Why did you go for the 2nd Gen?

[Donoharm]

Hello People,

I'm trying to decide between a 2nd gen and 3rd gen 4Runner. Since the prices are so similar and based more on overall condition at this point, I was wondering if you could share why you all went with the 2nd gen over 3rd and if you have any advice for which one I should get.

I'm a medical student who will be using it as a daily driver in a northern state that will either be Alaska, Michigan, or Maine, depending on where I get into residency next year. I've done some work on my old car - things like timing belts, water pump, valve cover/cam/crank gaskets, hoses, firewall grommets, etc. So I'm totally down with doing work on either 2nd or 3rd gen 4runners between now and this summer to get to a baseline level of maintenance, but after that I'm looking for a reliable vehicle to last about 3 years with just basic maintenance. As far as looks go, I think I like the 2nd gen better, but both look amazing.

 

[mikekfr]

I didn't go searching for a certain year, mine was a craigslist find i chose to bite on as a project to be given as an Anniversary gift. Mainly, i chose this one because i think it looks tough, i've grown fond of this era as this is my 1st 4R, i like everything about it. Having been a hunting truck, surprisingly every single thing on it works, down to the side view mirror controls. Love the color, the era, it gives good vibes that it will be reliable in handling my precious cargo.


Good luck in your choices, i look forward to seeing what you choose. :ranger:

 

[Hyde802]

Get a 3rd gen over a 2nd. Hands down. Better engine, better suspension, better interior...

However... 1st gen vs 3rd.. thats a different story.

 

[DeclansDaddy]

Have to agree with Hyde. 3rd gens are much more practical then 2nd. I originally wanted a 3rd but fell into a "deal" on my '95 and low and behold she pops a head gasket. I totally regret getting the 2nd gen. So then I got my 1st gen but if I ever bought another it'd definitely be a 3rd....well or another 1st lol.....maybe a 3.4 swapped 2nd. There's just too many possibilities but in your case 3rd all the way. I have a friend with a 2000 with 600k , yes that's 600,000 and it runs just as good as the day he got it with 100k. Very reliable trucks.

 

[Scalded_Dawg]

Get a 3rd gen over a 2nd. Hands down. Better engine, better suspension, better interior...

However... 1st gen vs 3rd.. thats a different story.

Another vote for Hyde's advise...
Mine was Craigslist smoking hot deal too.

 

[fastgtfairlane]

i really wanted a 3rd gen but i was wanting a 5spd.. there were several 4x4 auto 3rd gens around and 1 2nd gen 4x4 5spd v6.. had an eye on it for a while like a month or so.. finally called about it, went and checked it out and fell in love with it.. i love the look of it, plenty of room and love the electric rear glass and fold down tail gate.. will be fantastic for camping.. i had a 4 door tacoma and got rid of it so i was used to 4 doors.. mine has just over 200k on it and seems to be going strong.. runs great.. cant wait to take it off road..

 

[itgogitrev]

I got my 2nd gen to keep it from going to the crusher. The PO didn't want to work on it and I bought it for a fraction of the cost of a 3rd gen. It's been a great truck after I put some work into it.

If you're split on generations based on looks, then I would make your decision based on condition. I'd buy clean a 2nd gen for $2500 before I bought a beat 3rd gen for the same price.

 

[Jdrum1]

I just made a thread about recently trading my 2nd gen.

In it, I commented about why I ditched it and why I'd lean towards a 3rd if I had it to do over.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/184187-fun-but-my-4runner-days-over.html

In hindsight, I should have heeded the 3.0 warnings. Mine was in pristine condition and had been babied all it's life. I thought that, given it's care, I would be somehow immune to the head gasket problems......

 

[carlitosway368]

As several have said, I too think the look of the 2nd gen is tops, they just look tough and have a classic look to them that some of the others don't have (personal opinion...). With that said, two 2nd gens just sold on eBay for $6,700 and $6,200 but one only had 77k miles and the other 119k and in great condition. My only suggestion is you ask a lot of questions and look it over very carefully once you've found one you like or as you search. Good luck!

