1st gen, pre IFS all the way! Or any other with a SAS.

the driver can make each one do better then another imo. its about the driver!

but if i had to pic, in stock form a 3rd gen with stock locker would be able to get further..

1rst gen 84-85 with solid axle has the buildable status with longfields, geared cases, and a lot of other options for articulation and bigger tire options.

my 3rd gen however is well built and has made some gnarly lines, so im happy with it and will continue to use its effectiveness on the trail.

In modded form money is the only limitation but there is a huge after market for 1st gens and they are nice and small.

In stock form my diff lock equipped 3rd gen does pretty good with just bigger tires and it's comfortable as a daily driver.

1st Gen
 

I prefer the 1st gens simply because they are easier to work on when something breaks on/off the road.

your all insane.. none of you could follow me in my 4runner..the top being off, the slightly smaller wheel base and the lighter weight would destroy you all.

I drive a 2nd gen stock with 31's and it has never let me down or gotten me stuck, even when I go wheelin on my own. I dont beat the living shit out of it but I dont go easy on it either. I would have to say IMO that 1st and 2nd gens are the best for wheeling. This being because they are smaller, shorter wheelbase, lighter, simpler, not as pretty. I would have to say the 3rd gen is up there too though as it is not much bigger and the locker would be nice too. The 4th gen would come dead last for me. I wouldnt buy one. It lacks exactly what was awesome about the other runners: the smallness with the high clearance and short wheelbase. With a 1st or 2nd gen I can go up quad trails and conquer things you wouldnt think were meant for a truck. I wouldnt even think about it with a 4th gen. Plus they only come in automatics? No fun. They were designed strictly for women. I have never seen one lifted or being wheeled where I come from (and i come from a redneck town in Canada where everyone and their moms has a 4x4). Not to mention they cost 40+ grand.... Really bumbed out that toyota went down that road with the 4runners. How can you not make manuals!? Ridiculous!

Maybe $40k up there but down here you can get a nice SE for low $30s which is cheaper than what my '99 cost in '98. Only the top tier Runners really have gotten more expensive.

Just out of curiosity, how many 4th Gen's have you driven? Your comment about them being designed "only for women" shows that you have no idea what you are talking about, plus I would imagine it is supposed to be insulting somehow. I certainly won't argue that IMO as well, the 1st and 2nd gen's are better off-roaders than the 4th gen, but your comments show that you have no idea what you're talking about when it comes to the abilities of the 4th gen. You say yourself you've never seen one lifted or wheeled, so how can you make a judgement?

Ive driven two, but the second one was only breifly, my best friend has an 05 sport which is the one I have driven mostly. Let me clear a couple things up here. I am talking stock, thats why I mentioned that I am not talking about lifted or modified, as I have no experience with one. Second, my comment about women was no to be offensive although looking at it it sort of is... I mean that because of its size/comfort/ automatic tranny it is more of a luxary/soccer mom/grocery getter than the previous ones. I do think it is a capable vehicle, especially when compared to other makes of similar class (IE new pathfinder), and the locking centre diff and Atrac are sweet options. I just dont like the bulkyness and lowness. And I refuse to own an automatic. this is all my own opinion, not fact. For all I know some 4th gen lovers think the earlier gens are inferior. Just personal opinion. If someone were to give me a 4th gen, I wouldnt be one to argue. I just wouldnt pay 35-40 grand for one. Specially if Im gonna beat on it.

Very well written, you definitely clarified your points.

Might I also add that I wish i had the oppertunity to try a lifted/modified 4th gen as to possibly change my views. With a lift and good tires I think they would be much more capable, similar to previous generations (maybe even better with the added traction features), when i ride in my buddies 05 we are just so paranoid about high centering when offroading. again just my thoughts.

It's too bad Toyota doesn't offer a similar manual/diff lock package in the 4Runners they offer in the FJs since the FJs are equally capable as any other stock gen Runner.

Possibly, even more so because the FJ comes with the very effective A-TRAC and rear locker, which is equivalent to having a rear locker and a front limited-slip differential. No other 4runner of any generation has these type of traction systems.

Otherwise, i agree with RonM...3rd gen with rear locker.

Personly I think the 4th gen (06-present) are the best. Not really sure about the 4wd models. I have a 06 Silver SR5 with the 1GRFE V-6. It's 2wd and can off-road and mud with the best of the jeeps. I haven't gotten stuck yet. My friends 2001 Limited 4Runner 3.4L is two wheel drive too, but he has alot less power. Now if it were like rock climbing I think the 2 gen would be best due to the fact its light, has decent power and parts are cheap. I know a guy in my town that bought a 1st gen that was at a pick-and-pull for $400 and dropped a 2004 4.7L V-8 for like $900 then added a 5 inch lift. He takes it mudding and its his daily driver.

I know 4th gen started in 03. hit wrong key:D