Which drives better, an early 3rd gen or a late 3rd gen?

[Jason B]

If I were in the market for another 3rd gen I would just get the cleanest one I could find regardless of year. The headlights, center console, etc can all be upgraded easily. Two small things that cannot be easily upgraded are the LCD odometers in the 99+ models and the climate control in the newer Limiteds.

I agree on that. I've done quite a bit and think mine looks newer than a 2002

What's so hard about the LCD climate control swap. I actually know a guy parting out a 2000 LTD and could get it cheap. OR is it hard to do. I've gotten used to the slider controls and even like them better than the round knobs they added on newer 3rd gens because I can move them with one finger.

 

[SnowLizard]

this is an interesting thread...

I own and drive a 97 sr5 and a 99 ltd often/daily enough...

my 97 is WAY peppy compared to the 99 being 'sluggish' but I also know my wheel alignment is out of wack on the 99 (tire wear, but handles great!)

things I have noticed... AWD is fun and nice on high speeds, slippery conditions... but not 'needed'. the seats in the sr5 are more 'truck' and basic, compared to the 99

the 97 has 4.10 gears, it doesn't hold highways speeds as good as my 99 with 4.30 gears, and both are stock

the amenities, like layout and console and cup holders... and etc button/rear window... I like it on the front, not the center console.

if I did it again, I'd test drive a 2000 SR5, and a 2001-02 SR5, just to compare, but I really like the leather seats (i covered them with cloth for hot AZ) and wouldn't mind the heated bit for winter.

 

[amalik]

so high-level summary of thread...

in 5 years we will all be in 5th gens, right?

lol,

 

[JayRolla]

so high-level summary of thread...

in 5 years we will all be in 5th gens, right?

lol,

If that was true I would be in a 4th gen by now. To me it all comes down to funds. If I had funds for a 4th or 5th I would have one by now. But wife is first, about to get a Double Cab Tacoma when we can find the right one, been searching months and still no luck on options and colors she wants.

 

[MyHigh]

After just finishing a road trip down to San Diego nonstop from Portland, OR. I can honestly say I'm keeping my '99 SR-5, 5-speed forever! Not once was I uncomfortable, well okay once but hey 18 hours in the drivers seat you'd expect that right? The 4.10 gears kept me at a steady 70mph in 5th gear on cruise control and actually my scan gauge clocked me at 19-20mpg at 68mph and 16-18 at 71 so 68 it was. At 220,000 miles I wasn't worried one bit she wouldn't make it. I can only compare the ride to my '98 Tacoma and can say I enjoyed the trip in the 4Runner way more then the truck, but miss the bed to haul gear.

 

[white_n_slow]

Should be no perceptible difference in ride--I don't think they changed anything over the years that would impact the way it goes down the road.

That said, 99+ is worth it just for the cup holders!

 

[T4R2014]

Since we are talking about ride quality...

The best 4Runner I've ridden in was a 2wd. Maybe it's because the driveline and all that is simple, less things to wear out. That and it never leaves the road and is lower to the ground.

The 2WD ones feel seriously quicker. I think the transmission ECU has different shift points. My 4WD with ECT off is a total dog compared to when it is on. The 2WD is quick with ECT off and even better with it on. Compared to my 4WD, this thing can kill the ricers.

 

[amalik]

The 2WD ones feel seriously quicker. I think the transmission ECU has different shift points. My 4WD with ECT off is a total dog compared to when it is on. The 2WD is quick with ECT off and even better with it on. Compared to my 4WD, this thing can kill the ricers.

If only I lived in one of those... don't need a 4WD cities

NOT!

 

[T4R2014]

If only I lived in one of those... don't need a 4WD cities

NOT!

Why do you think I have the both? The best of both worlds. My 4WD is in 2WD 90% of the time anyway.

 

[amalik]

Why do you think I have the both? The best of both worlds. My 4WD is in 2WD 90% of the time anyway.

That is true. Never thought of it that way

I have a Civic (wife) and 4Runner (me).

Wouldn't make too much sense for me to have another 4Runner.

Next vehicle is something that will be required if my baby daughter ever gets a sibling or 2 and probably and has 3rows.

So apparently the 5th gen has a 3rd row option. Too bad I hate the look of them or I might have considered one.

 

[T4R2014]

So apparently the 5th gen has a 3rd row option. Too bad I hate the look of them or I might have considered one.

