3rd Gen vs 4th Gen - Pros/Cons
- Thread starter H20skier70
- Start date
Whiplash Willy
New member
3rd gen pro:
ECT PWR Button!!!
ECT PWR Button!!!
H20skier70
New member
I loved that button on my tacoma. But I like my V8 way more.3rd gen pro:
ECT PWR Button!!!
As a 4th gen owner, what's an ECT pwr button do?
Martinjmpr
New member
:
Martinjmpr
New member
I've owned both...
I had a '99 SR5, "tall coil" model, 3.4, Auto, with the E-locker for 3 years.
I currently own an '07 SR5 V6 and have had it for a year and a half (purchased in June of 2012.)
3rd gen pros:
* Factory suspension (if you get the tall coil model)
* Better off-road from the factory
* E locker
* Smaller footprint
* Fewer electronic doo-dads to screw up.
3rd gen cons:
* Noisy at highway speeds
* Lackluster power
* Poor MPG combined with undersized gas tank = unacceptably short range.
* 4 speed A340 auto sucks power, transmission dipstick is a SOB to get back in after removing it.
* Fuel gauge is notoriously bad (look on the 3rd gen forums)
* Drum rear brakes
4th gen pros:
* Significantly more powerful engine (even with the V6 and a V8 is available)
* Significantly larger gas tank + same MPG as 3rd gen or in some cases, better MPG = much longer range (> 400 miles in most cases.)
* 5 speed auto (all V8's, '05 -up V6's) is sealed, no dipstick, and is a much better transmission.
* Quieter, more comfortable interior
* Better brakes (4 wheel discs)
* Larger, more ability to carry/tow stuff.
* Multi-Mode 4wd on V6 4wd version (in 3rd gen this was only available from 99-2000 on Limited models but was on all 01-02 models. My '99 SR5 did not have multi mode.)
4th gen cons:
* More complex, more computerized crap to break (electronic 4wd control, electronic climate control, rear door ECU, VSC/TRAc, are all known failure points.)
* Lower suspension (though this can be fixed w/aftermarket parts)
* No E-locker except for '09 TE (but, again, the aftermarket offers a solution if you need one.)
I won't get into issues that are obvious (like the fact that 3rd gens are cheaper than 4th) or that are subjective (like looks) but for me the 4th gen was the clear winner.
I actually decided to go to a 4th gen after a long trip from Colorado to the West Coast in June of 2012 pulling our 1,000lb teardrop trailer. Even though the 3rd gen is supposed to be rated to pull (I think) 3,000lb, it struggled badly with our little teardrop and MPG dropped to around 11. Between the horrible gas mileage and the undersized tank, I ran out of gas in Oregon.
We've now taken a bunch of trips with the 4th gen and we both really like it. We love the room, the quiet ride, the power and the long range.
Things I'm not crazy about are the electronic 4wd controls (I would prefer a tried-and-true shifter knob on the floor) and the fancy climate control (which has been known to fail and it's an expensive fix. So far mine is fine - KNOCK WOOD!)
Hope that helps!
I had a '99 SR5, "tall coil" model, 3.4, Auto, with the E-locker for 3 years.
I currently own an '07 SR5 V6 and have had it for a year and a half (purchased in June of 2012.)
3rd gen pros:
* Factory suspension (if you get the tall coil model)
* Better off-road from the factory
* E locker
* Smaller footprint
* Fewer electronic doo-dads to screw up.
3rd gen cons:
* Noisy at highway speeds
* Lackluster power
* Poor MPG combined with undersized gas tank = unacceptably short range.
* 4 speed A340 auto sucks power, transmission dipstick is a SOB to get back in after removing it.
* Fuel gauge is notoriously bad (look on the 3rd gen forums)
* Drum rear brakes
4th gen pros:
* Significantly more powerful engine (even with the V6 and a V8 is available)
* Significantly larger gas tank + same MPG as 3rd gen or in some cases, better MPG = much longer range (> 400 miles in most cases.)
* 5 speed auto (all V8's, '05 -up V6's) is sealed, no dipstick, and is a much better transmission.
* Quieter, more comfortable interior
* Better brakes (4 wheel discs)
* Larger, more ability to carry/tow stuff.
