Which would you buy?

[arvina]

I know this has been down countless times but we only ask because we value y'all's opinions.
Hi all long time lurker first time poster. Soon to be first time owner. I finally got rid of my stupid truck and I am looking for my first dream car: the 4Runner. So I can't say I've narrowed it down quiet yet but I have found a gen2 with a 3.4 swap, 5 speed, some lift/tires, and an Aussie locker in the rear. The owner doesn't know how many miles are on the motor but the chassi has 250k. He says everything works and she's definitely a looker. I don't wheel all that often but I want a vehicle that is still very capable of doing so. This will be a daily driver (short commute to work) and a fun beach/hunting/camping truck. I've been reading for months on the pros and cons of each generation. Honestly I'd like the v8 4gen but the point of this car is something I can pay cash for and have a bit of a beater so that's out. So would you wait for a good deal on a well Maintained third gen or get the very cool half the work is already done second?
Thanks for your input,
Nate

 

[JayRolla]

You are asking in a 3rd gen forum about a 2nd gen swapped and or 4th gen?? I would avoid someone elses project. But thats just me. I would vote stock 3rd gen to build yourself or get the v8 4th gen.

 

[SnowLizard]

My vote is stock 3rd Gen, with elocker. You'll be so much happier and it will last longer...

Safety side, 95 is when they put a steel bar in the rear doors for side collisions, so of it isn't a 95+ don't get it unless your willing to armor it.

Google 4runner history, there is a site with ALL the features done over the years. 4run-hist

 

[arvina]

No no I would like a 4th gen but that's not happening. I think the third is the best all around and Forum wise has the most and most knowledgable support. So to you as third gen guys which would you prefer? Also I'm not working with about 6500 here so... Every once in a while I'll see a good price on a third gen with only like 75000 miles but I'm very leery of that. It doesn't seem right for a 15-20 year old car to only have that.
It's hard to find stockers with e-lockers around here. When I find them in or near my price range it's been a beaten up wheeler

 

[JayRolla]

No no I would like a 4th gen but that's not happening. I think the third is the best all around and Forum wise has the most and most knowledgable support. So to you as third gen guys which would you prefer? Also I'm not working with about 6500 here so... Every once in a while I'll see a good price on a third gen with only like 75000 miles but I'm very leery of that. It doesn't seem right for a 15-20 year old car to only have that.
It's hard to find stockers with e-lockers around here. When I find them in or near my price range it's been a beaten up wheeler

If it slow miles like that, carfax it and it will let you know if the mileage has been turned back. Huge scam going on and toyotas are good candidates since they hold value when miles are low.

Again we are 3rd gen guys. We will usually vote 3rd gen. Skip the 2nd gen with 3.4l swap.

 

[4runnerHokie]

Yeah

Every once in a while I'll see a good price on a third gen with only like 75000 miles but I'm very leery of that. It doesn't seem right for a 15-20 year old car to only have that.

If youre finding 3rd gens with 75k, as long as you take a look at the history and talk to the seller, its really not that rare, and I would pick that up in an INSTANT over a project 2nd gen or a v8 4th gen. A lot of people bought these trucks back in the day for big money and babied them/mall crawled. Of course youre going to get biased answers in the 3rd gen thread, but building a 75k miles 3rd gen yourself would be rewarding, a better DD than the 2nd gen, and super super reliable. 2nd place vote goes to the 4th gen. They sound great.

Good luck!

 

[arvina]

Yeah but look at that

 

[jmoskow]

I am a former 3rd gen owner and a current 4th gen V8 owner. If the 4th gen is out of price range, your best bet is to be patient and wait for that clean 3rd gen to come around. Under 100k would be ideal but don't be afraid of Toyota's with some mileage. If you can see maintenance records and frequent oil changes, as well as little to no rust underneath, then you can buy with confidence. Go clean stock 3rd gen over a 2nd gen project. After buying a couple used cars myself, I can say I've walked away from modded vehicles on the secondary market. Even little things make you question what the other owner was doing.
ex: Why did they change the shift nob? Was it some teenager that thought it would look cool? Did they drive like an a** and beat the car up? Did they mod when they should have been maintaining?

You understand. Go stock so you know exactly what you are getting. Good luck! Welcome aboard

 

[Hesk11dog]

just to throw my opinion in on the matter. Your main options for liking the 2nd gen is that it has a locker, is lifted, and had the 3.4 v6. If you are not going to be doing crazy offroading and crawling, then the locker is not needed. I live in western PA so I see heavy snow, mud, and just about every thing you can think of. My 97 with 4WD can go with the best of them, super reliable if well maintained and just a sharp looking vehicle. The guys in this 3rd gen section really care about there rigs so in turn will care and help if you have questions or need anything. There are lots of cheap mods that you can do with just a simple tool set that will make your Runner stand out and look WAY better than that 2nd gen with awkward wheels. find one for a good price and in good condition and it will treat you well :decision:

 

[A.Wilson013]

So would you wait for a good deal on a well Maintained third gen or get the very cool half the work is already done second?