 

[the_fornicator]

I've always wanted a 1rst or 2nd gen since high school. A friend's dad had one and I've loved them ever since. Any gen with a tailgate, specifically.

Given where I live (lots of snow and the winters get down to -40C which is the same as -40F), the wear and tear on the body is pretty gnarly so any vehicles that old don't last very long. I came across someone's 2nd gen project with a 22RE in it that they lost interest in so I took it over.

Rebuilt top end, virtually all rust was cut out with new sheet metal fab'd and welded in, rust-free doors from written-off hiluxes, countless trips to the wreckers, and about $15K later, we have the 2nd gen 4Runner I now call "G" (G for Gandalf -dorky I know, but he was grey originally and I repainted him a crisp white -get it? Died grey and came back to life white. Hence Gandalf har har).

He's dirty as hell in this picture, but man does he rule in the snow. 4x4 with studded winter tires. Can't be beat. Well, maybe the STi comes close, but G's got a ton of character.

I chose the 2nd gen because it was the first one I could find in decent condition with a tailgate. Next month, I'm installing a lightly used transmission (taking the w56 putting a g52 in -it's the only thing I can find and it's pretty fitting for the 22RE.

192K kms and counting...

 

[Donoharm]

I didn't go searching for a certain year, mine was a craigslist find i chose to bite on as a project to be given as an Anniversary gift. Mainly, i chose this one because i think it looks tough, i've grown fond of this era as this is my 1st 4R, i like everything about it. Having been a hunting truck, surprisingly every single thing on it works, down to the side view mirror controls. Love the color, the era, it gives good vibes that it will be reliable in handling my precious cargo.


Good luck in your choices, i look forward to seeing what you choose. :ranger:

Dude!! If I were to ever get a 2nd gen, it would be exactly like yours! I think, even if I get a 3rd gen, I would paint it and try to find some chrome mirrors or something.... It just looks awesome...

 

[Donoharm]

I just made a thread about recently trading my 2nd gen.

In it, I commented about why I ditched it and why I'd lean towards a 3rd if I had it to do over.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/classic-t4rs/184187-fun-but-my-4runner-days-over.html

In hindsight, I should have heeded the 3.0 warnings. Mine was in pristine condition and had been babied all it's life. I thought that, given it's care, I would be somehow immune to the head gasket problems......

Yeah man, I saw that thread after I posted this one... I was at one point considering a Subaru Outback. I'd imagine that going with a turbo or 3.0 Engine would result in a ride that had good acceleration, really good highway comfort, and high safety ratings (actually, I think Subaru Outbacks are the safest "SUV" class vehicles according to the IIHS)... and obviously amazing snow performance.

 

[mikekfr]

Thanks man.....i've fallen love with this frikkin thing. Just as much as i've transformed it to something shiny and clean, as to everything i've learned about it along the way.

 

[Jdrum1]

Yeah man, I saw that thread after I posted this one... I was at one point considering a Subaru Outback. I'd imagine that going with a turbo or 3.0 Engine would result in a ride that had good acceleration, really good highway comfort, and high safety ratings (actually, I think Subaru Outbacks are the safest "SUV" class vehicles according to the IIHS)... and obviously amazing snow performance.

Didn't some years of the Subbie engine also have HG issues?


Don't get me wrong, I really liked my runner.......but, if acceleration, highway comfort, and safety are priorities, then a 2nd gen Runner is not your best bet.

Mine really struggled to run highway speeds (75 in my area). It was most comfortable at 65, tops.

Given the stressors and workload of med school, I can't imagine a 20+y/o truck (with a hunger for head-gaskets) would be ideal.

 

[Ryan_289]

I started looking for a 2nd or 3rd gen 4runner last year. The more I read about the 2nd gen the more I leaned to the 3rd gen. Mostly the headgasket problems. A lot of people said the 3.4 had quite a bit more power than the 3.0. I ended up finding a 97 SR5, leather, one owner, dealer serviced, 100% rust free 3rd gen in Oklahoma for $7500. Dont regret it one bit.

