4Th gen vs. 3rd gen

[shawnstcyr]

Hey guys,

Well I've been trying to get a 4th gen 4Runner as a rental work truck for a couple of weeks now. Finally, I've got one. I own a 99 SR5. They gave me an '08 SR5.

I don't want to make anybody mad when I say this, but I'm pretty disappointed . This thing feels like a car, not an suv. I do like the fuel economy of the 4.0 . I honestly think the 3rd gen feels more like a solid suv to me. What do you guys think. Any body else get this feeling after owning a 3rd gen?

 

[Thai]

Car like = smooth ride?? If so, then yeah because the 3rd gen rides like a buckling bronco. On-road ride and handling is not where the 3rd gen is better than 4th gen.

Solidity and workmanship? You may be right, but the frame and body is supposedly stronger on the 4th gen according to a Toyota literature i read long time ago when 4th gen first came out.

 

[shawnstcyr]

Yes , the ride is great, but that is not what I was referring to. I really don't have any complaints about 3rd gen. ride quality. It definetly is smoother than my old Grand Cherokee was.
It just feels like a car as far as when you look out the window and see your ride hieghth. The steering wheel placement is different also. Unfortunately, I don't have the nice leather seat package. These cloth seats aren't great. I beleive if I were to buy one, I'd need that.

On the plus side, I like the locking center diff. option. I'm working in Iowa and MN. Good hills are pretty rare. Are these things as offroad capaple as the 3rd gen, ground clearance aside?

 

[peter78]

I just bought a used 4th gen. and kept my 3rd. I wrote about the differences in my third post here. The first two posts are pictures of the two next to each other.

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

I gave the 3rd my nod for build quality over the 4th. I also notice when I went back to the 3rd after driving for a week in the 4th, the 3rd takes off quicker. I don't know if it is the gas pedal linkage, or gearing, or what, but taking off it is more spunky for the average take off.

No doubt the 4th has a better ride, but I do feel the 4Runner roots come through. So, yes they are different. I can see good points to the 3rd and good points for the 4th.

 

[riverider]

Nothing I ever have driven was as rough as the old Toyotas I drove around 1980 man was that first Demo. ride and eye opener. I waited till 82 and bought the full sized Bronco I still own, It road a lot better still plenty hard unloaded but the handling is somewhat scary at 70mph.

Then there is the 03 Sorento I traded in on the 08 v6 2wd SR5 it had a very harsh ride and a crazy drumming sound when on the smallest bumpy street. Funny the wife thought it road wonderful, But she loved the worthless junker. I never felt it really was under control at any speed over 55mph. Go over a bump in any turn at 55mph and the steering wheel felt jumpy.

The new SR5 rides great and handles the way I feel it's under control. Also it's so easy to back up in a tight parking spot, backing the Sorento was dangerous for me backing and anyone who was any where near the rear of the Sorento because you can't see nothing behind you at night and not much more in bright sunlight.

Trust me I would never go back now that I have driven the 08 SR5.:awais:

 

[Thai]

Are these things as offroad capaple as the 3rd gen, ground clearance aside?

Aside from stock ground clearance and bigger size, the 4th gen is slightly more capable technologically...better brakes, meaning better ATRAC system than 3rd gen. However, if your 1999 has the rear locker, then the nod goes to you sligthly.

 

[shawnstcyr]

Yeah, you're right about the brakes. They are way better than the 3rd gen. Took some getting used to at first. I may have Thanksgiving off, not sure. Some co-workers and I are thinking of going to Denver. I might take the 'Runner up to Central City, if the trails are open. I can get a really good feel for what a 4th gen. has then. I've taken my 3rd. gen there, so I have a comparison.