I foolishly got rid of my 3rd gen awhile back due to towing needs as it was the only expendable vehicle at the time. Over 280k on the clock and still had the factory plugs and wires. Matter of fact, aside from trans cooler mod, fan motor, and LBJ/tierods when I put on an OME lift, I never replaced anything out of necessity or failure. My wife has taken over the tow rig as her daily so I'm selling her vehicle to fund a new T4R.

Given the current climate and the fact I won't be finding a new base SR5 for low-30s anymore, I'm shopping used. Now this isn't out of necessity or being financially poor. I have enough spare income a month I could buy a brand new Land Cruiser without putting a strain on my income, however I don't like debt. I'm going to put about 10-12k down at least. Maybe more but I don't like taking money from savings, especially with all the crazy of the past year and a half. Initially I started looking for another low mileage 3rd gen, but they simply don't pop up. I then moved on to 4th gens with sub-150k miles hoping to just buy outright within my down payment fund. Looking at the market and my options I have talked myself into spending abit more and aiming for lower mileage. I'm seeing 75-100k 4th gens for $15-19k and similar mileage early 5th gens for $18-23k.

I have no experience with either and I'm not sure reliability/fit/function wise what my better option is. Now I admittedly don't like the looks of the front end, but...I also have about $3500 set aside to purchase a Shrockworks bumper/winch, and lift(or at least whatever is left towards a lift). I figure this would cure the looks department for me whichever generation I choose.

So what would you guys aim for? Realistically, the interiors of the 4th gen and early 5ths to me seem quite similar as are most Toyota interiors of that time frame. As far as power plants, I'm actually looking to stay with the 4.0. I love the V8 in the 4th gen but I don't want a Limited. I'd rather have a bare bones SR5 or lower trim level and have part time 4WD and less things to go wrong. I'm trying to dive into researching pros/cons right now about the two platforms, but I'm not really seeing many cons to even steer one way or the other, lol. I'm open to everyone else's expertise on the two in what path to take.

Both the 4th Gens and 5th gens are excellent vehicles, so I think you would be pleased with either.

Just an FYI, the V8 can be had in all models of 4th Gens, SR5, Sport, etc. not just the Limited, so keep looking if you truly want the V8, I highly recommend this engine!!

If you do get a 4th Gen with a V6 make sure you get one with a build date of 12-05 or later to avoid the possible head gasket failure, anything V6 after that date has the new designed head gaskets, the build date is printed on the top right corner as you read it of the VIN Sticker on the driver's door jamb.

Good to know on the V8s, I had a coworker tell me it was only the Limited models to get the V8. I'll look more closely at them as well.

If i were you, similar situation and all...with 4th gens and 5th gens all around me...id get

wait for it

an Effin LC200...point blank period. yeah, they cost more, and yeah, the debt part i get, cuz i have only house-debt personally...but if you find and financne over 3yrs, it is a very short loan to bare. Plus, Since Toyota has saw fit to not send the USA any of the newer ones, and since the fit, finish, and build of LC's are far and away above anything else, and since in my own mind i have said it to myself many times "the ONLY upgrade to have now from my current '14 T4R is a Cruiser..." then that is what i'd get.

for your reality, i'd keep shopping for a 5th gen. newer is newer for a reason. And Toyota has kept this model since 2010 because it flat out works on so many levels. up the trim if you want, to a Trail/Off-Rd maybe...but ive had my SR5 for all of these years, 130k on it so far, and it has done nothing wrong.

But, i am doubling down here...If i didnt have college tuition to pay times-2...i would have already traded this truck in for a slightly used LC200 with similar milage, because we all know they will last another 200K or more.

Good luck on your search.

5th gen for the simple fact that you couldn’t toss an apple in the air and not have it land on a 5th gen.

Even though I purchased new, I like to factor in aftermarket support and availability of oem parts for the long run.

Every time I see another 5th gen, I see a potential parts donor.

I own both. If it came down to a clean 4th gen or a clean 5th gen, I’d pick the 4th gen and here’s why. First and foremost, much better throttle and transmission tuning in the 4th gen. I absolutely hate how lethargic the throttle is in our 5th gen and hate how it speeds through the gears to get to 5th gear, then has to immediately downshift to 4th or third just to keep speed. I have to use sport mode and manually shift our 5th gen every time I drive it. Our 4th gen doesn’t behave like this at all, which makes it a much better experience right off the bat. Next is visibility. The 4th gen offers better visibility looking outside versus the 5th gen and is especially noticeable when 4 wheeling off-road. Third is the overall size. I prefer the slightly smaller size of the 4th gen. Easier and cleaner oil filter changes with the 4th gen V6 vs the 5th gen V6 as well.

I'd go for the 5th gen, but I'm biased I have 2016 trail premium that i love and pulls the RV trailer nooo prob

Same here, I currently own both gens since new. You can't go wrong with either gen, but if I was forced to choose....I'd go with the 4th! In addition to everything mentioned above, the 4th also have has a locking gas door, auto tail gate latch, auto engine cranking, flip out console tray, rear storage compartment covers, drivers side A-pillar grab handle, I think the interior is nicer too....just my observations from living with both, YMMV.

Yes! I totally forgot about all that cool stuff as well!

I also forgot to mention the Torsen center locking differential in the 4th gen. Well to be fair, the 5th gen limited edition also has it.

I like the look of the early 5th gens better. They looked tough and true to what an offroad vehicle should look like. Simple front end, nothing fancy.

Have you considered a GX? There is one around town here I see, and the owner did everything right IMO on style. They look really sharp with a 2" lift, and high clearance bumpers. Plus you get the V8.

I see those for sale more often, than clean late model 4runners.