3rd gen vs 4th gen

[pat161]

Is the truck certified, or just used from the lot. The extra warranty is always nice, especially where the trannies on the 01 and 02 seem to be a little tender in the O/D gear. Either way I would say 14,500 is a good deal, prices vary according to where you live. Here in Central MA everything costs a little more. I paid 20k for my 02 Sport certified w/ the platinum bumper to bumper added w/ 54k in April 06.

 

[p nut]

i hope that is a way to disable it i bought it in hopes that there was lol.

me: does this mean i cant do donuts in the snow and goof around
dealer: basically
me: well that sucks.

Yup.

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1327.0

Now, go do some doughnuts in that dealer's parking lot.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The problem with the low sitting '01s is a quick spring swap away. Toyota wanted to make them saferr after the whole Ford Explorer rollover fallout in the late '90s.

 

[RoyB]

weaker trans and less clearance? i thought they were all the same? oh well, wont be doing much offroading.

 

[pat161]

I am not overly worried about the tranny in my 02, if it goes then it goes and I'll fix it. But it does seem like, if you search other yota sites, a much higer percentage of 01 and 02 trannies are breaking at around 100k or a bit more. Some, like my friends, have been heavily wheeled, while others seem to be pretty light duty useage. It seems to be the O/D gear stripping in most every case, same thing was happening w/ the Tundras, which used the same tranny matched up to the 4.7. Apparently Toyota fixed the problem on the Tundra in 03 or around then, and the 4th gen Runner has a different tranny that seems to be holding up well. Unfortunately Toyota decided not to do anything for people with the known problem in vehicle out of warranty. If mine goes I hope it goes before 100k so Toyota will have to replace it under warranty.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

It's less than an inch less clearance and no locker doesn't mean they have issues off road and the trannys are fine just be mindful of where you are off roading.

 

[Falls]

Roy ,

Both 3rd and 4th gens are very off roadable in stock form. The 3rd gen is said to be alot better although I never owned one to personally judge. I'm my 4th gen I go everywhere I want with it and never had a problem , I do have bigger tires which helps but it would do better with a good all terrain.

I think both trucks are built like little tanks (for todays standards) most suv's are geared only to the road only and have uni-body construction.

I would not worry about off roading in either , but like someone said , you always need to use your head and think things through and both will do fine.

What ever you get enjoy it ....

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The locker is nice when you are getting a rear wheel off the ground or you just get stuck trying to crawl and that has been the diff between me getting out on my own or needing a snatch from somebody. If you live in less of a mountainous area a locker isn't needed as often.

 

[Falls]

For some reason my local dealer always gets really nice 3rd gens , gets pretty tempting at times....lol

When did the 3rd gen rear locker go away ? or did they have them until 4th gen came out ?

I do agree that between the the 3rd & 4th it got a little more away from the off road crowd. It will be interesting to see how they do it with the 5th gen. Sometime I think they will need to keep it off roadable because Toyota does not have anything in the 4dr class to compete with Xterra , H3 , LR , Jeep Commander , Jeep GC , that all are off road capable and have easy access and 4dr's.
Unless they come out with a 4dr FJ , that the biggest bitch I heard from people with FJ's is room. The little suicide door really don't cut it for access.

Hopefully they will follow suit and follow the Tacoma lines as in the past , that has a real nice stance to it along with an aggressive look.

 

[GatorGreg]

When did the 3rd gen rear locker go away ? or did they have them until 4th gen came out ?

Last year for the rear locker was the '00 model year (also the last year for the 4 banger and 5spd stick)

 

[RoyB]

how expensive is the trans repair. im kinda hard on my vehicles sometimes.

i will be picking it up tonight. they got the tires and are putting them on (part of the deal). they wouldnt put the ones i wanted on, so i had to chose from their list (great). i was tired of arguing so i just said whatever.

they are putting on Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S. i dont know how great they are, but i guess i will find out.

 

[RoyB]

Yup.

http://www.ultimateyota.com/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=1327.0

Now, go do some doughnuts in that dealer's parking lot.

says topic is missing? i registered.


nm, found it via search.

 

[jsurf]

I liked my 4th gen. when it comes to engine power and comfort. Just put couple of bucks of cornfeds and some aggressive tires would be in the same league as 3rd gens as far as off-roading. But I really liked the 3rd gens better when it comes to the bodstyling and the stance, But end up getting a 97 Lexus lx 450(fzj80) aka Land cruiser Locked and loaded! I liked it a lot the build and the quality is like a tank, and tripple locked, full time 4wd. and it looks more like a 3rd gen t4r. peace!

 

[Thai]

One point that is often overlook is that the 4th gen comes with rear disc brakes. 3rd gen had rear drums. Disc brake is superior in off-roading than drums due to self-cleaning and reliability. Drums fill up with gunk and rust...thus, close maintenance (after ever off-roading trip) is a must.

jsurf...you got yourself a keeper there in the locked-LX470!!

 

[RoyB]

One point that is often overlook is that the 4th gen comes with rear disc brakes. 3rd gen had rear drums. Disc brake is superior in off-roading than drums due to self-cleaning and reliability. Drums fill up with gunk and rust...thus, close maintenance (after ever off-roading trip) is a must.

jsurf...you got yourself a keeper there in the locked-LX470!!

is a 4th gen brake swap possible?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Disc brakes would be awesome but I do my drum brake cleaning every 6 months and in 4 years of off roading I've never had any problems. I'd rather retrofit a 3rd gen with discs than fit a 4th gen with a rear locker.

Diff lock makes my trail runs alot easier compared to my friend's 3rd gens with no locker. 4th gens are better overall but 3rds have their charm and capabilities.

 

[Thai]

Remember, 4th gen has ATRAC while your friend's 3rd gen does not. In addition, if you fit ARB rear locker to 4th gen, then it will be more capable that your 3rd gen because it would have BOTH rear locker and ATRAC.

 

[RoyB]

well the power level is ok for me. i was worried at first but i think ill be alright.

hows the center dif thingie work? i just noticed it today. looks like it locks all wheels? does that mean it gives each wheel the same power? or does it only send equal power to front and rear, aka 1 wheel in the front and 1 in the back? or does it actually LOCK all wheels at the speed like a dif lock?

 

[Thai]

It's a center diff lock...equal power to front and rear. Since you have an '01, ATRAC controls power flow left and right on each axle.

Simplify:

- Center diff lock to control power flow front and rear

- ATRAC is equal to limited slip differential on front and rear axle

Thus, your 4runner has a center diff lock with pseudo-limited slip diffs front and rear.

 

[KokaneeRanger]

well i may just stick with a third gen then.

local dealer has 2 im interested in.

'99 SR5 with 80K for 10,900

'01 limited with 80K for 15K

i called and asked about the prices, he didnt want to deal over the phone. he said they wont take thousands off but will deal. guess i will see what they mean by that.

I used to be a salesman. That salesman made a bad mistake by saying thousands. Thousands mean: not 1 grand not 2 grand, but probably 3 or more grand, so if you talk right you can get atleast 2000 off 15k. So you are lookin at 1300. If you talk very good, prove your points, and are determined, You should get it for 12500.. I would go with the 01 but ive heard abt that sagging problem the 01s and 02s had... I am looking for a 3rd gen and through the research ive done SO FAR, i would choose a 2000 Limited.