Why is everyone hating on the 2nd gens? Lets talk about reliability... ANY 4runner is just as reliable as the next. If you maintain your vehicle, it will be reliable. Capability goes as far as the parts you have on your 4runner, a driver helps too but either 4runner can be just as capable. A second gen has pretty much the same front end and drive train as a 1st gen. The real difference between the 1st gen and 2nd gen is that the 2nd gen has a hard top and 4 doors. Depending on what you want, a hard top and 4 doors is a huge plus! The 2nd gen is a lot lighter (correct me if I'm wrong) and a little narrower than the 3rd gen. The fact that it is lighter makes it a bit better for offroading because it's less weight that the tires are having to pull up a hill or a rock. It's narrower so it can wiggle through tighter spots.
All 4runners, 1st gen through 5th gen have their differences. I doubt that any one of them are more capable or better than the other. I think they each have their pros/cons. Ultimately, to each their own. But I wouldn't bash ANY of the 4runners. They're all good capable vehicles... even the new plastic ones.
