are 4th gen as good as 3rd gen?
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NJshadow93
New member
Fuel economy is better with the 4th gen V6, while the V8 is maybe only slightly worse on the highway than the 3.4 in the 3rd gen. 4th gen is actually built stronger, with a stronger frame (I read that somewhere). Both just as reliable. 4th gen has more power, more comfort, a little bigger. 3rd gen has more stock ground clearance.
Yep.
He hit it right on the nail.
As with most cars, newer generations have will have the advantages of the tech at the time. 4runners are quality vehicles...but it is fair to say, that each successive generation is able to enjoy improvements.
The 4th generation trucks are able to get more power for less fuel, just as the 5th was out of a V6. The 4th gen truck has some stronger components and newer manufacturing processes going for it.
Both are awesome... and the word "better" is so subjective, it comes down to WHAT you will use to determine it.
He hit it right on the nail.
As with most cars, newer generations have will have the advantages of the tech at the time. 4runners are quality vehicles...but it is fair to say, that each successive generation is able to enjoy improvements.
The 4th generation trucks are able to get more power for less fuel, just as the 5th was out of a V6. The 4th gen truck has some stronger components and newer manufacturing processes going for it.
Both are awesome... and the word "better" is so subjective, it comes down to WHAT you will use to determine it.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Honestly,I think the overall quality of the materials dropped off a bit since the 3rd gens and it's a little expected when my '99 stickered near $34k back in '99 and 5th gens are within only $5k more.
Power is great and the powertrains kickass in the 4th gens but overall build quality I think slipped a little over the last decade. With that said a 4th gen is still built better than most things on the road right now.
Power is great and the powertrains kickass in the 4th gens but overall build quality I think slipped a little over the last decade. With that said a 4th gen is still built better than most things on the road right now.
Gerdo
New member
This is a loaded question.
3rd gen:
less electronic BS (traction control, except on 01-02 but easily turned off)
More of a challenge w/o the electronic BS
better ground clearance, approach and departure angles
smaller, more maneuverable
more basic
4th gen:
More power
The electronic BS can get you thru obstacles easier (I'm not sure if that is such a good thing)
bigger, more space
more refined
3rd gen:
less electronic BS (traction control, except on 01-02 but easily turned off)
More of a challenge w/o the electronic BS
better ground clearance, approach and departure angles
smaller, more maneuverable
more basic
4th gen:
More power
The electronic BS can get you thru obstacles easier (I'm not sure if that is such a good thing)
bigger, more space
more refined
Its not exactly a landcruiser or sequoia, I think they would be considered much more massive.
If you look up the factory specs for Length, width, height you will see that they are very close. I have each and they sit side by side in my garage, 4th gen is a little wider and lower but very close to the 3rd gen in size.
NJshadow93
New member
True, the size difference isn't that significant. Plus, the 4th gen feels more nimble compared to the 3rd gen's sluggish acceleration and rough ride.
jpless
New member
I've owned a 98 sr5 and now my 06 ltd so I figured I'd weigh in...
Reliability: Both are very reliable, i wouldnt say that one is more reliable than the other. Each gen has some "known issues" or "common problems" that will happen or are more likely to happen but I wouldnt choose one over the other for this category.
Ruggedness: What are you planning on doing to it after purchase? A stock 3rd gen feels more rugged than a stock 4th gen. It definitely has more clearance and you can find 3rd gens with rear lockers and I think ive even seen some with center and rear lockers. The 4th gen can be found with a center or a rear locker as well. Lockers = more offroad capability = ruggedness.
If you want the most rugged without modifications, I'd go with the 3rd gen. A stock 3rd gen definitely looks and feels more like a truck than a stock 4th gen. I also liked thy physical 4wd shifter on the 3rd over the electronic switch on the 4th.
Fuel Economy: Negligible. I got similar MPG between my 98 and 06 but its hard to compare due to the different mods on each. The 4th gen does have more power and can hold about 5 more gallons so you can go longer between fill ups but it will also cost more to fill a 4th gen.
