Holy plastic truck.

[4RunnerChaos]

I'd be interested in trading up to a 4th gen from my third. But holy crap there's a lot of ugly plastic on these...
Please post some solutions to the door cladding and fender flares. Preferabbly removal of the crap on the door and more toys flares instead of the squareish looks. And as for bumpers, I'd rather not spend $3,000 on bumpers. What do you guys have for those?
I hate the look of plastic on a vehicle...

 

[LTDSC]

you do realize after 03 it became painted, not cladding. Its 2013, you wont find anything in the last 5 years without plastic fenders/bumpers/door guards.

Dont want plastic? buy a classic.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

you do realize after 03 it became painted, not cladding. Its 2013, you wont find anything in the last 5 years without plastic fenders/bumpers/door guards.

Dont want plastic? buy a classic.

Got a 3rd gen
But the ARB could be a solution when I get the money to. I do like the newer models. So after 03 it's painted? That's better haha. Didn't know abiut that thanks.

 

[HHIRunner]

Got a 3rd gen
But the ARB could be a solution when I get the money to. I do like the newer models. So after 03 it's painted? That's better haha. Didn't know abiut that thanks.

my 03 is painted. i think it just depends on what options you get. but the cladding is on in 03

 

[RAIDN]

True Dat! [MENTION=87687]LTDSC[/MENTION]

There are good reasons for plastic body panels too, cheaper, lighter weight, easier to replace, don't rust etc. I totally understand why you don't like the 03's unpainted plastic cladding though. Like he said, anything after 2003 will have all painted body panels, which is why I got a 2004

 

[RAIDN]

my 03 is painted. i think it just depends on what options you get. but the cladding is on in 03

03 Limited came with all painted body panels

 

[4RunnerChaos]

My 98 is 500lbs lighter and it rocks the metal. Just saying
But yeah I kept seeing these ugly pictures of the grey plastic on the vehicles, much nicer painted though.
It honestly might be the color and front bumper that bothers me though. The bumpers seemed bulky, and I don't like the fat lips.

 

[LTDSC]

My 98 is 500lbs lighter and it rocks the metal. Just saying
But yeah I kept seeing these ugly pictures of the grey plastic on the vehicles, much nicer painted though.
It honestly might be the color and front bumper that bothers me though. The bumpers seemed bulky, and I don't like the fat lips.

Ive always thought 4runners looked like this

Mines an 03, but a Limited so its all painted. Granted some are faded on the edges but the previous owner didnt seem to care much for it.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

Ive always thought 4runners looked like this

Mines an 03, but a Limited so its all painted. Granted some are faded on the edges but the previous owner didnt seem to care much for it.

Nothing an ARB can't fix but now to find one that isn't 10k more than my third gen.
What's the average life of the v8 motors? Mileage wise. Anywhere near as good as the 3vz? Because my 4runner only has 104k miles... Got a good 200k left in her.

 

[LTDSC]

Nothing an ARB can't fix but now to find one that isn't 10k more than my third gen.
What's the average life of the v8 motors? Mileage wise. Anywhere near as good as the 3vz? Because my 4runner only has 104k miles... Got a good 200k left in her.

same motor the Tundras have had. I have 105k on mine, plenty of others have huge amounts of miles on them. I love my v8.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

same motor the Tundras have had. I have 105k on mine, plenty of others have huge amounts of miles on them. I love my v8.

I definitely want to upgrade to the v8 maybe even go with the 03 and have my neighbor paint it up for me. Probably matte black... He does it on the cheap. So not a big deal. Is the v8 only available in the limited or what? Sorry I'm bad enough with the 3rd gens haha.
How does the 4wd system work and are there models with standard or optional lockers?

 

[HHIRunner]

03 Limited came with all painted body panels

yep that's what I have. Nice wheels by the way. They look similar to mine.

