Ride quiality between 3rd gen and 4th gen ?

[mermar]

I owned a 1998 4 runner and while it was super reliable - the ride quality was a bit off. Seemed like road irregularities would send shock waves through the chasis. No big deal - it is a truck. Seats bacame a bit uncomfortable after 45 minutes as well.
Also, living in MN i truly use the 4wd. When I engaged it on my 3rd gen - you could feel the entire drivetrain whine and tighten up (as true 4wd truck do)

In the market for a 4 runner for the Fall and trying to decide between a 2002 and say a 2004 or 2005 - have not driven the 4th gen. Is 4wd a bit more transparent in operation? Ride a bit more controlled?

Thanks !

 

[robtmc]

At roughly equal mileage, our old 2001 SR5 2WD rides much more like a truck than our 2007 SE 4WD. The 4WD does have the X-REAS shock absorber setup, though at 72k miles, not sure how good the shocks are. The 2001 got new shocks recently that did not change the ride much at all.

In many ways, it is hard to feel much lineage between the two generations of 4Runners, though only six years apart.

 

[Gdmeadors]

I went from a 1997 4wd Limited to a 2006 4wd Limited and I am extremely pleased I did. The 2006 rides much better, has more room and more power. The seats are a lot more comfortable. I have driven 8-12 hours without the usual discomfort I would encounter in my 1997.

 

[Sungod]

The suspension type and configuration are no different between the two. Same body on frame, IFS, solid rear axle configuration. The difference you feel in ride quality will come from the increase in size. Increased wheel base and track tend to equal better ride quality. The seats are much improved in the 4th gen. For everyday driving I much prefer the 4th gen, but it isn't so great that I would pass on a 3rd gen if that was what I wanted/needed.

 

[mermar]

great feedback - sounds like the 4th gen is a noticeable ride improvement. Is driving with 4wd engaged less obtrusive? Seemed in my 3rd gen it was very off road oriented set-up. The irony was that my 3rd gen had very little traction in 2wd mode but 4wd did not seem like it was meant for full time driving on snow packed raods. Will be my Daily driver all winter (Minnesota) - so may be in 4wd mode for weeks.

 

[Sungod]

Ah, 4wd. That is a difference in it's own right. The v6 model of the 4th gen functions the same as the 3rd gen. You want 4wd, you just flip a switch. The 4wd is full time 4wd with a center differential which essentially makes it a 2wd, but you can lock the differential that will distribute power between the front and rear. In theory this is great, but when you add in traction control and skid control, it becomes a real pain in the ass if you are a skilled driver. You will end up fighting the controls when you lose traction as it cuts power or braking. Traction control is disabled when you lock the center differential.

Don't get me wrong, the v8 does well in the snow even with the quirkiness. I drove mine many winters in DC with no issues once I understood what to expect, but that first time I tried to make a U-turn on ice and stepped on the gas to kick the rear around and nothing happened except I continued to head straight for the curb because ABS kicked in from traction control and it cut the power to the rear wheels, my eyes opened rather quickly.

 

[nevada]

Ah, 4wd. That is a difference in it's own right. The v6 model of the 4th gen functions the same as the 3rd gen. You want 4wd, you just flip a switch. The 4wd is full time 4wd with a center differential which essentially makes it a 2wd, but you can lock the differential that will distribute power between the front and rear. In theory this is great, but when you add in traction control and skid control, it becomes a real pain in the ass if you are a skilled driver. You will end up fighting the controls when you lose traction as it cuts power or braking. Traction control is disabled when you lock the center differential.

Don't get me wrong, the v8 does well in the snow even with the quirkiness. I drove mine many winters in DC with no issues once I understood what to expect, but that first time I tried to make a U-turn on ice and stepped on the gas to kick the rear around and nothing happened except I continued to head straight for the curb because ABS kicked in from traction control and it cut the power to the rear wheels, my eyes opened rather quickly.

typo..

I think you mean the "v8 is full time"

 

[robtmc]

Is driving with 4wd engaged less obtrusive?

After reading a lot here, I engage at least 4WD HI most every time I drive and leave it on for much of my mostly short, retired olde-farte trips.

If there is a difference in driving feel, it escapes me. 4WD LO is obvious as it all slows way down. Center Diff Locked, may be a difference, but don't leave it there long on the pavement.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The Torsen T3 Center Differential and the way the 4Runner 4WD system is set-up makes driving in 4Hi almost negligible in terms of performance and fuel mileage when compared to 2WD. Its a very flexible system than what most people are used to.