If we look at all things such as driveline longevity, frame/body corrosion, breakdown/reliability, which has been the most durable 4Runner to date?

I still see a good deal of 3rd Gens up here in the rust belt and I’m blown away at how many I still see. AND in fantastic shape. Most vehicles in Ontario Canada last maybe 10 years before they are off to the wreckers. Not only do some of these 3rd gens look amazing on the outside, the interiors can look pretty good too…cloth at that.

How is that possible?

I’m holding out for a 4th with 4.7 which hadn’t found me yet. Hoping it can do what the 3rd gens have done in terms of longevity.


Thoughts?

How do the 4ths stand up in comparison?

And the 5ths? Too early to really know?

Ill take the bait but the 5th gen - very few issues

The 3rd gen - potential issues in the head gasket, transmission cooler/radiator, frame

The early 4th gen 03-05 had some issues with the transmission cooler and the 4 speed transmission and the frame still a liability

the 4th gen v8s are considered very reliable

Later 4th gens had improved frame prep process, 5 speed transmission with overdrive

Its been pretty much the same 4.0 V6 engine and transmission from late 2005 - 2004.

I live in Texas where rust is pretty much unheard of, which I consider this the number one reason not to buy a vehicle. Yes, mileage and condition are big considerations on any vehicle, but considering if these two things are reasonable for their age, then rust is still the killer of vehicles. For me I would buy a 5th Gen, just because they have a very good track record and you can find them for sale, older Gens are out there, but finding one is going to be the problem, not many come up for sale. Paying more up front for a nice vehicle should payoff in the long run, you own it, you service it, and it should last a long time, isn't that what you want. Watch this guy's videos on YouTube, The Car Care Nut, he is all Toyota and Lexus service.

My thoughts maybe more than you want to know! Ha.

3rd Gens see 1/2 dozen plus mine a day. Still very reliable inexpensive to maintain until 01-02's
Trans, Master Cylinder, Throttle Body, ABS/VSC Trac Module fail. DIY parts cost $7-8k for the 4.
Interior plastics getting brittle those that break hard to find expensive when you do.

4th Gen early bit of a stepchild ugly oversized wheel well bodyside cladding.
Front Lower Ball Joints revamped to a captured joint. LBJ fail sometimes Catastrophic on 3rd Gen.
03-04 have same Brake master cylinder Transmission ABS/VSC module as 01-02's,
01-04 Toyota was transitioning to drive by wire.
05 - on best years Toyota addressed transitioning to full drive by wire.
V6 V8 both good. Little more expensive come time for motor maint. V8 chain - V6 belt.

5th Gen coming on strong my haunts, 50% mall crawler 40% well enhanced offroad capable
Linked n Solids at fall event 3 yrs. running 4th coming up Oct. Dey badazz.

My 1998 4Runner limited edition has 160,000 miles and has never let me down on or off road in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Recently while driving in town it hesitated when starting from a stop and then jumped forward a bit and as I was merging onto the interstate , it refused to move forward completely. I was able to drift off the side of the road and the engine continued to run but would not engage movement forward or back. I shut off the engine and had it towed. My regular mechanic said the battery had shifted loose somehow and that was the issue. I had looked under the hood and did not notice any unusual issue with the battery and I think that happened when it was towed. He reported driving it around without having a problem. Now I am concerned taking it off road in the mountains where there is no help or cell phone service. Any idea what could have happened?

You have the last part of this incorrect...
"V6 V8 both good. Little more expensive come time for motor maint. V8 chain - V6 belt."

The V8s have a belt and the V6s have a chain.

Thanks for setting it straight. You have 04 anything to add?

My 2017 SR5 4WD developed a shudder due to malfunctioning Flexlock solenoid & valve inside the tranny valve body. Happened at 48,000 miles and dealer did repair by replacing trandmission (long story) under warranty. If I had been forced to repair on my own dime a new torque converter and rebuilt tranny valve body may have worked.
All vehicles are dependent upon large numbers of outsourced components. When some of these components fail the vehicle is disabled and can be expensive to identify and make good again.
The little things can make a vehicle "unreliable" if "not running" is the definition!
My 2 cents.

My 99 4Runner, with a 5VZFE is a V6, and it has a belt, not a chain. Or am I a generation off from your comment?

Anywho just wanted to throw in my bit...
Pat☺

You have a 3rd Gen, the statement you quoted is for 4th Gens.

I think history will find it is the 5th gen by logic. As many bugs as possible has been worked out through Kaizen as possible.