Holy plastic truck.

[4RunnerChaos]

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.

I kinda like the idea of having full time. Northern illinois so the winters here are not the best
Meh, I can replace the plastic bumpers.

I also heard there's two different 2uz motors? A jap made and an American made. Where the American made 2uz was slightly weaker.

 

[M1911]

I kinda like the idea of having full time. Northern illinois so the winters here are not the best

Once again, there isn't any difference between the V6 and V8 when put in AWD. None, nadda, zippo. Put the V6 in AWD, and the Torsen limited slip center diff behaves exactly the same as the Torsen limited slip center diff in the V8 -- that is because it is exactly the same center diff.

So performance in snow is absolutely not a reason to choose the V8 over the V6 -- they behave the same. You can leave the V6 in AWD all the time, including on dry pavement.

The offroad capability of the V6 AWD system is exactly the same as that of the V8 AWD system. The onroad capability of the V6 AWD system is exactly the same as that of the V8 AWD system, with the V6 having the added ability of being able to be shifted into rear-wheel-drive. Other than the V6 having a rear-wheel-drive mode, the AWD systems are IDENTICAL. Yes, I'm shouting.

I also heard there's two different 2uz motors? A jap made and an American made. Where the American made 2uz was slightly weaker.

I don't know anything about that. The 4Runner is built in Japan, so I would expect that the engines in all 4Runners are built in Japan.

If you want the V8 because you want the extra torque, buy one -- that is a good reason to buy the V8. But if you want the V8 because you think the V8 AWD system is somehow superior on or offroad than the V6 system, then you are mistaken.

 

[LTDSC]

Once again, there isn't any difference between the V6 and V8 when put in AWD. None, nadda, zippo. Put the V6 in AWD, and the Torsen limited slip center diff behaves exactly the same as the Torsen limited slip center diff in the V8 -- that is because it is exactly the same center diff.

 

[M1911]

LTDSC, I don't know if you are being serious or if you are joking. But what I wrote is correct. Both the 4th Gen V6 and V8 have the same lockable, limited slip, Torsen center diff.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

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.

Powerwise yes but the quality in interior pieces dropped a bit and it did lose a bit of it's off road prowess (lower and larger) without a little help from the aftermarket and gained a share of the soccer-mom targets.
Rusty bumpers that fall off? Never heard of this but in the rust belt areas that affects all cars as some 4th gens from the east coast get their share of rust too. Interior room is greater on the 4th gens but never really had any complaints from me or my passengers concerning elbow room and being a tad smaller makes it easier to maneuver off road.

Love the 4th gens but they do exhibit a bit of a soft side when it comes to ruggedness and look a bit porky. I'd still buy one but my 3rd gen still has a lot of life still in it.

 

[LTDSC]

LTDSC, I don't know if you are being serious or if you are joking. But what I wrote is correct. Both the 4th Gen V6 and V8 have the same lockable, limited slip, Torsen center diff.

completely joking.

 

[M1911]

Powerwise yes but the quality in interior pieces dropped a bit and it did lose a bit of it's off road prowess (lower and larger) without a little help from the aftermarket and gained a share of the soccer-mom targets.

Yes, it is larger and lower, so that does reduce offroad ability.

Rusty bumpers that fall off? Never heard of this but in the rust belt areas that affects all cars as some 4th gens from the east coast get their share of rust too.

Most every 3rd gen I see here in Boston has bumpers that are rusted through. My '03 has some rust on one of the frame cross-members, but nothing on the body.

Interior room is greater on the 4th gens but never really had any complaints from me or my passengers concerning elbow room and being a tad smaller makes it easier to maneuver off road.

The offroading that I do is on the beach, so the extra size of the 4th gen is not a hindrance. When we do pack up the truck for vacation, I wish it was a bit larger -- we rent a house so we take a lot with us.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I have heard the same thing about the 2UZ-FE, usually because of Supercharging related failures. Something about the American made powder forged rods being slightly more prone to fracturing than the Japanese made stuff. I'm willing to believe it, since its highly likely; but I haven't found any real information to support this.

 

[4RunnerChaos]

I have heard the same thing about the 2UZ-FE, usually because of Supercharging related failures. Something about the American made powder forged rods being slightly more prone to fracturing than the Japanese made stuff. I'm willing to believe it, since its highly likely; but I haven't found any real information to support this.

The thing about the rods is what I heard! Lol. Yeah it's just hearsay.
Anyways m1911 I know there's no difference in the systems, I like the idea of more power and torque from the v8, but then again. There's a v8 swap I could always do.. There's plenty of third gens with 250k+ miles on them I could tweak
But idk lots of things to contemplate and think about.

 

[BOSMECH]

Take a look at Momo.75 03 that just won truck of the month for July and then say you hate the plastic clad.
M1911 I just moved from Framingham to Grafton what part of Framingham do you live in.

 

[Sungod]

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

In 03 The Limited had painted cladding and the sr5 and the sport originally did not. About halfway through the model year and lots of complaints Toyota offered an "appearance package" that you could get a sr5 and sport with painted cladding. 3/4 of the way through 03 it became standard. It shows up less on the v6 because they were later to market.