Is the 3rd gen worth the extra money?

[integra89ls]

I recently posted about possible interest in purchasing a 3rd gen 4runner. I think it might be in my best financial interest to go with a lower price range and go with a 2nd gen 4runner. Is the 3rd gen really worth all the extra money? I'm basically looking looking for something very reliable that has a somewhat smooth ride. I will also need decent off-road capability. How much horsepower would I be loosing by going with the 2nd gen?(I would only want a 6 cyl) What is the maximum price I should pay for a 2nd gen in great condition? Any input or tips would be greatly appriciated. Thanks.

 

[lee]

I recently posted about possible interest in purchasing a 3rd gen 4runner. I think it might be in my best financial interest to go with a lower price range and go with a 2nd gen 4runner. Is the 3rd gen really worth all the extra money? I'm basically looking looking for something very reliable that has a somewhat smooth ride. I will also need decent off-road capability. How much horsepower would I be loosing by going with the 2nd gen?(I would only want a 6 cyl) What is the maximum price I should pay for a 2nd gen in great condition? Any input or tips would be greatly appriciated. Thanks.

the 6cyl in 2nd gens is SLLLOOOOWWWW... owners call it the 3.slow.

its rated at 150hp i think, whereas the 3rd gen is at 183. as a 3.4 v6 3rd gen owner, i can tell you its a very nice, responsive, smooth engine thats very reliable and tough.

i love it.

whether its 'worth' the extra money is all opinion. of course i think it is, because of the creature comforts, similar capabilities offroad to a 2nd gen, better aftermarket support, improved engine, etc....

 

[peter78]

the 6cyl in 2nd gens is SLLLOOOOWWWW... owners call it the 3.slow.

True, but they are really tough and are a great vehicle. They are known to last a very long time. And very capable as a off roader. Besides being slow, expect slightly lower gas mileage, aobut 14 MPG instead of 17 in the 3rd generation. They have no air bags. Look for rust, sagging rear end and head gasket problems. So have it checked out really well. Still, they are a great vehicle. Maybe a second gen can chime in and give some more input.

 

[joshuabrady]

The 2nd gen 4 runners are great, if they have been well maintained. as previously said they are known for head gasket problems, rust, and the terrible sagging rear end. But if the vehicle has bee well maintained, and the head gasket replaced, they are great. My 94 4-Runner could out perform many other trucks off-road, including those with lockers. The torque is great, and will climb almost anything. They are slow, but they are powerful, and the ride of my Runner is as good if not better than the ride of my 92 Lexus. I never only got 14 miles per gallon, i was usually aroun 18-21, and have spoken to people that have gotten even better gas mileage. The 3.4L in the 3rd gen is much more powerful and responsive, and it will have more features, but i like the looks of the 2nd gen over the 3rd, but that is just my opinion. What i would do before you have your mind set on either is just go test drive them both, and you will figure out for yourself if it is worth more or not. As for price on the second gen, for a really nice one with lower mileage probably around $6-7, i bought mine for $4 and then rebuilt the motor and sold it for $6,500, so they hold their value really well.

 

[Pittsburgh Ken]

As another 2nd gen owner I agree with peter & josh above - the sagging problem can be fixed relatively cheaply with add a leafs. the hg has been replaced by most owners I'd imagine - there's a recall that replaced most built before 10/94. The rust can be a problem - esp. with the tailgates. I've also noticed some quarky electrical problems. But all-in-all you should be able to find a pretty well maintained one that will serve you well for less than 4k (prob closer to 3k). I have 175k on mine and have averaged about 16-17mpg around town & 20 on hwy.
Good luck either way

 

[makakio]

Ditto the 2nd Gen comments re:
1) less power
2) lower mpg
3) no airbags
4) rear sag
5) massive factory recall re: head gasket failure
6) spare tire on tailgate carrier only (versus under car in 3rd gen), which makes getting in/out of the back a pain PLUS includes all the horrible rattles and thunks that go along w/ a high, tail-mounted spare.

