3rd Going to 4th..

[mharding]

I have an '01 limited and I am pretty sure I will be moving to a 4th gen for a newer vehicle, a better looking vehicle (don't tell 3rd gen) and a better after market.

I have a few questions for 4th gen owners. What trim level do people like the most? What is up with the transmission? Is it all time 4WD with on the fly 4Lo? Are they just as capable off road as other generations?

Issues with after market lifts and the X-REAS suspension? Anything else a newbie to 4th gen needs to know?

My preliminary research has so far led me to an '06 SE.

Thanks guys, sorry for the long post but I hope to be moving to the 4th gen forum and adding to the great discussions here in a few months!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have an '01 limited and I am pretty sure I will be moving to a 4th gen for a newer vehicle, a better looking vehicle (don't tell 3rd gen) and a better after market.

I have a few questions for 4th gen owners. What trim level do people like the most? What is up with the transmission? Is it all time 4WD with on the fly 4Lo? Are they just as capable off road as other generations? V8's are fulltime 4wd. V6's have a 2wd mode. All can be driven on dry pavement in 4hi (or 4lo for that matter). There's no 'on-the-fly' aspect to the high to low range and back. It must be done stopped in 'N'. On the V6 models 2hi to 4hi is an 'on-the-fly' operation. On all the center diff lock/unlock is an on-the-fly operation. Off-road capable: The 4th gen needs a little lift to match the 3rd gens clearance but yes, it's equally or more capable once the clearance issue is resolved. Is is as good as a locker equipped 3rd? Well if you get an '09 TE or equip with a locker then yes. Comparing two 'unlocked' units the 4th might have an edge as the ATRAC works pretty well and really gives limited-slip like performance front & rear.

Issues with after market lifts and the X-REAS suspension? Most dump XREAS. It removes easily. The only 'bad thing' is at removal you have to install 4 new non-XREAS shocks. You can't do the fronts and then 2 weeks later do the rear shocks. Anything else a newbie to 4th gen needs to know? V8's have a 90k timing belt. V6's have a no-service required timing chain. Make sure you test all the 4wd modes. The t-cases work unbeliviably well, the Torsen center diff is super sweet but the actuators sometimes bind up if never used. It's very expensive to fix due to labor. If it works and you cycle modes monthly you'll not have an issue...

My preliminary research has so far led me to an '06 SE.

Thanks guys, sorry for the long post but I hope to be moving to the 4th gen forum and adding to the great discussions here in a few months!

:cheers:

 

[macoyle]

Pretty much summed it up on the above post the 05 and newer v6 have a 5 speed trans

 

[Vantage85]

Coming from a 96-02 Tacoma and a 3rd runner the 4th is in a new league. Even my base model v8 is so much more refined than the older gens.

Any model you pick will blow you expectations away, I know it did for me.

 

[mharding]

CJ - Wow thanks for all the awesome info, as far as factory locking is concerned I believe I read the SE came with an E-locker, is that correct? I will be installing the Toytec 3" Ultimate Lift so my x-reas and off road worries are now kaput. Thanks!

Venom - Appreciate the input, pretty sure I'm going with the V6

Vantage - Hell yeah, thats what I like to hear.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

...as far as factory locking is concerned I believe I read the SE came with an E-locker, is that correct?

No... Many, on a quick glance of the 4th gen, mis-interpret the switch labeled diff lock as a rear locking differential. It is not. That switch controls the center differential (the one in the t-case). By using that switch you go from a 'full-time', ok for dry pavement, 4wd mode to a 4wd mode just like a traditional part-time 4wd. In other words when locked 50% to the front axle, 50% to the rear and NO DRY PAVEMENT OPS. When the diff is unlocked you get to enjoy a full-time 4wd mode (high or low range) which works great in patchy snow, rain, hard packed dirt road and even dry pavement.

The '09 Trail was the only 4th gen to be equipped with a rear locking diff.
:cheers:

 

[mharding]

No... Many, on a quick glance of the 4th gen, mis-interpret the switch labeled diff lock as a rear locking differential...

Ha, add me to that list! Thanks so much for all the help, I really appreciate it. Saw you are in Atlanta. What part? Maybe we could get a group to hit URE?

 

[Hawkdog21]

I believe the only thing you will miss about your 3rd gen will be the locker mechanically. The 3rd gen has great styling and will go down in the history books for toyota, but there is no denying that the 4th gen is superior in many ways. You will be very happy with the bump up and I think all thats left to worry about is what color are you gonna get?!?

 

[Nuke]

I went from a '90 2nd gen to a '00 3rd gen to an '08 4th gen. Each one was a step up in refinement over the previous gen.

As much as I love the look and functionality of my 4th gen, I still prefer the 3rd gen outside styling. But the 4th gen look has grown on me considerably.

My biggest complaint about the 4th gen is engaging 4WD. In the 2nd and 3rd gens, it was a manual yank on a lever and you were in 4WD. With the 4th gen, turn the knob and wait to die if you need 4WD to engage IMMEDIATELY. I've had it take over 10-15 seconds to engage, even with monthly exercising. :rockthrow:

 

[Ryco4R]

i came from a 3rd gen sr5 to a 4th gen v8 SE. my god, what an upgrade!

 

[mharding]

You will be very happy with the bump up and I think all thats left to worry about is what color are you gonna get?!

- It won't be until April :nono: but so far I'm loving the Galactic Grey

I've had it take over 10-15 seconds to engage, even with monthly exercising. :rockthrow:

- I was worried about that, that and the locker will be the only things I'll miss. I actually prefer the 4th gen styling.

i came from a 3rd gen sr5 to a 4th gen v8 SE. my god, what an upgrade!

