Help me decide which rig to keep!

[rufflz]

Hey team,

In a bit of a pickle right now, albeit not the worst of them.

I've owned my 1st gen 22re 4runner for the past 5 or so years now. Purchased when I was a sophomore in college and have refreshed and upgraded a number of things over the years. OME all around, rebuilt the motor, and installed a refurbished transmission. 255,xxx trouble free miles so far.

It's loud and raw, everything I love about it but my GF hates it as it can be a bit taxing on longer road trips. I personally like the look of my 1st gen better, but it's also been modified where as the 3rd gen is bone stock so perhaps it's a bit of an unfair comparison.

So then I finally found a 3rd 3.4L 5 speed to replace it with and am feeling some type of way letting go of the 1st gen. Keeping both isn't feasible for me as I live in San Francisco and parking is a premium.

My intention with either rig is just a daily driver mixed with Tahoe in the winter months for skiing and Pismo beach in the summer; no hardcore crawling here.

Both rigs are up to date on mechanical and cosmetic bits.

Help me decide which one to keep!

 

[spartacus]

Man thats a tough decision.I really like that 1st gen the look is awesome also they are kind of becoming a collectors item if in good shape. I love my 3rd gen so surprisingly I voted for the 1st gen.make the decision based on what will make you happy in the long run. girl friend happiness should be a part of the decision but not all.

 

[Herculean T4R]

1st gen, since it hasn't given you any issues in last 5 years. It's proven. With any pre-owned vehicle you are taking your chances.

 

[Lamer]

if you like the first gen that much, and the only issue is being loud, make it quieter! that thing is awesome.

 

[Vidaurri18]

Keep the Firs Gen... Nice rig there!

 

[Kyngfish]

If you can only have one, and it is your daily driver, then I'd keep the 3rd. If you already have a daily driver, keep the 1st gen.

If you don't have a daily, I'd find a way to keep both.

 

[rufflz]

Does anyone own both a 1st and 3rd gen or have in the past needing to make a similar decision? Both trucks are awesome in their own respects. Just becoming progressively difficult to pick a favorite. Kind of like picking your fav child LOL.

Man thats a tough decision.I really like that 1st gen the look is awesome also they are kind of becoming a collectors item if in good shape. I love my 3rd gen so surprisingly I voted for the 1st gen.make the decision based on what will make you happy in the long run. girl friend happiness should be a part of the decision but not all.

Fair enough! The 3rd gen is def a more comfortable daily IMO, especially for longer trips and rear passengers.

1st gen, since it hasn't given you any issues in last 5 years. It's proven. With any pre-owned vehicle you are taking your chances.

Very true! The 3rd gen has meticulous records dating back to ‘97 so it should be pretty reliable. I guess it comes down to 22re vs. 5vz.

if you like the first gen that much, and the only issue is being loud, make it quieter! that thing is awesome.

Thanks man! Some sound proofing would def help out with cabin noise.

Keep the Firs Gen... Nice rig there!

If you can only have one, and it is your daily driver, then I'd keep the 3rd. If you already have a daily driver, keep the 1st gen.

If you don't have a daily, I'd find a way to keep both.

Thanks for the feedback here!

 

[thennen]

First Gen or Third

This is a tough decision. However, since I already have a 3rd Gen, you can go ahead and give me the 1st Gen.

Maybe I missed something, but why the upgrade to another 3rd Gen? Newer? Mileage?

I haven't voted yet, but practicality says two 3rd Gens is smarter in this case. Though I do miss my 1988 sometimes.

 

[gamefreakgc]

1st Gens are fun, especially with the soft tops like you have but that's mostly for off-roading. They do not have very good road manners, especially in foul weather or long trips. If it's going to be your only vehicle, I hate saying it but 3rd Gen is the one to keep. Despite the fact that I myself would love to drive a 1st Gen with the soft top for fun trips. The lack of power and it being only nice to drive in the summer would keep me from daily driving it, unless you have a hard top hiding away somewhere.

PS my brother and sister-in-law work at Hume Lake! Glad you enjoy being up there.

PSS you should be able to sell the 1st Gen for a nice premium to the right buyer. Don't take the first offer you get for it, they are getting increasingly rare.