 

[NJshadow93]

The V8 has full time 4WD and available in all trim models. The 4th gens are heavier because they have bigger and more powerful engines and a beefier frame. The 2UZ-FE is just as reliable as your 3.4 V6, if not more so (I don't recall any head gasket failures on the V8). You really can't go wrong with any 4Runner though. If you want a 4th gen with a factory locker you'd have to find a rare 2009 trail edition. The traction control performs extremely well though and you could get by without lockers I'm sure.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

The V8 has full time 4WD and available in all trim models. The 4th gens are heavier because they have bigger and more powerful engines and a beefier frame. The 2UZ-FE is just as reliable as your 3.4 V6, if not more so (I don't recall any head gasket failures on the V8). You really can't go wrong with any 4Runner though. If you want a 4th gen with a factory locker you'd have to find a rare 2009 trail edition. The traction control performs extremely well though and you could get by without lockers I'm sure.

Man definitely gotta find a private buyer for my 3rd gen hopefully get a good deal for it since it has such low miles and a bunch of new crap for it.... Lol. Whatever gotta sort things out. But yeah. That v8 is kinda sexy...

 

[CXS]

I hate the look of plastic on a vehicle...

Stick with a 3rd Gen, you'll hate a 4th gen.

 

[JB.]

How does the 4wd system work and are there models with standard or optional lockers?

The only rear locker appeared in the '09 TE which is rare and V6 only. Other than that (and 2wd trucks) all years and trims are as follows: V8 is full-time 4wd with lockable, Torsen T3 center diff with a default torque split of 60/40 rear/front. V6 is identical but has A.D.D to run in 2wd.

Low range and diff lock actuators can get sticky if not used so check for that. Fix can be expensive.

 

[WXman]

My 98 is 500lbs lighter and it rocks the metal. Just saying
But yeah I kept seeing these ugly pictures of the grey plastic on the vehicles, much nicer painted though.
It honestly might be the color and front bumper that bothers me though. The bumpers seemed bulky, and I don't like the fat lips.

Your 98 also has a V6 that makes less power than today's 4 cylinders, barely enough room inside for two adults to sit elbow to elbow, and is known for having metal bumpers that literally rust and fall off the vehicle. :rain:

Suck it up and come into the 21st century. It's great over here. I am all about older trucks and I appreciate them and have owned many of them...but the 4th gen is hands down the best 4Runner ever made.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

Your 98 also has a V6 that makes less power than today's 4 cylinders, barely enough room inside for two adults to sit elbow to elbow, and is known for having metal bumpers that literally rust and fall off the vehicle. :rain:

Suck it up and come into the 21st century. It's great over here. I am all about older trucks and I appreciate them and have owned many of them...but the 4th gen is hands down the best 4Runner ever made.

I'm 6'4" 230 my dad is 6'3" 330 and we fitjust fine.
And I don't think I can do to a plastic bumper that I've done to my metal bumpers. And with proper care they don't fall off but yeah I like the 4ths they seem to make me v8 I mean want a 4th gen.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yeah, I never was a big fan of the cladding on my 03, but it sure was better to have when I did take it off road. However, I'm much happier with the painted trim on my 08

 

[M1911]

I definitely want to upgrade to the v8 maybe even go with the 03 and have my neighbor paint it up for me. Probably matte black... He does it on the cheap. So not a big deal. Is the v8 only available in the limited or what? Sorry I'm bad enough with the 3rd gens haha.
How does the 4wd system work and are there models with standard or optional lockers?

The V8 was available on all trim lines. Only the rare '09 Trail Edition has a rear locking diff. If you want a locking diff., get an ARB installed.

All of the 4th gens have a lockable, limited slip Torsen center diff. This allows you to drive in AWD on dry pavement because it allows the front and rear driveshafts to turn at a different speed, but it still sends some torque to both axles.

The center diff can be locked when offroad. When it is locked, the front and rear driveshafts turn at the same speed, so it behaves just like a part-time 4WD system when locked.

All of the 4th gens have a low and high range. The V6s have a multimode system that allows you to select RWD. The V8s do not have a RWD mode.

As for the plastic, welcome to the 2000s. All vehicles have a bunch of plastic these days. If you don't want any plastic, call up Icon 4x4 and get one of their totally reengineered FJ40s - you'll need to bring about $150k.