- Awesome I can't wait!

 

[progress4m]

I went from a '90 2nd gen to a '00 3rd gen to an '08 4th gen. Each one was a step up in refinement over the previous gen....

X2!. I did the same thing with deferent year models. IMHO 4-th gen had the biggest step towards power, comfort and refinement. (Unfortunately you can’t say the same about 5-th gen).

To the original poster: I would recommend staying away from X-reas model, other than that just get one that fits your needs and your budget.
Good luck!

 

[mharding]

To the original poster: I would recommend staying away from X-reas model, other than that just get one that fits your needs and your budget.
Good luck!

Why stay away from x-reas? Also I was under the impression all the SE's came with x-reas is this not the case?

Thanks

 

[progress4m]

Why stay away from x-reas? Also I was under the impression all the SE's came with x-reas is this not the case?

Thanks

Here are the reasons I have said that:

1) X-reas are prone to leak; I have seeing posts here when trucks was only 2-3 years old and leaking.
2) Many forum members replaced x-reas with aftermarket shocks and that resulted in better ride quality than with x-reas.
3) X-reas will limit your choice of lift, in case you decide to have one install.


I am not 100% sure, but I believe that you are correct all SE comes with x-reas.


When I was thinking about going from 3-rd gen to 4-th X-reas looked great to me as well… until I started doing some research and finding all headaches some owners had with it…

On the positive side, if you get a truck with x-reas and it will start giving you problems you can always remove it and replace it with regular shocks.

My $.02

 

[MikesToy]

Here are the reasons I have said that:

1) X-reas are prone to leak; I have seeing posts here when trucks was only 2-3 years old and leaking.
2) Many forum members replaced x-reas with aftermarket shocks and that resulted in better ride quality than with x-reas.
3) X-reas will limit your choice of lift, in case you decide to have one install.


I am not 100% sure, but I believe that you are correct all SE comes with x-reas.


When I was thinking about going from 3-rd gen to 4-th X-reas looked great to me as well… until I started doing some research and finding all headaches some owners had with it…

On the positive side, if you get a truck with x-reas and it will start giving you problems you can always remove it and replace it with regular shocks.

My $.02

I have an '03 and my X-REAS still works like a champ (considering i baby my $34K 4Runner). So for those in here who had their X-REAS leaking within 3-4yrs or so, it's upto the driver. And for those who replaced their X-REAS, (from what posts i've read) wanted 1.5+ lift for off-roading. Should my X-REAS break in the future, yes i'd replace mine with aftermarket shocks b/c it's cheaper. I love my X-REAS especially cornering @ 40mph w/o rolling over my 4R.

 

[mharding]

I will definitely be installing a lift so my only concern is after market options. I am pretty set on the Toytec Ultimate Lift and I am pretty sure that is a direct replacement whether it has x-reas or not. I am also pretty set on an SE.

I will be careful when choosing my truck to make sure the x-reas are functioning properly and not leaking.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I will definitely be installing a lift so my only concern is after market options. I am pretty set on the Toytec Ultimate Lift and I am pretty sure that is a direct replacement whether it has x-reas or not. You're correct, the "Ultimate" will fit either an XREAS equipped model or a non-XREAS model. I am also pretty set on an SE.

I will be careful when choosing my truck to make sure the x-reas are functioning properly and not leaking. Why? What's your timeline on the lift? If you plan on lifting within 30-60days buy the "best 4Runner" without regard for a minor XREAS leak IMHO. As an example: If it were me and I was 'bent' on new tires very shortly after vehicle purchase tire condition wouldn't weigh into my purchase decision at all. If the tires were good enough to get me to the tire store and the rest of the vehicle was great I'd buy it. That's how I see your suspension dilemma.

:cheers:

 

[peter78]

Having both generations and drving them daily, I would say the 3rd gen has it's strong points. Both my wife and my son prefer the 2001 4Runner over the 2004 4Runner. The 2004 is my daily driver and I prefer it over the 2001, but the 2001 is a very nice vehicle.

To me the biggest difference is much better seats, better more controled ride and more power. I keep records of gas mileage and my 04 gets slightly better gas mileage by about 2/3 of a mile better. Admittly it is not much, but it does get better gas mileage.

 

[08medic4x4]

08-09

in my opinion, i'd go 08-09 v6 4wd at whatever trim level you want, I went with an Sr5, i put leather in for 300 (katzkin) the rest wasn't important to me, I took running boards off so I didn't need the sport, initally didn't want scoop or spoiler, but in the future if I do, i can find them aftermarket, swapping out the newer 4wd set up, not so easy. I think the many configurations of the 08-09 v6 4wd's sells itself. good luck, and I hope you get what you're looking for, can't wait to see your future posts.

 

[mharding]

Wow TONS of great info, thanks so much guys!

CJ3 - Good point I don't know why I didn't think of that.... It will probably be about 2 months to save for the lift and tires along with car payments but I will consider your 2 cents for sure.

Peter - Thanks for the input, the more power will be a welcome change

Medic - I thought the sport had many more features than just the scoop and spoiler, is that really the only difference? Also, would you mind explaining the benefits of the '08 4X4. I will be taking this truck off road so capability was my main concern when switching from 3rd to 4th.

I will be posting a good build thread as well as whatever install, maint. etc. tips I get along the way to try and contribute instead of just asking questions!