4 Runner info

[evomind]

Hey guys,
Ill be in the market for a 4 runner pretty soon and though I have perused the board I have a few questions I am sure most of you could answer.

I want to offroad the truck and will be putting a lift on it. Keeping that in mind, does it matter if I get a gen5 trail edition rather than a limited or sr5?
I believe the TE has better ground clearance stock but would that be negated with the lift?
What capability does the TE have after all 3 are lifted that the other 2 dont? Im not sure if crawl is available on the other two nor sway bar disconnect, though not sure how important that is after its lifted.

Also, what are the pros and cons of buying a gen 4 with the v8 over the gen 5 if any? (besides cost) Not sure if the gen 4 has the crawl ratio, etc.

This will be primarily a street driven truck, I will play in the mud and rocks on weekends and play in the snow in the winter. Also if I camp in it I like enough room to lay down in the back with the seats down.

Thanks in advance for all the advice and knowledge guys.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Only the TE has a rear locker. But maybe I think the last year of the 4th gen, had a version with rear locker. That and all 4th gens have awd function but only limited 5th gen has awd are the major differences.

 

[evomind]

Only the TE has a rear locker. But maybe I think the last year of the 4th gen, had a version with rear locker. That and all 4th gens have awd function but only limited 5th gen has awd are the major differences.

The rear locker is a biggie for me.
Whats the diff between AWD and say 4High?

 

[Chill will]

Based on Your description of how you will be driving I think it wouldn't matter. Mainly street driving with occasionally 4wheeling I say go with the better deal. You need to be honest with yourself and really think about the difficulty of the trails you will be running. Why spend the xtra coin if you're not going to need it. Another thing to consider is the locker option. If you can get one with a factory locker in it, go for it. V6 or V8. Will you be towing anything? Even the 6 is good for towing. I have a 4cyl and tow a 30ft boat twice a year for a friend. I'm not breaking any speed records but it can handle it.

 

[evomind]

Based on Your description of how you will be driving I think it wouldn't matter. Mainly street driving with occasionally 4wheeling I say go with the better deal. You need to be honest with yourself and really think about the difficulty of the trails you will be running. Why spend the xtra coin if you're not going to need it. Another thing to consider is the locker option. If you can get one with a factory locker in it, go for it. V6 or V8. Will you be towing anything? Even the 6 is good for towing. I have a 4cyl and tow a 30ft boat twice a year for a friend. I'm not breaking any speed records but it can handle it.

I have experience 4 wheeling. Ive owned 2 lifted H1s, an H2, and a lifted H3.
As far as the extra coin, there really isnt much difference in the prices of the different 4 Runners.
As far as the engines, no, I probably wont be towing but after putting taller tires on it robs you of torque unless you re gear it. I was wondering which of those engines would be less sensitive to the taller gearing I guess.
At this point I guess I am leaning TE.

 

[evomind]

Whats the diff between AWD and say 4High?

well the AWD only engages when the computer senses slip of one of the drive tires then sends power to the back....
4 hi would be full time 4 wheel drive.
at least thats how i *think* it works

 

[Synister]

well the AWD only engages when the computer senses slip of one of the drive tires then sends power to the back....
4 hi would be full time 4 wheel drive.
at least thats how i *think* it works

Close but not quite. On all of the 4th gen T4R's and the Limited 5th gen, the vehicle is permanently (V8 4th gen / Limited 5th) or can be permanently (V6 4th gen) in 4HI with the center differential unlocked. This is what many would call AWD because there is a uneven torque split front to rear (up to 40/60 I believe) due to the Torsen (not computer) in the transfer case. The 5th gen TE and SR5 do not have a torsen, just a standard transfer case so when in 4HI, you are locked up in the center with a 50/50 split front to rear, hence, why you should only engage a 5th gen 4wd offroad. A 4th gen can be used in 4hi or even 4lo on dry pavement so long as the center diff is unlocked. So, AWD is not a selectable mode per se but instead is a way to describe a variation of 4HI in all the 4th gen and the 5th gen Limited.

To answer some of your other questions, its my understanding that the 5th gen TE doesn't necessarily have better ground clearance, only better approach and departure angles due to different front and rear plastic pieces. I do not know if KDSS is affected by a lift. A rear locker was available on 4th gens as part of the 2009 TE package, very rare though, took me a year to find mine. V6 is a great engine and can reasonably accommodate a 33" tire and lift with little issue. Much more than 33" and A) you will have a bit of a tough time getting the tire to fit without rubbing and B) should probably re-gear regardless of engine. If you are set on a 5th gen the TE is the most functional bang for the buck but cant do 4WD on pavement. The Limited gives you full time 4wd but you pay for luxury that you may or may not want/need. The fact that you are looking at the T4R is great, it's still the best body on frame daily driver you can buy and with some basic mods can be a beast offroad.

 

[evomind]

Close but not quite. On all of the 4th gen T4R's and the Limited 5th gen, the vehicle is permanently (V8 4th gen / Limited 5th) or can be permanently (V6 4th gen) in 4HI with the center differential unlocked. This is what many would call AWD because there is a uneven torque split front to rear (up to 40/60 I believe) due to the Torsen (not computer) in the transfer case. The 5th gen TE and SR5 do not have a torsen, just a standard transfer case so when in 4HI, you are locked up in the center with a 50/50 split front to rear, hence, why you should only engage a 5th gen 4wd offroad. A 4th gen can be used in 4hi or even 4lo on dry pavement so long as the center diff is unlocked. So, AWD is not a selectable mode per se but instead is a way to describe a variation of 4HI in all the 4th gen and the 5th gen Limited.

