• The 4Runner provides rugged construction with luxury amenities.suv suspension image by Kathy Burns from Fotolia.com
  
  The Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle made its debut as a 1984 model year offering. The first-generation 4Runner was a two-door SUV still firmly rooted in its truck roots, but the 1990 redesign saw Toyota's mid-size offering expand to four doors and come equipped with more luxury options. The 1996 model year ushered in the third generation of the 4Runner which, while adding more luxury features and amenities, was still built upon a truck-style ladder beam chassis.
  
  

Base Engine

• The base engine offered in the 1997 4Runner was a naturally aspirated, 2.7-liter, inline, four-cylinder motor. This 16-valve dual overhead cam engine has a 3.74-inch bore, 3.74-inch stroke and a compression ratio of 9.5:1. This engine generates 150 hp at 4,800 rpm and 177 ft-lbs. of torque at 4,000 rpm.
  
  

Up-Level Engine

• The up-level engine offered in this mid-size SUV was Toyota's naturally aspirated, 2.4-liter, V6 engine. This 24-valve dual overhead cam motor has a 3.68-inch bore, 3.23-inch stroke and a compression ratio of 9.6:1. Output for this V6 engine is rated at 183 hp at 4,800 rpm and 217 ft-lbs. of torque at 3,600 rpm.
  
  

Base and SR5 Exterior Dimensions

• The 1997 4Runner Base and SR5 models share the same dimensions. These models sit on a 105.3-inch wheelbase with a 59.3-inch front track and a rear track of 58.3 inches. The body of this SUV measures 178.7 inches in length, 66.5 inches wide and 67.5 inches in height with 9.2 inches of ground clearance.
  
  

Limited Exterior Dimensions

• The luxury-oriented Limited model shares the same dimensions, but with an enlarged width, height, rear track and ground clearance. Due to enlarged fender flares, the Limited model measures 70.9 inches wide. Larger tires bring the Limited's height up to 69.3 inches, while the rear track of this vehicle measures 59.5 inches. The two-wheel drive Limited model provides 10.2 inches of ground clearance, while the four-wheel drive model offers 11 inches of ground clearance.
  
  

Rear-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy

• The inline four-cylinder-powered, rear-wheel drive 4Runner yields 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway when equipped with the four-speed automatic gearbox, while the five-speed manual is rated at 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The V6 rear-wheel drive model only comes outfitted with the automatic gearbox and yields 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway.
  
  

Four-Wheel Drive Fuel Economy

• The four-wheel drive 4Runner with four-cylinder engine is rated at 18 mpg city and 22 mpg highway when outfitted with the four-speed automatic engine, while the five-speed manual version of this model yields 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The V6 engined four-wheel drive model is rated at 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway regardless of transmission choice.