Upgrading

[LCPLHumiston]

I should be going from the reserves to active duty soon. I may trade in my 99 for a newer hopefully a newer 4th or possibly 5th Gen! Ideas? Or should I splurge and get new engine and transmission and keep this? 3 possible places I would get stationed. Camp Lejune NC 29 Palms Cali or Camp Pendelton Cali. I really hope for Camp Pendelton and off road with the west coast guys. So I guess depending on where I get stationed is different terrain! I may also shoot for a FJ or a Tacoma hmmm ideas besides go with what you want if that was a satisfying answer I wouldn't have posted this!

 

[Hepar]

My personal rank of those would be :

1. FJ (almost bought one before buying my 3rd gen)
2. 5th gen 4Runner
3. Tacoma
4. 4th Gen 4Runner

I didn't list keeping the 3rd, not because I don't think you should, but just because I'm not sure on the reasons you are thinking of trading it in. So? Why are you thinking of it and what sort of options are you looking for in a potential replacement?

 

[LCPLHumiston]

Awesome well mainly because I have 186,000 and some change miles on that sucker. I just want something new although I do love the truck. I like the way its arranged. What I want in a new vehicle is that it HAS to have 4WD if it has the capability of 4 doors then I want it. I know the fj does not I'm completely fine with that and it has to have the biggest engine so no 4cylinders. So 4wd V6 4 doors. Of course that's the most expensive options

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I'd definitely go for a 4th or 5th Gen. The increase in power alone is worth it.

I'd rather have a Tundra over a Tacoma.

 

[t4r4life]

i'd take the 5th gen anyday, better view than fj, better MPG than all the others, better power, better looking imo(trail eidition) also its way newer only bad thing is the price tag

 

[4-Ripcord]

My list would be

1) 09+ tacoma DCSB
2) FJ
3)4th gen
.

.

last) 5th gen

 

[Baja Runner]

Id just stick to a 3rd gen... they are the best vehicles ever made by Toyota.

I'd rather jump off a cliff than being seen in an F-Gay Cruiser... :repuke:

 

[SCRunner12]

Yeah I'm not a big fan of the FJ. They look sweet modded, but not very practical. I would get either a DC Taco or 5th gen. 4th gens are fine if you want less of a payment.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I need a truck for home repairs, towing, low voltage contracting so I'd go for the Tacoma first.

Then the FJ as a close second. I like the wheelbase turning, off road capabilities, high resale value, and the rims. Drawbacks include limited rear viewing capability and the cheesy interior.

I would then look at a 4th gen v8 runner.

The 5th would be my last choice, unless you can find a nice TE with KDSS for cheap. The 5th seems to be going for less $$$ these days than the 2008+ 4th gen.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

As far as rigs, (if I had the budget for all of them) I'd go

#1 Tacoma DC TRD Offroad - NOT SPORT
#2 5th gen T4R
#3 4th gen V8
#4 FJ (I don't think I could handle the rear door situation, or it'd be higher on my list)

Honestly, 186k isn't bad at all on these rigs, so I'd do the LBJ's and new radiator/ tranny cooler (unless you've already done that) and keep it, especially if you intend on wheeling it anyway. I can't see getting rid of what you have and adding a $500+ payment just to beat it up offroad anyway.


As for Camp Pendleton or 29 Palms, they both are similar terrain (since there's almost nowhere to wheel near Camp Pendleton until you hit the desert 1.5 - 2 hours away anyway). They don't take kindly to off-roading on Camp Pendleton fire roads (ask me how I know!).

 

[cj80cruiser]

Not on your list but I'd get
1). 80 series LC (97 40th anniversary preferred)...low miles and nice condition to be on par with 4th/5th gen (they are out there)
2). 100 series LC
3). Tacoma
4). 4th gen
5). fj
6). 5th gen

 

[96743runner]

I'd say...

1. Keep the 3rd gen...I wouldn't worry about the miles..really not that much for a 3rd gen
2. 2nd gen Taco DCSB. Best looking mid size truck period!!!
3. 5th gen 4Runner TE. Best looking "modern" SUV, if you know what I mean

I personally don't care for the FJC...IMHO they are pretty ugly stock, but they can look bada$$ with a lift and bigger tires

 

[fightman80]

Here's my 2 cents....

1. 2nd Gen Taco Off Road Package, Double Cab long box (I find they look more balanced)
2. FJ *modded with bigger tires and a lift
3. 4th Gen 4Runner

Lastly, if you could afford to keep the 4Runner, use it as a dedicated wheeler.

