These aren't Tacos, but more or less the same info:
My brother has a 2000 4Runner with the 3.4 and Supercharger and TRD stainless exh, no mechanical trouble at all since he's owned it (bought new). The speed governer kicks in at 175 (there was no speed limit where he did that), and it'll climb a steep highway hill in 5th gear without any loss of forward momentum. Btw, the Supercharger is a dealer-installed item; the best place to get it from in the Lower Mainland is Regency Toyota in Bby, who are the TRD reps, and have installed quite a few. They were also several thousand dollars less than the guys in New West and Rmd.
My friend Brad has a 1996 4Runner with the electric locker; no trouble since he's owned it, although you can only engage it in 4-low (there's a mod for that though). If you're wondering, he 'wheels it all the time.
Disadvantages: Well, 2000 was the last year of the 5-spd, so you'll be getting an auto tranny if you want a 2001 or newer. Stupid Toyota catering to the soccer moms and rich folk who want a SUV but don't know what a clutch is.
Also, look at the front cross-member. Oh wait, there is none! That's right, the only thing between that jagged piece of granite and your relatively-soft rad support is... nothing! They attempted to protect the plastic lower rad tray with a "skidplate", but they left a gap between the skidplate and rad support big enough for a 3/4" stick to ram a hole through that $600 rad, as Brad found out north of Mud Lakes. So if you're going to 'wheel it, your first mod should be a custom skid plate. If you're insterested, send me an email and I'll put you in touch with a friend who's planning on fabbing one for both his and my brother's.
And the biggest disappointment: 1996 was the last year of red paint for the 4Runner.
Although I think it's still available for Tacos.
"I believe" the only non-Land Cruisers you can get the electric lockers on are the 4Runner Limited's (like they ever see dirt) and the 2wd PreRunner. Somebody recently told me that the electric locker is no longer available on 4wd Tacos and 4Runners, but I haven't confirmed this.
And IFS is very comfy on the street and on logging roads, which is where most Tacos spend their lives. After driving my solid-axle truck over logging and mining roads for the past week, I'd gladly trade it for a '94 X-cab or 4Runner with IFS and a/c.