In the end, its what you're looking for. If it's ruggedness and you do not want to mod it, go with the 3rd gen. If you do want to mod it, how much you want to spend is the factor. The cost of modding is fairly the same across both gens but the up front cost is clearly cheaper for a 3rd gen.
if up-front cost isnt a concern, go with whatever you feel more comfortable sitting in and what looks better to you. You can build either gen as a highly capable off-road vehicle. If you're not going to mod it and you want ruggedness, go 3rd gen.
You can eliminate reliability and fuel economy from the mix as both gens are close enough when comparing the v6.
if you are going to mod, I'd suggest taking a look around at build threads to see what people commonly do to each gen and deciding which you like better that way. It may come down to the smallest of features (ie 98s and older have awful cupholders, 99+ has better and the 4th gen has the best IMO).
Think about what you want to do with it, what you want it to look/feel like and how much you want to spend. Once you do that you'll be able to look at rigs on this site to determine which gen meets your desires the most.
Reliability: Both are very reliable, i wouldnt say that one is more reliable than the other. Each gen has some "known issues" or "common problems" that will happen or are more likely to happen but I wouldnt choose one over the other for this category.
Ruggedness: What are you planning on doing to it after purchase? A stock 3rd gen feels more rugged than a stock 4th gen. It definitely has more clearance and you can find 3rd gens with rear lockers and I think ive even seen some with center and rear lockers. The 4th gen can be found with a center or a rear locker as well. Lockers = more offroad capability = ruggedness.
If you want the most rugged without modifications, I'd go with the 3rd gen. A stock 3rd gen definitely looks and feels more like a truck than a stock 4th gen. I also liked thy physical 4wd shifter on the 3rd over the electronic switch on the 4th.
Fuel Economy: Negligible. I got similar MPG between my 98 and 06 but its hard to compare due to the different mods on each. The 4th gen does have more power and can hold about 5 more gallons so you can go longer between fill ups but it will also cost more to fill a 4th gen.
In the end, its what you're looking for. If it's ruggedness and you do not want to mod it, go with the 3rd gen. If you do want to mod it, how much you want to spend is the factor. The cost of modding is fairly the same across both gens but the up front cost is clearly cheaper for a 3rd gen.
if up-front cost isnt a concern, go with whatever you feel more comfortable sitting in and what looks better to you. You can build either gen as a highly capable off-road vehicle. If you're not going to mod it and you want ruggedness, go 3rd gen.
You can eliminate reliability and fuel economy from the mix as both gens are close enough when comparing the v6.
if you are going to mod, I'd suggest taking a look around at build threads to see what people commonly do to each gen and deciding which you like better that way. It may come down to the smallest of features (ie 98s and older have awful cupholders, 99+ has better and the 4th gen has the best IMO).
Think about what you want to do with it, what you want it to look/feel like and how much you want to spend. Once you do that you'll be able to look at rigs on this site to determine which gen meets your desires the most.
main purpuse for the car is
1) piece of mind on winter roads of quebec ( lots of snow/ice )
2) dont want to spend a fortune on repairs and not dont want to have the car at the mechanic once a week.
3) I work in construction so I enjoy the space in the trunk
4) I think 3rd gen looks hotter
5) I want to tow in the near future something like a seadoo or a small boat
1) piece of mind on winter roads of quebec ( lots of snow/ice )
2) dont want to spend a fortune on repairs and not dont want to have the car at the mechanic once a week.
3) I work in construction so I enjoy the space in the trunk
4) I think 3rd gen looks hotter
5) I want to tow in the near future something like a seadoo or a small boat
jpless
New member
2) my 98 started hitting the mechanic once a month around 140k before 1st gear blew while towing my 19' grady white. So, depends on the condition of the 3rd gen, how many miles and what repairs have been done. Typically you'll need some good repairs around the 125-150k mark but once those are done you're good to go for another 100k without much maintenance. Obviously a higher mileage 3rd gen will need more maintenance than a low mileage 4th gen but the 4th gen will need the same maintenance once it reaches the same mileage! Major service intervals are 30k miles so if you buy one just shy of that interval (either gen) check to see if that service has been done. Otherwise, you'll be in for a large service bill shortly after buying it.
4) I think thats your answer. find a well maintained 3rd gen with a decent amount of miles, ensuring the major servicing will not be needed soon after purchse.
