3rd Gen T4R vs 4th Gen T4R
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Thai
Elite Member
If you plan on driving on the road most of the time, then the difference between 4th gen and 3rd gen is TREMENDOUS. Actually, there's no comparison...4th gen ride is a lot better than 3rd gen. 3rd gen stock floats and ride is bumpy.
The room inside 4th gen is better than 3rd gen by a significant amount. The cargo room is equal, but the "airy" feeling is much better in 4th gen. However, i do feel that the interior materials are slightly better in the 3rd gen.
Power is a lot better in the 4th gen whether you pick the V6 or V8. V8 is just icing on the cake.
For off-roading, the 4th gen should handle everything a 3rd gen can 98% of the time. The 3rd gen's main advantage is it's front suspension ground clearance is higher and the fact that it's narrow (easier to fit on trails). I have heard that ATRAC is a bit more responsive in the 4th gen, as compared to '01-02 3rd gen (from owners here).
Hope this helps.
The room inside 4th gen is better than 3rd gen by a significant amount. The cargo room is equal, but the "airy" feeling is much better in 4th gen. However, i do feel that the interior materials are slightly better in the 3rd gen.
Power is a lot better in the 4th gen whether you pick the V6 or V8. V8 is just icing on the cake.
For off-roading, the 4th gen should handle everything a 3rd gen can 98% of the time. The 3rd gen's main advantage is it's front suspension ground clearance is higher and the fact that it's narrow (easier to fit on trails). I have heard that ATRAC is a bit more responsive in the 4th gen, as compared to '01-02 3rd gen (from owners here).
Hope this helps.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
4th gens ride way better than the 3rd gens but my '99 has a tad over 2" more clearance plus I have the rear diff lock which gives a big nod to off road capability to a locked 3rd gen since there's trails that stop Runners with no lockers.
Both are great trucks but overall quality and comfort would obviously go to the 4th gens since Toyota isn't going to go backwards.
The big plus to off roaders with 3rd gens is the availability and cheaper cost of parts to mod 3rd gens and they have less electronic gizmos to get in the way and possibly fail under hard abuse.
We'll see how many people actually do take 4th gens off road but for now the 3rd gens way out number the 4th gens on the trails just like the 4th gens with 20" wheels outnumber the 3rd gens with those on the street.
Both are great trucks but overall quality and comfort would obviously go to the 4th gens since Toyota isn't going to go backwards.
The big plus to off roaders with 3rd gens is the availability and cheaper cost of parts to mod 3rd gens and they have less electronic gizmos to get in the way and possibly fail under hard abuse.
We'll see how many people actually do take 4th gens off road but for now the 3rd gens way out number the 4th gens on the trails just like the 4th gens with 20" wheels outnumber the 3rd gens with those on the street.
vandert
New member
We have a 4th Gen
right now, and I've been contimplating buying myself a 3rd Gen.
I love the rear locker on the 3rds and the big selling point for me is it's narrower by a considerable amount.
I also am a fan of the "racing" 3.4ltr. I love my 4.0, hell I chose it over the 8 in back to back test drives, but I miss my 3.4. I have had both a Taco and a T100 in the past with the 3.4. I got over 180,000 on my stock clutch in my T100 and then sold it for 14,000 wiht the bad clutch, the guy was want ing to put a 350 and a 4l60E in it and SAS the front so he was a little, off, in his judgement.
Regardless, I personally own the 4th gen for my wife, but I prefer the 3rd gen for myself, I like the overall ruggedness/lack of refinement that the 3rd gen has over the 4th. I will probably have both in the not to distant future as well.
The both have positives and negatives, i wouldn't sell my current one, nor would I tradeit for a 3rd gen, but I would have "both" in the garage at the same time.
Food for thought
T
right now, and I've been contimplating buying myself a 3rd Gen.
I love the rear locker on the 3rds and the big selling point for me is it's narrower by a considerable amount.
I also am a fan of the "racing" 3.4ltr. I love my 4.0, hell I chose it over the 8 in back to back test drives, but I miss my 3.4. I have had both a Taco and a T100 in the past with the 3.4. I got over 180,000 on my stock clutch in my T100 and then sold it for 14,000 wiht the bad clutch, the guy was want ing to put a 350 and a 4l60E in it and SAS the front so he was a little, off, in his judgement.
Regardless, I personally own the 4th gen for my wife, but I prefer the 3rd gen for myself, I like the overall ruggedness/lack of refinement that the 3rd gen has over the 4th. I will probably have both in the not to distant future as well.
The both have positives and negatives, i wouldn't sell my current one, nor would I tradeit for a 3rd gen, but I would have "both" in the garage at the same time.
