You'll trade to a 4th if you have lots of kids, go on long road trips and pack a lot of stuff, or tow anything. Yes it is bigger but it gets similiar or better gas mileage and has a lot more power. Best of both worlds.

Curb Weight on a 3rd gen is roughly around 3900lbs and a 4th gen in the 4300lbs neighborhood (rough numbers as different trims and options can change both those weights). Not all that much given the size difference.

The 3.4L 5VZ-FE is a good engine, but the 4.0L 1GR-FE and 4.7L 2UZ-FE are better engines in terms of torque and performance. The benefit of the Torsen T3 center differential in the 4th gens is also nice as is the more modern overall feel of the vehicle.

But it comes down to what you're going to be using your 4th gen for.

I moved to a 2007 Sport 2wd after owning a 1999 SR5 2wd for the previous six years. Before I bought the 2007 the 3rd gen was the best vehicle I have ever owned, hands down. After spending some time with the 4th gen I can say with confidence that the 4th gen improves on the previous generation in almost every single way.

The biggest improvements in the 4th generation for me are:

- Greater range.

The 3rd gen gas tank was way undersized and was not great for any long distance trips as are you were filling up every 300 miles. The first day I bought the 4th gen I drove 410 miles and the gas light didn’t even come on. I’m also getting way better MPG numbers with the 1GR-FE compared to the 5VZ-FE

- More powerful

The 5VZ-FE is a great reliable engine but leaves a lot to be desired power-wise. I didn’t mind a slow truck, but 1GR-FE is way better as far as acceleration and power is concerned. It honestly makes the truck more enjoyable to drive. Also on that note I like the way the 1GR-FE sounds when you really press the gas. The 3rd gen doesn’t have that same powerful sound.

- Comfort

Not to say the 3rd gen is cramped (it is) but the difference in cabin space in the 4th gen is immediately noticeable. The 4th gen feels more comfortable, especially on long trips. Not to mention the added bonus of steering wheel audio controls. I never thought it was a feature I needed, and now I’m wondering how I lived without it.

- Stock Stereo

The 4th gen came from the factor with a 6 disc head unit that also plays MP3s. I had upgraded the 3rd gen to a scion unit that played MP3s, but the 4th gen unit is way better and I really like how it looks, as the scion unit in the 3rd gen was clearly not stock and did look slightly out of place. The JBL system is a really nice feature as well.

If I’m nitpicking, the drawbacks from the 4th gen compared to the 3rd:

- Electronic lift gate lock on the 4th gen.

I really dislike the electronic lock on the rear gate, it feels unresponsive and seems like an unnecessary feature. I usually have to press it a few times just right to make the gate open, which is slightly annoying.

- Auto down windows

The 3rd gen has auto-down window controls for both front windows. I drive around with the windows down and back window cracked open all the time and this is slightly annoying. The window switch placement on the 4th gen isn’t as convenient as the 3rd gen. This also includes the rear window button, which was conveniently placed in the center of the dash on the 3th gen but on the 4th the button is obscured by the steering wheel.

- XREAS

I really am not a big fan of the XREAS, it reminds me of driving my grandma’s old 90s Lincoln Town Car with the air suspension. I’m waiting for one of the shocks to leak so I can have an excuse to tear it all out and go with a bilsten/FJ setup.

I love my 3rd gen 4Runner and have no plans on selling it, ever. Keep that in mind when I say the 4th generation is even better! Either way you will be buying into an extremely well-engineered and reliable vehicle

Nice job bumping an 8+ year old thread!

The thread is still relevant though.

Yes but there are probably far less people deciding on a 3rd gen vs 4th gen as a DD/family vehicle now than there were in 2008. That discussion is now more likely to be 4th vs 5th gen.

I suppose this thread has merit as far as deciding on an off-roading toy.

Nice avatar. Take it easy with the forum police and stare into your avatar. You'll feel better! LOL


As for the Gen 3 vs Gen 4 discussion. My best friend had a Gen 3, and I have a Gen 4. His truck was great, yet quite a bit smaller on the inside. We both have kids now, and he got rid of his to accommodate car seats, strollers, pack n plays, and all that jazz. My Gen 4 does the job for our 2 toddlers.

