What Truck to buy? 3rd or 4th gen??

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DoWnAqT

New member
Here's the deal, I currently own a 00 Sport, I love this truck dearly, but I don't like how it rides at all or the power it has, if it had more power...I would probably die with it. I use it as a home plow truck too and it works awesome.... Now I have a chance to upgrade to an 04 sr5, this truck rides very nice and has alot more power over mine. My plow wont fit without modifications, but it is doable... and this truck super smooth on the highway and can tow much better...But I still have this attachment to my 00, all in all the 04 is a nicer truck... but I just cant decide....

What one would you choose???

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I have owned 3 3rd gens and loved them all. Never had a 4th gen but have driven one with v8 4x4. Great power. Great ride. I do prefer the looks of 3rd gens but I think the 4th gen makes up for it in power and comfort. U can make the 4th gen look aggressive if the looks don't appeal. Plus the black looks like a nice start.
 
OK, question here.... so for all the people who complain about the power of the 3rd gen can't they just supercharger it? Will cost between $1-3K and in the end save you the cost of buying a 4gen (which cost more). You also keep the nice looks of the 3rd gen. IMO the 4gens are not very cool looking but 'if' modded correctly look sweet. BTW that black one does look cool but if you want to 'die' with the 3rd gen why not Supercharge it?

Mason
 
I like 3rd Gen. but reading what you wrote I think you would be happier with the 4th Gen. power/ride/tow
 
Well I could super charge it, but honestly, the trd supercharger doesn't really do much for those engines... I have friend with one and its not much faster either... I think im going to get the 4th gen, I have to drive down some pretty crappy roads everyday to get to work.. and the 3rd gen takes them pretty hard and the 4th gen takes them at ease...
 
If you want a 4th gen then buy it, it sounds like you already sold yourself on it. I hear the supercharger gives quite a bit of power to the 3rd gen. You realize you could just change out your suspension for a better ride quality whether you want it softer or harder. And I bet that you plowing with it isn't really helping the front end suspension components.
 
If I had to buy another one today I would get the 4th Gen w/V8. Something about a bigger motor in a vehicle just appeals to me.
 
I have owned both, my question to is, are you going to wheel ?

If you are looking for something thats going to be wheeled alot, the 3rd gen wins..

If you are only going to wheel once in awhile to none, get the 4th gen with a V8.

dont get me wrong, the 4th gen can wheel, and does it well, but the 3rd gen is smaller and with a E-locker is very hard to beat.
 
I like the 4g's

b/c of 4.0 v6 and the small increase in size. On the other hand i just cant justify selling the 3g b/c i own it outright and it just suits my needs really well even though its a 12 year old truck. Ive actually been flirting with the idea of buying a older 5 series BMW and keeping the 3g as a 2nd vehicle.
 
Another vote for 4th gen. Its a newer vehicle, more options, improved engineering, its gonna be quiter, ride and handle better, have less miles and alot more power than a stock 3rd gen. I do love the look of our 3rd gens. I mean I bought one after all. But the 4th gens are still good looking suv's.

I think the coolest thing ever would be if Toyota did a throw back of the 3rd gen. Produced them brand new with the exact same body style with just a few modifications to it. Like making the entire vehicle like 2 inches wider, HID projectors, redesigned tail lights, a rear tire carrier, Hilux style spoiler, a few other small things. And then gave it the mechanical improvements of their current vehicles, redesigned the interior a little with more options, and gave it the engine from the current tacomas or 4runners. Then they could do a base, limited, sr5, and offroad trd model. I bet it would be there best selling suv
 
I personally prefer the 3rd gens over the 4th gens, but with your reasoning, I would say go for the 4th gen. Would seem to suit your needs much more.
 
i'm skipping the 4th gens and waiting for a 5th gen with good power.

i usually never buy the first iteration of a body style unless it happens to be a superb vehicle, i feel the 4th gens aren't quite as well built as the 3rd gens, i also heard they are starting to build these back in some of the old factories the 3rd gens came from which gives me more confidence, basically i don;t really know why i don't like the 4th gens, i just don't, i feel like they just weren't built to the same standard as my 3rd gen, and am hoping the next few years of the 5th gen will change my feelings about the last few lines of the 4runner in general.
 
theizzardking said:
i'm skipping the 4th gens and waiting for a 5th gen with good power.

i usually never buy the first iteration of a body style unless it happens to be a superb vehicle, i feel the 4th gens aren't quite as well built as the 3rd gens, i also heard they are starting to build these back in some of the old factories the 3rd gens came from which gives me more confidence, basically i don;t really know why i don't like the 4th gens, i just don't, i feel like they just weren't built to the same standard as my 3rd gen, and am hoping the next few years of the 5th gen will change my feelings about the last few lines of the 4runner in general.
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I kind of feel you one this, but reality is...I think the 3rd gen is way under powered...on a windy day here i feel like im holding the pedal to the floor on the highway just to do 70-75....I would actually look for something bigger to trail to ease up the work for my truck... Like I said I love my 3rd gen, but I'm going to let it go... I can always find another one if I decide to go backwards... But ultimately, I would love to have a Tacoma trd sport with the hood scoop... or a 4th gen fully loaded v8....but cant afford those yet... this 4th gen will be a stepping stone towards one of them..
 
DoWnAqT said:
I kind of feel you one this, but reality is...I think the 3rd gen is way under powered...on a windy day here i feel like im holding the pedal to the floor on the highway just to do 70-75....I would actually look for something bigger to trail to ease up the work for my truck... Like I said I love my 3rd gen, but I'm going to let it go... I can always find another one if I decide to go backwards... But ultimately, I would love to have a Tacoma trd sport with the hood scoop... or a 4th gen fully loaded v8....but cant afford those yet... this 4th gen will be a stepping stone towards one of them..
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Tacoma all the way. I bought my 4runner cause I couldnt afford a 2nd gen Tacoma at the times. Then I fell in love with the 3rd gen Tacoma. When the time comes that I can afford a new Tacoma Im gonna sell my 3rd gen runner for it and never look back. A 6 speed manual with TRD package and supercharged would be the coolest thing ever
 
JohnsD90 said:
...you could just change out your suspension for a better ride quality whether you want it softer or harder.
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I wouldn't mind softening the impact of expansion joints-- is that possible with a suspension tweak? I'm running 235/65/16 tires.

When I see a 3rd Gen at a highway rest stop with mud up the sides and a roof rack full of gear, I think "Looks like those guys are out for adventure."

When I see a 4th Gen (like the black one pictured) I think "soccer mom".

If you drive a 3rd Gen, it takes more effort to keep it in good shape, but you have more money left for other toys: atvs/boats/snowmobiles/kayaks etc.

Not trying to be offensive, just my opinion. And I have seen some very cool modified 4th Gens, as well.
 
I think I will die with my 3rd gen, but I did add two cylinders to the ole V6.

Or at least hand it down to my kids when they start driving.
 
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