3rd VS 4th Gen

[FlatlanderIA]

Looking to buy a 3rd or 4th gen T4R. A family member has a 2002 3rd gen that I've fallen in love with. I have to be honest and say I like the exterior styling much better of the 3rd gen. I don't mind the inside of the 4th gen.

That being said, how much better of a vehicle are the 4th gen models? What 4th gen features could offset my bias towards the older models styling?

Cheers,

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have mostly 4th gen experience. The 4th gen will have more power, have a bigger interior, use the same fuel, possibly offer the added protection of side-airbags (depends if optioned) and a more robust ATRAC II system. Someone may correct me on the ATRAC II, the '02 may have it too. ATRAC is sytem of using the electronics & the brakes; it is what provides the psuedo 4 wheel limited slip axles.

Having said that I have a good friend with 187k on a '99 3rd gen. With the exception of the drivers seat cover you could honestly detail it, put a piece of tape over the odometer and play "guess the mileage". If you were to drive it you'd guess it to be a 70-80k well cared for vehicle. This one HAS NOT been babied or well cared for.

Some prefer the 3rd gen for off-roading (especially the locker equipped ones). Stock ground clearance is a bit better. The 4th gen can easily be lifted an inch or two for cheap. [The 4th gens were lowered primarily for crash regulations, ie rear-ending a low car.]

If I didn't have a towing requirement and an obsession with side-airbags I would probably have an '02 Runner.

The earliest 3rd gens in '96 or '97 had a few issues with headgaskets but overall the 3.4L is great. The earliest 4th gens had some sunroof rattles and a minor A/C relay issue.

Bottomline is you'll be hard pressed to go wrong. If you get the '02 or a 4th gen V8 figure out what stage of life the timing belt is in.

Good luck!

:cheers:

 

[2003-4x4runner]

before i bought my 4th gen runner, i wanted to get a 3rd gen runner. But, when i drove the 4th gen, i knew i wanted that model. 3rd gens are great but i think the 4th gens are better. They have more power and room. You should test driver both runners on the same day just too make sure!!

 

[Bookmonke]

I had a 97 and two 03, the ride difference is huge, the 97 was very truck like and harsh, seemed noisier too. The 03's are easier to work on in the dash area too.

 

[NJrunner11]

i also went out looking to buy a 3rd gen but settled on a 4th... at first i was kinda regreting it because i love the 3rd gen look.

the bigger front bumper on the 4th bothered the crap out of me, among other things.... BUT now after having mine about 6 months i wouldnt change a thing. i love my 4th gen and am happy i got what i got. its a great truck!

the 3rd is a great truck, but the 4th is a def improvement IMO, mainly for all the reasons already covered.. GO 4th!

 

[Benjamin Choi]

i like the 3rd gen too but let's face it... if you have the 4th gen option, then it's a no brainer to go with the newer, better ride.

always go with the newest 4runner you can afford... period. 3rd gen interior is hella dated and significantly less roomier.

 

[Thai]

Drive both and you will see...4th gen is a lot smoother and comfier. Power is better. 4th gen is safer for you and family.

3rd gen is more compact (for good or bad), a lot slower, and ride is quite bouncy. It is extremely well-made, slightly better overall than 4th gen in terms of interior quality.

If you plan to off-road, then either model will have pluses and minuses.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I'm an old guy who has had way too many cars and trucks (9 out of 10 bought new for me and family - GM(6 makes), Ford (3 makes), Acura, Toyota (4 makes)), none driven for over 3 years until now. Scratch that - I did have a Toyota Supra for 4 years and 150K miles.

Anyway, I'm 3 and 2/3 years and 64K miles into the 2005 4Runner. It's near perfect. Only thing I would change is the headroom is an inch to little for a 6' guy.

So far I'm ahead about $250 on the $750 extended warranty (sunroof, electric windows and locks). Warranty replaced front rotors and brakes and exhaust system in the first year.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I own a 3rd and have driven a few 4th gens and the 4th gens power makes me very envious and the ride is much more carlike and comfortable especially on long trips plus all the up to date goodies are nice and really the prices haven't changed much in 10 years except that the fully loaded Limited are a bit more than the top 3rd gen Limiteds were in '02.

The reason i don't drive a 4th gen in part it was due to price at the time and the 3rd gens are a little more easy to get around off road and the pre'01s had the diff lock which is a nice feature to have off road.

If you plan on very little time off road then it's a no-brainer going with a 4th gen and if you want to off road then there's the aftermarket but 3rd gens prices have become quite buyer friendly as of late.

Buy what truly suits your needs is the bottom line.

 

[Falls]

The 3rd gen's have always been my favorite. I've never owned one though and agreed with Thai on my limited experience of them.

I was skeptical of the 4th gen and really was not overly thrilled with it at 1st , but as I got used to the truck/suv I began to really love it and it capabilities. The Atrac system is excellent . It has gone through more than I could even imagined , even without lockers.

 

[peter78]

I have a write up of the differences and also some pics of the two generations side by side.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43143

 

[Benjamin Choi]

The 3rd gen's have always been my favorite. I've never owned one though and agreed with Thai on my limited experience of them.

