What year best represents each "Gen"

[swapmeet]

I'm working on a project, and I need to identify what year model of each Gen is the quintessential representation of that style. 1st gen through 5th.

I.E. What best represents a 5th gen?
2010?

OR a 2014?

In my opinion, the last year model of that generation should be the representative. It was the best of that gen....

But thats just my take. What do ya'll think?

 

[02SE]

"Best" is subjective, and dependent on the users wants and needs.

For instance, in the case of the 3rd gen, the last model year no longer has a rear diff lock or manual transmission available. The lack of availability of one or both of those previously available options, would eliminate the '02 from consideration for me.

If I had to choose the best year 3rd gen, I'd say '97. It still has the more reliable slide controls for the HVAC, the E-locker and manual trans are available, and I prefer the in-dash cup holders (on the rare occasion that I use a cup holder).

 

[TOY2G]

This comparison cannot be that simple, there are things that come and go on refreshes of each gen that make it win and loose.

The above mentioned being one example. Or the fact that the 2010 SR5 had puddle lamps and two transfer case options, where as the 2014 lost the puddle lamps, gained HIDs, and now has one t-case option. An argument could be made that the TRDPRO take the cake for the 5th gen, but then you have to consider there is no KDSS or third row avail.

Far to subjective to make this more than a very long thread of who has the better 4Runner and hurt alot of feelings.

Just for laughs, we should go as the Landcruiser guys what the best gen is... and then watch the blood bath..

 

[NoDak]

I would say go thru the picture threads for each gen and get an overall feel of what style/color is posted the most.

 

[Quatre Coureur]

1st Gen: 1985. This one is easy. First year for EFI, last year for SFA.
2nd Gen: 1995. It marks the end of the 2nd Gens. I'd have to say any year with a 22RE.
3rd Gen: 1997. For the reasons stated by 02SE. Also no "fat lip" bumper.
4th Gen: For me I'd say the latter years that didn't have the flat-top wheelwells. Also the V-8 option would rank high. The '09 TE maybe...
5th Gen: Any year before the hideous new frontend appeared! :der:

Remember it's just an opinion. :kiss:

 

[swapmeet]

LOL man ya'll got into this in a hurry. I apologize, I didn't specify what I meant. I'm not talking about equipment...

Visually... Which year model looks like the best representation of that generation. What year model defined that generation?

For instance, the 4th gen is easy IMO. The 06-09 with projector headlights, led tails, more rounded fender wells. I'm biased... and as mentioned, thats going to be the problem... everyone is biased.

Lets start over....

 

[NoDak]

1st gen : well there was only 1
2nd gen : they pretty much look the same, just different grille mostly.
3rd gen : 1999 highlander version
4th gen : toss up between 2004 SE (stupid rear bumper reflectors) and 2006 SE (they removed em)
5th gen : 2013 actually exterior wise (especially the TE), interior wise 2014+

 

[Hyde802]

1st gen : well there was only 1
2nd gen : they pretty much look the same, just different grille mostly.
3rd gen : 1999 highlander version
4th gen : toss up between 2004 SE (stupid rear bumper reflectors) and 2006 SE (they removed em)
5th gen : 2013 actually exterior wise (especially the TE), interior wise 2014+

False on the 1st gen. I agree [MENTION=84642]Quatre Coureur[/MENTION], its going to be the 85, for the exact reasons he stated. But visually it will be either the 84-85-86 for that 3 segment grill. The others, 87-88-89 all had a 2 segment grill. Has nothing to do with the grill itself, but the 3 segment grill means it a 2/3 chance of being a solid axle. Haha.

 

[KidVermicious]

False on the 1st gen. I agree [MENTION=84642]Quatre Coureur[/MENTION], its going to be the 85, for the exact reasons he stated. But visually it will be either the 84-85-86 for that 3 segment grill. The others, 87-88-89 all had a 2 segment grill. Has nothing to do with the grill itself, but the 3 segment grill means it a 2/3 chance of being a solid axle. Haha.

And the two segment grill gives it damned good odds of having the 3.slow, which we all know is the most horrible thing ever.

The '84 and '85 didn't have color matched tops, they were black or white. I think the '86 tops were black or white or red or blue, and then in '87 they matched the body paint.

