3rd vs 4th gen thinking outloud.

[Vantage85]

Hey guys,

I have recently parted out and am in the process of selling my 2006 Honda Civic Si.

I am looking to purchase a 4runner for my next vehicle.

I am not new to Toyota's, as I have a 2002 Tacoma before my Civic.

It was completely bulletproof, but it lacked one thing.

It was a 2002 Sr5 Access Cab V6 Automatic TRD.

3.4L Auto with elocker.
285/75/16 Terra Grapplers
CBI Offroad bumpers
Deaver 8 leaf rear with 10" bilsteins
Donahoe (Icon) front Coils.
Sliders

My problem with it was IT WAS SLOW.


Now to my current problem.

As I stated above I am looking for a 4runner. My price range peaks out around 16,000, and I would like to keep my mods a lot more reasonable as my previous cars.

Please dont ask to search, as I am more than knowledgeable about both platforms, what I lack is real world use of each engine/tranny.

So my question.

I understand all elocked 3rd gens are with 4.30 gears, making them a little better in terms of speed, but I believe I will still be unimpressed by the 3.4L automatic.

Will a 5speed 3.4L be significantly better or is it still just working an underpowered engine to hard when passing on the freeway?




I am having a hell of a time deciding whether I want a 3rd or 4th gen. I would prefer the styling of a 3rd, but hate being underpowered.

Obviously as we know gas mileage is roughly the same.

3.4L vs 4.0L (premium) vs 4.7L v8 (a tad worse).

The vehicle will be primarily used for road applications, with a few logging road camping trips a year.


Here are my future plans for each platform.

3rd gen roughly $10,000, OME suspension ($1600 installed locally), 32's ($800), stereo ($500).

3rd gen. For a total estimated price around $12,900+taxes.

4th gen roughly $15,000. Daystar 2.5/1.5 ($200 + self install), 255/75/17 GYSA( $600), spidertrax ($300)


4th Gen For a total esimated price around $16,100.

Obviously both are in my price range, I could probably find a little bit cheaper 3rd gen, but it will have significantly higher KM's than the 4th.

I just want to buy a truck I can live with for a long time, as currently each of my previous vehicles has a 2 year or less lifespan in my garage.

Sorry for the rambling, but I would like as much input as possible, especially from people that have used both 3rd/4th gens extensively. I would test drive more but I currently work 6am-5pm 6 days a week, so time is insanely tight.

THanks in advance.

Vantage

 

[4-Ripcord]

I understand all elocked 3rd gens are with 4.30 gears, making them a little better in terms of speed, but I believe I will still be unimpressed by the 3.4L automatic.

Some came with 4:10 gearing. You will have to run the axle codes to find out, let me see if I can find that chart..

Will a 5speed 3.4L be significantly better or is it still just working an underpowered engine to hard when passing on the freeway?

It'll help, wish I had a 5-speed. For $50 you can do the deckplate and intake sinlencer removal. Both together help a nice bit.

3rd gen roughly $10,000, OME suspension ($1600 installed locally), 32's ($800), stereo ($500).

3rd gen. For a total estimated price around $12,900+taxes.

Have it installed? 7 hours, 1 floor jack, 1 set of jack stands, socket set, a beer for a buddy, and that kit is in my friend.

 

[Gerdo]

Hands down, the 4th gen is going to have more power. Find or build a 3rd gen with a supercharger.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Here is the PDF of the axle codes:

http://www.sonoransteel.com/include...eel/TechArticles/1996-2004ToyotaGearRatio.pdf


And yeah, if your budget goes up to 16k, you can afford to supercharge. That will definitely make a huge difference!

 

[Vantage85]

Some came with 4:10 gearing. You will have to run the axle codes to find out, let me see if I can find that chart..

I believe all elockers came with 4.30's. For non-elocker auto's you need to check the chart for gearing.


It'll help, wish I had a 5-speed. For $50 you can do the deckplate and intake sinlencer removal. Both together help a nice bit.

I deckplated my old 3.4L and didnt find much difference at all. Just a filter that was getting dirty a lot quicker. Maybe the ISR mod does more.

Have it installed? 7 hours, 1 floor jack, 1 set of jack stands, socket set, a beer for a buddy, and that kit is in my friend.
I did the entire suspension work for my old Tacoma, and all the work on my Civic, but sadly I am just to damn busy to do that work myself. Luckily for me I have a work truck so it doesnt impose on me if the runner is away for a day or 2.

I will not be touching either vehicles engine at all.

When I toy with the engine of something ,my budget balloons and if a problem occurs it is harder to troubleshoot (for example see my 240whp civic Si).

 

[brian2sun]

Hands down, the 4th gen is going to have more power. Find or build a 3rd gen with a supercharger.

Exactly.

 

[NickF]

Coming from a civic si hatch, both trucks are.going to be piss poor slow. You are doubling the weight and losing wheel horsepower. Your talking about a total pig in comparison. You're going to burn alot more gas too.

I love my 3rd gen and it treats me well. It's not fast but its a nice ride and its fun to.drive. I hate the styling of the 4th gen, It's too carish for me. I few extra ponys in the newer 4.0 isn't worth the.sacrifice imo. Only way I'd buy a 4th gen is with the '06 upgraded v8

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[Elton H]

you couldint give me a 4th gen unless it had a 5 or 6spd

 

[Vantage85]

Elton, how do you find the 5spd 3.4? Can u compare it to an auto3.4.

I just don't want to buy a truck and be left regretting my decision.

