union (Toyota 90404-51319) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗
Power steering fluid	ATF Dexron II/III	Check; turkey-baster refresh if dark	Same fluid as the automatic transmission.Power steering fluid · RockAuto ↗
Brake fluid	DOT 3 or DOT 4	Flush now if history unknown, then per the owner's manual	Rear drums: inspect for gear oil on the shoes (see rear axle seals).Brake fluid · RockAuto ↗
Fuel filter	Toyota 23300-62030 (4Runner-specific bracket; Tacoma's differs)	With the timing belt (≈90,000 mi); every 30,000 mi in very dusty country	Frame-mounted; 14 mm flare-nut wrench plus a 19 mm to hold the filter. AdventureTaco skips the FSM's fuel-pump-disconnect step and catches the spill.Fuel filter (Toyota 23300-62030) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗
PCV valve & grommet	Valve 12204-62010 · grommet 90480-18001 · hose 12261-62041 (optional)	Replace now (cheap, 30 minutes)	Old grommets harden and crumble into the engine on removal — pick out every piece.PCV valve (Toyota 12204-62010) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗PCV grommet (Toyota 90480-18001) · ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗

Capability

Towing	5,000 lb (2,270 kg) V6
Fuel tank	18.5 gal (70 L)
Ground clearance	8.5 in (216 mm)
Curb weight	3,616–3,902 lb (1,640–1,770 kg)

Wheels & tires

Factory tire	225/75R15 (base) · 265/70R16
Bolt pattern	6x139.7 (6x5.5")
Center bore	106.1 mm
Lug thread	M12x1.5
Biggest tire · Stock	265/75R16
Biggest tire · ≈2 in	285/75R16
Biggest tire · 3 in	285/75R16

Open the Toyota 4Runner 3rd Gen in the tire fitment tool →

Common Toyota 4Runner 3rd Gen repairs

Always confirm torque figures, fluids and capacities against the factory service manual for your VIN. See the disclaimer; some parts links are affiliate links.