2002 4Runner or 4th Gen

[kaffin8ed]

Hello,

I am the owner of a 2007 4Runner SR5 but have become infatuated with the 2002 4Runner with the fender flares. I'm debating on whether to hunt down a 2002 4Runner as a project car or simply put the money into my current 2007.
Other than having to fork out the initial cost for the vehicle, is it worth spending the money on maintaining a 2002 model? And is the 2007 model vastly superior to the 2002? Thanks in advance!

 

[hearno]

Why'd you make 3 threads for the same question?

 

[02SE]

Hello,
Other than having to fork out the initial cost for the vehicle, is it worth spending the money on maintaining a 2002 model? And is the 2007 model vastly superior to the 2002? Thanks in advance!

That's all a matter of personal opinion.

 

[kaffin8ed]

Posted on three threads because I wasn't sure if users would visit the "general forum".

 

[poleclimber63]

definitely a matter of opinion...

I've only driven a 4th gen once. My impression of it compared to my 3rd gen was it has more power (V8), it drove like a larger vehicle (yes it is) and felt more refined and sophisticated-- more bells and whistles. (I prefer simpler-- less to go wrong!) AND here where you need to do the PROS and CONS! You now have to ask yourself what you want:
1) What's your budget?
2) Do you have room for 2 trucks and can you do some mechanical work yourself?
3) How much time are you willing to invest?

I love my 3rd gen, It has a great ride for a truck, it does what I need it to do, its not too bad on gas, its comfortable to drive, and I trust it to get me there.

You can have fun with what you have and with a few mods, it can be reasonably off-road capable (not that stock isnt already). However, if you want to get seriously off-road, compromises will have to be made, ie. trail handling or road handling, $$$, comfort, and the possibility of scrapes, bangs and dents.
If serious off-road is your thing, then picking up a 3rd gen is a great alternative. If you've been cruising this site, you"ll know that many members say that the 3rd gen is arguably the most reliable and durable 4Runner. They are highly mod-able with lots of options--- and they're plentiful. Yes, the initial outlay may set you back 5-10K depending on shape and year of the truck. Being in Ont., rust will be your greatest obstacle.
I've owned a couple of trucks and lots of cars and I can tell you that generally, the 3rd gen is one of the nicest vehicles I've worked on, with the exception of some of my very first cars(pre-polution controls), its well laid out and well engineered-- easier to work with, than most. You will have to do maintenance but most of it can be done in the driveway, parts are not outrageously expensive, and this truck is reliable. There is no wrong answer. It really is a question of your needs and wants! Good luck!!

 

[Nunyabiz]

Never sat my butt in a 4th or 5th gen so can not comment on anything but looks.
But I love the looks of the 3rd gen and frankly can not stand the looks for the 4th/5th gens.
If 3rd gens were not available I honestly would have gone with a different vehicle altogether.
Most likely would have bought an old Land Cruiser.

But I do really like my 2002 3rd gen, great truck.

 

[ToyotaBrah]

Honestly, it seems like the 4th gen has an identity crisis. Toyota wanted to tone down the rawness from the 3rd gen, and in doing so, they made a beta looking crossover. You can clearly spot a 3rd gen rolling down the road with its beefy body and flares, where as the 4th gen kinda just blends in with other cars. The obvious pros of the 4th gen is the revised V6 with timing chain and the addition of the V8. The ride quality is great, but I feel like I am behind the wheel of a Lexus SUV.

I want steering feedback, I want to manually put her into 4WD with the stick that's directly connected to the transfer case as opposed to a turn switch 4WD selector on the 4th gen.

 

[foskco87]

Honestly, it seems like the 4th gen has an identity crisis. Toyota wanted to tone down the rawness from the 3rd gen, and in doing so, they made a beta looking crossover. You can clearly spot a 3rd gen rolling down the road with its beefy body and flares, where as the 4th gen kinda just blends in with other cars. The obvious pros of the 4th gen is the revised V6 with timing chain and the addition of the V8. The ride quality is great, but I feel like I am behind the wheel of a Lexus SUV.

I want steering feedback, I want to manually put her into 4WD with the stick that's directly connected to the transfer case as opposed to an LGBT operating turn switch on the 4th gen.

I am going to have to agree. While I do feel like the 4th gen can be a good looking vehicle, I feel it lost alot of what a 4runner is. The 3rd gen is unmistakably a 4runner... where as things started to get weird after that (as with most Toyota models of the same time). When I hop in my 3rd gen it always amazes me how much it feels like a 4runner in every aspect...even though it does have alot of differences from the previous 2 generations. It still had the simple toyota interior that I can still see similarities from my 83 pickup. Its like they only changed and updated what they had to. The 3rd gen also still has that 'timeless' look that only Toyota could design... in 20 (or more) years it will still be a desirable looking vehicle, no matter what the current trend or body styles. Not so sure the 4th and 5th gens are really in that superior Toyota design category. As for reliability and comfort, I cannot comment as I have never driven a 4th gen. But removing manual transmission as an option all together from the 4runner is just shameful.

