[Cmiracle]

Hello all,
I'm a high school junior making plans for college. I own a 03' QC Dodge Dakota, but have been driving my grandfather's 96' T100 to learn stick on for the past couple of months. While I've fallen in love with the Dakota, a couple of months of much better MPG and the higher probable reliability I could expect of the Toyota has me thinking about going for a T100. A few hours of internet later, and I'm now thinking about a 3-4 gen 4 Runner with the ~$7000 resale I can get out of the Dak, as there aren't many T-100s around and Grandad loves his... This all as lead to some questions that I haven't really come across answers for-

How does a 4-Runner compare to a T-100 driving-wise? (haven't found a T4R to test drive yet)

How worry-free reliable would a 100,000-125,000 mile 4-Runner be? (studying engineering so I won't have much time to fiddle with stuff, even though I could, and that seems to be the mileage of my price range)

Comfort of a ~5 hour 70-75mph drive home from college? (4th gen better for this? The T-100 seems to like <70mph so I'm guessing the same from the 3rd gen?)

I'd like to get into a 4wd and some light offroading, hence the draw of a T4R. I'd probably want a stock truck though, as pavement will be what the truck will see the most by far. Thanks!

[jgue467]

Not sure how the rides compare but I can imagine more weight in the back would ride better/smoother/quieter (my 3G T4R does!)

Super reliable! I got mine at 175k, 235k now, no issues,-everything just works-just maintenance.

I find mine very comfortable but it seems to like 80-85 better!

I think it comes down to whether you need a traditional truck bed.

Go for a limited 4wd in either case. Luck and Enjoy!

[Parker1938]

Having had a 2003 4th generation T4R and now a 2002 T4R, I can say with out a doubt the 4th gen is a much more comfortable ride than the previous generations. As far as reliability, I haven't seen much difference between the two. I love my 2002 but when I give this car to my son in 5 months I will be looking for a 2005 T4R. My advice would be to buy the newest vehicle you can afford with the lowest miles. Good luck.

[Supermoney]

I bought mine with 90k, has 140k now and all I did was oil changes, spark plugs, and put a new radiator in (preemptive for the pink milkshake issue and surprisingly cheap and easy to do).

It's amazing how well designed they are, they do not go through anything really. The only bad thing is the stock brake setup, upgrade to the tundra brakes, replace your radiator (unless it has been already), check the lower ball joints and you are honestly good to go.

[snivilous]

Worry free: Yes.
Comfort: I drive 10 hours home/to school routinely and it feels pretty comfortable. Sometimes around the 7th hour I start moving around but it's not bad.

My 4Runner was stock going into my freshmen year, I honestly would say any 4Runner is one of (if not the) best college vehicle. You can carry a ton of stuff, it doesn't get horrible mileage (usually...), it's comfortable, you can offroad with it and go tons of places stock, it seats 4 people easily and can stuff more without much thought, you can fold the back seats down for even more room, it's insanely reliable, can tow stuff, etc. Basically it's super reliable and incredibly modular for what you want to do with it.

The only downside to a 1-3rd gen is the power, which isn't bad if you aren't armored down but it'll be harder to maintain 75mph cruising speed without dropping out of overdrive.

And don't kid yourself, you'll love it and engineering will go to the wayside and you'll starve yourself so you can mod it like happened to me and countless others

[02SE]

As far as general reliability, a Toyota has the edge over the Dakota. But ultimately that will depend on how a particular vehicle has been maintained.

I used to see Toyota's that were bought because of their reputation for reliability, but then the owners failed to maintain them. No vehicle is reliable if it isn't maintained.

Comfort is subjective. I never bought a 4th gen mainly because it lacked headroom compared to my 3rd gen.

Find a clean well-maintained Toyota, continue to maintain it, and it should serve you well.

[Brian757]

I have a 2002 4Runner and a 1995 T-100, and I enjoy the ride WAYY better in my 4Runner. Both of the vehicles share the 5VZFE, so the main difference is the body, frame, and the T100 sits on leaf springs.

The T-100 has a limited turning radius compared to the 4Runner, I mean, it SUCKS! And it has a locker so it pops like crazy around tighter turns. Other than that, I enjoy the T100. Also, I might add that my dad hated the fact that T100s are very limited on aftermarket parts.

My 4Runner has 140,000 miles and the T100 has 220,000 miles.

Your responses will also be EXTREMELY biased, as you posted this poll in a 3rd gen 4Runner thread. So I'm going to assume you already want a 3rd gen, and you need the psychological support. No one in here will tell you to keep the Dodge, and we primarily don't like the 4th gens unless you speak in terms of power; as they have it.

