3rd VS 4th Gen

[black4vcobra]

The thread is still relevant though.

Yes but there are probably far less people deciding on a 3rd gen vs 4th gen as a DD/family vehicle now than there were in 2008. That discussion is now more likely to be 4th vs 5th gen.

I suppose this thread has merit as far as deciding on an off-roading toy.

 

[camp332]

Yes but there are probably far less people deciding on a 3rd gen vs 4th gen as a DD/family vehicle now than there were in 2008. That discussion is now more likely to be 4th vs 5th gen.

I suppose this thread has merit as far as deciding on an off-roading toy.

Nice avatar. Take it easy with the forum police and stare into your avatar. You'll feel better! LOL


As for the Gen 3 vs Gen 4 discussion. My best friend had a Gen 3, and I have a Gen 4. His truck was great, yet quite a bit smaller on the inside. We both have kids now, and he got rid of his to accommodate car seats, strollers, pack n plays, and all that jazz. My Gen 4 does the job for our 2 toddlers.

 

[black4vcobra]

Nice avatar. Take it easy with the forum police and stare into your avatar. You'll feel better! LOL


As for the Gen 3 vs Gen 4 discussion. My best friend had a Gen 3, and I have a Gen 4. His truck was great, yet quite a bit smaller on the inside. We both have kids now, and he got rid of his to accommodate car seats, strollers, pack n plays, and all that jazz. My Gen 4 does the job for our 2 toddlers.

Picture that a crazy ex took for me, I keep it around to entertain my fellow automotive enthusiasts.

I was just poking fun at the guy who resurrected the old thread, sometimes people don't even realize they are doing it. On the svtperformance.com forum I regularly frequent, people who bump years old threads get *****ed out and possibly warned by the mods! This forum is much more lax and the people are nicer!

And yup, knowing I can haul 2 children is one of the reasons why I bought my 06 a few years ago. Other than getting good gas mileage, it really does everything a guy needs reasonably well out of a vehicle

 

[camp332]

Picture that a crazy ex took for me, I keep it around to entertain my fellow automotive enthusiasts.

I was just poking fun at the guy who resurrected the old thread, sometimes people don't even realize they are doing it. On the svtperformance.com forum I regularly frequent, people who bump years old threads get *****ed out and possibly warned by the mods! This forum is much more lax and the people are nicer!

And yup, knowing I can haul 2 children is one of the reasons why I bought my 06 a few years ago. Other than getting good gas mileage, it really does everything a guy needs reasonably well out of a vehicle

Nice! Wish I still had some "crazy ex" pics to share. They're long gone now :frisky:

One other thing about the Gen 4 V6 compared to the Gen 3 V6 is power. The Gen 4 has quite a bit more "get up and go".

 

[mayneattraction]

Im new to 4runners. Before buying my 4th gen, I drove a 3rd gen V6 and compared ot to a 4th gen V6. I liked the ride on the 4th much better but the 3rd seemed more truck like for sure. Then I settled on a 4th gen V8.

A guy down the street from me is selling his 3rd gen, $165K miles, SR5. Its tempting. But he wont let me take it to my mechanic to get it checked out.

 

[V8Man]

4th Gens is the only Gen that has a V8!
And If your lucky a TRD Supercharger!
Drop the mike. Turn and walk away.

 

[vanion2]

I know this is an old thread but I've moved from the 3rd to 4th gen and most of the relevant points were covered. I moved to the V8 because I needed the towing power. Keeping that in mind I love the road handling, interior space, is more quiet than my 02, and I like the temperature control system so I set it and forget it.

That being said there are gotchas on the V8 that one should be aware of but are not deal breakers. AIP Bypass, water pump and thermostat likes to leak. XREAS suspension is expensive with mixed reviews (I test drove both versions and got one without).

A lot of people don't like the front cupholders with its poorly conceived implementation but it has more holders than my 3rd gen did.

Has both A/C and heat from the center console where the 3rd gen only had heat. This is better for the kids riding in the middle seat. Optional 3rd row seating for small passengers if you really need it but truth be told I just took the seats out of the rear since I only have 1 child.

Stock stereo is still a stock stereo and always one of the first thing I swap out and is about the same level of difficulty (which is to say not very). Speakers are meh but at least the lower door speakers are better located where the 3rd gen was located that you leg was always blocking the driver side.

I miss the "crotch" cooler on the 3rd gen though but the A/C is outstanding on the 4th gen and the fans can really move some frosty air.

All in all I am much happier with my 2WD V8 4th gen compared to my 4x4 V6 3rd gen. Better merging/towing power, surprisingly good gas mileage (just completed a weekend trip with a large roof cargo carrier and was just short of 20 mpg, average tow economy of high 14 mpg with a 3800# pop up, 16 average mpg city driving), and both off and on road handling is a great improvement. Heck, even my finicky wife likes driving my 4th gen where she refused to drive my 3rd.

Either way you go though you can't go wrong. If you want a more dedicated off roader I would go for the 3rd gen. If family DD is more your thing then the 4th gen is a better choice though those are just guidelines as you can do either with both gens (I have to admit the 3rd gens look better in armor than the 4th gens front ends looks kind of ugly with armor. That's just my opinion though).

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[az4runner02]

Had a 2002 SR5 4WD and now I have a 2008 Sport AWD with the V8. Loved the 3rd Gen and was plenty capable off road and reliable as hell. The one I have now is a keeper but I had to put alot more money in it not only for the purchase but parts, maintanence and the initial post purchase repairs. Suspension replacement, new brakes\rotors, battery, all fluids and front bearings and its a really great truck. So in my opinion you have a tough choice to make and can't go wrong either way. Its all about the dollars....and the passion for 4Runners of course..