 

[LittleCaesar]

As 4runners become older, things need to be replaced more frequently. 4runners for the most part love OEM over aftermarket parts. And if you are not a DIY kind of guy, repairs can get costly quickly.

That said, if your wallet can cover your infatuation easily, then by all means go for it.

 

[3rzrunner]

why get an 02? what do you have against the older 3rd gens?

 

[kaffin8ed]

why get an 02? what do you have against the older 3rd gens?

I love the fender flares of the 2002 model. Am I mistaken or is the the only year the 3rd gens had the wider fenders?

 

[mxer]

Put fender flares on your 4th gen...problem solved.

 

[3rzrunner]

I love the fender flares of the 2002 model. Am I mistaken or is the the only year the 3rd gens had the wider fenders?

yep, you're mistaken. 96-02 Limited's have wide flares with body cladding,
ah here are the oem flares available.

the red one is 96-02 sr5 flares
the green one is a 99 "highlander" edition but the same flares were also on some sr5's
the 3rd one is a 00-02 "sport" edition
the 4th one is a 96-02 limited

 

[Super-G]

I bought a 94 Jeep Wrangler brand new. I drove it for 17 years and finally decided to buy myself something newer. I test drove a TON of SUV's but kept coming back to a 4 Runner for a wide variety of reasons.

I did my research and decided on a 3rd Gen again for a wide variety of reasons. My preference was for a Sport Edition because I think that the hood scoop is cool and frankly I just don't necessarily need the bells and whistles of the Limited.

So 2 years ago I found an 02 Sport with 84,000 original miles. I ended up buying it from the Toyota dealer who sold it new and had all the service records. They also has just replaced the timing belt and water pump.

I absolutely LOVE my 02 Sport. It totally serves all my needs for a 4WD SUV. I've used it to get back and forth to work in the snow, I've also used it to drop my fishing boat into various lakes in the summer. It's roomy enough to take my family away on weekends ad yet not so huge that I can't park in a crowded parking lot.

I LOVE the stance too. It looks rugged with it's flares, hood scoop, and with the Cooper Discoverer tires I run.

I only live 8-9 miles from my job so I keep the mileage pretty low annually. I am fully expecting to get years and years of faithful service out of my 4 Runner and can't see getting anything else any time soon. I love my 3rd Gen.

 

[Scramble]

yep, you're mistaken. 96-02 Limited's have wide flares with body cladding,
ah here are the oem flares available.

the red one is 96-02 sr5 flares
the green one is a 99 "highlander" edition but the same flares were also on some sr5's
the 3rd one is a 00-02 "sport" edition
the 4th one is a 96-02 limited

The red one is a base model without flares but has black & chrome trim.

 

[02SE]

The red one is a base model without flares but has black & chrome trim.

So out of boredom, I pulled out my Monroney sticker for my '97 SR5 4wd 5-speed V6, which I bought new, and has that wheel arch molding.

Under "Optional Equipment" is package "AW" which includes:

16x7 Aluminum Alloy wheels (4) W/P265/70 Tires. Chrome Wheel Arch Molding.
4.100 Rear Diff. 12.5" Front Disc Brakes.

MSRP for package "AW" was $1030.00

 

[3rzrunner]

The red one is a base model without flares but has black & chrome trim.

that "trim" is actually called the sr5 flares the red one is NOT a base model, bases have grey painted bumpers sr5 have chrome.

 

[kaffin8ed]

Put fender flares on your 4th gen...problem solved.

Possibly - like the ones made by Arctic Trucks... but I also like the classic look of the 4th gen.

 

[kaffin8ed]

Thanks for the clarification! I've been on a few "for sale" forums and it's been hard to find ones that have the flare. But now I know i can go back a few model years.

I was hoping to spend under $8K and perhaps a few more $ to ensure it runs well.

I agree with a few of the posts about the look and stance of the 3rd Gens. They just have a more classic Landcruiser look. And with time, it'll just look even better.

Thanks for all the feedback and information!

 

[Scramble]

that "trim" is actually called the sr5 flares the red one is NOT a base model, bases have grey painted bumpers sr5 have chrome.

So out of boredom, I pulled out my Monroney sticker for my '97 SR5 4wd 5-speed V6, which I bought new, and has that wheel arch molding.

Under "Optional Equipment" is package "AW" which includes:

16x7 Aluminum Alloy wheels (4) W/P265/70 Tires. Chrome Wheel Arch Molding.
4.100 Rear Diff. 12.5" Front Disc Brakes.

MSRP for package "AW" was $1030.00

Interesting, you learn something new everyday. Mine is a base model but I have Chrome Bumpers not painted and the Arch Wheel Molding.
It also has the wood trim & a lot of other upgrades that weren't standard on the Base.
ARCH WHEEL MOLDING! I like that, I never new what to call it! LOL