I have a '98 SR5 manual. I love it. just wondering if you 3rd gen guys had to buy another 4runner, what year/model and why? Must have 4wd. I'm starting to keep my eyes open for other opportunities.

EDIT: I'm excluding 3rd gen. Have one. Wouldn't trade it for another 3rd gen. I know what I have and the maintenance done on it. Thinking newer gen's. Haven't followed the newer offerings.

Thanks for the input.

99 or 2000 Limited. Has multimode and a many of them have E-lockers. They have a lot of maintenance advantages over the 2001-2002 (IAC isn't integrated with the TB, brake booster assembly is more reliable, no electronic throttle, better transmission... I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things.) Also no TRAC or VSC to worry about (though the Andy Mod is easy enough). Plus they'll be exempt from MD emissions in 3-4 years And the J-shifter is just cooler.

Mine is pretty much everything I wanted to find in one. I do like the thundercloud silver though. So in a fantasy world, maybe a 2002 thundercloud Sport Edition? I like the sport cloth seats in the 2002's a little more than the 2001's too.

My personal "dream" 3rd gen never existed, it would have to be hand assembled.

I generally like my '99 Limited, but I'd luv it if there wasn't a sun roof and it had heated cloth sport seats/ interior. And it was the Stellar Blue color without a 'fat lip' front bumper. And it had a rust free frame...

I really like 4th gens myself. I think they are kinda "coming of age" if you will in the off-road world. My wife and I have test driven a large number of them and been impressed. The size increase is nice for interior space and comfort while not being drastic enough to feel like a full size ute. My little brother bought a 4th gen recently and I have been helping him update the maintenance and choose some tasteful mods, I hafta say I really like them. He has a V6 truck which has plenty of power, especially compared to my 3rd gen. I have also owned a 2nd gen Tacoma with the same V6 and I was very happy with that engine.

are there any newer models that have increased towing capabilities (>5000lbs)?

Pardon my noob questions. With the IAC integrated in the TB; does it still come apart to be cleaned and are the parts replaceable without getting a new TB? I'm still trying to figure out this 01 I just got a couple of weeks ago. Since it's only a 2wd; does turning OFF the TRAC give it positraction/limited slip on the rear? I'm okay with it being 2wd drive as I'm not really into off roading all that much. Dirt roads are about it and even those aren't a steady diet.

4th gen with a v8

This.

I'm actively looking for a decent 4th gen with a V8. Our family is growing (3rd kid on its way) and I need something bigger.

Oh and my biggest issue with 3rd gen's is they seriously lack power. Towing my boat absolutely sucks with it.

Other than that, I love everything else about my 3rd gen.

What about putting a supercharger on it? Should be good for another 60 hp.

Thx. My manual SR5 tows pretty well. Have also considered a turbo. But then you have to use premium gas and it seems like some engines are very finicky about turbo chargers.

It doesn't come apart, if it goes bad you have to replace the whole assembly (~$400 new IIRC, but you can can get them at a junkyard for much less of course).

Having TRAC *on* helps to keep the wheels from slipping. Unfortunately, the system is not nearly as effective as more modern systems, and most people feel it makes it harder to drive in tricky conditions, because the system is constantly second guessing you. Maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in to the mechanism, I can't recall if it selectively applies the brakes to the wheel that's slipping, or if it just cuts the power via the engine. If it's the former, then it might act like a poor man's LSD. If it's the later, not at all.

The consensus is that TRAC is bad for off road and good for inexperienced drivers. Some people like it for on road driving. Some people want it off all the time.

These are great motors. Had one in a Sequoia for over 200k with zero mechanical issues. Keep in mind though that the V8 is an interference engine so you should definitely keep up on timing belt replacements.

Stellar Blue 2002 Sport Edition 4WD


I believe '05+ 4Runners and GX470s were interference since they had VVTI. Regardless, they are phenomenal engines as you said.

Probably a 08-09 v8 Sport Edition in black or metallic gray or whatever it's called. Or maybe an 09 Trail Edition if I came across one (I don't think these came with a v8 though).