Picture that a crazy ex took for me, I keep it around to entertain my fellow automotive enthusiasts.

I was just poking fun at the guy who resurrected the old thread, sometimes people don't even realize they are doing it. On the svtperformance.com forum I regularly frequent, people who bump years old threads get *****ed out and possibly warned by the mods! This forum is much more lax and the people are nicer!

And yup, knowing I can haul 2 children is one of the reasons why I bought my 06 a few years ago. Other than getting good gas mileage, it really does everything a guy needs reasonably well out of a vehicle

Nice! Wish I still had some "crazy ex" pics to share. They're long gone now

One other thing about the Gen 4 V6 compared to the Gen 3 V6 is power. The Gen 4 has quite a bit more "get up and go".

Im new to 4runners. Before buying my 4th gen, I drove a 3rd gen V6 and compared ot to a 4th gen V6. I liked the ride on the 4th much better but the 3rd seemed more truck like for sure. Then I settled on a 4th gen V8.

A guy down the street from me is selling his 3rd gen, $165K miles, SR5. Its tempting. But he wont let me take it to my mechanic to get it checked out.

4th Gens is the only Gen that has a V8!
And If your lucky a TRD Supercharger!
Drop the mike. Turn and walk away.

I know this is an old thread but I've moved from the 3rd to 4th gen and most of the relevant points were covered. I moved to the V8 because I needed the towing power. Keeping that in mind I love the road handling, interior space, is more quiet than my 02, and I like the temperature control system so I set it and forget it.

That being said there are gotchas on the V8 that one should be aware of but are not deal breakers. AIP Bypass, water pump and thermostat likes to leak. XREAS suspension is expensive with mixed reviews (I test drove both versions and got one without).

A lot of people don't like the front cupholders with its poorly conceived implementation but it has more holders than my 3rd gen did.

Has both A/C and heat from the center console where the 3rd gen only had heat. This is better for the kids riding in the middle seat. Optional 3rd row seating for small passengers if you really need it but truth be told I just took the seats out of the rear since I only have 1 child.

Stock stereo is still a stock stereo and always one of the first thing I swap out and is about the same level of difficulty (which is to say not very). Speakers are meh but at least the lower door speakers are better located where the 3rd gen was located that you leg was always blocking the driver side.

I miss the "crotch" cooler on the 3rd gen though but the A/C is outstanding on the 4th gen and the fans can really move some frosty air.

All in all I am much happier with my 2WD V8 4th gen compared to my 4x4 V6 3rd gen. Better merging/towing power, surprisingly good gas mileage (just completed a weekend trip with a large roof cargo carrier and was just short of 20 mpg, average tow economy of high 14 mpg with a 3800# pop up, 16 average mpg city driving), and both off and on road handling is a great improvement. Heck, even my finicky wife likes driving my 4th gen where she refused to drive my 3rd.

Either way you go though you can't go wrong. If you want a more dedicated off roader I would go for the 3rd gen. If family DD is more your thing then the 4th gen is a better choice though those are just guidelines as you can do either with both gens (I have to admit the 3rd gens look better in armor than the 4th gens front ends looks kind of ugly with armor. That's just my opinion though).

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Had a 2002 SR5 4WD and now I have a 2008 Sport AWD with the V8. Loved the 3rd Gen and was plenty capable off road and reliable as hell. The one I have now is a keeper but I had to put alot more money in it not only for the purchase but parts, maintanence and the initial post purchase repairs. Suspension replacement, new brakes\rotors, battery, all fluids and front bearings and its a really great truck. So in my opinion you have a tough choice to make and can't go wrong either way. Its all about the dollars....and the passion for 4Runners of course..😊

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@az4runner02 - mind if I ask what kind of lift/suspension/tires you have? Just picked up a 2006 SR5 4WD with 125k miles and the same color as yours... like the look!

My 3rd generation came with a stock radio / CD player / cassette player. Yes, a cassette player. Not sure if mine works since I no longer have cassettes. But, hey, if your a cassette freak, the third generation 4Runner is for you.