4th Gen legroom, headroom, and fuel requirements

[Cyrcle]

Hi All. I'm new to the forum. Looking at buying a 4th Gen 4Runner. I've previously had a 2nd Gen, a '95 SR5 w/ 22RE and 5spd, which I loved overall. I cut out the fenders, put some 34x9.5 Swampers on it, welded the rear diff, and had lots of fun! Did some runs with Yankee Toys and lots of exploring around Vermont where I live.

I've read some complaints about the headroom in the 4th Gen. How does it compare to the 2nd Gen? What about legroom? I'm 6'4", 36" inseam, so the 2nd Gen was a bit tight but not cramped Is there any differences between years? The closest for sale I can find is about an hour away so I'd like to get some info before I get my hopes up

Do the 4th Gens need premium fuel? I'm hoping to get a V8 for the full-time 4WD, and I've never owned a V8 so I figure I'd better get one while gas is still somewhat affordable! However the V6 is always a possibility.

Thanks for any info!

 

[sonerick]

Premium is not required.

I'm 6' 4" and the headroom is a little bit cramped because I have a sunroof. Models without a sunroof have significantly more head room. Not sure how either model compares to a 2nd gen.

I find legroom to be adequate with the seat slid all the way back. However, I get a little bit uncomfortable if driving for more than a couple of hrs at a time.

Hope this helps, good luck with your search!

Edit: Here is a webpage that describes the changes in generations and model years very well: http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist11984.html. Credit goes to J.A., it's one good site.

 

[gnargnarpowpow]

I'm pretty much the same size as you, 6'4'' and I don't feel crammed in my 4thgen. I wouldn't mind a little more leg room but i't not to small. I drove to Montana and back this winter and didn't have any problem, even enough room to sleep in the back. I also live in VT, and love to explore in my t4r.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam and I just went from a 3rd gen (similar in size to your 2nd gen, I think) to a 4th gen.

The comment about the sunroof is very correct. I actually passed on several nice 4th gens when I was shopping because they had sunroofs. From what I've seen it's hard to find a V8 without a sunroof, not sure why.

Mine is the V6 and I love it. Just got back from a 700+ mile trip to Southwestern Colorado and even pulling a 1200lb teardrop trailer over multiple high passes, my average MPG was about 18. Regular gas works fine.

Not sure why you want full time 4wd but the multi-mode T-case in the V6 gives you full time 4wd whenever you want it. Personally, I like being able to put mine in 2wd and only run 4wd when I need it, but if I want 4wd on the highway, I can have it by just turning the knob.

As far as room, the interior of the 4th gen is significantly bigger than the 3rd gen. In fact, I actually had to push my seat forward a bit because I was having to reach too far to get the steering wheel.

Really, the 4th gen is an awesome vehicle, I think you'll be amazed at how much more refined they are compared to the older generations.

That's not to say anything bad about the older 4runners, they were great vehicles but they were very much products of their era. There has been a significant evolution in vehicles since that 2nd gen came out 22 years ago and when you sit in a 4th gen you can really see the changes.

 

[04_4runner]

6'2" here and no headroom issues because I don't have the sunroof. I have an 04 SR5 with the V8. Love it. It does not require premium. There is a small but noticeable increase in performance with premium but the computer changes the engine timing if you put in regular. I have logged every fill up for the last 12 K miles and I average 17.1 MPG.

 

[Cyrcle]

Not sure why you want full time 4wd but the multi-mode T-case in the V6 gives you full time 4wd whenever you want it. Personally, I like being able to put mine in 2wd and only run 4wd when I need it, but if I want 4wd on the highway, I can have it by just turning the knob.

The V6 transfer has a 4Hi mode with the center diff unlocked?

 

[Cyrcle]

Do the V6 and V8 do ok with gas that has ethanol? It's hard to find non-ethanol gas around here.

 

[Martinjmpr]

The V6 transfer has a 4Hi mode with the center diff unlocked?

Yes. There are a couple of threads here on the multi-mode system but in a nutshell, with the V6 you can run in the following modes: 2wd, 4wd high w/center diff unlocked (OK to drive on dry pavement), 4wd high w/center diff locked (off road or slippery surfaces only), 4wd low with center diff unlocked (OK to drive on dry pavement) and 4wd low w/center diff locked (off road or slippery surfaces only.) With the V8 you can do all of the above except for the 2wd mode.

Do the V6 and V8 do ok with gas that has ethanol? It's hard to find non-ethanol gas around here.

All the gas around here has 10% ethanol and it seems to work fine in my vehicle.

 

[JDSupreme]

From what I hear, if you're tall, avoid sunroofs and driver side power seats.

FWIW, I'm 6' and have a sunroof with no power seat. I've got about 4" or so of clearance overhead