An argument for the 2nd gen 4Runner
Assuming this thread is referring to fully stock vehicles...
When I threw a Supercharged, 7th injected JDM 3.4, with a new A340f and gear-driven T-case into my 2nd gen, I was doing 0-60mph in about 6.5 seconds. I never had the chance to throw a locker in it, as some stupid woman rear ended me and totaled my truck 2 days after I finished the conversion (still feeling extremely butt hurt about it) but I'll say that with some basic modifications, the 2nd gen body is indeed a better "bush truck", as somebody mentioned earlier.
All in all, it's a relatively silly debate, because yes, the 3rd gen is a "better truck" overall (primarily because of the 3.4). Also, the 1st gens are more "legendary", as they trike that strong emotional collector's cord in so many people, and yes, they are nimble as hell. Although they lack insulation and sound proofing, are prone to leaking around the removable top, and they're cold as hell to sleep in if you're in the mountains.
So if the First Gen is more Legendary, and the Third gen is overall just better, where does that leave our sad and neglected Second Gen 4Runners? My opinion would be simply this: They are ICONIC.
The 2nd generation 4Runner is the foundation by which all current 4Runners now exist.
Despite the relatively pathetic performance, and lackluster reliability of the 3VZ-E, keep in mind that those engines were revolutionary for their time. Electronic fuel injection was still getting refined, and Toyota was on the cutting edge. Toyota learned a ton with that engine design, and it's electronic control system was fundamentally copied by other manufacturers, such as Nissan for the late 90's Pathfinders.
Personally, I was born in the 80's and was a kid in the 90's, and so the 2nd gen Toyota 4x4's left a huge imprint on me. I'll always have a fetish for that specific design of truck... It just has a certain "feel". To me, the 3rd gens just feel fundamentally too civilized, squishy and plush. And yet the 1st gens don't have enough creature comforts... I feel that the 2nd gen 4Runner (when it's in good shape) has a ton to offer in terms of user interface, but it still has a fundamentally "rugged" mountain truck feel to it. It's also a TREMENDOUS platform to build on. Even with the stock IFS, add a rear locker, and you'll basically go anywhere. Then spend a bit more money and add a Supercharged 5VZ-FE, and you're basically driving a vintage collectors item that has as much power and torque, and raw acceleration as any modern day SUV.
As soon as I can, I'd like to rebuild my project... Here's hoping the damn woman's insurance plays ball!
Assuming this thread is referring to fully stock vehicles...
When I threw a Supercharged, 7th injected JDM 3.4, with a new A340f and gear-driven T-case into my 2nd gen, I was doing 0-60mph in about 6.5 seconds. I never had the chance to throw a locker in it, as some stupid woman rear ended me and totaled my truck 2 days after I finished the conversion (still feeling extremely butt hurt about it) but I'll say that with some basic modifications, the 2nd gen body is indeed a better "bush truck", as somebody mentioned earlier.
All in all, it's a relatively silly debate, because yes, the 3rd gen is a "better truck" overall (primarily because of the 3.4). Also, the 1st gens are more "legendary", as they trike that strong emotional collector's cord in so many people, and yes, they are nimble as hell. Although they lack insulation and sound proofing, are prone to leaking around the removable top, and they're cold as hell to sleep in if you're in the mountains.
So if the First Gen is more Legendary, and the Third gen is overall just better, where does that leave our sad and neglected Second Gen 4Runners? My opinion would be simply this: They are ICONIC.
The 2nd generation 4Runner is the foundation by which all current 4Runners now exist.
Despite the relatively pathetic performance, and lackluster reliability of the 3VZ-E, keep in mind that those engines were revolutionary for their time. Electronic fuel injection was still getting refined, and Toyota was on the cutting edge. Toyota learned a ton with that engine design, and it's electronic control system was fundamentally copied by other manufacturers, such as Nissan for the late 90's Pathfinders.
Personally, I was born in the 80's and was a kid in the 90's, and so the 2nd gen Toyota 4x4's left a huge imprint on me. I'll always have a fetish for that specific design of truck... It just has a certain "feel". To me, the 3rd gens just feel fundamentally too civilized, squishy and plush. And yet the 1st gens don't have enough creature comforts... I feel that the 2nd gen 4Runner (when it's in good shape) has a ton to offer in terms of user interface, but it still has a fundamentally "rugged" mountain truck feel to it. It's also a TREMENDOUS platform to build on. Even with the stock IFS, add a rear locker, and you'll basically go anywhere. Then spend a bit more money and add a Supercharged 5VZ-FE, and you're basically driving a vintage collectors item that has as much power and torque, and raw acceleration as any modern day SUV.
As soon as I can, I'd like to rebuild my project... Here's hoping the damn woman's insurance plays ball!