The 3rd gen had one as an option but it's very rare simply due to the fact that it's an uncomfortable and inconvenient afterthought. The 4th gen came with it and it was a far better execution since it came from the factory. Still cramped as hell.

 

[1985taylor1925]

That is true. Never thought of it that way

I have a Civic (wife) and 4Runner (me).

Wouldn't make too much sense for me to have another 4Runner.

Next vehicle is something that will be required if my baby daughter ever gets a sibling or 2 and probably and has 3rows.

So apparently the 5th gen has a 3rd row option. Too bad I hate the look of them or I might have considered one.

The 09 to 12 (pre tear drop front bumper style) trail edition 5th gens look nice, imo

 

[amalik]

The 3rd gen had one as an option but it's very rare simply due to the fact that it's an uncomfortable and inconvenient afterthought. The 4th gen came with it and it was a far better execution since it came from the factory. Still cramped as hell.

Yea man. No idea what I'll do but besides a minivan which I think is for 3 or more kids.... you basically have the lc 100/lexus equals/seqoia/highlander and the Acura mdx.

 

[T4R2014]

Yea man. No idea what I'll do but besides a minivan which I think is for 3 or more kids...

You could always pull out and avoid having to purchase a vehicle with a 3rd row.









JK. I couldn't resist. I grew up with my siblings in a 3rd gen. It gets really cramped in the back seat when you're the oldest and you have to sit in between two car seats. It seats five, but if you want everyone to be comfortable your max is four.

 

[D Farms]

so a couple things did change, suspension wise. the early 3rd gens had solid rubber rear lower arm bushings, later they switched to the more flexible press in type. the steering rack guide was improved. in my opinion having the ability to use awd on fast offroad trails is ideal, you have a tighter turning radius and also are less likely to spin out on a turn because the tires arent slipping since its all open. the traction control can be annoying to some but i find it perfect for going fast down a trail, its kept me from spinning out several times at high speed. yes the locker is nice, but not all of them came with it, and its just as easy to swap it into an 01-02 as it is any other year. the bummer is no 5 speed, but i think the auto is pretty reliable and the torque convertor can make a stressful offroad situation a little bit less so.

 

[Road Bull]

I ended up picking up a 2002 a little over a year ago as my first 4runner. I had been driving a 1994 Toyota Extended Cab since 2002, (when my 4runner was made). Years ago, my girlfriend picked up a 1997 4runner. The few times I drove it, I was amazed... at the turning radius compared to my truck. I was like, WTF? I could turn around on a street without having to 3 point turn. Now I loved my 1994 pickup, but I wanted something that I could haul more people and my drums in.

When I began looking, my wallet said to look at 3rd gens and below. There were a lot of 2nd gens for cheap near Seattle, but I decided that I might want to try more power offered by the 3.4 V6. After that, I noticed most of the changes up to the 4th gens, were cosmetic besides the lack of manual trans. and rear diff locker. But the used market is a market of opportunity. I decided to be patient and go for an 01, or 02. I liked the 4-spoke steering wheel, the glass headlights, (I noticed most of the 96s and 97s had cloudy front headlights. I also didn't mind the idea of trying out an automatic after driving a manual for so many years. I ended up finding a decent 2002 and jumped on it.

Coming from driving a truck, my 2002 felt like a major upgrade to me. The extra power of the 3.4 was very appreciated. Even driving the PNW's crappy roads, it seemed to float over cracks, creases, and potholes with grace. I was really impressed after I added my 265/75/16 BFG KO2s on just how quiet it seemed at 70 mph. Night and day different from my leaf suspension. Besides my VSC TRAC / Engine lights, (P0420 code) that come and go, it feels more solid mechanically than the 3.0 V6.

The two Toyotas that I have owned have been the last production years for their generations. This might be a tradition that I have to maintain.

 

[atalarico]

OP, I feel the same way you do about my 97 Limited as you do about yours. I am usually working on her once a month (9 times out of 10 it's preventative maintenance), but I love this TRUCK. I really do not ever want to get rid of her, and my Dad has let go of too many now-desirable vehicles and told me not to make the same mistake (e.g. his late 80s Supra, Celica, oh and his 2nd Gen 4Runner!).

