I just completed a 43,000 kilometre trip across Russia and back in midwinter in a specially equipped 4Runner. It's the simpler, lighter 2.7 4 Cyl which is an awesome engine, and a manual transmission.

The only thing I would check on the 4Runner are the front ball joints in the suspension.

Changing a water pump is not a big deal - you probably want to do the timing belt while you're at it. The alternator may need nothing more than a new brush pack, but if the copper slip rings are badly worn, it'll need a new rotor (change the front bearing while you're at it).

I fully overhauled mine before leaving as it was basically ready to be scrapped when I bought it (a petrol with a manual transmission is extremely rare in Europe).

Here's a pic on the Lena River Ice Road this February:



Now I've never driven a Subaru Forester but it looks like it's basically a 4WD road car, so not as strong as something like a 4Runner. But then you don't necessarily need the 4Runner's extra clearance in Russia / Central Asia. It just expands the limits of what you can do.

I've driven my friend's Impreza STi and it feels nothing like Toyota quality; notchy gearbox, flimsy rear suspension and horrible fuel economy. But that's a sports car, maybe the Forester is different.

I'm looking for a LHD 4Runner shell (mine's a RHD Japanese import) so if it did blow up over here, I'd buy it off you as I want to keep my engine, transmission, suspension and drive-line

EO

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EurasiaOverland a memoir of one quarter of a million kilometres by road through all of the Former USSR, Western and Southern Asia.