Just curious - I've owned a 97 SR5 4x4 V6 and currently own a 2004 SE V8 4x4. I love the features, power, enhancements on the 4th gen, but I think the 3rd may have been a better built vehicle. Not trying to get flamed here, just curious on subjective opinions. The 3rd gen window motor in the back was silent, sunroof never had any problems, paint was fantastic. Seemed like the trim held its pliability & color better, chrome bumpers were amazingly durable & stayed shiny, interior plastics rarely showed any scratches (ie guage lenses) and just felt amazingly tight. No rattles/squeaks at 200K. My 04 has peeling paint on the exterior mirror brackets, a few rattles, painted plastic cladding (vs. steel on the 97) scratches from gently cleaning interior plastics, slight exhaust resonance (low speed). And I personally preferred the manual transfer case. Don't get me wrong, I love the 04 - amazing power, comfortable, so far reliable, etc. Just seems that the 3rd gens may have made fewer manufacturing compromises. I'm just curious as to thoughts from those who have experience with both...
Quality 4th Gen vs 3rd Gen
- Thread starter 4RunnerV8
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Baba Booey
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The MSRP of a comparable '97 probably wasn't that much less than the list price of an '04. With the added expenses of a V8, wider tires, larger wheels, sophisticated electronics (VSC, ATRAC, DAC, 5-speed tranny, Electronic Brake Force Dist. and Brake Assist, etc.), Toyota probably was forced to cut costs somewhere else.
Perhaps the interior plastics, exterior paint, etc. were made less expensive in order to "pay for" all of the other added features.
Perhaps the interior plastics, exterior paint, etc. were made less expensive in order to "pay for" all of the other added features.
Baba booey is probably correct - all of the new features are great - and the pricing hasn't really moved all that much - so sacrifices have to be made somewhere - but that 97 was truly indestructible - I was hit in 05 and the truck was totaled, the truck looked no more than 2 years old inside & out, and ran like a top. 209000 miles. I have full faith in the 4.7 V8 drivetrain, but the truck just doesn't feel quite as well made as the 97 - a totally subjective opinion!
