Hey Everyone,

I'm currently in a 1997 SR5, but I love to lurk into the 4th gen forums. For those who have had a 3rd gen in the past, but now own a 4th gen, what are your thoughts? Have you enjoyed the upgrade? What are your likes and dislikes between the two generations?

I would also love to know, if you were to do it all over again, what 4th gen model/trim/year would you be searching for?

Feel free to pick and choose which questions you want to respond with. If there is something else I should know, I'm all ears!

Thanks everyone!

Hi there,

A bit about my background before I go too far. I've owned a lot of different 4x4s in the past 16 years of driving. Hands down one of my favorites was a 1997 Sr5 4runner, it had 4.30 gears and a rear locker, 26-75-16s, skids/sliders and a short lift. That truck just flat out worked for my uses, it was the vehicle I have owned the longest (about 2 years) and one that sticks in my head.

Since owning that 3rd gen in chronological order i have had the following, none of which have been stock: 2006 nissan xterra, 1993 Toyota Landcruiser, 2003 Double Cab tacoma, and now a 4th gen sr5 with a v6.

I've owned my 4th gen about a month but have done 4.10 gears, e locker, 255-75-17s and decent suspension. It's similar, build wise to my 3rd gen.

4th gen vs 3rd gen;

The 4th gen rides better, has more power, gets better mpg and is overall a much better vehicle on the road. Off road, I'm still getting used to it's lack of approach angles and size, but it does well enough for now. I don't like low hanging plastic bumpers, so I will be working on a solution for that.

The 3rd gen had better angles, was smaller/more nimble, and seemed to be a bit more capable (though that may be a wash). The 3rd gen is simpler with no traction control, a manual shifted t case and just felt "tougher", but that's a matter of opinion.

The 3rd gen is in my opinion a better off road vehicle but the road manners/creature comforts aren't up the 4th gen standards. The v8 4th gens are a hoot to drive, I really wanted one, but i also wanted the mpg of a v6 and with 4.10 gears and my tire size, the power is more than adequate and mpg seems not to different than stock. I like "simpler" vehicles, so I was fine with an sr5.

Give me a bare bones 3rd gen with the 4.0 and 5 speed auto, and I think you would have a winner. The 3.4 is legendary, and I think the 4.0 is a great successor to it.

It all depends on your uses.

Mike

I absolutely love the 4th gen. I went from a 98 SR5 to an 06 Limited V8. I love the power of the V8. Amazing engine. The amenities of the Limited are pretty neat, and I love the JBL stereo.

I do miss the ground clearance a little bit but 90% of my driving is highway back and forth to work. Off-Road is not an issue with the 4th gen but my 3rd gen definitely sat higher.

The 06 rides better, has more power, is more comforable, has more "nice stuff", and gas mileage is almost exactly the same. Maybe one mpg less on the 06.

Had an '89 SR5, a '98 LTD and currently an '06 LTD.
The '06 has all the technology of its time. More power, more room, more creature comforts.
But I miss my '98 LTD and given the choice would still be in it.
I think the 3rd gens were the best looking and I'd say more reliable and less expensive to maintain.

I own a 1991 with a 3.4 (swapped out of a '97 Taco) that's now waiting to be restored. I had a 1999 Ltd, followed by a 2013 Tacoma TRD Sport. I'm now in a 2003 V8 Limited.

The 3.4 is a good engine. I love it with the 5 speed behind it in the 1991. I miss having the locker on the 1999, because that thing was a goat.

But hands down, once you're into the V8, the better ride, more room, and more creature comforts, yeah, it's hard to go back to the V6. Even the 4 liter Taco was decent, but the 4.7 in the 4Runner is just way more fun.

I say go 4th gen V8 Limited. I doubt you'll have any regrets.

i had a 96 base 2.7l , it was a good truck for me as my first truck, i did lots of mods and it was ok. power wise it just didnt have the power. but when i bought the 07 with the 4.0l, there was much more power and also more better on the interior, its a major upgrade for me. going from manual everything from the old car to the full electric everything on the new car.

Here's a good thread for you to read through: 3rd VS 4th Gen

I'm going to be lazy and quote my own reply from the above thread, but two years later my thoughts are still the same. And yes somehow my xreas is still kicking @ 202k and i still dislike the electronic rear gate

TL : DR I prefer the 4th gen over 3rd in almost every conceivable category

Thank you for everyone who has replied! I really enjoy reading your experiences and I am looking forward to any other responses to come! I'd love to hear if y'all had a particular year that you would prefer to buy?


Can you elaborate on your experience with reliability and expense when maintaining the 4th gen vs 3rd gen? I have read of the problems associated with 4th gens, I would like to hear about yours when you get time. Thank you!

I made the change to a 4th gen from a 3rd gen.

I had a '99 SR5, 5 speed, manual, with e-locker. It was IJM and the Highlander edition. I owned it from 88k to 190k which was 10 years.



