Thai
Elite Member
Just to help the 4th gen owners:
As a 4th gen owner, you can always argue this...you canNOT add ATRAC to a 3rd gen 4runner with rear locker, BUT you can indeed add a rear locker (ARB for example) to a 4th gen 4runner with ATRAC. Or you can simply get the 2009 4runner Trail Edition and have the best of both worlds instantly from the factory.
Therefore, the rear (+/- front) locker can be added to a 4th gen 4runner...so, the lack of a rear locker can easily be fixed by aftermarket parts (or by getting a 2009 TE). But ATRAC (and the other safety benefits that come with it) canNOT be added to a 3rd gen 4runner (prior to 2001)...in other words, ATRAC cannot be retrofitted to an older vehicle that came without it from factory.
Additonal benefit of 4th gen over 3rd gen: REAR DISC BRAKES with true 4-channel ABS system. I hate drums brakes for off-roading, esp. if you go mudding or stream fording! It is an additional hassle that is not needed if you have disc brakes. (BTW, starting in 2001, 3rd gen 4runners also had 4-channel ABS, but still had rear drums.)
4th gens are just so much more comfortable to be in...that should be a big enough reason among all else!
As a 4th gen owner, you can always argue this...you canNOT add ATRAC to a 3rd gen 4runner with rear locker, BUT you can indeed add a rear locker (ARB for example) to a 4th gen 4runner with ATRAC. Or you can simply get the 2009 4runner Trail Edition and have the best of both worlds instantly from the factory.
Therefore, the rear (+/- front) locker can be added to a 4th gen 4runner...so, the lack of a rear locker can easily be fixed by aftermarket parts (or by getting a 2009 TE). But ATRAC (and the other safety benefits that come with it) canNOT be added to a 3rd gen 4runner (prior to 2001)...in other words, ATRAC cannot be retrofitted to an older vehicle that came without it from factory.
Additonal benefit of 4th gen over 3rd gen: REAR DISC BRAKES with true 4-channel ABS system. I hate drums brakes for off-roading, esp. if you go mudding or stream fording! It is an additional hassle that is not needed if you have disc brakes. (BTW, starting in 2001, 3rd gen 4runners also had 4-channel ABS, but still had rear drums.)
4th gens are just so much more comfortable to be in...that should be a big enough reason among all else!