I have been thinking in terms of a TE with KDSS. But I have heard a lot of good things about the 4th generation off road. I am an off road newbie. For someone likely only to do moderate off roading (no rock climbing), I am wondering if the 5th generation is overkill, might not need the rear locker...What do people think? Thanks.
4th or 5th generation?
- Thread starter diver110
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nashman69g
Member
It is really up to you. But for someone hitting a trail every now and then, just get which one you like better or within your budget.
I liked the interior of the 5th gen way better. That's what sold me on it.
Both are very capable off-road.
I liked the interior of the 5th gen way better. That's what sold me on it.
Both are very capable off-road.
Clemsonfan15
New member
Only the 5th Gen Trail has the rear locker. The 4th Gens also had a Trail edition, but it was only made in 2009.
The main questions you need to ask yourself are:
1. Which one do you visually like more?
2. Do you need the rear locker? (Easier to find with 5th Gens)
3. Do you want a V8?
4. What kind of 4WD do you want? Part time or full time.
If you are only doing light offroading I do not think you would need the locker, but it is less hassle to buy a 4runner with one than to have to install one later down the road.
The main questions you need to ask yourself are:
1. Which one do you visually like more?
2. Do you need the rear locker? (Easier to find with 5th Gens)
3. Do you want a V8?
4. What kind of 4WD do you want? Part time or full time.
If you are only doing light offroading I do not think you would need the locker, but it is less hassle to buy a 4runner with one than to have to install one later down the road.
Thanks for the feedback. I think I will be doing more than light off roading, call it moderate off roading, but not heavy duty, no rock climbing. Because I am also an off roading newbie, I don't have a good sense of under what circumstances the rear locker becomes important.
Hawkdog21
New member
Well is one of them blue? cause id get the blue one....
In all seriousness the 5th gen trail is already perfect for what you plan on doing. It is setup for anything you could throw at it (since you are not looking to do anything "hardcore"). All you would need are some tires and it would get you anywhere you could want to go and you would have a nice new vehicle. Or you could get a cheaper older 4th gen, be jealous of every 5th you see, and when you go offroad you could wish you had more than just a part time t-case. And then you will blow lots of money in nonfactory parts to make it the same as the 5th gen Trail out of the box.
In all seriousness the 5th gen trail is already perfect for what you plan on doing. It is setup for anything you could throw at it (since you are not looking to do anything "hardcore"). All you would need are some tires and it would get you anywhere you could want to go and you would have a nice new vehicle. Or you could get a cheaper older 4th gen, be jealous of every 5th you see, and when you go offroad you could wish you had more than just a part time t-case. And then you will blow lots of money in nonfactory parts to make it the same as the 5th gen Trail out of the box.
Well is one of them blue? cause id get the blue one....
I hate blue. Real men pick black or green.
In all seriousness the 5th gen trail is already perfect for what you plan on doing. It is setup for anything you could throw at it (since you are not looking to do anything "hardcore"). All you would need are some tires and it would get you anywhere you could want to go and you would have a nice new vehicle. Or you could get a cheaper older 4th gen, be jealous of every 5th you see, and when you go offroad you could wish you had more than just a part time t-case. And then you will blow lots of money in nonfactory parts to make it the same as the 5th gen Trail out of the box.
I worry that what you suggest might happen, on the one hand, and that I might spend an extra $10,000+ for capacity I don't need on the other hand (though admittedly the $10,000+ also buys me a 4runner with almost no miles and better fuel comsumption).
Hawkdog21
New member
well as the saying goes, better have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
It really is up to you and what you think you need out of it. I had the money for the TE so it was no question in my mind. If the extra 10 grand for the 5th gen would be on the verge of being a bad idea, then go with the 4th. If you have the money, to me it would be an easy choice.
It really is up to you and what you think you need out of it. I had the money for the TE so it was no question in my mind. If the extra 10 grand for the 5th gen would be on the verge of being a bad idea, then go with the 4th. If you have the money, to me it would be an easy choice.
bubbleheaddiver
New member
After we paid off my wife's 4th gen, I began looking for one for myself. I really like the vehicle. What I found were a lot of 2008's with 50,000+ miles on them. I could not find a low mileage 4th gen anywhere. People love these vehicles. After considering this and how I wanted a low mileage vehicle, I went with a 2011. I had to go with a SR-5, vs. the TE, due to price but I've been really happy with it. Having a TE would be really nice! We also like being a 2 4Runner family. Things I like about the 5th gen: more horsepower, larger interior, fold-down 3rd row seats (never considered how nice this is on occasion) true manually shifted transfer case and integrated rear-view camera (comes in handy when backing the trailer up). It is higher and feels more truck-like to me. The 4th gen has the nifty transfer case lock button but I'd prefer the diff. lock on the TE, I like how the small compartments in the rear have covers on them and the vehicle in general. Owning both 4th and 5th gen vehicles, I think you'll not regret purchasing either.
JB.
New member
This doesn't make sense. Did you mean to say you could be happy to have more than just a part-time t-case?
Hawkdog21
New member
I was saying if he bought the 4th, when he was offroad he could experience the feeling of wishing he had more than just the Tcase in the 4th... He could experience wishing he had a locker, crawl control, multi-terrain select, KDSS (KDSS and locker being the ones I use and enjoy)...
Nothing against 4th gens, but as far as being factory equipped for medium wheeling, everyday driving, and no real towing (that he mentioned) the TE 5th gen is far and away better than a a 4th gen (the 4th gen trail is a different story, but those are hard to find, if he finds one good for him)
EDIT: I see you said "I" would be happy with more than a part time case. That is not the case. I loved the TE because it had a real case with a real lever. Id rather not engaged 4wd with a button, I want to physically put it in its place. Look at any real trail rig, you don't see cute 4wd buttons and knobs, you see real sticks. Soccer moms prefer the buttons because they are cute, men prefer manual shifting into 4wd.
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Clemsonfan15
New member
On the flip side he could install lockers in both the front and rear, add a lift and tires, and customize it the way he wants it for the price of a 5th Gen. And he'd get a V8.
Either way I think you'd be happy.
Hawkdog21
New member
Or he could buy a 1k dollar FJ40, and dump pro rock 60s, LS1 and dual atlas cases with 18" triple bypass King coilovers with 10k dollar reds for rubber for the same price of a 5th gen... we could play this game all day...
All I am saying is that straight up from the factory, if he has the money, the 5th gen trail is ready to rock and will be a brand new vehicle and will make him a very happy camper. Honestly I think either one will suit diver just fine, I am just standing on the side of the new nicely equipped side of the discussion.
All I am saying is that straight up from the factory, if he has the money, the 5th gen trail is ready to rock and will be a brand new vehicle and will make him a very happy camper. Honestly I think either one will suit diver just fine, I am just standing on the side of the new nicely equipped side of the discussion.
blademan
New member
I recently made the switch from 4th to 5th gen T4r, got a 2010 TE. I've not regretted it so far. All the "stuff" on mine is really cool. I haven't climbed any of the southern Appalacians yet, but turkey season is around the corner and I look forward to the chance. My wife had got a new FJ and I gotta show her up...:thumb3:
