3rd gen vs 4th gen owners review

[3gsdad]

I wanted to post this to help people decide which 4runner to buy. I know this is kind of beaten to death but thought I would share my 2 cents being I Currently own both.

My 4runners-

1998 limited 4x4 E-locked on 265/75/16's, only mod is the deck plate mod. In excellent condition, with 250K on the clock.
This is my weekend/ beach/ offroad/ date night truck.

2003 Sport edition, 4x4 ATRAC XREAS with Leather and a few other bells and whistles. Running stock 265/65R17's. 200K on the clock, No mods.
This is my daily driver. I have a 45 min commute each way.

After owning both for a few years here are my thoughts, Disclaimer: These are just my opinions, please don't be a hater.

*The 98 feels tighter and put together better. There is less plastic than the 03 and less electrical stuff like the super annoying VSC I cant turn off. The dash board of my 98 looks like it did when it left japan, the dash on my 03 looks like the dash of a dodge, it is cracked all over

*The 98 has had very few repairs needed.

* The 03 has had to have brake calipers replaced at 150K and the cat replaced at 155K. both were pricey. Seems like these are common problems for the 4th gen.

*The 03 has a smoother ride and is roomier, it's interior feels a little more ergonomic and fits my 6'1" frame more comfortably. The 03 is bigger in every way by a few inches except the distance from the tailgate to the back seat.

* The 98 has plenty of bells and whistles and they all still work perfectly after 17 years. The 03 has a few more extra goodies than the 98 that I like. For example just turn the key for a split second and let it go and it cranks its self. The center console flips down giving you a perfect place for a laptop, and there is a secret little glove box inside the glove box.

*98 MPG averages 16 to 17
*03 MPG averages 17 to 18

* the 03 is way faster. and cruises better at 80 MPH.

OFF ROAD
* This is were the 98 shines. First off its has about 2 inches more ground clearance stock than the 03. I did not realize how low the 03 was until I crawled under there to change my oil. Its a tight fit.
* The 98 has good old 4 wheel drive with a locker, and it works very well. Out of all my Tacoma's, my Tundra, My Frontier, and the 03 it is the best off roader I have driven.
* The 03 is pretty good off road. It has all wheel drive and 4 wheel drive. I dont like that to get to true 4H you have to turn a knob, wait... then push a button and wait again to get to 4H. In the 98 you hit a button and it locks into 4H right away.

*ATRAC vs the E-locker.

ATRAC works by applying the brakes to a wheel that is slipping, slowing down your forward momentum. It works pretty good, but going up a slippery hill or in the mud the 03 reminds me of a stuttering kid, ta,ta,ta,ta, today junior! :biggrin1:

With the E-Locker you have both rear tires turning no mater what and one of the front tires turning. The same hill climb goes much smother with no stuttering.

Questons

Which would I rather drive daily or use for long road trips? A. 03
Which one Do I think will cost less to own? A. 98
Which one will end up in a junk yard sooner? A. 03
Which is better off road? A. 98
Which would I use to build a serious off road/overland rig? A. 98
Which one is safer for the family? A. 03
Which one will hold its value better? A. 98

Hope this helps someone out there looking to make a purchase.

 

[absalom]

Killer post. I've always believed that the even numbered generations of 4runners were pretty abysmal, while the odd numbered gens are instant classics.

 

[T4R2014]

Nice analysis, though this might not be as popular in the 4th gen forum. I always felt that the 4th gens and above always felt more "American" than whatever came before it. Not to say that I don't like them since I would definitely consider one with a V8, but the older 4Runners have that foreign truck feel that the others don't have.

On a side note, I always thought the 2nd gen never got the credit it deserved. It is the 4Runner that established the setup every 4Runner that came after it - 4 doors. It is a solid truck. IMO, the 3VZ isn't even a bad engine if you maintain the cooling system. The 22RE has way more overall annoyances by comparison. I'll take doing head gaskets every 150k(if it does blow) over that gutless and clattery 4-popper.

 

[Unner]

The 4th gen is more like a car, and the 3rd gen is more like a truck. That's the best and simplest way I can think to explain it.

 

[3gsdad]

Unner, you hit the nail on the head!

 

[GSPRunner]

I prefer the 3rd gen over the 4th gen, but if you're going to sit there and call the 4th gen a car, you're a dipshit.

 

[tS_kStin]

That was great! Thanks! I do find it interesting that the ODD numbered gens (1,3,5) seem "better" IMO. Where as the evens (2,4) seem just off a bit. The 2nd had that 3.slow :mad2: had one a while ago and once that thing went so did the runner from the family. Then the 4th also seems odd where it just does not have the Offroadyness look and feel that the other gens had. Do doubt it is a great truck none the less but I prefer the odd numbered gens much more.

 

[Brilliant]

I prefer the 3rd gen over the 4th gen, but if you're going to sit there and call the 4th gen a car, you're a dipshit.

I think that was meant in terms of ride quality and driver feel.

 

[SoSoJeff]

to me the 4th gen is more comfortable as a daily or even on a long road trip... but I've always liked the simplicity and solid build/reliability

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

No offensive posts - I don't want to break out the ban hammer.

Thanks.

 

[Chuckles89]

Great analysis! I had a good comparison today where I was driving my truck and then I got in my dad's '04. Mine feels like a small Japanese truck that rides like a truck and fits me like a glove (skinny guy and 5'9"). His 4th gen, on the other hand, is huge, rides really smooth, has lots of power, and doesn't fit a small guy like me. His seats are terrible compared to mine. His dash is cracking and mine is fine. Mine rides rough, his is smooth. I have more ground clearance (same diameter tires) with mine on stock coils and his with an OME lift. The 3rd gen is waaaaay more simpler and easy to work on (except the oil filter lol). I get 18 MPG city and he gets 16-17 combined. His also has sooooo many body rattles and squeaks while mine has none. Mine just has worn out bushings on the rear end haha. If I would have to chose one, I would definitely go with 3rd gen!