 

[Charlene]

Based on your stated needs and intentions, I think keeping the 3rd gen is a no-brainer. If you really care about your girlfriend’s desires, having a reliable vehicle for traveling, having one that is comfortable, then it seems to me like the obvious choice is the 3rd gen. Sounds like you have an emotional attachment to the 1st gen :cry2:

 

[thezentree]

That 1st gen is awesome and I totally understand the difficulty you're having, but the 3rd gen is probably a more practical choice for what your needs appear to be.

 

[p nut]

That would be a tough choice, but to me, the clear winner is the 1st Gen. So rare and cool looking. And you know it inside and out.

As much as I love 3rd Gen's, I would definitely keep the 1st Gen.

 

[rich dog]

Does anyone own both a 1st and 3rd gen or have in the past needing to make a similar decision? Both trucks are awesome in their own respects. Just becoming progressively difficult to pick a favorite. Kind of like picking your fav child LOL.




Fair enough! The 3rd gen is def a more comfortable daily IMO, especially for longer trips and rear passengers.



Very true! The 3rd gen has meticulous records dating back to ‘97 so it should be pretty reliable. I guess it comes down to 22re vs. 5vz.



Thanks man! Some sound proofing would def help out with cabin noise.





Thanks for the feedback here!

Hey duder. I own an 86 sas'd 3.4 swapped 1st gen and a 2000 highlander. I was having this same dilemma a couple months back. I ended up storing my first gen back in southern california and keeping the 3rd gen. I used to daily drive the first gen in sf for a couple years and after having it broken into numerous times and dealing with idiot drivers I figured it was best to let her hibernate till I move north. I would say stick with the 3rd gen. It's way more comfortable than my first gen and can still wheel pretty hard if need be. I know i would have a hard time letting my first gen go, but I also have a ton of money and sweat equity in her so if youre indifferent between them I'd say 3rd gen. You can always find built 1st gen that someone gets tired of down the road and get another one.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

A 3.4 is a great power plant and all the hills you have around you on SF don’t make either the best DD due to the 5 spd but the 3rd gen is for sure the clear winner here if we’re talking practicality. I’ve owned a couple early 90’s Toyota pick ups with the 22re and 3. SLOW, and a couple new(er) Toyota’s with the 3.4 and there is no way you could get me back into something with one of those motors as a DD!

I will have to play devil’s advocate and say keep the 1st gen. 3rd gens are my favorite T4R so no bias here either. Reason being is this sounds like the case of sellers remorse in the near future. You’ll be kicking yourself for getting rid of something you cherish that much. Sounds like the 1st gen is reliable enough to keep as a DD but the soft top thing with rain and break-ins would have me concerned for sure. Good luck with your decision!

 

[T4R2014]

Ditch the GF. You can find another.

 

[Roamed YT]

Ditch the GF. You can find another.

Came here to say this. Was surprised it was 15 comments in.

All I need is a 1st, 2nd and 5th gen and my collection will be complete!

Of course I'll be divorced and homeless, but whatever!

 

[Hepar]

Honestly, I'd only own a 1st gen if I had another car to daily. Which I definitely hope happens one day!

 

[pauldub]

You'll let us choose instead of letting your girlfriend choose? She should question your commitment and start shopping for a new boyfriend.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

You'll let us choose instead of letting your girlfriend choose? She should question your commitment and start shopping for a new boyfriend.

I sense the sarcasm here, but I’ll just add that if she was committed to him she’d notice how much his 1st gen means to him so she’d sell her current DD and buy his 3rd Gen off him and they’d still have a comfortable 4WD road trip vehicle to take to Tahoe. :lol:

 

[Tinigunner11]

I’ve owned 2 first gen 4runner’s, both 86’s. But I’ve owned 8 3rd gen 4runners haha. I love the first gens for what they are. They’re fun, kind of raw, and an old truck you can beat around on. But at the end of the day it’s a 30 year old truck. I personally switched to have a more modern chassis that has proved to be incredibly reliable, comfortable and has more usable interior and exterior space. My 3rd gen makes more power and gets the same mpgs as both of my first gens. Plus my fiancé hated having to get out of the truck to let people get into the backseat with my first gen. I say keep the 3rd gen:cowboy: