Hi all,

For those of you who have owned both, how would they compare in performance/fun?

I currently have a 3rd gen limited, but am considering getting a 4th gen V6 or V8. However, I also pondered the thought of keeping my 3rd gen and putting the trd s/c on it too.

Any previous 3rd gen supercharged owners drive a 4th gen v6/v8 and able to compare them?

Thanks,
Bill

I drove a 3rd gen V6 (auto trans) with the S/C when I owned my 03 V8 LTD (both 4x4's). I found my V8 had a little more bottom end, while the S/C V6 pulled harder at higher RPM's. Overall, I think a race between the 2 trucks would be fairly close. The 3rd gen sounded much faster tho, as the one I drove had a K&N CAI, TRD headers and a TRD cat-back. My stock 03 V8 was whisper quiet and dramaless comparitively.

The new 05 V8's with VVT-i pull harder to redline than the 03 V8 did, so my seat-of-the-pants says that it should be quicker than the S/C'd 3rd gen. The 05 V8 really pulls nicely anywhere in the powerband......I would test drive one and see for yourself

Compared to a stock V6 3rd gen, all 3 trucks are rocketsleds lol. The fun-factor on the 3rd gen with the S/C was great tho; leave it in 2wd and it will spin them tires good! All the AWD/VSC/ATRAC stuff on the 4rth gens keeps an eye on you ;)

I heard the S/C was not a hit becuase you had to buy headers, cats and cat back exhuast to help it make the advertised power. Also you have to buy super unleaded. Buy the 05 V6 or V8 will make alot more power than the 3.4 S/C. Unfortunately you have to factor in the price for a lift for the 4th gen. I do want the lift but i have the xreas.

Thanks for the input guys!

I guess the "seat of the pants" feel is more important to me since it is a daily driver. Acceleration and highway passing power is the key, not top speed.

Keep the thoughts coming...

Best regards,
Bill

If you are looking for thrust off the line and highway jam, I think you will be VERY impressed with the 05 V8's.

Having owned both....I really did like my 96 SC'd 4Runner... night and day difference over stock, I wouldnt drive a 3rd gen without the supercharger...it makes that much difference (but remember my opinion is that of a 'sporty' driver)

GREAT off the line acceleration...pulls very nicely up to about 65/70 then levels off (hey it IS a big vehicle)...daily driving..you will LOVE the sc on your 3rd gen...it makes intown driving effortless...

Compared to my 05 V8, I would have to say the 96 FELT a little quicker off the line, BUT that doesnt take into account how much smoother the ride is on my 05...so the "seat of the pants" feel might be a little off ;) I wont know for sure until I take my 05 to the track and compare the times with the 96's times (my 96 ran 9.7 sec in the 1/8th mile and 15.8 in the 1/4 mile)

The 05 wins on the top-end ;) it seems better than my 96 from 55/60mph and up

One of the things I was looking forward to with my 05 was getting another trd sc, but that seems like it wont happen with trd pulling the sc for the 4th gen v8 I sure would like to see my 05 V8 with 380hp and see how quick it is with this AWD