 

[StreetCreeper]

Great analysis! I had a good comparison today where I was driving my truck and then I got in my dad's '04. Mine feels like a small Japanese truck that rides like a truck and fits me like a glove (skinny guy and 5'9"). His 4th gen, on the other hand, is huge, rides really smooth, has lots of power, and doesn't fit a small guy like me. His seats are terrible compared to mine. His dash is cracking and mine is fine. Mine rides rough, his is smooth. I have more ground clearance (same diameter tires) with mine on stock coils and his with an OME lift. The 3rd gen is waaaaay more simpler and easy to work on (except the oil filter lol). I get 18 MPG city and he gets 16-17 combined. His also has sooooo many body rattles and squeaks while mine has none. Mine just has worn out bushings on the rear end haha. If I would have to chose one, I would definitely go with 3rd gen!

3rd gens are not just comfy for skinny guys though. My 97 is a pleasure to drive and I'm 6' 320lbs. You might think that a small Japanese truck and a big beefer like me would be at odds—but no.

When I first got the truck, I mentally pictured me opening the door to get out and it looked (in my mind) like when you crack open a tube of pilsbury buiscuts and there is a pop, along with dough oozing out the cracks....but that just isn't the case.

3rd gens are certified fatboy friendly.

 

[AZBub]

When I first got the truck, I mentally pictured me opening the door to get out and it looked (in my mind) like when you crack open a tube of pilsbury buiscuts and there is a pop, along with dough oozing out the cracks....but that just isn't the case.

3rd gens are certified fatboy friendly.

THAT is hilarious!!! But true.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

You should get your dash replaced, it is a new extended warranty. My dad has an 03' and got a notice about if he has cracks they can replace it for free at the dealer.

 

[UnderFire]

My main problem with the 4th gen 4Runner, 2nd gen Tacoma and FJ Cruiser is the interior, it just feels incredibly cheap, the plastics they used in all 3 are the same really junky stuff that scratches way too easily. It feels like the same stuff Dodges were full of in the early 90's.

Other than that they're ok quality wise, the chassis is basically the same as their predecessors with some slight alterations here and there, they're still really easy to work on compared to other cars from the same era, and they still are somewhat tight and responsive to drive.

That said, I would never own that generation of Toyota, the Automatic transmissions and American feeling interior are enough to turn me off of them completely.

 

[UnderFire]

And too many people talk crap about the 2nd gen, the 3.0 was literally the only thing wrong with the entire thing. Toyota's build quality was crazy good in the early to mid 90's, and they were well ahead of their time with the 2nd gen's design. The interiors hold up amazingly well, the worst I've seen is worn out seats, and the paint is usually still good too, I'd be willing to bet that if the 2nd gen was built with the 3.4 instead of the 3.0 everyone's opinion would be good, At this point, most 25 year old SUV's from the early 90's are complete junk (i.e: S10 Blazers and Exploders).

 

[wc11]

Quality issues aside, I think that with the 4th Gen, Japan began to "Hummer"ize the styling with all the weird angles and sharper edges. The 5th Gen clearly shows it.
I personally like the more rounded, flowy lines of the 3rd.

But the 3rd & 4th Gens are the last before upsizing.
They're just too big for me now.

 

[Unner]

I prefer the 3rd gen over the 4th gen, but if you're going to sit there and call the 4th gen a car, you're a dipshit.

Never called it a car... It rides better, handles better, brakes better, is quieter, and is much faster. All things that cars typically do better than trucks.

I think that was meant in terms of ride quality and driver feel.

This is exactly what I was saying.

You should get your dash replaced, it is a new extended warranty. My dad has an 03' and got a notice about if he has cracks they can replace it for free at the dealer.

Yup, but there is a certain time period limit on it so I would recomend getting it checked out ASAP. I know my mom got the notice for hers a few months ago and I noticed cracks in her dash last time I was in it. Her's is an 05.

My main problem with the 4th gen 4Runner, 2nd gen Tacoma and FJ Cruiser is the interior, it just feels incredibly cheap, the plastics they used in all 3 are the same really junky stuff that scratches way too easily. It feels like the same stuff Dodges were full of in the early 90's.

Other than that they're ok quality wise, the chassis is basically the same as their predecessors with some slight alterations here and there, they're still really easy to work on compared to other cars from the same era, and they still are somewhat tight and responsive to drive.

That said, I would never own that generation of Toyota, the Automatic transmissions and American feeling interior are enough to turn me off of them completely.

Yeah they're still extremely solid mechanically. I do know what you mean about the interiors though. The carpet they put in the second gen Tacoma feels super cheap too. I guess whatever they have to do though to save a little money when making them.

 

[smallfry]

My main problem with the 4th gen 4Runner, 2nd gen Tacoma and FJ Cruiser is the interior, it just feels incredibly cheap, the plastics they used in all 3 are the same really junky stuff that scratches way too easily. It feels like the same stuff Dodges were full of in the early 90's.

I betcha the 5th gen is worse than the 4th gen.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

I betcha the 5th gen is worse than the 4th gen.

I disagree. The biggest complaint I have about the 4th is the climate control. Unintuative, pain to make it do what you want. The seats are much more uncomfortable than my 3rd gen and my 5th. I love my 5th and 3rd. I would have a hard time buying a 4th gen. The overall fit and finish on my 5th gen is much, much better than the 4th.