Also consider that 3rd gen added:
1) vsc (or whatever the nanny is called)
2) all-wheel ABS (I think 2nd gen were rear only)
3) a tougher, improved auto trans design as 2nd gen overdrive gear was known for 'premature failure' - if 150k miles is considered premature, but Toyo improved on it nonetheless
4) importantly - about 4" added to the length of the vehicle, most of it between the axles, which lengthened wheelbase and smoothed the ride out a bunch (important to you I think). It also added about 3" of legroom to the back seat, which in the Gen2 was tight (to say the least) and in the Gen3 is downright confortable even for a sloucher. It's still hella bouncy and jouncy though.

Although the Gen2 was a great truck, I think the Gen 3s had many improvements (especially years 2000-2003) that justify the price difference in the used market.

my 2 cents

 

[lee]

Originally posted by makakio
5) massive factory recall re: head gasket failure
6) spare tire on tailgate carrier only (versus under car in 3rd gen)

first of all, that was an option, not ALL 2nd gens have tires on the back, some are mounted underneath. second, this is actually a huge plus if you want to go offroad...increases ground clearance and helps with departure angle

Originally posted by makakio
Also consider that 3rd gen added:
1) vsc (or whatever the nanny is called)

vsc is a bad thing if you want to go offroad. luckily, it can be disabled and turned back on easily.

Originally posted by makakio
Although the Gen2 was a great truck, I think the Gen 3s had many improvements (especially years 2000-2003) that justify the price difference in the used market.[/B]

gen 3 was till 2002.... 99s and 2000s are widely considered the best yrs to have by people who wheel their 4runners. 01s and 02s have vsc and no locker option.

 

[mikes4runner]

As another 2nd gen owner I agree with peter & josh above - the sagging problem can be fixed relatively cheaply with add a leafs.

leaf springs are not on the 2nd Gen. coils and shocks.

1st gen had springs.

But it is a cheap fix.

The 3.4L is nice I had it in my T-100
the 3.0L is slow.

But if you get a 2nd gen. run it into the ground(which could be 250K or longer) then swap in the 3.4L:

Mike

 

[regularguy412]

Well since I didn NO research before purchasing my 1992 2nd gen, I have to say that I really have no complaints. Sure the 3.0 is a little underpowered, but I ( and I think most owners of 2nd gens ) did not/ do not purchase this type of vehicle and expect it to perform like a drag racer. I have never taken it thru the mud and don't really intend to. I doubt that I'll miss the extra 'umph' to push bigger, luggier tires thru the muck.

Luckily, my 4R came with 4.56 gearing. So when I changed from the stock 225 size tires to the Michelin LXT M/S 31 x 10.50s, I noticed practiacally no decrease in driveability. With nearly 190,000 miles on the clock, it's still my favorite driver ( among the other Toyotas that I own). Even with open diffs on both ends, this lil SUV performed great in last years snow. Drove around in 2WD much of the time in 8 inch snow that sometimes drifted up to 3 feet ( tho I 'did' need the 4WD for that part )

Overall, I'm really pleased with my 2nd gen. Just have to look things over closely before purchasing, and stay on top of the little things that pop up which need attention. I really hope my 1992 with the 3.0 does go the 250,000 miles that I keep hearing about. So far, no smoke out the tailpipe and no blowby in the crankcase.

Good luck and happy 4-wheeling.

Mike in AR

 

[captwalker87]

i have a 93 t4r 3.0 manual and its clocked at 230k right now.. and the engine is starting to knock and ping ever so slightly, however, i notice no power or driveablitly decrease. it should last a bit longer.. probably right around 250k. just another thing to watch out for is your pumpkins on your axles.. if they always appear wet or are dripping.. get it checked out immediatly. my rear axle blew about 2k mi ago and i swapped it with a 90.. works great but it would have been worth it to sped $40 at grease monkey to have it checked and re-lubed.