Is a 1993 4Runner V6 5spd good for wheel'n? I say yes.
But I bought my 92 V6 5spd before I even knew much about my options, I just knew I wanted a Toyota. Now I have diddly squat for technical background, but here are my thoughts.
If I purchased another vehicle it would be an automatic, not a 5spd. 95% plus of the others I wheel with have automatics and it seems like a lot less work, particularly in uphill rock crawling situations. It sounds like there are now a lot more options for reduction transfercases for automatics than there used to be, which is good news. If you do select 5spd and want to upgrade to some sort of 4:1 transfercase I say go straight for the dual setup. With mine I feel like there aren't enough options. You probably already know exactly what you like since you've got 350+ posts on the Wire.
Back to the truck itself, I feel like my truck is very heavy and the engine is weak. High speed uphills on the way to the trail heads pretty much leave me in the dust of everyone else I wheel with, so I have many frustrations here. I always thought the 4cyl was superior over the v6 in this area and wished that was what I'd purchased.
Also, in regards to all the upgrades and optional goodies, it seems to me that there's quite a bit more available for the 1st generation 4Runners than for the 2nd gens. Not that the 2nd gens don't have options, but the 1st gens have even more.
About the truck versus 4Runner, I'm sticking with the 4Runner because of how I use the truck. I camp in it for multiple days at a time and I drive it to and from the trails. But I've always liked the idea of a truck with a bobbed bed if I was ever to trailer my rig. I thought the reduced weight would be a benefit, never heard of the bouncing.
Now all that said, I've taken my truck on numerous trails up and down California and it's done really well. Rubicon was no issue and I did that before the 4:1 transfercase upgrade (though it was also how I learned about the upgrade). BTW, if you look at any of my photos from the Trailrides section please ignore the all the dents as they are the fault of the driver and not the truck LOL.
One suggestion, rock rails are your friends. Make sure they're up towards the top of your list. And 35" tires instead of 33's. And a rear locker for sure.
Hope I'm not a downer here. Now remember, this thread comes with hardly any technical background. And I haven't really been researching the latest and greatest options and upgrades and issues, I just happened to come across this post.
Best of luck on your purchase! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
P.S. I spend hardly any time in the Toyota forum here, I should work on that...
