4th Gen

[shawnstcyr]

I am a 3rd Gen owner, but I try to rent a 4th Gen when I travel to wind turbine sites. I didn't like the 4th Gen the 1st time I got 1, but now the thing is growing on me. I have to admit the ride is alot better. The dash and the lack of 3rd Gen ammenities is still there, but it is impressive as far as power and range goes. I am still afraid to off road a stock 4th Gen , though. I think the 3rd Gen beats it in overall quality and off road ability.

 

[teampwr2]

Glad you are able to try a 4th gen....
Yes they are bigger than the 3rd, But you would really be suprised where you can get these things !!

I always had Toyota trucks and this 4th gen is my first 4 runner ,
I added a few things to make it a little better in the dirt and I have gone everywhere I have previously in my trucks .
Its basically a tacoma with a built on camper shell ..IMHO...As I have had both now to compare .

But keep on checkin them out / :guitar2:

 

[rjyhdc4]

What lack of amenities?

 

[shawnstcyr]

What lack of amenities?

Mainly the lack of 3 power outlets up front and the 1 in the rear. The 3rd row seating is kinda a pain in the rear with all the tools I haul around. I don't know how you would get anybody back there LOL!!

 

[shawnstcyr]

Glad you are able to try a 4th gen....
Yes they are bigger than the 3rd, But you would really be suprised where you can get these things !!

I always had Toyota trucks and this 4th gen is my first 4 runner ,
I added a few things to make it a little better in the dirt and I have gone everywhere I have previously in my trucks .
Its basically a tacoma with a built on camper shell ..IMHO...As I have had both now to compare .

But keep on checkin them out / :guitar2:

If you ever get the chance to, try off roading a 3rd gen. Especially the '99 model with the extra ground clearance. I think it is the only stock 4Runner that I would keep for serious offroading. If I ever can afford a 4th gen, it will have to have a lift kit for sure. I need my clearance. I would certainly rip the bottom off of the new Runner on the trails I run.

 

[Nuke]

I've owned a 2nd gen, 3rd gen and now a 4th gen 4Runner, all V6's, and I have to say the 4th gen is more refined, powerful and comfortable than the others. Although I don't care for the 4th gen's solenoid that pulls in the 4WD over the shift handle of the 2nd and 3rd gens, I consider it as capable as the others.

At first when I had both the 3rd and 4th gens in the driveway, I wasn't sure about the 4th gen. But since I sold the 3rd gen I've become very happy with my 4th gen.

I think the 4th gen's appointments are better than the others, too.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Did Toyota keep the auto up/down power front windows from the 3rd gen? There is a few things they did to keep the cost down on the 4th gens.

 

[SubSonic]

Did Toyota keep the auto up/down power front windows from the 3rd gen? There is a few things they did to keep the cost down on the 4th gens.

They did on the driver's side window - in certain trim levels anyway. My 4th Gen has auto up/down on the driver's side, but is a Limited model. Can't speak to other trim levels. I assume it is optional across the whole line though.

I also love the auto up/down/back sunroof and auto up/down rear window as well.

I sort of do miss auto up/down for the passenger window since my 'work truck' (2002 Chevy Trailblazer LT) has it on both front windows. But the TB has a pop-open rear hatch window in the lift gate and not a roll down window, so it's basically a fair tradeoff.

 

[Thai]

If you ever get the chance to, try off roading a 3rd gen. Especially the '99 model with the extra ground clearance. I think it is the only stock 4Runner that I would keep for serious offroading. If I ever can afford a 4th gen, it will have to have a lift kit for sure. I need my clearance. I would certainly rip the bottom off of the new Runner on the trails I run.

Did Toyota keep the auto up/down power front windows from the 3rd gen? There is a few things they did to keep the cost down on the 4th gens.

Well, Toyota may have taken away the passenger AUTO window, but they also added much more powerful engine choices, rear disc brakes, a significantly stronger frame, more airbags, stability control, etc.. Well worth the tradeoff, esp. if you use your 4runner as daily driver.

The question one has to ask oneself is this...can you make a 3rd gen as safe and as practical as a 4th gen on the road? Can you make a 4th gen as capable as a 3rd gen off-road? My answers would be..."no" to first question, even if you have unlimited funds...and "yes" to 2nd question.

And when you add in the 2009 4runner Trail Edition, you have a 4th gen 4runner that is more capable than any 4runner before it, bar none. And to get close to the clearance of 3rd gen, all you need is a $50-100 aftermarket mod...and you're done!

 

[shawnstcyr]

They did on the driver's side window - in certain trim levels anyway. My 4th Gen has auto up/down on the driver's side, but is a Limited model. Can't speak to other trim levels. I assume it is optional across the whole line though.

I also love the auto up/down/back sunroof and auto up/down rear window as well.

I sort of do miss auto up/down for the passenger window since my 'work truck' (2002 Chevy Trailblazer LT) has it on both front windows. But the TB has a pop-open rear hatch window in the lift gate and not a roll down window, so it's basically a fair tradeoff.

My rental is an SR5 and only has auto on the driver's front, and the rear hatch.

I did a fuel economy check today. After 85% highway miles I only got 16.25 MPG. Is that normal on your Runner's? BTW this truck has 28000 miles on it, so the clearances ought to be ok now.

 

[shawnstcyr]

Well, Toyota may have taken away the passenger AUTO window, but they also added much more powerful engine choices, rear disc brakes, a significantly stronger frame, more airbags, stability control, etc.. Well worth the tradeoff, esp. if you use your 4runner as daily driver.

The question one has to ask oneself is this...can you make a 3rd gen as safe and as practical as a 4th gen on the road? Can you make a 4th gen as capable as a 3rd gen off-road? My answers would be..."no" to first question, even if you have unlimited funds...and "yes" to 2nd question.

And when you add in the 2009 4runner Trail Edition, you have a 4th gen 4runner that is more capable than any 4runner before it, bar none. And to get close to the clearance of 3rd gen, all you need is a $50-100 aftermarket mod...and you're done!

Well spoken!

 

[kaiser]

Well, Toyota may have taken away the passenger AUTO window, but they also added much more powerful engine choices, rear disc brakes, a significantly stronger frame, more airbags, stability control, etc.. Well worth the tradeoff, esp. if you use your 4runner as daily driver.

The question one has to ask oneself is this...can you make a 3rd gen as safe and as practical as a 4th gen on the road? Can you make a 4th gen as capable as a 3rd gen off-road? My answers would be..."no" to first question, even if you have unlimited funds...and "yes" to 2nd question.

And when you add in the 2009 4runner Trail Edition, you have a 4th gen 4runner that is more capable than any 4runner before it, bar none. And to get close to the clearance of 3rd gen, all you need is a $50-100 aftermarket mod...and you're done!

i swear you own a G-Klasse and know so much more about 4Runners than i do XD

 

[Thai]

i swear you own a G-Klasse and know so much more about 4Runners than i do XD

Well, that is the difference between having a life and having no life.... I live vicariously through you guys....

 

[kaiser]

lol you are more than welcome here because you also have such a reliable strong beast like the rest of us

Back on the subject i'm looking for a 03 Limited because i want a V8, i dont particularly enjoy the look of the 4th gen to a 3rd gen but both have their strengths and weaknesses