3rd gen vs 4th gen

[durrell]

I said the wrong thing. It obviously has the same pedigree.

It doesn't have the rugged look. That's it. That's the only thing I don't like about the 4th gen. The end. Lol.

 

[Thai]

Yeah and you can see why I got multi mode, its just how I feel about it , no way on the vsc and trac for me , I was even worried about my push button 4wd on mine I prefer.a lever , where you can manually shift the case from the case it's self , like the old chain driven jeep ones np 242 or 231 style,

Again personal preference on that and I could be out dated in that view but hey , its how I feel about it you know .

What you're talking about is a part-time 4wd system. In fact, in 1999, i believe that you could have gotten the part-time 4wd system IF you had chosen a non-Limited 4runner (SR5 for example). So, in essence, when you bought your 1999 4runner Limited, you knowingly went against what you have written in these posts because you could have easily picked a Highlander or SR5 model with the "back to basic" part-time 4wd system. (After 1999, all 4wd system on 3rd gen 4runners became multi-mode.)

If you have the multi-mode 4wd system, then it is not much different than a 4th gen V6 4wd system. (The only major difference is that the 4th gen V6 Multi-mode system can vary torque distribution for better on-road performance instead of the traditional 50/50 split seen on 3rd gen Multi-mode system.) So, if a few 4th gen owners got the Atlas TC because it was simpler (i highly doubt that this was the reason!), then this should equally apply to any 3rd gen 4runner owner from 1999 to 2002 because both systems are equally complex.

In fact, one could argue that a 4th gen V8 4wd system is "simpler" than your 1999 multi-mode system because it does not have 2wd mode.

I know that you know, but just for clarification for others, VSC and ATRAC has very little to do with the actual transfer case. Both systems work thru the existing ABS system with minimal extra equipment...thus, reliability and durability has NEVER been an issue with these well-proven systems.

 

[daPitbull]

Most people who offroad tend to do the basic mods, ie lift and bigger tires. That being said, once a 3rd and 4th gen runner is liffted, the 3rd gens one possible advantage is a moot point. I realize we're talking out of the box, but my point is that you won't be wheeling an out of the box rig for long.

And yeah, my wife drives the rig, she's a mom too, but our boy is too young to play soccer.

 

[THEROK]

Pedigree?? Maybe i misunderstood the definition of such. If we're talking about a Kia Sportage vs. a 4runner, then i can see you say that the 4runner has the off-road pedigree from 4runner generations of body-on-frame SUVs with off-road capability. Or say a comparison b/w a BMW M3 vs. Lexus ISF, where the M3 has pedigree vs. ISF being new to market.

But, what we're talking about here is comparing 4runners b/w 3rd generation and 4th generation (and 5th gen). You can't claim that the 3rd gen (or 5th gen) has pedigree over the 4th gen because they are 4runners afterall...with very similar basic design (solid rear axle, body-on-frame, midsize, etc.). Now, if the 4th gen had a minivan unibody and independent suspension, then yeah, i kinda see your point.

Yeah, i just don't get the pedigree thingy....

pedigree? what? are we dealing with multi million dollar race horses here? LOLOLOLOLOLOL

this ain't even the land cruiser and we're splittin hairs about pedigree? c'mon guys.

thai, your efforts are being wasted here. you're the pro. let the amateurs just think what they think.

 

[Thai]

Just an update...i found the 2003 4runner pdf and here is what is said about frame size and why the 4th gen is lower at the nose:

VI. CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
A. All new chassis design
1. Full-length boxed section frame rails
a. cross section= 6.3" X 3.3" (160 X 85 mm)
b. previous: 5.5" X 3" (140 X 80 mm)
c. large diameter body-mounts
1) increase Torsional rigidity of entire vehicle
2) improve cabin isolation from road & drivetrain
vibration
2. 9 fully-welded crossmembers
a. new front & rear crossmembers
b. previous: 8
3. ft bumper box-beam cross member mounted low, between
frame rails:
a. to prevent under-ride of vehicle in front during a collision
b. reduced injury to pedestrians through contact with
‘softer’ sheet-metal and plastic grille.


So, i am not sure i agree with the 3rd gen being more "stout." And the reason why the nose of the 4th gen is lower is NOT because toyota wanted to make it more minivan-like (as some here suggested), but because for safety reasons. (And this is true for all modern SUVs.)