I was skeptical of the 4th gen and really was not overly thrilled with it at 1st , but as I got used to the truck/suv I began to really love it and it capabilities. The Atrac system is excellent . It has gone through more than I could even imagined , even without lockers.

cool review; read it all.

the 3rd gen proportions wise, boxy look wise in its day looks better than the 4th gen in today's suv world... but that's simply due to greater competition.

the 4th gen is outright an improvement over teh 3rd gen and if you got the money to get the 4th, it's a no brainer to get the newer runner.

 

[4runr30]

Depends on what you are looking for in a T4R. Personally I liked my 3rd gen better than my 4th. The 4th is bigger, has more power, and rides better, but the 3rd was a better offroader in stock form. I have found the 4th gen harder to get in and out of places simply due to the longer wheel base. The 4th looks better on paper, but I would still like to have an 02 black sport edition just because of the better looks.

 

[progress4m]

I just got new (to me) 2005 4x4 V8 4Runner and also I still have (currently try to sell) 1996 4x4 3.4L that I had for past 10 years. My old one is definitely most reliable vehicle I ever had or heard of. However, you cannot compare it with 2005, especially V8, they are so deferent.
2005 drives like a Lexus with ton of torque and power and it is very very quiet (V8 will is quieter than V6 in 4th generation). IMHO if you can afford it go with 4th generation, if not, 3rd gen is a great trucks and it is very easy to fall in love with them.

 

[RV481]

I drove both 3rd Gen and 4th Gen and I felt the 4th gen is heavy and big. I think I am going with 3rd gen just because of the overall (smaller) size.

Thanks for all the details.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I drove both 3rd Gen and 4th Gen and I felt the 4th gen is heavy and big. I think I am going with 3rd gen just because of the overall (smaller) size.

Thanks for all the details.

You'll trade to a 4th if you have lots of kids, go on long road trips and pack a lot of stuff, or tow anything. Yes it is bigger but it gets similiar or better gas mileage and has a lot more power. Best of both worlds.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I drove both 3rd Gen and 4th Gen and I felt the 4th gen is heavy and big. I think I am going with 3rd gen just because of the overall (smaller) size.

Thanks for all the details.

Curb Weight on a 3rd gen is roughly around 3900lbs and a 4th gen in the 4300lbs neighborhood (rough numbers as different trims and options can change both those weights). Not all that much given the size difference.

The 3.4L 5VZ-FE is a good engine, but the 4.0L 1GR-FE and 4.7L 2UZ-FE are better engines in terms of torque and performance. The benefit of the Torsen T3 center differential in the 4th gens is also nice as is the more modern overall feel of the vehicle.

But it comes down to what you're going to be using your 4th gen for.

 

[twa318]

I moved to a 2007 Sport 2wd after owning a 1999 SR5 2wd for the previous six years. Before I bought the 2007 the 3rd gen was the best vehicle I have ever owned, hands down. After spending some time with the 4th gen I can say with confidence that the 4th gen improves on the previous generation in almost every single way.

The biggest improvements in the 4th generation for me are:

- Greater range.

The 3rd gen gas tank was way undersized and was not great for any long distance trips as are you were filling up every 300 miles. The first day I bought the 4th gen I drove 410 miles and the gas light didn’t even come on. I’m also getting way better MPG numbers with the 1GR-FE compared to the 5VZ-FE

- More powerful

The 5VZ-FE is a great reliable engine but leaves a lot to be desired power-wise. I didn’t mind a slow truck, but 1GR-FE is way better as far as acceleration and power is concerned. It honestly makes the truck more enjoyable to drive. Also on that note I like the way the 1GR-FE sounds when you really press the gas. The 3rd gen doesn’t have that same powerful sound.

- Comfort

Not to say the 3rd gen is cramped (it is) but the difference in cabin space in the 4th gen is immediately noticeable. The 4th gen feels more comfortable, especially on long trips. Not to mention the added bonus of steering wheel audio controls. I never thought it was a feature I needed, and now I’m wondering how I lived without it.

- 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.

If I’m nitpicking, the drawbacks from the 4th gen compared to the 3rd:

- Electronic lift gate lock on the 4th gen.

I really dislike the electronic lock on the rear gate, it feels unresponsive and seems like an unnecessary feature. I usually have to press it a few times just right to make the gate open, which is slightly annoying.

- Auto down windows

The 3rd gen has auto-down window controls for both front windows. I drive around with the windows down and back window cracked open all the time and this is slightly annoying. The window switch placement on the 4th gen isn’t as convenient as the 3rd gen. This also includes the rear window button, which was conveniently placed in the center of the dash on the 3th gen but on the 4th the button is obscured by the steering wheel.

- XREAS

I really am not a big fan of the XREAS, it reminds me of driving my grandma’s old 90s Lincoln Town Car with the air suspension. I’m waiting for one of the shocks to leak so I can have an excuse to tear it all out and go with a bilsten/FJ setup.

I love my 3rd gen 4Runner and have no plans on selling it, ever. Keep that in mind when I say the 4th generation is even better! Either way you will be buying into an extremely well-engineered and reliable vehicle

 

[black4vcobra]

I drove both 3rd Gen and 4th Gen and I felt the 4th gen is heavy and big. I think I am going with 3rd gen just because of the overall (smaller) size.

Thanks for all the details.

Nice job bumping an 8+ year old thread!

 

[Inv4drZm]

Nice job bumping an 8+ year old thread!

The thread is still relevant though.