* Multi-Mode 4wd on V6 4wd version (in 3rd gen this was only available from 99-2000 on Limited models but was on all 01-02 models. My '99 SR5 did not have multi mode.)
4th gen cons:
* More complex, more computerized crap to break (electronic 4wd control, electronic climate control, rear door ECU, VSC/TRAc, are all known failure points.)
* Lower suspension (though this can be fixed w/aftermarket parts)
* No E-locker except for '09 TE (but, again, the aftermarket offers a solution if you need one.)
I won't get into issues that are obvious (like the fact that 3rd gens are cheaper than 4th) or that are subjective (like looks) but for me the 4th gen was the clear winner.
I actually decided to go to a 4th gen after a long trip from Colorado to the West Coast in June of 2012 pulling our 1,000lb teardrop trailer. Even though the 3rd gen is supposed to be rated to pull (I think) 3,000lb, it struggled badly with our little teardrop and MPG dropped to around 11. Between the horrible gas mileage and the undersized tank, I ran out of gas in Oregon.
We've now taken a bunch of trips with the 4th gen and we both really like it. We love the room, the quiet ride, the power and the long range.
Things I'm not crazy about are the electronic 4wd controls (I would prefer a tried-and-true shifter knob on the floor) and the fancy climate control (which has been known to fail and it's an expensive fix. So far mine is fine - KNOCK WOOD!)
Hope that helps!
Snowy21
New member
Few odds and ends that haven't been mentioned...
4th gen:
MUCH better cv's
Weak diff clamshell
Relatively under axled for it's given weight and power
3rd gen:
Cheap
Lighter
Smaller
Oh and did I mention cheap?
I may have different priorities than most on here though. I like the electrical simplicity of 3rd gen powertrain and how cheaply spares can be had for just about anything in case of a flop, etc
4th gen:
MUCH better cv's
Weak diff clamshell
Relatively under axled for it's given weight and power
3rd gen:
Cheap
Lighter
Smaller
Oh and did I mention cheap?
I may have different priorities than most on here though. I like the electrical simplicity of 3rd gen powertrain and how cheaply spares can be had for just about anything in case of a flop, etc
I saw everyone said that the 4th gen has more room, but from what perspective ? If you're sitting in the drivers seat of the fourth gen does it feel like you have more room to move around, than the third gen? I'm asking because I test drove a 2000 4runner today and it felt like I was in a sardine can. My left arm was pressed against the drivers door and my head was hitting the roof. I have always bought full size vehicles with plenty of room, so it felt small. I'd like to go with a 4 runner this time but not sure which one to go with yet.
H20skier70
New member
The 4th gen for sure has more room. I had an 01 quad cab tacoma (pretty much the same as the 3rd gen interior) and my 03 4runner is very comfortable. The power of my V8 is way better to!
Thanks, I'll see if there's a 4th gen close and take it for a test drive.
Veloracermike
New member
This has been a helpful thread, I just bought a 2nd gen for my daughter now I'm hooked...looking at prices here a solid 3rd gen is about the same price as a 04-07 4th gen. Torn cause I like the looks of the 3rd but the creature comforts and performance of the 4th....
Ida4runner
New member
After having a 2nd,3rd and now a 4th gen I will happily keep my V8 4th and not look back,while the looks of each are subjective you can't deny gens 1-3 are lacking in power,drivetrains on all gens are pretty bombproof.
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T4R2014
Elite Member
It's a good time to buy a 4th gen. The 5th gen has overshadowed them in being the modern 4Runner, and the 3rd gen has started becoming a niche used vehicle. As of right now, the 4th gen is just regular used car status. As a result they can often be had cheaper than some 3rd gens. Hard to beat deals on 4th gens right now.
atalarico
Senior Member
I had a 3rd for 8 (?) years that I loved, but this V8 04 I've had for the past year has been a great improvement in a lot of ways. I still find myself ogling nice lifted 3rd gens here (of which Colorado has a ton) but in terms of driving...I really like driving the 4th.
I guess it all depends on what you're going to do with it. Keep it stock, lift it, lift it AND wheel it, etc.
Veloracermike
New member
Yeah here in SoCal the 3rd gens are getting to about the same price (V8's are still more) but the V6s are pretty comparable in price.
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