What I liked: It was a solid truck. Had decent room and power. The manual was really nice for loaded mountain driving and I had no issues with it on or offroad. The Highlander had no chrome so that combined with the classic body it was a good looking vehicle. In the 10 years I owned it I lifted it, built skid plates, installed sliders, lights, radios, etc. Maintenance wise I got really lucky. I kept up on most items but never did a timing belt/WP or clutch. I had many little things I did have to tend to though such as the starter contacts, axle seals and bearings, malfunctioning tailgate, leaky seal here and there, injector, A/F sensor, and a few other things. For the most part I did more work just keeping up on maintenance and keeping it clean.

What I didn't like: There wasn't much I didn't like. For the most part I was getting bored with it. It's not like I was looking for something else to mod on it (I felt I was done and just used it) but I was wanting something else. The ride was a little rough (5100 & OME) and at times it felt like a rickity old vehicle with little clatters and whatnot.

The 4th gen: When I got an idea to replace the 3rd gen I began wondering what I'd get. I don't care for the 5th gens but looked at a few. I also looked at GX470's. 4th gens have never been a must have vehicle to me, I don't know why but maybe it's because they were getting popular when I had my 3rd gen. I know many who have 4th gens and drove a few and ended up getting an '07, V8, 4wd, with the 3rd row. I've got two kids so the extra seating and interior room was appealing. So was the extra power of the V8. Those right there removed the boredness I had with the 3rd gen.

The 3rd row option in the 4th gen give you rear seats different from the regular seat configuration. In my case the "middle" row reclines. That along with the extra width and leg room makes it a ton more comfortable. The 3rd row is actually just two seats and they are low to the ground so they are not comfortable for adults. The kids like them but I don't use them much. The 3rd row option also has a different floor and the middle row of seats roll forward which results in a cargo area shorter than me which makes it hard to sleep in whereas with the 3rd gen I had enough room to lay down.

The 4th gen is heavier and "awd" so the feel is different. It's much smoother, quieter and fun to drive though (even being an auto). I've got sliders, skids, and a Dobinsons lift and I'm really happy with it. It's still very good offroad but does have lower hanging plastic bumpers that I worry about. I don't want to add large bumpers to the 4th gen so we'll see what happens.

Like mentioned above, I got off easy on not doing a lot of the expensive maintenance items on the 3rd gen. I've owned the 4th gen since January and recently had the WP go out so I had a forced t-belt and WP service done. I've also got a torn CV boot that I'll need to deal with. Both vehicles have the pros and cons (which will be different for everyone) and their common issues. T4R is a great resource though and will help you along the way.

Both of your rigs are awesome looking! Thanks for your reply.

Anybody else, feel free to chime in and give us your experience!

One thing with the 4th gens is the freezing brake calipers. Some have had this occur multiple times.
Never ever replaced or rebuilt my '98 calipers over 18 years of ownership

Rear wheel bearings on my '06 lasted only half as long on my '98.
I'm currently about to do the two front drive axels. torn boots resulting in lost grease and contamination getting in at 240kms. What's with that? 530kms on my '98 and still going strong.

While the 4th gen is larger, not all of us want a bigger truck. The 3rd gen was fine for me and I'm 6'. 5th is even larger so this is as new as I'll ever go.

You can read until you're blue in the face about owners and their 3rd gens and 4th gens. Some have great things to say, others have horror stories. I've read about blown engines and head gaskets while others report 300,000 miles with only regular maintenance.

I had my lifted 3rd gen for 10 years and zero problems with my cv boots. Own and lift the 4th gen and they start leaking only to leak more then crack. Big deal? No. Spent a lot of money replacing the t-belt and wp, still not a big deal. I'm not bleeding time or money but these are required maintenance items for ANY vehicle.

I've never had a 3rd Gen (although I borrowed my brother's more than a few times), so I'll respond to the other part of your question, ie which 4th Gen to get.

If I got to start over again, no question I would get a V8, 2006 or later. My daughter has the V8 in her 4Runner and it's soooooo much nicer than the V6. Beyond that, in terms of SR5, Sport Edition, or Limited, it depends what you want/need. I don't really like leather seats in the summer and have zero need for seat heaters, and I really like the look of the hood scoop, so for me the Sport Edition is perfect. So I would get a 2006-2009 Sport Edition V8.

Loved my 95.

I love my 04 even more!!

I've never owned a 3rd gen so I can't speak to that but I love my 4th gen V8. I also tow frequently so a V8 was a no brainer for me. I had a chance to replace the exhaust manifolds on someone's '08 V8 limited couple of years back. While I love the extra power that '08 has over mine, I HATED working on that engine due to the EGR piping and crap.

Also, I don't like how Toyota went to fancy long life ATF in the tranny with no drain plug. I think this happened in '04 but not sure.

Anyway, I love my simpler V8, serviceable transmission and a non-interference engine. I can get DT headers to regain some of the hp/torque back if I really wanted to and I already have the Gibson SS cat back exhaust.

Good luck with your quest!