 

[TOY2G]

1st Gen: 1985. This one is easy. First year for EFI, last year for SFA.
2nd Gen: 1995. It marks the end of the 2nd Gens. I'd have to say any year with a 22RE.
3rd Gen: 1997. For the reasons stated by 02SE.
4th Gen: For me I'd say the latter years that didn't have the flat-top wheelwells. Also the V-8 option would rank high. The '09 TE maybe...
5th Gen: Any year before the hideous new frontend appeared! :der:

Remember it's just an opinion. :kiss:

09 TE only came in V6

I have a couple of the 5th gen (pre grill change) and I prefer the new grills.... But this thread is just opinions, and this crowd (myself included) has plenty to give.

You should have put a disclaimer "check weapons at door"....this can get ugly.

 

[jreask]

"Best" is subjective, and dependent on the users wants and needs.

If I had to choose the best year 3rd gen, I'd say '97. It still has the more reliable slide controls for the HVAC, the E-locker and manual trans are available, and I prefer the in-dash cup holders (on the rare occasion that I use a cup holder).

I hate the cup holders on the dash. That had to be one of the dumbest things Toyota engineers ever dreamed up. I never liked the idea of the AC blocked by a cup. To each his own.

 

[02SE]

I hate the cup holders on the dash. That had to be one of the dumbest things Toyota engineers ever dreamed up. I never liked the idea of the AC blocked by a cup. To each his own.

Or maybe the Toyota Engineers are very smart..

Like I said, it's subjective.

I prefer the in-dash cup holders, because in the Winter if I'm using the cup holder, I would have a warm drink. The vents right behind the cup holder blow hot air on the cup, keeping it warm.

Likewise, in the summer I'd have a cold drink, and the cold air blowing on the cup keeps it cold.

 

[UnderFire]

The 1st gen is really the only one that had a definitive best year to me, '85.

The 2nd gen not a whole lot changed from 90-95, there was the 2 door models, and some small body and interior differences, not much else.

The 3rd gen changed wayyyy too much to have a definitive year, each and every year has distinct differences, some for better, some for worse.

and I'll be honest I don't know a whole lot about the newer stuff, apart from not liking the grey flares on the 03-05's

 

[T4R2014]

If I had to choose the best year 3rd gen, I'd say '97. It still has the more reliable slide controls for the HVAC, the E-locker and manual trans are available, and I prefer the in-dash cup holders (on the rare occasion that I use a cup holder).

You get all the features of a '96 on a '97 plus two extra body mounts!

I'm going with 1996 for the 3rd Gen because I like Cardinal Red. I rarely use cupholders enough to care, so I don't mind the extra switch blanks that the 96-98 console provides. Does anyone else realize that the 96-98 roof console has a business card holder?

For 4th Gen, I'm going with 2003 because you can supercharge the non-vvti V8 and Imperial Jade is a color option.

 

[xcmtb83]

You get all the features of a '96 on a '97 plus two extra body mounts! .

I find this interesting. Any links to explain?

 

[UnderFire]

I find this interesting. Any links to explain?

For some reason (I've never seen it explained any further...) the 96 4Runners had no B pillar body mounts, they had all the same holes where the mounts would've been, but there's just nothing there.

4crawler sells a pair of body mounts that you can add to 96's.

 

[JB.]

Visually....
For instance, the 4th gen is easy IMO. The 06-09 with projector headlights, led tails, more rounded fender wells.

That's easy. The most familiar one, which means using numbers rather than personal opinion of style.

So I would choose the same 4th gen years you did but based on sales numbers (or, to put it another way -- the markets collective opinion of style).

The average person is going to associate representation with what they're used to seeing.

 

[02SE]

Does anyone else realize that the 96-98 roof console has a business card holder?

At one time I actually carried Business cards there.

 

[Dragsterpilot]

Or..... A Genie garage door opener , my fits in there like it was made for it !!!

 

[OffRoadGuy]

1st gen - Straight axle best for off road.
3rd gen - Best bang for the buck.
5th gen - If money is no object and you don't mind scratching up a new rig
4th gen - If you can find one for a reasonable price
2nd gen - 3.0 V6 wasn't the best Toyota built.