However, around the middle of last year I got a great new job with a not-so-great commute. I went from daily driving about 12 miles RT in the city to 60 miles RT on the highway. I started to notice things about the ride quality that I used to be able to ignore, but I couldn't anymore.

I have been in stock late year 3rd gen 4Runners before and thought the ride quality was a lot nicer than my 97 w/ Eibach/Bilsteins and E rated Duratracs. That said, I realized most of that was fixable, so I ditched my E rated tires for C's, and I immediately noticed a difference. Then I replaced my front Bilsteins that were leaking, and that made an even more perceptible difference. I replaced the LCA bushings, and that just about settled the highway driving quirks I had. The interior is still nice, but things like climate control and what not are just dated because it's a 97.

However, I realized that my lovely lifted beast is going to be sent to an earlier grave if I kept daily driving her. I started looking at 2015 4Runners with the idea of keeping it stock (yeah...right) and then having the 97 for off-road duty. That didn't make as much sense to me though since the performance differences weren't huge, and I'm just not into stock SUVs. So, I went the opposite route and I'm about to sign paperwork on a '16 Golf R. This way I can put some wear and tear on a vehicle more suited for this kind of daily driving, and I can make my 4Runner even LESS practical now! I can keep the roof rack on her full time because I don't have to worry about parking garage clearance (I barely get in 7' clearance garages without the rack), added weight from armor, and I won't have to worry about repairs or mods being finished up in time for the work week!

The moral is that I think you'd be just as happy keeping your 97 and looking for something to daily that has more updated creature comforts, maybe? I have terrible ADD and I love talking 4Runners, so...sorry! I'm just so excited to read all of this gushing for the 3rd gennies.

 

[StreetCreeper]

OP, I feel the same way you do about my 97 Limited as you do about yours. I am usually working on her once a month (9 times out of 10 it's preventative maintenance), but I love this TRUCK. I really do not ever want to get rid of her, and my Dad has let go of too many now-desirable vehicles and told me not to make the same mistake (e.g. his late 80s Supra, Celica, oh and his 2nd Gen 4Runner!).

However, around the middle of last year I got a great new job with a not-so-great commute. I went from daily driving about 12 miles RT in the city to 60 miles RT on the highway. I started to notice things about the ride quality that I used to be able to ignore, but I couldn't anymore.

I have been in stock late year 3rd gen 4Runners before and thought they did ride quality was a lot nicer than my 97 w/ Eibach/Bilsteins and E rated Duratracs. That said, I realized all of that was fixable, so I ditched my E rated tires for C's, and I immediately noticed a difference. Then I replaced my front Bilsteins that were leaking, and that made an even more perceptible difference. I replaced the LCA bushings, and that just about settled the highway driving quirks I had. The interior is still nice, but things like climate control and what not are just dated because it's a 97.

However, I realized that my lovely lifted beast is going to be sent to an earlier grave if I kept daily driving her. I started looking at 2015 4Runners and keeping it stock and then having the 97 for off-road duty. That didn't make as much sense to me though since the performance differences weren't huge, and I'm just not into stock SUVs. So, I went the opposite route and I'm about to sign paperwork on a '16 Golf R. This way I can put some wear and tear on a vehicle more suited for this kind of daily driving, and I can make my 4Runner even LESS practical now (for commuting)! I can keep the roof rack on her full time because I don't have to worry about parking garage clearance (I barely get in 7' clearance garages without the rack), added weight from armor, and I won't have to worry about repairs or mods being finished up in time for the work week!

The moral is that I think you'd be just as happy keeping your 97 and looking for something to daily that has more updated creature comforts, maybe? I have terrible ADD and I love talking 4Runners, so...sorry! I'm just so excited to read all of this gushing for the 3rd gennies.

I think I may do something similar.

With my current truck, I think I'll drive it till the engine blows or tranny goes, then it will become a dedicated 4wheelin beast that I can do whatever I like with and not worry about practical things like MPG or comfy street-ride quality.

I think I'll pick up a clean late year 3rd gen and turn it into my main ride once my current truck bites the bullet.

 

[GangsterOfLove]

The '99 "tall" springs - do they offer a better ride quality or are they just taller?

 

[Chuckles89]

The '99 "tall" springs - do they offer a better ride quality or are they just taller?

IDK, but mine are pretty rough. Could just be my KYB Monomax Shocks though- they're known for being stiff.