To answer some of your other questions, its my understanding that the 5th gen TE doesn't necessarily have better ground clearance, only better approach and departure angles due to different front and rear plastic pieces. I do not know if KDSS is affected by a lift. A rear locker was available on 4th gens as part of the 2009 TE package, very rare though, took me a year to find mine. V6 is a great engine and can reasonably accommodate a 33" tire and lift with little issue. Much more than 33" and A) you will have a bit of a tough time getting the tire to fit without rubbing and B) should probably re-gear regardless of engine. If you are set on a 5th gen the TE is the most functional bang for the buck but cant do 4WD on pavement. The Limited gives you full time 4wd but you pay for luxury that you may or may not want/need. The fact that you are looking at the T4R is great, it's still the best body on frame daily driver you can buy and with some basic mods can be a beast offroad.

Thanks for the nice write up. All these different variations from manufacturer to manufacturer can get confusing on how their drivetrains are managed.

Let me ask..... I have seen a 4th gen for sale with a locking rear. What if anything would I give up going to a 4th gen vs. 5th?
Does the 5th drive that much better? Does the 5th perform notably better than a 4th, mod for mod? My understanding is the 5th has a better crawl ratio and from what ive read drives better. But .....?

 

[Synister]

Ok, another long post but Ill try to stay fairly unbiased and just mention some of the things that turned me away from a 5th gen when I was in the market for a truck. Known issues with the 4th gen include stuck brake pistons (usually only a problem if you live where they salt the roads in winter) cracked headers on the V8, driveline "clunk" that is fixed with lubrication, and stuck transfer case actuators (usually only on vehicles where the actuators are rarely used). Most of these are either maintenance or minor mechanical issues that are easily fixed. The issues with the 5th gen and why I chose not to buy are more inherent in the design. Significant nose dive under braking and body roll while turning (the TE seems to avoid most of the bad body roll with KDSS), cheaper feeling / looking interior (IMO), thin and easily flexible (flimsy) sheet metal, and an overall "relapse" in features and technolgy. What I mean by the last one is they went back to a manual transfer case with no Torsen ( some people like the manual stick transfer case, not me) and got rid of "nice-to-haves" like projection head lights and led tail lights from the 4th gen while adding a lame whip antenna (no visible antenna on 4th gen). Little things like that just kinda irked me, like the brand wasn't moving forward with their lineup. There are more trim and package options in the 4th gen as well as two very good engine options. The 5th gen has a slightly larger and stronger rear axle as well as a beefier frame. Styling is subjective and the 5th gen is starting to grow on me, especially seeing some the lifted rigs on this site but Im more than pleased with the 4th gen. The capabilities offroad of either the 4th or 5th gen vehicles are very similar, especially after a lift and tires are put into the equation. The 5th gen is a visibly larger vehicle so smaller, narrower trails may be an issue. I still think that the torsen center diff with locking feature makes the 4th gen a superior 4wd vehicle but you may get some disagreement there. Bottom line for me was the issues with the 4th gen could be corrected and the ones with the 5th gen could not. Maybe some 5th gen guys will chime in here with there .02. The fact that a 09 TE could be had for $10k less than a 2010 (at the time I was shopping) sealed the deal. Both vehicles will perform admirably both on road and off, personal preference though as to what attributes you are more inclined to look at as good or bad.

 

[evomind]

Ok, another long post but Ill try to stay fairly unbiased and just mention some of the things that turned me away from a 5th gen when I was in the market for a truck. Known issues with the 4th gen include stuck brake pistons (usually only a problem if you live where they salt the roads in winter) cracked headers on the V8, driveline "clunk" that is fixed with lubrication, and stuck transfer case actuators (usually only on vehicles where the actuators are rarely used). Most of these are either maintenance or minor mechanical issues that are easily fixed. The issues with the 5th gen and why I chose not to buy are more inherent in the design. Significant nose dive under braking and body roll while turning (the TE seems to avoid most of the bad body roll with KDSS), cheaper feeling / looking interior (IMO), thin and easily flexible (flimsy) sheet metal, and an overall "relapse" in features and technolgy. What I mean by the last one is they went back to a manual transfer case with no Torsen ( some people like the manual stick transfer case, not me) and got rid of "nice-to-haves" like projection head lights and led tail lights from the 4th gen while adding a lame whip antenna (no visible antenna on 4th gen). Little things like that just kinda irked me, like the brand wasn't moving forward with their lineup. There are more trim and package options in the 4th gen as well as two very good engine options. The 5th gen has a slightly larger and stronger rear axle as well as a beefier frame. Styling is subjective and the 5th gen is starting to grow on me, especially seeing some the lifted rigs on this site but Im more than pleased with the 4th gen. The capabilities offroad of either the 4th or 5th gen vehicles are very similar, especially after a lift and tires are put into the equation. The 5th gen is a visibly larger vehicle so smaller, narrower trails may be an issue. I still think that the torsen center diff with locking feature makes the 4th gen a superior 4wd vehicle but you may get some disagreement there. Bottom line for me was the issues with the 4th gen could be corrected and the ones with the 5th gen could not. Maybe some 5th gen guys will chime in here with there .02. The fact that a 09 TE could be had for $10k less than a 2010 (at the time I was shopping) sealed the deal. Both vehicles will perform admirably both on road and off, personal preference though as to what attributes you are more inclined to look at as good or bad.

Thanks for the info....
I havent driven either gen yet but I will certainly do some research and test drives b4 buying. A low mileage gen 4 at 10k less is very appealing. Some of the features of a gen 5 are appealing as well. My own observations was it was kind of a give and take on which one was better, though I do like gen 5 but because of cost I may end up with a 4.