2 4Runner Family

[peter78]

I have been looking to buy a new 4Runner for a few years. Last week I looked at a used 4Runner and ending up buying it. Here is the thread about buying it:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=42987

It has 41,000 miles and is of course white. It is a 2004 SR5, 2WD. Anyway here are a few pictures of both 4Runners. It gives you the difference between 3rd and 4th generations.

 

[peter78]

 

[peter78]

3rd generation vs. 4th generation

In my opinion here are some of the differences. Of course the 4th generation has a larger engine, larger and heavier car.

Ride. When I drove the new car with the family I drove over a bridge by my house where it is very rough. The 4th generation soaked up the bumps. 4th generation has a better ride. 4th gen. wins.

Drivability, The 3rd gen. is smaller and more tossable, quicker handling. The 4th is a larger car, better seats and wider in the hip making it more comfortable. Handling is sound and solid. These cars are different with their own personality. Tie

Controls. The 4th generation has a lot more gizmos. The ventilation controls is overly complicated, making me look away to figure it out. I can

 

[alaskaman]

Congrats Peter. I myself gave my 97 to my daughter. I miss that beast like you say it was quicker and great build quality. That said have to agree on the finer points of the 4Runner. For the long haul I go with the 4th gen for power and agressive road manners....and fond memories of the 3rd gen. Now you have a dilemma don't cha fella? Which one to drive.........?:biggrin2:

 

[peter78]

Congrats Peter. I myself gave my 97 to my daughter.

Thanks. I have a 17 year old son that is going to college next year and my wife said the Honda Accord is too small and not as safe. So, like you I may give the 01 to my son, maybe???

 

[trd_4runnin]

Looks like a nice 4Runner (aren't they all?). You are where I hope to be sometime in the near future with owning 2 4runners. I love my 3rd gen so much but I want to dedicate it to a weekend toy so I have developed the following plan:

My fiance graduates nursing school in about 2 weeks and should finally add the second income I have been waiting for sometime in the early spring. She likes the 4th gens which is a huge score for me so I'd like to pick her up a 03+ with V8 (to tow the 3rd gen.) and 3rd row seating (to haul the babies). I will still drive the 3rd gen until its paid off (about 1 year) and then buy a 01 or 02 double cab Tacoma for my daily driver duties. This way I have 3 Toyotas in my family, and when I need to tow with the 4Runner, the taco can stay at home with the wife. Wish me luck!

Anyways, nice trucks!

 

[J.A.]

Congrats on the second Runner.

Great pics and comparo. I definetly agree that while my 4th gen especially with the XREAS setup rides very carlike and soaks up the bumps very well even with the DS lift, the 3rd gen is very "tossable" as you put it especially with the addcos, billies, and poly bushings. Just feels a lot lighter and tighter.

Cupholders, I like the 3G better...closer to reach and they dont tip like in the 4G. Also on the 4G the drivers cup hits my knee. Definete thumbs down for me, I always feel like my coffee is going to spill over onto my pants even in normal driving and especially in spirited driving.

The 4G gizmos are great but there is something to be said about the 3Gs basic setup and solid feel...less stuff to go wrong.

Rear A/C on the 4th is very nice indeed. But the supplemental heater core for the rear passengers in the 3G is nice too. But I think rear a/c wins out here too.

In regards to the width of the 4G, it is good and bad. It contributes to the less tossable feel and you really notice the difference in a tight one car garage.

Engine. The 3G just feels more responsive and with the deckplate mod the sound is awsome. But there is no comparison in regards to the 4Gs V8 having some 80 more ponies

The lack of cargo space in the 4G really disappoints, I can fit a stroller in perfectly in the 3G but cant close the door with it loaded the same way in the 4th. Thats what you get for having a larger passenger interior...although the 4Gs rear passenger foot room lacks as well with the front seats all the way back and lowered.

Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts and pics.

 

[MikesToy]

I use the front cupholders for 1 liter sodas or large cups from (McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, etc). For my 12 oz cans, i use my driver's side holders.

 

[peter78]

I thought I might do a 3 month up-date on my 4th gen. 4Runner. This might give the 3rd gen. a feel of what it is like to get a 4th gen.

A lot of my first impressions that I posted in this thread are pretty much the same. My impression of the cup holders has changed a little bit. A lot of the cup holders are really for bottles and the back cup holders are OK, but you have to lower the middle back to use it and it can get in the way.

It is interesting how both my 2WD 3rd gen. revs almost exactly the same as the 2WD 4th. 2,000 RPM is about 67 MPH. Also, the gas mileage is the same, after 3,700 miles, I get 18.2 MPG on the 4th gen. I get 18.3 over 108,000 miles on the 3rd gen. That inculdes towing with a trailer once in awhile. I drive mostly city in the 4th so far, so it is a bit hard to say, which one gets better mileage, but I am impressed with the MPG on the 4th gen. One thing, I do keep records on mileage and the computer is about 2.1 to 2.5 MPG off. Almost all the time, the computer says 20.0 or over. Right now it says 20.8, so if you subtract 2.5 from it, it is 18.3, which is about right. The engine is smoother and easier to drive smoother, when stepped on, he moves faster than the old 3.4. I find the 4.0 V6 with the 4 speed transmission quite pleasing and and I do not find it lacking in anyway.

I put my canoe on top to go down to Florida and the luggage rack is wider and longer. It fit my canoe better than the 3rd. I have mentioned in another thread that I can be bored with the car, it does drive smoother and not as fun to drive. I find the seats are nicer and the ride is better, so yes it is different, not better or worse, but different.

One really cool thing to me, is the optional leather steering wheel with radio remote controls and leather shift knob. I use the remote volume and contols all the time. When I go in the 3rd. I find myself reaching with my left thumb the remote volume control only to realize I am in the worng car. I have the optional 17" wheels and I find them so normal. I saw a 16" tire once on a 4Runner and I liked it better, since it looks different, it kind of looks like the sport wheel.

Another thing I should mention is the heater works really good, it heats up quite fast. Dealing with the controls suck. To get the heat up, I have to hit it 10 or 12 times, then if I am warm I try to lower it and if I hit 65' it is too warm and I hit the dial again and it is on "low", which is too low. Also, for a newer car, the yellow brown light on the gauges are fine, but some newer cars have that bright neon colors on their gauges that kind of jump out at you are to me kind of neat. I know it is easier to see in the dark, but I do miss the newer brighter gauges of say a 2006 Honda Accord.

Over all I am very please with the car and the overall feel. It still feels like a 4Runner and I am pleased with the mileage being around the same as the 3rd gen.

 

[CRDT4R]

Nice comparison. The thing that jumps out to me is how clean both trucks are in and out. Your 3rd gen looks brand new. I see people have these cars and trucks that are so nice and they just trash them but it really shows the respect for how much something cost when you take care of it. The carpet looks great.

I used to drive my dads 3rd gen all the time. I like the 4th gen because its a bit wider and toyota placed their stuff a little better in it. Better use of the console and what not. I felt like i was always pushing the pedal pretty hard on the 3rd gen and using a lot more gas then I do now. Mind you it was a 96. RIP. engine overheated and died. But it was a great truck while it lasted.