A.Wilson013
New member
My main objection is the 3.0. Second that, since this one is swapped, looks.
Which would you buy?
- Thread starter arvina
- Start date
My main objection is the 3.0. Second that, since this one is swapped, looks.
KingSuper
New member
Ah gotcha. I dig the 2nd gen looks, call me crazy.
absalom
New member
Blanket statement here, but even-numbered generations of 4runners (i.e. 2 & 4) are aesthetically very bland and passable. This isn't opinion, but fact...just ask my mom.
Odd-numbered generations are 4runner master race, starting with 3rd gen. Next the 1st gen, with it's sexy removable hard top, and finally the beast-mode 5th gen which looks straight out of District 9.
If I had to pick between a 2nd gen and 4th gen, I'd pick the 3rd gen every time.
Odd-numbered generations are 4runner master race, starting with 3rd gen. Next the 1st gen, with it's sexy removable hard top, and finally the beast-mode 5th gen which looks straight out of District 9.
If I had to pick between a 2nd gen and 4th gen, I'd pick the 3rd gen every time.
jeremyc74
Banned
I owned a 2nd gen and honestly I wouldn't buy another one over a 3rd gen no matter how nice it was.
One of the biggest reasons is the practicality of the rear lift gate as opposed to the tailgate on the 2nd gen. It was nice to be able to drop it down to sit on it, but the window is slow as hell, and in the winter it's a HUGE pain the ass. If there's snow on you have to complete clear it before you open the hatch area, and it's even slower than normal when the seals are cold.
Personally I don't think that one even looks good, but that's a matter of opinion that has nothing to do with my preference in general.
One of the biggest reasons is the practicality of the rear lift gate as opposed to the tailgate on the 2nd gen. It was nice to be able to drop it down to sit on it, but the window is slow as hell, and in the winter it's a HUGE pain the ass. If there's snow on you have to complete clear it before you open the hatch area, and it's even slower than normal when the seals are cold.
Personally I don't think that one even looks good, but that's a matter of opinion that has nothing to do with my preference in general.
Thanks for the advice guys. Pretty funny but I actually like the looks of the second and fourth. The second is just a smoother looking 1st generation, and the fourth stands on its own. It's a little bit mommish stock if you don't know what you're looking at, but fixed up I think they're sweet. Has anyone ever put the 4.0 in the third gen?
white_n_slow
Senior Member
To me the real benefit of the 2nd gen is that it is easier to SAS using all toyota parts. If you're not going to make this into a crawler, I would rather get a factory-correct 3rd gen (other people's projects and all).
:edit: and I am not biased since I have owned just about every Toyota 4x4, but I think the 3rd gen 4Runner is one of the more attractive and all-around well built of the bunch (barring some of the classics).
:edit: and I am not biased since I have owned just about every Toyota 4x4, but I think the 3rd gen 4Runner is one of the more attractive and all-around well built of the bunch (barring some of the classics).
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JayRolla
New member
Not going to lie but 2nd gens are like the worst toyota made. Head gasket issues, failing autos, failing electronics and little stuff all around. Every 2nd gen ive looked at or been in was falling apart. Good thing is that the one OP talkign about has gotten rid of the crap auto/3.0l junk motor.
SnowLizard
New member
Not beating a dead horse, I think this thread is partial to 3rd gens...
another reason I like my 3rd gen vs the 2nd gen...
creature comfort... not only is the floor of the vehicle almost 2 inches lower for better driving position, the seats for the rear passengers is also improved.
My inlaws did not like riding in our 95 before it was t-boned (rear door bar in the 95 saved my family) but were adamant that they won't ride again in the car. after it was totaled, we shopped, and found the 3rd gen was amazingly more comfortable. inlaws like the 99, and don't mind riding with us.
another thing I like the the 99 came with AWD and 4WD with my elocker from factory... I mostly putt around in 2wd though here in dry AZ.
for me, it's practicality, convenience both 2nd and 3rd have that, 4th too I'm sure, but last it's also comfort, I can last longer in the front seat of the 99 vs my 95...
try driving a 99-02 in AWD mode, which is good for any terrain, you'll feel a difference in road hugging and sure "footedness" from the vehicle. especially when flooring the pedal.
I've given my insight/experience, I recommend you look for yours.
side note, as a beater truck the 2nd gen you posted would be good, but not for anything else... fixing it would be harder IMO than a 3rd or 4th gen cause you have to think of the Frankenstein issue.
another reason I like my 3rd gen vs the 2nd gen...
creature comfort... not only is the floor of the vehicle almost 2 inches lower for better driving position, the seats for the rear passengers is also improved.
My inlaws did not like riding in our 95 before it was t-boned (rear door bar in the 95 saved my family) but were adamant that they won't ride again in the car. after it was totaled, we shopped, and found the 3rd gen was amazingly more comfortable. inlaws like the 99, and don't mind riding with us.
another thing I like the the 99 came with AWD and 4WD with my elocker from factory... I mostly putt around in 2wd though here in dry AZ.
for me, it's practicality, convenience both 2nd and 3rd have that, 4th too I'm sure, but last it's also comfort, I can last longer in the front seat of the 99 vs my 95...
try driving a 99-02 in AWD mode, which is good for any terrain, you'll feel a difference in road hugging and sure "footedness" from the vehicle. especially when flooring the pedal.
I've given my insight/experience, I recommend you look for yours.
side note, as a beater truck the 2nd gen you posted would be good, but not for anything else... fixing it would be harder IMO than a 3rd or 4th gen cause you have to think of the Frankenstein issue.
You're all very right. I don't mind the 3rd gen bias that's really what I counted on. Now for a new question sure to be wrought with biased answers:wink2::
99 auto 4x4 with76,000 for 6900 minus the haggle so maybe 6500
Or 2003 4x4 v8 with 208,000 for 4800 no haggle.
I like gen 4 for size and v8 but that's a lot of miles. I'm not too too worried about them as my dad has a 2000 tundra 4.7 with 280,000 miles and literally all it's had done to it is a new starter and its first timing belt change at 250,000. The problem is that engines aren't the only thing to break and sometimes they're the last thing. There's plenty of other expensive stuff that could be worn out.
The gen 3 seems clean and low miles and the carfax seems to check out. I don't know about maintenance though because not all the service was done at Toyota or it wasn't documented. Would you not be super leery buying a 15 year old truck from some eukrainian guy in inner city Houston with such low miles? That's less than 5k a year.
99 auto 4x4 with76,000 for 6900 minus the haggle so maybe 6500
Or 2003 4x4 v8 with 208,000 for 4800 no haggle.
I like gen 4 for size and v8 but that's a lot of miles. I'm not too too worried about them as my dad has a 2000 tundra 4.7 with 280,000 miles and literally all it's had done to it is a new starter and its first timing belt change at 250,000. The problem is that engines aren't the only thing to break and sometimes they're the last thing. There's plenty of other expensive stuff that could be worn out.
The gen 3 seems clean and low miles and the carfax seems to check out. I don't know about maintenance though because not all the service was done at Toyota or it wasn't documented. Would you not be super leery buying a 15 year old truck from some eukrainian guy in inner city Houston with such low miles? That's less than 5k a year.
PhdNPrerunners
New member
If you are talking about the 99 on the Houston Craigslist with 76k miles, there is a reason it's been on there for 3 months. The whole bottom side is all rusted and it came from up north. Have the dealer send you pictures of the underside. Good luck with your search.