5) both gens towed my grady white well. The 4th has some extra power and makes it a bit easier. At the same time, the 3rd had a weight distribution hitch (welded to frame) whereas the 4th has a bolt on hitch for the v6 and has the weight distribution hitch for the v8. Towing a seadoo or small boat should be similar across the 2 gens but if you're going any bigger, you get more power with the 4th gen.
Sounds like you should get a 3rd gen that just finished its typical high mileage servicing (replacing belts, potentially new shocks and springs all around, no milkshake issue *do a search* etc).
jpless
New member
value I would say option 3. least age, least miles, least likely to need major servicing anytime soon, assuming the 60k service has been done.
That said, you seem to want a 3rd gen more and with that being the case, I'd check the history on #2 to see if most of the replacements have been done already (shocks, brakes, belts, etc). If so, then its good to go without needing much maintenance for a while.
jpless
New member
If you like manual, I think thats your best bet. The newer transmission is a big plus.
Ask about belts, brakes, suspension. Tranny's good to go so those are the next 'big ticket' items I can think of.
Another key factor is getting a sense for the current owner and how many previous owners there have been. It sounds like the guy with the manual 3rd gen may have been an enthusiast and thus is the most likely to have a well maintained truck. That said, it may have taken more of a beating than the others. If the other owners don't know much, they probably didn't do much and stuck to the bare minimum unless theyre the "i have a lot of money so I do everything the dealer tells" kind of people.
Pop the hood, look at the condition of the engine bay. Crawl underneath and look for rust, scrapes and dents. Feel out the owners and the trucks to determine which one probably took the least abuse and got babied the most. Thats the one i would choose.
Nuke
New member
I've owned 3 T4R's, all used for towing bass boats and campers:
1. 1990 2nd Gen V6 manual: sold to a friend with 205,000 miles and no major issues. Last I heard he had almost 400,000 miles
2. 2000 3rd Gen V6 auto: sold with 152,000 miles in mint condition, ONLY because I got a great deal on a 4th gen
3. 2008 4th Gen Auto V6: currently has close to 69,000 miles and still a baby
Each generation has been a BIG improvement in refinement and I've seen no drop in quality. In addition to the T4R's, I've owned 2 Camrys (215k miles and 207k miles) and a Celica (178k miles). The Celica was in near-showroom condition at time of sale. :boink:
1. 1990 2nd Gen V6 manual: sold to a friend with 205,000 miles and no major issues. Last I heard he had almost 400,000 miles
2. 2000 3rd Gen V6 auto: sold with 152,000 miles in mint condition, ONLY because I got a great deal on a 4th gen
3. 2008 4th Gen Auto V6: currently has close to 69,000 miles and still a baby
Each generation has been a BIG improvement in refinement and I've seen no drop in quality. In addition to the T4R's, I've owned 2 Camrys (215k miles and 207k miles) and a Celica (178k miles). The Celica was in near-showroom condition at time of sale. :boink:
dwm2112
New member
This is my experience as well. I traded an 02 3rd Gen for and 04 4th Gen to gain 4WD as we lived in Colorado at the time. The build quality on our was and remains great. It has only required routine maintenance and will turn 100K this week. I drove both the V6 and V8 and for the small difference in MPG the V8 was the obvious choice. I personally prefer the look of the 3rd Gen better but I do believe the 4th Gen is better in every way that I need.
jspagna1
New member
Just my observations as I never owned a 4th gen. I bought my 97 new and still have it today with 167,000 miles. Truck still looks great and runs awesome. My daughter uses it to go to high school and back every day.
Never considered a 4gen as I wanted a bigger truck with more cargo space and the 4gen did not fit the bill. Now I just bought a 5gen because they finally made it bigger and it was the size I was looking for. I paid just as much for the 5th gen as I did for the 3rd gen 15 years ago. What does that tell you?
Never considered a 4gen as I wanted a bigger truck with more cargo space and the 4gen did not fit the bill. Now I just bought a 5gen because they finally made it bigger and it was the size I was looking for. I paid just as much for the 5th gen as I did for the 3rd gen 15 years ago. What does that tell you?
