If you had a choice do it all over again - 1st or 2nd Gen

J

jast513

New member
I am new the the forum and I have a some questions... Who doesn't right, well a little background on me... I just sold a 1997 Jeep Cherokee (3in lift, 32in tires, TJM rear bumper) about 6 months ago.... Well I just went four wheelin with a friend last Friday and man did I regret selling my Cherokee. I found out I just love four wheelin and being outside surrounded my mountains. (Arizona) So I need to have another 4x4 vehicle to go four wheelin, camping and such...

So my question is: if you guys had it to do all over again would you get the 1st or 2nd gen, would you get the same engine as well? Just wanting your opinions, since you guys are owners of them. Some of you are owners of both, I would love to hear some pros and cons for both, that would be great info!!!

I am still deciding but I wanted the wisdom of the members of this very informative message board to comment.

I am going to spend around 4k on one and I just would like to find the best one that suits me... But I would really value your opinion!!!

Thanks in advance!!!
 
Register to hide this ad
IMO, 2nd gen. You can get a '94 for about 4k. The 2nd gen has IFS, and is a hard top. The 1st gen has a removable top and does not have IFS. So really, it's your own personal preference. I like the look of the 2nd gen better too. 3 inch lifts and 33's will fit just fine on a 2nd and 1st gen.
 
when i was looking for a 4runner, I was tied between 1st and 2nd gens, and didnt prefer one over the other. I liked the removable top on the 1st, but i could not find any in good shape with little or no rust. Im happy with my 1991 though.
if you want to know more about them check out http://www.motorportal.com/toyota_truck_history.htm#4runner
As for the engines, neither the 4cyl or v6 has much power to brag about, but there is the option of a swap from 3.0L to 3.4L from the 3rd gens.
btw only the 84/85 4runner had the solid front axle, IFS was standard 1986 and on.
 
I think at this point I really do like the 1st gen, because you can take the top off. It also looks to be smaller than the 2nd gen. I like the 2nd gen because of the rear window going down, plus some have the sunroofs. I like the looks better on the 2nd gen, but I still like the 1st gen.

The head gasket problem I have been reading about doesn't make me feel good about the 3.0 V6.... Will the 4runner 3rd gen engines or 4th for that matter fit in the 1st or 2nd gen? Just curious, it seems that would be the best of both worlds, having a 1st or 2nd gen with a 3rd or 4th gen motor...

And is the replacement of the head gaskets really tough? Or is it just time consuming.

Anyway I would really appreciate some more opinions!!! :)

Thanks in advance, and thanks for the ones who has commented already!!!
 
Last edited:
Mine has a sunroof and the rear window rolls down... when the top is on :D .

That said, I'm picking up a 3rd Gen this Thursday. Now I'll have two :biggrin2:

Copy2ofP7190038.jpg~original
 
Last edited:
So the rear window goes down on the 1st gen 4runner?

Also what is the biggest tire I can put on a stock suspension (1st and 2nd gen)?

Can I fit a 33x10.50 on a stock suspension? How much rubbing will there be? Just curious?

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the replies so far....

locknload- That is a really good lookin 1st gen you have there!!! Very Nice!!!
 
I ran a 33x12.50 on my 1st gen with a little trimming...I will post pics later.I would go with a 1st again(removable top)
I have a 86 sr5...sunroof,p/w,p/l,rear heat....amazing some options they had then.I would take the 22re over the 3.0
If you can find one...2nd gen 22re 5speed are cool rigs.

Any motor swap is possible...all will have fab work.
I am searching for a 4.7 to go in my 1st gen now.

And if you are using for offroad....strait axle(84/85 or SAS trucks) is more capable and cheaper to fix/upgrade than IFS.

Dont get me wrong.... when mine was IFS,it went places that supprised the hell out of me.Now that I have a strait axle...it goes basically where its pointed.
 
Last edited:
For what I would be doing with the vehicle 33in tires will suffice. So I was hoping with a little trimming I could do that without a lift. That is good to know that you did that on the 1st gen.

Is there that much more cabin room in the 2nd gen compared to the 1st gen?

Also is the 1st gen quiet, and I am talking about the fiberglass top, does it let a lot of noise in, like at highway speeds?
 
jast513 said:
For what I would be doing with the vehicle 33in tires will suffice. So I was hoping with a little trimming I could do that without a lift. That is good to know that you did that on the 1st gen.

Is there that much more cabin room in the 2nd gen compared to the 1st gen?

Also is the 1st gen quiet, and I am talking about the fiberglass top, does it let a lot of noise in, like at highway speeds?
Click to expand...

The only wind noise I had is from bad door seals...easy fix.
there are I think 14 bolts that hold the top on.I only have 8 in mine(comes off alot in the summer)and I dont have any noise.
 
jast513 said:
For what I would be doing with the vehicle 33in tires will suffice. So I was hoping with a little trimming I could do that without a lift. That is good to know that you did that on the 1st gen.

Is there that much more cabin room in the 2nd gen compared to the 1st gen?

Also is the 1st gen quiet, and I am talking about the fiberglass top, does it let a lot of noise in, like at highway speeds?
Click to expand...

The only wind noise I had is from bad door seals...easy fix.
there are I think 14 bolts that hold the top on.I only have 8 in mine(comes off alot in the summer)and I dont have any noise.
 
if your looking for a nice runner get the 2nd gen 2 door 4 runner
I got one and everybody always asks me about it.
 
Dave16 said:
if your looking for a nice runner get the 2nd gen 2 door 4 runner
I got one and everybody always asks me about it.
Click to expand...


Yep that would be cool, but they are pretty rare aren't they? They were only made in 1991 and 1992 right?
 
I have been doing some research and I am hoping to find a 94 or 95 4Runner....

Anything I should look for option wise on these years that would be nice?

I am pretty sure both of these years have shift on the fly 4 wheel drive right?

Thanks in advance for your replies!
 
I have a 1st. and 2nd. Gen

I have em both. My first gen is an 87' 5spd. 4cyl pretty much stock aside from some bolt on engine mods. My 2nd Gen. I put a 3in Downey lift W/32x10.5 AT tires. I prefer my 2nd gen. only because it is in much better shape than the other one (body). But I live in the midwest so finding a solid toyota out here is kinda hard. My 94 has some minor rust on it but nothing that won't be fixed by the end of summer. I only have 9k on the 87 and 192K on the 94. Both start up with the turn of a key, gotta love Toyota.

Anybody interested I'm looking to sell the 87.

87 Toyota 4Runner
4cyl Rebuild 9K on motor
PaceSetter Header
Flowmaster Muffler & Exhaust
MSD Ignition
K&N Air Filter
ENTIRE NEW BRAKING SYSTEM:
Master Cylinder
Brake Booster
Caliper's
Rotors
Rear Brake Cylinders
Proportionating Valve
Lines

New front wheel bearings

NEEDS:
Rear Leafs (Sags)
Shocks (The ones on are only 1 1/2 yrs old but are cheap)
Tie Rods
Ball Joints (I HAVE THESE FOR THE BUYER INCLUDED)
Body Work
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 5,665 (members: 4, guests: 5,661)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,120
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top