Hey guys,

I have recently parted out and am in the process of selling my 2006 Honda Civic Si.

I am looking to purchase a 4runner for my next vehicle.

I am not new to Toyota's, as I have a 2002 Tacoma before my Civic.

It was completely bulletproof, but it lacked one thing.

It was a 2002 Sr5 Access Cab V6 Automatic TRD.

3.4L Auto with elocker.
285/75/16 Terra Grapplers
CBI Offroad bumpers
Deaver 8 leaf rear with 10" bilsteins
Donahoe (Icon) front Coils.
Sliders

My problem with it was IT WAS SLOW.


Now to my current problem.

As I stated above I am looking for a 4runner. My price range peaks out around 16,000, and I would like to keep my mods a lot more reasonable as my previous cars.

Please dont ask to search, as I am more than knowledgeable about both platforms, what I lack is real world use of each engine/tranny.

So my question.

I understand all elocked 3rd gens are with 4.30 gears, making them a little better in terms of speed, but I believe I will still be unimpressed by the 3.4L automatic.

Will a 5speed 3.4L be significantly better or is it still just working an underpowered engine to hard when passing on the freeway?




I am having a hell of a time deciding whether I want a 3rd or 4th gen. I would prefer the styling of a 3rd, but hate being underpowered.

Obviously as we know gas mileage is roughly the same.

3.4L vs 4.0L (premium) vs 4.7L v8 (a tad worse).

The vehicle will be primarily used for road applications, with a few logging road camping trips a year.


Here are my future plans for each platform.

3rd gen roughly $10,000, OME suspension ($1600 installed locally), 32's ($800), stereo ($500).

3rd gen. For a total estimated price around $12,900+taxes.

4th gen roughly $15,000. Daystar 2.5/1.5 ($200 + self install), 255/75/17 GYSA( $600), spidertrax ($300)


4th Gen For a total esimated price around $16,100.

Obviously both are in my price range, I could probably find a little bit cheaper 3rd gen, but it will have significantly higher KM's than the 4th.

I just want to buy a truck I can live with for a long time, as currently each of my previous vehicles has a 2 year or less lifespan in my garage.

Sorry for the rambling, but I would like as much input as possible, especially from people that have used both 3rd/4th gens extensively. I would test drive more but I currently work 6am-5pm 6 days a week, so time is insanely tight.

THanks in advance.

Vantage

Some came with 4:10 gearing. You will have to run the axle codes to find out, let me see if I can find that chart..

It'll help, wish I had a 5-speed. For $50 you can do the deckplate and intake sinlencer removal. Both together help a nice bit.

Have it installed? 7 hours, 1 floor jack, 1 set of jack stands, socket set, a beer for a buddy, and that kit is in my friend.

Hands down, the 4th gen is going to have more power. Find or build a 3rd gen with a supercharger.

Here is the PDF of the axle codes:

http://www.sonoransteel.com/includes...aGearRatio.pdf


And yeah, if your budget goes up to 16k, you can afford to supercharge. That will definitely make a huge difference!

I will not be touching either vehicles engine at all.

When I toy with the engine of something ,my budget balloons and if a problem occurs it is harder to troubleshoot (for example see my 240whp civic Si).

Exactly.

Coming from a civic si hatch, both trucks are.going to be piss poor slow. You are doubling the weight and losing wheel horsepower. Your talking about a total pig in comparison. You're going to burn alot more gas too.

I love my 3rd gen and it treats me well. It's not fast but its a nice ride and its fun to.drive. I hate the styling of the 4th gen, It's too carish for me. I few extra ponys in the newer 4.0 isn't worth the.sacrifice imo. Only way I'd buy a 4th gen is with the '06 upgraded v8

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

you couldint give me a 4th gen unless it had a 5 or 6spd

Elton, how do you find the 5spd 3.4? Can u compare it to an auto3.4.

I just don't want to buy a truck and be left regretting my decision.

im not a fan of auto's mine gets out of its way just fine for what i need

My last car was an 89 CRX b16a w/high-comp. type-R pistons, 11.5 lbs flywheel, and high rate valve springs. Needless to say for the money and displacement, that puppy could scoot...

Have had my T4R for about a month now and it is indeed like going from a jack rabbit to a sea turtle, but ya know? other than really wanting the center diff t-case, I am every bit as pleased with my 3rd gen as I hoped to be.

Installed my 3 inch lift in 5 hours by myself, thats including cleaning the garage up afterwards... Would go with the 3rd gen, love the looks and if you like having a clutch try to find the five-speed version. I gave up to early on my search for one and regret I got the auto now.... Except when I go out and get drunk, the wife can drive home with the auto.

7 hours is the max time it should take, that's why I said 7. If I were to do mine again, now knowing how to, I could cut that time in half.

Point is, it's easy, so install yourself!

This isn't definitive, you really need to spin a wheel and count the revos on the drive shaft. That table gave my axle code 3 different possibilities, other tables gave me a 4th.

Personally, I think it will be a tough transition going from a fast sporty car to a boat like the 4runner. You will probably get alot of happiness from the bigger engine of the 4th gen (V8). I have a 3rd gen auto, and it pretty seriously lacks power for passing on the highway. I am ok with that because I am trying to learn to drive less aggressively.

Can you test drive them? That would probably be the best idea so you can see the difference for yourself.

My .02
I was a previous owner of a 98 4Runner, and I put 248k on the odometer before I sold it for $5500.
When we sold my wife's 05 Subaru in January I was going to get her a 04-05-06 4 Runner with the V6, however, every dealer wanted a premium price.
I wanted to spend $17k no more, cash out the door. Nobody would take my offer after a 4 week period of looking, including other states.
Then I found a 02 Sport 4X4 for $9k in Las Vegas with 115k on the odometer and super clean so we went for that instead. It may be slower but we won't get any tickets and we kept the rest in the bank for something else.

We are very happy with the decision.