5th Gen better than 4th Gen off road

[OffroadT4R]

Hi all,

I have a 2007 4runner sport I purchased second hand and am very happy with it. But I'm seeing a lot of 5th gens out there being used for overlanding and off roading and from my perspective (body and weight) it seems the 4th gen would be better off road? The 5th gen body IMO looks like a brick and appears clumsy while the 4th gen has sleeker lines. So if I'm going into tight spaces the 4th gen wins? My sport (stock) seems to have plenty of pep as well while I heard the 5th gen is a little sluggish.

The downside to owning a 4th gen is I'm seeing is less aftermarket 4x4 accessories seem to be available for the 4th gen and more for the 5th gen (bumpers, suspensions, racks, etc). Did the aftermarket for 4runner off road just get going around 5th gen production?

Are there any decent comparisons of 4th vs 5th gens in off road settings? I'm wondering what I'm missing by not having a 5th gen.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Inv4drZm]

Stock for stock the 5th gen has the edge in offroad capabilities simply because of a factory locker option and a bit more ground clearance (it at least appears they do).

With the same mods apples to apples they are probably pretty even in capability. Maybe a slight edge to the 4th gen for being slightly smaller/lighter.

5th gen has more electronic nannies/drive modes but IMO they are just substitutes for front/rear lockers.

In conclusion you can build either to be as capable as you want. They are fairly close to being the exact same vehicle.

 

[unevolved]

Having wheeled with some 5th gens (group of lightly modded DD trucks), they're extremely similar in capability. The 4th gen just looks more like a soccer mom mobile.

 

[OffroadT4R]

Having wheeled with some 5th gens (group of lightly modded DD trucks), they're extremely similar in capability. The 4th gen just looks more like a soccer mom mobile.

I come from 80s jeeps. This is my first 4runner but I think if there were aftermarket wheel well cutouts/fenders/flares that could add a lot to the look. Outside of that I think it looks just fine.

Put a lift on it, flare and open the wheel wells and I think it'd be bad azz.

 

[AThomas0312]

I’ve had both (2015 TRD PRO and now a 2003 sport w/ V8) and i feel like i can be rougher with the 03. The 5th gen had the locking dif and other modern technology but overall i prefer the 4th gen. It’s all personal preference and what you wanna pay for.

 

[wcjeep]

5th gen still in production. Easier to justify making new product and the investment in manufacturer capability. Also, low mileage 4th gen are getting harder to find. Low mileage 5th gen still easy to purchase.

 

[ElZilcho]

Out of the box they are approximately equal off-road. The big differences I've noticed are:

4th gen:
Drives like a car
Looks like a minivan
Tows 7000# if you have the V8

5th gen:
Drives like a truck
Looks like a truck
Tows 5000#

Despite the cushy feeling 4th gen ride (which some people like [not me]) the suspension on both is very compliant off-road. I feel like I have a more intuitive feeling for the vehicle envelope in the 5th gen which helps me avoid scraping stumps and tree branches. If your priority is overlanding/off-roading, I think its a wash. Similar wheelbase, track, approach/departure angles, envelope, etc.

I like the 5th gens better, but I tow a lot so 4th gen for me. If I was only concerned with off-roading... I'd get a 3rd gen again. That thing was like a gecko... though I may be giving into a bout of fanciful nostalgia.