You quite literally could not pay me to own a 2nd gen. I don't care if it has a swapped F113 D... I'm not driving it. (I'd probably drive the F113 D once...)

Wait for a 3rd gen in your price range. The 2nd gen is the ugliest step child there ever was.

 

[BoarderDave]

I know I'm echoing most everyone else so far here.. but it's worth it to repeat.

Be patient and find the right 3rd Gen.. Don't go for the 2nd Gen Project vehicle.
I messed around with a big headache for over a year, lots of money, and never knowing "am I actually going to get to where I need to be right now" everytime I was climbing in my previous vehicle (it was a previous owners project that I thought would be fun to continue with). When I found the right stock clean 4Runner, I pounced on it and got rid of the old project vehicle..
Driving and enjoying my 3rd gen now and I am 100% happy with it. Couldn't imagine myself in anything else.. Well.. except maybe a new TRD 5th Gen. But thats a definite "aim for the stars" dream. :yo:

 

[arvina]

So I car faxed the low mileage gen 3 and it looks pretty clean. I haven't seen it in person yet. I always like the looks of the gen2 and I drove it. I wouldn't call it a project because it's pretty well put together. Nothing is half done and it's been driven the way it is for a while. The problem comes up when something breaks shortly after and I'm neck deep in some custom stuff that I don't have any history on. I just like that it HAS the better motor, it HAS the 5 speed, it HAS a locker, it HAS a roof rack, it's already got the lift and tires. So all that stuff is going to be money in my stocker. Money in the swap is only going to make it better unless it just explodes on me. The third gen I'm looking at really is super clean and the better option though. I just hate the fat lip bumpers and the stupid limited color scheme. Unless it drives like it's broke though or someone buys it first I'll be getting that one. Look for me on the welcome forum I'll be there soon

 

[4runnerHokie]

Yeah but look at that

v8 Badge on the grille but it has a 3.4? Ehh tacky but its a sick ride otherwise. I do support your choice on considering the 3rd gen though. You can modify the paint scheme to your liking, make it your own, and youll definitely fall in love.

 

[Supergleep]

Having owned a '90 2-door 2nd Gen 4Runner, a '95 4-door 2nd Gen 4Runner and my current '01 3rd Gen, I highly recommend taking a pass on the engine swapped 2nd gen and holding out for a clean 3rd Gen. The fit and finish on the 3rd gen is miles ahead of the 2nd gens. Much more room as well.

As others have mentioned, it's usually a bad idea to buy someone else's project.

 

[SnowLizard]

I'm not a fan of the Fat Lip either, I think it's just ugly. same with the running boards.
but I do plan on bumpers and rock sliders to fix that, it's just looks, the main IMPORTANT part is 'do you see yourself keeping this car for a long time' if not, keep moving.

I say this, because I have wasted money on a 'cool' truck, that was never gonna stay cause it couldn't do what I need it to do.

do yourself a favor and READ!
Toyota 4Runner History
Arm yourself with knowledge and know exactly what you want and how to spot 'non' factory mods'

 

[cashmoney]

Do the V8. Only regret I have with mine is the V6. Otherwise I love it. But not having the power of the V8 is a huge downside. Most folks are ok with it but I live where the speed limits are 80+mph and this thing struggles to get up to speed much less maintain it or even pass someone. I don't think I'd feel safe passing anyone on a two lane black top with this thing without gears and a supercharger.

 

[ben550]

wait and buy a nice 3rd gen.

 

[96 ToyRunner]

The best part on having your own rig for the trails is that you know what its has what shape and have it drives and its yours ....get a clean 3rd gen and do what you want to it ...I will say I like the LOOK'S of a 2gen and the one your looking at but there's a reason the 3rd gen 4runner is one of the best bought Toyota's (that I've seen and read) out there I don't like the fat lip or spoiler just get one that doesn't have one.....

 

[IsaiahC]

Stick with a 3rd gen. Like others have said, you don't want someone elses project. When you get a stock third gen, then you can research any mods you'd like to do and get exactly what you want. If you want a locker, then find one with an elocker. To be honest, for most stuff you won't need a locker. I only find myself using mine when I want to play with it. There hasn't been anything that I couldn't just tackle in 4wd. Fine a nice stock 3rd gen and then start researching the mods YOU want.

 

[KingSuper]

You quite literally could not pay me to own a 2nd gen. I don't care if it has a swapped F113 D... I'm not driving it. (I'd probably drive the F113 D once...)

Wait for a 3rd gen in your price range. The 2nd gen is the ugliest step child there ever was.

Just out of curiosity, is your main objection to the 2nd gen because of looks?