Food for thought
T
Mr.yoshimura
New member
I use to have a 00 T4R now I have a 05. the 4th gen. is like night and day compare to the 3th gen! I love the way the SE drive and the extra power and torque in the v8 and v6 compare to the stock 3.4l in the 3th gen is like licing on the cake! The only thing I miss about the 3th gen is the TRD SUPERCHARGE!!! What going on with the SC for the v8 ?? 270hp+TRD SC = 
:awais:
:awais:
Jeff Kleb
New member
3rd Gen vs. 4th Gen
Well, this '05 SR5 I now drive is the only SUV I have ever owned. I drive my girfriend's '02 Highlander sometimes, but it is more of a car and is not nearly as "trucky" as the 4Runner.
My neighbor has a '98 SR5 and loves it very much....although I think he's going to spring for a new one very soon. He likes the looks of the new style, but believes his is more "rugged" than mine.
If you have a 3rd Gen 4Runner and it is paid off, why not just keep it and LEASE a new one? Get a low-mileage lease for three years and you will be able to have a low payment, own a new SUV and still have your old one as a "beater" when needed. I did that and believe it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
$650 payment for five years to own a 4Runner -- or $260 a month to lease one for three years? Jeez, that was hard.
:awais:
I have a paid-for Sentra that I use as my daily commuter car, so I can save on gas (as well as wear and tear) on the 4Runner. I am also able to keep my mileage under 12k a year and will avoid getting reamed when my lease expires.
Insurance is not an issue, as my premium only went up by $20 a month when I added the 4Runner. I have full coverage on both cars, with a $500 deductible.
You can have your cake and eat it too! Keep your 3rd Gen and lease a new one.
P.S. This forum is great!!!!
Well, this '05 SR5 I now drive is the only SUV I have ever owned. I drive my girfriend's '02 Highlander sometimes, but it is more of a car and is not nearly as "trucky" as the 4Runner.
My neighbor has a '98 SR5 and loves it very much....although I think he's going to spring for a new one very soon. He likes the looks of the new style, but believes his is more "rugged" than mine.
If you have a 3rd Gen 4Runner and it is paid off, why not just keep it and LEASE a new one? Get a low-mileage lease for three years and you will be able to have a low payment, own a new SUV and still have your old one as a "beater" when needed. I did that and believe it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
$650 payment for five years to own a 4Runner -- or $260 a month to lease one for three years? Jeez, that was hard.
:awais:
I have a paid-for Sentra that I use as my daily commuter car, so I can save on gas (as well as wear and tear) on the 4Runner. I am also able to keep my mileage under 12k a year and will avoid getting reamed when my lease expires.
Insurance is not an issue, as my premium only went up by $20 a month when I added the 4Runner. I have full coverage on both cars, with a $500 deductible.
You can have your cake and eat it too! Keep your 3rd Gen and lease a new one.
P.S. This forum is great!!!!
L
Lime02sport
Guest
3rd gen for me, I dont know if its just me but head on the front end of 4th gens look like Rav4's just not beefy enough for me.
00void
New member
i had a 2000 SR5 Sport and now have a 2004 Sport.
imo, i think the '00 handled more 'sharply' than the '04 does, especially in turns, if you take them kinda fast. BUT, i noticed the '04 handles rougher road better. for example, i cross railroad tracks going to my GFs. the '00 used to 'skit' over them where as you don't really notice them too much w/ the '04. the '04 has a much more refined ride than my '00 did.
as far as recommending a 3rdGen, i totally would, but the power advantage the 4thGen alone is what made me buy a new one. the V8 is a wonderful engine. the 3rdGen is no slouch, but when you have XTerra's + Pathfinders, etc pushing 270hp, it kinda sucks that you've only got 182hp (stand to be corrected on that figure) especially if you have 4 adults in it.
i still wish i had my '00 though, i loved that thing to death
imo, i think the '00 handled more 'sharply' than the '04 does, especially in turns, if you take them kinda fast. BUT, i noticed the '04 handles rougher road better. for example, i cross railroad tracks going to my GFs. the '00 used to 'skit' over them where as you don't really notice them too much w/ the '04. the '04 has a much more refined ride than my '00 did.
as far as recommending a 3rdGen, i totally would, but the power advantage the 4thGen alone is what made me buy a new one. the V8 is a wonderful engine. the 3rdGen is no slouch, but when you have XTerra's + Pathfinders, etc pushing 270hp, it kinda sucks that you've only got 182hp (stand to be corrected on that figure) especially if you have 4 adults in it.
i still wish i had my '00 though, i loved that thing to death
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Oh yeah,I'm not complaining about it's lack of horsepower but up in the mountains it could have a little more power so it doesn't fell like it's trying so hard maintaining 70 over mountain passes but around town it pulls to highway speed nicely and I doubt I'll ever charge it realistically since I'll probably buy a sports car for power.
And it's no 2nd gen Runner,those are slow even if they have only 30 less ponies.
And it's no 2nd gen Runner,those are slow even if they have only 30 less ponies.