[garrett1478]

i have a 3rd gen. i made a 5 hour drive to/from school many times throughout my college years.

3rd gens lack power, have a ton of wind noise, and IMO aren't all that comfortable for long drives. seats are not terrible, but not great either.

my dad used to have a 4th gen. much quieter, more power, better for highway traveling (especially on the later models with the 5spd auto).

just depends on your budget and what you intend on using it for. you will get 3rd gen bias here and 4th gen bias in their section.

test drive both...

[spoiler900]

Im in college and have a 3rd gen 99 4runner with 250,000 miles i drive from LA to Tucson to college which is 600 miles in 115 degree weather zero issues and super comfy plus i can haul all my shit. I love it

[WRWhit93]

I can fit everything I own into my 3rd gen no problem and make the 200 mile trip from home-school avging about 75-80mph with no issues at all at around 18+ mpg. I love it, would have any other vehicle.

[THatfield]

I go to school in the same town in which I live but I do travel 1,000 miles to visit family a couple of states away. at 75mph I averaged 21.9 mpg, my best mileage to date. I was loaded with 4 people and cargo as well. Routinely I get 18.5, and that's probably 85% city driving. When I do highway it goes up to 20, 21. And in the case I stated above, nearly 22!

My 4Runner has been super reliable. Only one hiccup since I owned it, and that was because of a previous owner's mistake. The versatility of this truck is amazing, and it's reliability will astound you.

Just think of it like this. Everything you think you can't do now, you can once you have a 3rd gen. Can't pick up that hot chick at school? Panties be drippin once you roll up in your T4R. Can't catch that big ass bass in the lake? You can once you have your T4R, because the fish want's a ride! Can't figure out that Pre-Calculus homework? Well, your 4Runner can at least distract you for a while.. but I think Pre-Calc is a little out of its range... but hell, it might be able to do it. I just know I haven't had to ask mine because I can't do it either.

Anything that dodge can do, the T4R can and will do better.

[4Runner4TW]

I drove my 1999 from AZ to FL non stop and it was great. Never had comfort problems. Youll probably end up with dings and scratches being on and around a college campus. I say 3rd gen

[A.Wilson013]

I would get a 2wd Tacoma, pocket a couple thousand for books, entertainment, alcohol, cocaine, etc... and buy something nicer when you're done with school.

I have an 86 pick up with 150k that cruises at 70mph with its 4 spd manual...I can only imagine a Tacoma would be much better.

[Cmiracle]

Thanks for all the replies!

Originally Posted by A.Wilson013

I would get a 2wd Tacoma, pocket a couple thousand for books, entertainment, alcohol, cocaine, etc... and buy something nicer when you're done with school.

Tacomas in my area have crazy high resale or I'd probably do that... and after owning my four door truck, I've also realized that I really like all that interior space. I'll be going into the metroplex soon and found a nice limited 4R to look at. It has 157xxx on it but looks great. Is there anything specific to look for while inspecting/driving? Best way to make sure the 4x4 working right?

[THatfield]

Originally Posted by Cmiracle

Thanks for all the replies!



Tacomas in my area have crazy high resale or I'd probably do that... and after owning my four door truck, I've also realized that I really like all that interior space. I'll be going into the metroplex soon and found a nice limited 4R to look at. It has 157xxx on it but looks great. Is there anything specific to look for while inspecting/driving? Best way to make sure the 4x4 working right?

I'd see what maintenance records are on hand (if any) and if possible, get the VIN before you go look at it and look it up on the toyota owners website. If it was serviced at a dealer, it will show up on there.

I'd check for Timing belt replacement, there should be a sticker either on the timing cover or the air filter box indicating mileage at which it was completed. It can't hurt to look over the undercarriage, suspension components, and 4wd components. Anything broken can be used for negotiating or could potentially be something that could make you walk away.

As for testing the 4x4, if it's a 99 and up, I would test out everymode to make sure it engages well. Just once you get into the "Locked" 4H (traditional 4H), make sure you don't go making any turns, or else you'll get some nice sounds from the driveline binding! (For more information on the Multi-Mode AWD/4WD, check up on the Buyer's Guide and FAQ thread). As for 4L, just test it out real quick to make sure it grabs well. No need for extended use. AWD I would test as you drive to make sure it engages and disengages well at various speeds.

Check out the Buyers Guide, it's a wealth of information. I just highlighted some things here.