 

[Elton H]

im not a fan of auto's mine gets out of its way just fine for what i need

 

[Dagobah]

My last car was an 89 CRX b16a w/high-comp. type-R pistons, 11.5 lbs flywheel, and high rate valve springs. Needless to say for the money and displacement, that puppy could scoot...

Have had my T4R for about a month now and it is indeed like going from a jack rabbit to a sea turtle, but ya know? other than really wanting the center diff t-case, I am every bit as pleased with my 3rd gen as I hoped to be.

 

[88xtraSR5]

Have it installed? 7 hours, 1 floor jack, 1 set of jack stands, socket set, a beer for a buddy, and that kit is in my friend.

Installed my 3 inch lift in 5 hours by myself, thats including cleaning the garage up afterwards... Would go with the 3rd gen, love the looks and if you like having a clutch try to find the five-speed version. I gave up to early on my search for one and regret I got the auto now.... Except when I go out and get drunk, the wife can drive home with the auto.:cheers:

 

[4-Ripcord]

7 hours is the max time it should take, that's why I said 7. If I were to do mine again, now knowing how to, I could cut that time in half.

Point is, it's easy, so install yourself!

 

[Nelsonmd]

Here is the PDF of the axle codes:

http://www.sonoransteel.com/include...eel/TechArticles/1996-2004ToyotaGearRatio.pdf


And yeah, if your budget goes up to 16k, you can afford to supercharge. That will definitely make a huge difference!

This isn't definitive, you really need to spin a wheel and count the revos on the drive shaft. That table gave my axle code 3 different possibilities, other tables gave me a 4th.

Personally, I think it will be a tough transition going from a fast sporty car to a boat like the 4runner. You will probably get alot of happiness from the bigger engine of the 4th gen (V8). I have a 3rd gen auto, and it pretty seriously lacks power for passing on the highway. I am ok with that because I am trying to learn to drive less aggressively.

Can you test drive them? That would probably be the best idea so you can see the difference for yourself.

 

[Ducseven]

My .02
I was a previous owner of a 98 4Runner, and I put 248k on the odometer before I sold it for $5500.
When we sold my wife's 05 Subaru in January I was going to get her a 04-05-06 4 Runner with the V6, however, every dealer wanted a premium price.
I wanted to spend $17k no more, cash out the door. Nobody would take my offer after a 4 week period of looking, including other states.
Then I found a 02 Sport 4X4 for $9k in Las Vegas with 115k on the odometer and super clean so we went for that instead. It may be slower but we won't get any tickets and we kept the rest in the bank for something else.

We are very happy with the decision.

 

[BTO]

I'd get a 4th gen with the V-8 and not sweat the gas mileage.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I'm a huge fan of the 3rd gen but I'll agree with those who say that if speed/power is important, get a 4th gen.

3rd gens are a lot of things but fast isn't one of them.

IMO the best reasons to get a 3rd gen are:

1. Lower initial cost

2. Easier/better lift options.

3. Smaller overall size/easier to 'wheel.

4. Availability of 5 speed (96 - 2000)

5. Availability of 4 cyl.

6. Availability of E-locker.

Now, it sounds like 4 and 5 are not relevant to your situation, and 2, 3, and 6 may not be relevant which means lower cost is the only real advantage the 3rd gen has over the 4th. That being the case, I think you'd be happier with a 4th gen if you can find one for a decent price.

 

[tinman]

Drive 'em all

My 03 does pretty well with the 4.0 V6 for what I want to do with it. But I didn't come from a light, sporty car when I bought my 4Runner either. I say test drive them all. Otherwise no matter what you buy you will be wondering if you spent your $$ the best way. If you have 16k to spend, find a nice 5 speed and/or supercharged 3rd gen for the best deal you can find, lift it yourself and put the rest of the money in savings!

I know you say you work a lot, but to be completely satisfied, YOU will have to sell yourself on which one you want the most. Either way you decide, you're getting into a great platform with the 4Runner. Good luck to you on your choice!

 

[brian2sun]

Obviously none of you 3rd gen guys who were talking about how slow the 3.4 is never had an older Toyota truck with the 22R or the 3.0. I had both of those engines in trucks before I bought my current 4runner and I was honestly blown away by the power the 3rd gen V6 had back in the day. Sure, compared to today's standards it's a little slow, but for the time it was considered very well powered. Stock trucks/SUVs are getting faster and faster every year from the factory, but compare a 3rd gen to other compact SUVs from the same era and the 3rd gen ranks pretty high in the power dept.

My auto '97 moves just fine and I've never had any problem moving in and out of traffic before or after big tires and low gears. The high COG around tight turns slows me down a helluva lot more than the motor ever has.

 

[drinknmolson]

based on your post I would recommend that you find a v8 4th gen, it will give you the added power, the lift you are looking to do is much cheaper and easier and it will still fit in your budget.

Being a 3rd gen owner and also have owned an '04 Taco and a couple 4x4 Toy's w/22r(e) I am not at sadden by the performance of my 3.4L. This engine is strong and with minimal mods I am running 33's and pass on the highway when neccessary. I snowboard in the winter and w/5spd I have no problems getting to Vail doing 70 the whole way from Denver. The 5spd is an improvement to the auto imo but its no v8. If you find a 3rd gen w/supercharger and 5spd get it you will not be disappointed the way you want to build your 4r it will perform and look oh so pretty!!

I only recommend the 4th gen based on what you have given for your needs/wants and your statements including you not wanting to modify anything in the engine compartment. There are many a 4R lovers that own the 4th gen, I wouldn't, but you asked for feedback.