 

[LCPLHumiston]

Man after a lot of peoples input I may just keep it and add some replacements then if 185000 isnt a lot for these. I have read people with a lot of miles over this hmmm... Decisions and I wouldn't mind a truck since what I do it comes in handy a lot. I wouldn't be able to handle a tundra because I don't need that much of a truck hmmm. And what is the DC TRD Off road

 

[the great him]

Here's my 2 cents....

1. 2nd Gen Taco Off Road Package, Double Cab long box (I find they look more balanced)
2. FJ *modded with bigger tires and a lift
3. 4th Gen 4Runner

Lastly, if you could afford to keep the 4Runner, use it as a dedicated wheeler.

2nd gen tacos never cam with a long box in a double cab, maybe they did in canada but not here in the us that im aware of.

i say yeah your current 3rd gen isnt too high on the mileage scale so theres nothing wrong with it unless its just "too old for you" then sure get something newer, my votes are as fallows
1b) keep the 3rd gen runner
1) 04 TRD double cab tacoma
2) 05-06 trd tundra double cab
3) 4th gen 4runner (V8)
4) 97-98 FZJ80 LC

 

[theizzardking]

Man after a lot of peoples input I may just keep it and add some replacements then if 185000 isnt a lot for these. I have read people with a lot of miles over this hmmm... Decisions and I wouldn't mind a truck since what I do it comes in handy a lot. I wouldn't be able to handle a tundra because I don't need that much of a truck hmmm. And what is the DC TRD Off road

double cab pick up with toyotas trd package, upgraded suspension components and a few more tweaks here and there on most models, and yes i agree with just save your money and drive this until it breaks, you got a few more years of life in her at least, i'm looking at a quarter million miles in the next few months
and plan on it lasting me at least another 2-3 maybe 4 years before i do any major work and i drive around 30-40k a year. so you should be good if you keep on it.

that said, i'm not a pick up guy but if i was i would go with the super charged trd tacoma and that's it, as far as suv's i'd skip the 4th gen 4runner, toyotas weak years imo, the 5th gens are looking better but still to expensive to justify, i'm not going to be the one to take the 20k depreciation in the next few years...that's for some fool and his money to be parted with, not me.

the fj's are sweet but like mentioned above, to me it's kind of the hipster of the 4x4 world, like the kids who wanted to buy a jeep wrangler but thought they were to mainstream or somthing so ended up with an FJ, don;t get me wrong you don;t see many of those people on sites like this or other for that matter, but go out to the grocery store and the mall (ugh) and see what i mean, personally i really do like the FJ it's just the majority of owners who ruin the truck for me, that said i wouldn't let it stop me from buying one though, i would just have to make it sweet, i mean after all the same thing could be said about us 4runner owners in general.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

...And what is the DC TRD Off road

double cab TRD package (they offered a TRD or sport package on the 2005+ tacomas). Biggest differences is the TRD has an electonic locker and progressive rate front coils, and the Sport has a limited slip diff & a hood scoop ( I believe color matched bumpers too, whereas the TRD package doesn't?).

2nd gen tacos never cam with a long box in a double cab, maybe they did in canada but not here in the us that im aware of.

i say yeah your current 3rd gen isnt too high on the mileage scale so theres nothing wrong with it unless its just "too old for you" then sure get something newer, my votes are as fallows
1b) keep the 3rd gen runner
1) 04 TRD double cab tacoma
2) 05-06 trd tundra double cab
3) 4th gen 4runner (V8)
4) 97-98 FZJ80 LC

I believe Fightman is talking about the "regular bed" (6ft) as opposed to the "short bed" (5ft) that is offered on the 2nd gens.

I had a 2001 DC taco with the TRD, and it had an e-locker. If you can live with the 5ft bed as opposed to the standard 6ft bed, the 01-04 double cab's are a great choice too.

 

[96743runner]

If you want the TRD Off Road package, you can either get it in Access Cab or Double Cab Short Bed (5ft bed). Toyota doesn't offer the Off Road package in Double Cab Long Bed (the standard size 6ft bed). They do, however offer the DCLB with the Sport package.

A few of the special features of the TRD Off Road includes the rear differential locker, the special TRD seats, and the "off road tuned" suspension with front progressive coils.

The TRD Sport has the TRD seats but everything else is basically for appearance (the hood scoop, color matched outside mirrors, door handles, rear bumper, front grille, etc.)

The 05-08 Sport models had a mechanical limited slip differential but now in 09-current all TRD models come with an "automatic" limited slip differential, which uses the brakes as a LSD.

 

[fightman80]

I believe Fightman is talking about the "regular bed" (6ft) as opposed to the "short bed" (5ft) that is offered on the 2nd gens.

I did....sorry for the confusion. It's not a long box....just a longer box...