Ex-Jeeper needs input on 3rd Gen purchase

[4_low]

Hello,

I'm starting to look for a 4Runner to do some light wheeling and also tow my small boat and I was wondering if there are any years to stay away from. I would also like to see if I can find one with the rear diff locker and I believe that option went away in 2001, is that correct?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brian

 

[brian2sun]

If you're going to tow with it, I would suggest a 4th gen over a 3rd. If it's pretty flat where you're at, then a 3rd would be ok, but not great and will really lag a lot on the hills. At some point they offered a "Trail Edition" 4th and 5th gen with a rear locker, but other than that, no rear lockers were offered after '00.

 

[Pikeman]

Brian is correct however there are several members in this section that tow small boats and pop-up trailers regularly. The power is adequate but does leave a little to be desired when towing. 99 is the most sought out year if you are going to leave stock suspension since it sits a little higher. There are other nice features on the inside that started in 99 like cup holders being moved to the center console etc. etc. I am very happy with my 98 but do plan on doing the 99 center console mod. Coming from the Jeep world you will love the reliability and comfort of either a 3rd or 4th Gen runner.

Brian the '09 was the first year of the Trail Edition with a locker, I also believe they went with the J pattern transfer case also.

 

[cordrayj1]

its just not comfortable to tow anything unless its a jon boat. (or the weight of a jon boat). i have a 16' fiberglass skiff that weighs around 1000, and its as much as i LIKE to tow. i have towed bigger boats regularly (in charleston, sc/flat land) however, and it can handle it, just doesnt like the weight. AT ALL. u can count on holdin up traffic if you have alot of weight.

 

[theizzardking]

yeah depends on how big of a boat ,how much you'll be towing it and the land you'll be going over, personally if i could make do with a 3rd gen i would, i just don't feel that 4th gens are as well made in general as the 3rd gens, i heard the 5th gens build quality seems to be on par with the 3rd gen so far, but that's all Hersey and specualtion on my part.

if you go with a 3rd gen go with the '99 has the e-locker,tallest ride height of the 3rd gens, all of the newer features and the multi-mode transfer case.

 

[brian2sun]

Only the '99 and '00 Limiteds have the multi-mode t-case (and all of the 4x4 '01s and '02s). I just wanted to clarify if that's an important issue to you..

 

[theizzardking]

Only the '99 and '00 Limiteds have the multi-mode t-case (and all of the 4x4 '01s and '02s). I just wanted to clarify if that's an important issue to you..

and not all '99 limited's have the tall springs I just wanted to clarify if that's an important issue to you., lol :frog:

personally i think the multi-mode t-case is a kinda of a big deal, i can't prove better functionality then the others but personally i like it better,i feel like it has all of the options with out all of the extra stupid wiring you get with vsc and the other options you get on the later 3rd gens. again i got no proof and this is a personal judgment, no real tech to back up those claims, just how i feel about it.

 

[Pikeman]

Ok my comment about the J shifter T-case on the '09 trail edition was a reference to the 4th Gen instead of being a knob next to the radio.

**since we are all clarifying***

 

[brian2sun]

:flipoff: LOL!

 

[4_low]

Thanks to all for the comments and information.

Yes towing capability was my concern. My boat is an 18' Hewes Redfisher that probable ways around ~1800-2000 Lbs. I live in south Florida, so flat as a pancake.

I just love the look of the 3rd Gen 4runners but will do some test tows to see how good or bad it is.

Much appreciated!