 

[DocMT]

Just an update...i found the 2003 4runner pdf and here is what is said about frame size and why the 4th gen is lower at the nose:

VI. CHASSIS & SUSPENSION
A. All new chassis design
1. Full-length boxed section frame rails
a. cross section= 6.3" X 3.3" (160 X 85 mm)
b. previous: 5.5" X 3" (140 X 80 mm)
c. large diameter body-mounts
1) increase Torsional rigidity of entire vehicle
2) improve cabin isolation from road & drivetrain
vibration
2. 9 fully-welded crossmembers
a. new front & rear crossmembers
b. previous: 8
3. ft bumper box-beam cross member mounted low, between
frame rails:
a. to prevent under-ride of vehicle in front during a collision
b. reduced injury to pedestrians through contact with
‘softer’ sheet-metal and plastic grille.


So, i am not sure i agree with the 3rd gen being more "stout." And the reason why the nose of the 4th gen is lower is NOT because toyota wanted to make it more minivan-like (as some here suggested), but because for safety reasons. (And this is true for all modern SUVs.)

Good info. So it seems the 4th gen frame is indeed built stronger than the 3rd gen. This would have been good info for me to use in my other thread about attaching a rear mounted snow plow to the 4Runner. I tried to explain to some of those guys that the 4Runner isn't built on a sissy frame and that it is more than capable of handling a pull plow, but they still questioned whether or not it was really capable.

 

[Spider]

Lots of good info in this thread. I read it quickly and I did not see whether or not the 4th gen eliminated the pink milkshake issue. In the 3rd gen, the trans cooler is in the bottom section of the radiator and corrodes over time/use (about 100k miles) and leaks internally, mixing the coolant with the trans fluid. Is the design the same in the 4th gen?
Thanks.

 

[Maritimer]

I've been keeping an eye on looks these days, and I'm starting to like the look of the 4th generations, even though I didn't like them much a while ago.

One thing I hate about 4th a 5ths, though, is that they are bigger and wider, especially the 5th (it's got hips). The need to make vehicles bigger and fatter is unnecessary IMO. Even compare a new Tundra to an old one, or especially a new F-150 to an old one. I like the 3rd's wide wheel stance and narrow body. It looks hot.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I personally like all 3 for different reasons. The 5th Gen has grown on me with its boxy, angular look that mixes a little modern curves in (always loved HUMVEEs and that sort of boxy utilitarian style), but the interior is the thing that turns me off about the 5th... horribly designed IMO. The 3rd gen is nice looking, and when they get built up as crawlers or trailblazers they look downright at home in the wild. But they still show their age in styling and decor. Also the 3rd gens seem too cramped to me, I like the roomier feeling I have in the 4th gen. I love the 4th gen's decieving styling, it reminds one of a more humble soccer mom transport, but these things handle pretty damn good offroad and can hold up pretty well. Plus after you start stacking on bumpers, sliders, and tire carriers they start looking really mean.

 

[mckbrew]

I like my 4th generation, but as I see the 5th generations out and about I really enjoy the way they look too. If I won the lottery, I'd probably have one in a heartbeat.

The one thing I don't like about my 4th gen, is that with the seat all the way down I still feel like I'm missing out on some headroom. Also sits a lot more like a car than a truck, not sure if they corrected that in the 5th generation.

The 4th generation looks a bit rounded in stock form but a heck of a lot better with some new bumpers, a lift, and tires.

 

[MrEMan]

Isn't it funny how much we subconsciously allow the visual aesthetics to influence our opinion regarding off-road performance? As a current owner of both a 3rd and 4th Gen, I can vouch for the off-road capability of each, especially after suspension and tire upgrades. But to be honest, I'll be skipping the 5th Gen ... I'm certain that it's a capable vehicle, but I for one don't care for that look.

 

[tv4184]

I've been toying with getting a 4th gen to replace my daily driver accord. I just can't justify having two suv's in the fleet. But a v8 4th gen would make a lovely tow car for my rx7. I'd replace my 3rd gen but I am sentimentally attached to it plus I do like the looks of it more so than the 4th gen. I also have a hilux tailgate and sport flares to install... Damnit I want the v8 so much haha...