I like the 5th gen because it's what I own.

Supercharged 3rd Gen but don't tell my 5th...

I own a 5th gen but the 3rd gen is my favorite. I bought a 5th gen because it feels like a updated 3rd gen.

Have owned 1st gens, 2. was the bomb of the times, a jeep equal with removable top.
Owned 1 2nd gen for a year or so, 3.slow didn't cut it.
Have 2 3rd gens, have owned 96 for 17 yrs, 01 just purchased, before purchasing 01 I looked at newer Runners and Jeeps a few 1st gens. I'd say whats sitting in my drive is what I prefer, 3rd gen all the way.
Why: Creature comforts, size interior and exterior, power, reliability, BOF construction, it's all steel no plastic body parts for me.

Sent from WV

This is a hard one...

I love the 3rd gen, especially the later models like '01 and '02 because they were the 4Runners of my childhood and I also owned one - a '99 SR5 Sport 4x4 that was simply unstoppable offroad. Loved that truck.

I love the 4th gen because it was such big step up over the 3rd gen, offered much better engine choices, was much more refined, bigger and more comfortable. Some people still consider the 4th gen V8 to be the best 4Runner ever and I wouldn't disagree with that.

Strangely, I never loved the 5th gen and even when I bought mine, I bought it just because it was the "current" 4Runner to buy. However, as time has gone on, I really, really love this truck. I love how it looks and how it drives, I love how it performs offroad, I absolutely love the Redwood leather, the list goes on.

All in all, I'd say 4th gen was the best 4Runner ever, but my personal favorite would probably be my 5th gen. It's a lot easier to live with than my 3rd gen, and I never fit in our 4th gen very well because of the short windshield and seating position. 5th gen does a nice job of tying it all together.

@andy2008 did you powder coat your stock rims? If so or if not, can I see a pic of them clean and closeup (if you have any)? I was thinking of PC'ing mine. Thanks and nice rigs!


2016 T4R SR5P

I did plasti dip them like that route cause can peel right off if need be. It's been raining today but haven't been anywhere so still pretty clean. Had it on my 08 rims well over a year before peeled off and redid them I just spray them down with whatever tireshime I'm using and wipe off with towel shine for long time.

Oh best part you don't like it your out 10bucks and peel it off.





Sent from WV

Awesome! They look pretty good for an inexpensive mod. Thanks!


2016 T4R SR5P

My favorite was/is the 3rd Gen. Specifically the 2001 model. Took me a year to find my perfect 4Runner. Why? Loved the body style, look inside and out and how they handled. Then I got rid of it this year for the 5th gen. Miss it all the time. It had original/dealer installed TRD suspension and locking diffs.

3rd gens never came with a TRD suspension and 01's didn't come with a locking diff. Only 96-00's came with an optional rear locking diff.

I've driven and loved many 4-Runners beginning with the '84 and then a '86 turbo 4, both belonging to my partner. My first was '94 SR5 and then my favorite, a '97 Limited. Loved EVERYTHING about that vehicle. After 12 years in a 2001 Tundra, the longest I've ever kept any vehicle, the 2018 ORP is really growing on me.

In 2011 I purchased a Toyota certified 2007 4Runner v6 SE. It was 20 grand and had 34k miles on it. I only drive in sand and spend most time on pavement so this truck is perfect for my needs. I like the selectability of the 4wd system in this model, and I actually like the xreas. That being said I will buy a brand new 5th gen off road model before the 6th generation arrives.

They did if you custom made them when you bought them from the dealership. This one had the TRD locking difflocks. Not the engine but the locking diffs. It was not aftermarket or installed after purchase. This one was a gem and I wish I would have kept it because of that but I didn't