4th gen V6 reliability vs 3rd gen?

[w00derson]

I've been recently researching and browsing 3rd gen 4Runners. I am looking to pickup a 3rd gen, mainly for the reliability factor. Ideally I'd like to pick up an 02 limited with 100-120k miles.

But lately I've started looking at 4th gens and noticed that 03s and 04s with around 120k miles are going for the same or not much more than the 3rd gens.

From what I've gathered, 120k miles on a 3rd gen is "low". Does the same generally apply for a 4th gen and are they as reliable as the 3rd gens?

 

[NJshadow93]

do a nationwide search and you will see plenty of 4th gens, as well as 3rd gens for sale with over 250k miles on it. A 4Runner is a 4Runner and no matter the year, it is one of the most reliable trucks out there. Of course, each generation has some sort of rare issue that occurs once in a while. The 3rd gens have had a couple of occurrences of what is known as "Strawberry Milkshake" while the 4th Gen V6s have had a very small number of HG failures. A search on the forum will give you more information. Generally, a 4th gen V6 is smoother, much more powerful, and the ride of a 4th gen is far better than that of a 3rd gen in terms of road handling and refinement. IMO, if you find a 4th gen closely priced to a 3rd, go for a 4th gen. Have you considered the V8 models?

 

[Zuke]

The 3.4 v6 in the 3rd gen is rock solid and possibly the best truck V6 toyota has made. It does have a timing belt and is under powered compared to the 4.0 in the 4th gen.

 

[SilverGs]

do a nationwide search and you will see plenty of 4th gens, as well as 3rd gens for sale with over 250k miles on it. A 4Runner is a 4Runner and no matter the year, it is one of the most reliable trucks out there. Of course, each generation has some sort of rare issue that occurs once in a while. The 3rd gens have had a couple of occurrences of what is known as "Strawberry Milkshake" while the 4th Gen V6s have had a very small number of HG failures. A search on the forum will give you more information. Generally, a 4th gen V6 is smoother, much more powerful, and the ride of a 4th gen is far better than that of a 3rd gen in terms of road handling and refinement. IMO, if you find a 4th gen closely priced to a 3rd, go for a 4th gen. Have you considered the V8 models?

My noob question of the day - what is an HG failure?

 

[DallasGooner]

My noob question of the day - what is an HG failure?

Head gasket. In 4th gen the #6 occasionally will fail.