 

[justinbuckley]

[MENTION=30056]az4runner02[/MENTION] - mind if I ask what kind of lift/suspension/tires you have? Just picked up a 2006 SR5 4WD with 125k miles and the same color as yours... like the look!

 

[peter78]

- Stock Stereo

The 4th gen came from the factor with a 6 disc head unit that also plays MP3s. I had upgraded the 3rd gen to a scion unit that played MP3s, but the 4th gen unit is way better and I really like how it looks, as the scion unit in the 3rd gen was clearly not stock and did look slightly out of place. The JBL system is a really nice feature as well.

My 3rd generation came with a stock radio / CD player / cassette player. Yes, a cassette player. Not sure if mine works since I no longer have cassettes. But, hey, if your a cassette freak, the third generation 4Runner is for you.:frisky:

 

[az4runner02]

[MENTION=30056]az4runner02[/MENTION] - mind if I ask what kind of lift/suspension/tires you have? Just picked up a 2006 SR5 4WD with 125k miles and the same color as yours... like the look!

I just ordered brand new springs for a 4x4 FJ and put the adjustable bilstien shocks all around. A very mild lift in the rear and most importantly brought thr front up and leveled it out nicely. Does what I need offroad and performs nicely on the highway so for now I am happy with it. Funny I just hit 125K last week...

 

[Iluvboost]

I bought a 3rd gen first but the wife wasn't having it and I bought a 4th gen after that. I drove the 3rd for like 2 weeks and in those 2 weeks can tell you that the 4th gen rides way better and has a nicer interior and is quieter. I don't offroad but I did put a mild lift on the 3rd. Its going up for sale after I finish doing the water pump and timing belt.

 

[justinbuckley]

I just ordered brand new springs for a 4x4 FJ and put the adjustable bilstien shocks all around. A very mild lift in the rear and most importantly brought thr front up and leveled it out nicely. Does what I need offroad and performs nicely on the highway so for now I am happy with it. Funny I just hit 125K last week...

Thanks for the reply. Moogs or OEM? Are the fronts at .85 or 1.75? Pretty much exactly what I was thinking about doing. I've been reading these forums for a few weeks now trying to get up to speed on the T4R... My last Toyota was an '82 FJ40!

 

[del mar]

Nice job bumping an 8+ year old thread!

This has been a valuable thread for me. I could not make up my mind which Gen to buy. But this thread sheds a lot of light on the subject, and helped me make up my mind.


Thanks for keeping this thread active!

 

[peter78]

This has been a valuable thread for me. I could not make up my mind which Gen to buy. But this thread sheds a lot of light on the subject, and helped me make up my mind.


Thanks for keeping this thread active!

Both of my 4Runners are getting old. My son has the 3rd generation and I am thinking of replacing my 4Runner probably next year. I offered my son the 4th generation when I get a new 4Runner and he politely, but firmly said no thanks, I'll stick with the 3rd. He may change his mind when I buy a new one, but for now he will stick with the 2001.

 

[del mar]

Both of my 4Runners are getting old. My son has the 3rd generation and I am thinking of replacing my 4Runner probably next year. I offered my son the 4th generation when I get a new 4Runner and he politely, but firmly said no thanks, I'll stick with the 3rd. He may change his mind when I buy a new one, but for now he will stick with the 2001.

The only item that concerns me on the 4th Gen is the head gasket issue.
While I live in Baja (just 125 mi. South of the border) I will limit my search to Nevada, Ca, and possibly AZ.

 

[simple]

The only item that concerns me on the 4th Gen is the head gasket issue.
While I live in Baja (just 125 mi. South of the border) I will limit my search to Nevada, Ca, and possibly AZ.

Head gasket I think only affects 06 and below. Also if you’re limiting your search to those places for rust, just know that cars end up all different places because of auctions. A lot of ca cars came straight from the east coast after being purchased at auction. Check the carfax.

 

[del mar]

The forum says thru 05. Your tip about Carfax is good advice. The last time I bought a car was in 02.

I'm one of those that buys 'em and holds 'em.

Like I have a 1993 Montero as my daily driver.

 

[AuSeeker]

The forum says thru 05. Your tip about Carfax is good advice. The last time I bought a car was in 02.

I'm one of those that buys 'em and holds 'em.

Like I have a 1993 Montero as my daily driver.

Head gasket issues are for any 4th Gens V6s before a 12/05 build date so that includes the early 2006 models, after 12/05 is when Toyota started using the thicker/redesigned head gaskets.

The build date can be found on the driver's door jamb VIN sticker.

 

[T4R2014]

Ask this in the 3rd gen section and you'll here different answers. Personally, I don't hate the 4th gen, but it isn't for me. Exterior styling was never my cup of tea, and frankly I couldn't stand the way the door panels angle down like a 1993 Camry. Hate the switch activated 4x4 as well. BUT, the V8 is sooooo worth it. Combined with the torsen, it is one of the best drivetrains around.

That said, I could never accept the exterior and interior. What I found:
1. I prefer the GX470 interior and exterior. Bonus is the 4wd lever. Downside is the barn door with fixed window.
2. Everyone forgets the Sequoia. Frankly, it is just a 3rd gen + 20% in every spec. Earlier ones have a 4wd lever, but if you accept the switch you can get the exact same torsen setup as a 4th gen. I like the door panels better. AND the rear window goes down. I like the door panels better too. Also better seats. Only downside is the the dashboard feels SO cheap.

I know I'm sounding harsh on the 4th gen for those door panels, but that's just me. Don't let it stop you. Regardless, I need a 3rd gen. 4th gen is an excellent vehicle, but never a substitute for a 2nd or 3rd gen 4Runner.