Favorite 4runner Generation, why?
- Thread starter itschrisb
- Start date
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Have owned 1st gens, 2. was the bomb of the times, a jeep equal with removable top.
Owned 1 2nd gen for a year or so, 3.slow didn't cut it.
Have 2 3rd gens, have owned 96 for 17 yrs, 01 just purchased, before purchasing 01 I looked at newer Runners and Jeeps a few 1st gens. I'd say whats sitting in my drive is what I prefer, 3rd gen all the way.:bravo:
Why: Creature comforts, size interior and exterior, power, reliability, BOF construction, it's all steel no plastic body parts for me.
Owned 1 2nd gen for a year or so, 3.slow didn't cut it.
Have 2 3rd gens, have owned 96 for 17 yrs, 01 just purchased, before purchasing 01 I looked at newer Runners and Jeeps a few 1st gens. I'd say whats sitting in my drive is what I prefer, 3rd gen all the way.:bravo:
Why: Creature comforts, size interior and exterior, power, reliability, BOF construction, it's all steel no plastic body parts for me.
Last edited:
Gecko
New member
This is a hard one...
I love the 3rd gen, especially the later models like '01 and '02 because they were the 4Runners of my childhood and I also owned one - a '99 SR5 Sport 4x4 that was simply unstoppable offroad. Loved that truck.
I love the 4th gen because it was such big step up over the 3rd gen, offered much better engine choices, was much more refined, bigger and more comfortable. Some people still consider the 4th gen V8 to be the best 4Runner ever and I wouldn't disagree with that.
Strangely, I never loved the 5th gen and even when I bought mine, I bought it just because it was the "current" 4Runner to buy. However, as time has gone on, I really, really love this truck. I love how it looks and how it drives, I love how it performs offroad, I absolutely love the Redwood leather, the list goes on.
All in all, I'd say 4th gen was the best 4Runner ever, but my personal favorite would probably be my 5th gen. It's a lot easier to live with than my 3rd gen, and I never fit in our 4th gen very well because of the short windshield and seating position. 5th gen does a nice job of tying it all together.
I love the 3rd gen, especially the later models like '01 and '02 because they were the 4Runners of my childhood and I also owned one - a '99 SR5 Sport 4x4 that was simply unstoppable offroad. Loved that truck.
I love the 4th gen because it was such big step up over the 3rd gen, offered much better engine choices, was much more refined, bigger and more comfortable. Some people still consider the 4th gen V8 to be the best 4Runner ever and I wouldn't disagree with that.
Strangely, I never loved the 5th gen and even when I bought mine, I bought it just because it was the "current" 4Runner to buy. However, as time has gone on, I really, really love this truck. I love how it looks and how it drives, I love how it performs offroad, I absolutely love the Redwood leather, the list goes on.
All in all, I'd say 4th gen was the best 4Runner ever, but my personal favorite would probably be my 5th gen. It's a lot easier to live with than my 3rd gen, and I never fit in our 4th gen very well because of the short windshield and seating position. 5th gen does a nice job of tying it all together.
Geo_s1
New member
I'm with you miss the 3rd gen since day I traded it in on a 4th gen since then on second 5th gen haha I may be crazy but I think they have brought back some of the looks from the 3rd gen cause they know we all love them.
Sent from WV
[MENTION=66744]andy2008[/MENTION] did you powder coat your stock rims? If so or if not, can I see a pic of them clean and closeup (if you have any)? I was thinking of PC'ing mine. Thanks and nice rigs!
2016 T4R SR5P
andy2008
New member
I did plasti dip them like that route cause can peel right off if need be. It's been raining today but haven't been anywhere so still pretty clean. Had it on my 08 rims well over a year before peeled off and redid them I just spray them down with whatever tireshime I'm using and wipe off with towel shine for long time.
Oh best part you don't like it your out 10bucks and peel it off.
Sent from WV
Geo_s1
New member
I did plasti dip them like that route cause can peel right off if need be. It's been raining today but haven't been anywhere so still pretty clean. Had it on my 08 rims well over a year before peeled off and redid them I just spray them down with whatever tireshime I'm using and wipe off with towel shine for long time.
Oh best part you don't like it your out 10bucks and peel it off.
Sent from WV
Awesome! They look pretty good for an inexpensive mod. Thanks!
2016 T4R SR5P
Brookey_813
New member
My favorite was/is the 3rd Gen. Specifically the 2001 model. Took me a year to find my perfect 4Runner. Why? Loved the body style, look inside and out and how they handled. Then I got rid of it this year for the 5th gen. Miss it all the time. It had original/dealer installed TRD suspension and locking diffs.
Attachments
Scramble
New member
3rd gens never came with a TRD suspension and 01's didn't come with a locking diff. Only 96-00's came with an optional rear locking diff.
Pastor passum
New member
I've driven and loved many 4-Runners beginning with the '84 and then a '86 turbo 4, both belonging to my partner. My first was '94 SR5 and then my favorite, a '97 Limited. Loved EVERYTHING about that vehicle. After 12 years in a 2001 Tundra, the longest I've ever kept any vehicle, the 2018 ORP is really growing on me.
wrw4runner
New member
In 2011 I purchased a Toyota certified 2007 4Runner v6 SE. It was 20 grand and had 34k miles on it. I only drive in sand and spend most time on pavement so this truck is perfect for my needs. I like the selectability of the 4wd system in this model, and I actually like the xreas. That being said I will buy a brand new 5th gen off road model before the 6th generation arrives.
Brookey_813
New member
They did if you custom made them when you bought them from the dealership. This one had the TRD locking difflocks. Not the engine but the locking diffs. It was not aftermarket or installed after purchase. This one was a gem and I wish I would have kept it because of that but I didn't :cry2:
Scramble
New member
:lmao::shrug:
saltyskies
New member
Buyer's advice wanted
Hoping to revive a dead thread, I'm looking to buy a 4runner to build this summer (if I make enough $$ treeplanting). I'm pretty set on 3rd gen, seems like a really solid design and bulletproof, but can anyone give me some reasons not to?
Why shouldn't I buy a 3rd gen?
Hoping to revive a dead thread, I'm looking to buy a 4runner to build this summer (if I make enough $$ treeplanting). I'm pretty set on 3rd gen, seems like a really solid design and bulletproof, but can anyone give me some reasons not to?
Why shouldn't I buy a 3rd gen?
Thebeastlives
New member
the lack of power is the biggest reason. The 3.4 motor is super reliable but it is turtle slow and can barely pull its own weight up a hill. I love my 3rd gen but the 4th gen is just as reliable and has a ton more power and equally as offroad capable. The 4.0 motor in the 4th and 5th gen is just all around better motor than a 3.4 3rd gen. The 4th and 5th gen ride much better than a 3rd gen. You get them loaded up with dogs, people, gear and head out to the mtns you will love that 4.0 motor.
saltyskies
New member
Would you say the 4th gen is as reliable as the v6 in the 3rd? Part of the reason I'm leaning more towards the 3rd gen is that I'll be using it for some overlanding and want my rig to be reliable and simple to fix in the field if I break down.
saltyskies
New member
How much more complex is the 4th gen motor compared to the 3rd? I'm okay with it being a little underpowered, but if the 4th gen isn't too much more complex (more computer control, mainly) I might have to look into it more. Thank you!