 

[Red88TopangaCa]

I agree with @hyde as well. IMO a 2nd gen is like getting a 1st gen but without all the good stuff that would make one want a 1st gen. Convertible VS non-convertible, rugged styling VS not, 22re VS 3.Slow and Im probably forgetting to mention some other stuff. Oh Straight Axle if it is an 85 or older.

My buddy just bought a really really nice 3.slow 92 t4r for 6500$. I feel he overpaid but it is nice and the ride is a lot more plush than my beat up 1st gen. I just worry for his head gasket.

My other buddy has a 2000 Taco with the 3.4/cold air intake/trd exhaust. He bought it 7 years ago with something like 150k miles and has added 100k over the past 7 years. It drives like a champ.

Why don't you buy a 1st gen and swap the engine for a 3.4?

 

[9494runner]

Gen 2s came with 22re as well, and gen1s also had the 3.0 slow option. and no matter your engine it can throw a head gasket…. keep up with maintenance and you will be fine.. my 3.0 is strong just sucks on hills, i also have fat meats in the back so that doesn't help as well as that being automatic.

If you are going to get a post 85 you're going to have IFS and now you have to make the choice of 22re or 3vze, auto or manual, and between the gen's really if you want a 2 door removable back top or a 4 door. gen 1s have leafs in the back as well.

as far as losing out on the gen 1 stuff… aside from 85 solid axle and leafs in the back, gen2s are identical Apillar forward……. maybe you get lucky and your gen 1 still has the working altimeter which is a really cool option, seen them modified to fit gen 2 dashboard. Early Gen 2s, pre 93 have the square lights (sealed beam) which is better has more aftermarket options compared to the tear drop of my 94, also the grills are nicer in the early gens. Gen 2s also had a rare 2 door version (sorry for the hate but that middle window is hideous on these) 4 door is easier for passengers but more often than not i would love to have the pickup configuration you can pull off with a gen 1


gen 3s have a lot of options i prefer the body style of the 1st gen or 2nd gen but I LOVE MY GEN 2 won't ever trade her up, she dies she's getting a new heart, she breaks she will get a new skeleton.


my recommendation would be go for a gen 3, options of a locker 3.4 cheaper to maintain, manual option, WATCH OUT FOR PINK MILKSHAKE, delete your factory trans cooling setup by using a standalone cooler and block off the bottom part of the radiator

just my .02

 

[Donoharm]

Given the stressors and workload of med school, I can't imagine a 20+y/o truck (with a hunger for head-gaskets) would be ideal.

Yeah, I think you're right. The whole point of this would be to have something that can dependably get me to work rain or shine (or snow). I'm also leaning towards a 3rd gen, unless I find a 1st or 2nd gen as cool as Mikekfr's.

 

[91'4bee]

I bought my second gen brand new because I loved the way it looked. I wanted a 1st gen but at that time didn't have the money. I bought this one and have been in love with it since. Cars have come and gone but this one has always had my back and goes places other SUVs wish they could go.

A family member liked my 2nd gen so much that she went and bought a 3rd gen a few years later. I like it but it just doesn't have the visual pleasure that the 2nd gen has. It looks bland almost. And its an auto...lame...

But these 4runners were bought brand new and have been with the original owners with religious maintenance.

Really its how much you wanna spend and because your buying used and these trucks being anywhere between 12-24 years old they will develop issues.

I say get a 2nd gen but its really your preference.

Good Luck

 

[beaver_scott]

I prefer the 2nd gen. with a 2nd gen you get a modern look inside and outside. I like the drop down tailgate with the 2nd gen HOWEVER, if the window motor fails then you are screwed. With the 3rd gen you would still be able to use the lift hatch if the rear window motor failed. I also like having manual gear levers vs switches and buttons that the newer trucks have. It took me a while to find mine...almost a year. I only wanted a 4runner with a 22re, with the manual transmission and it had to be in decent shape. The interior is in excellent shape. No tears, rips or stains. She has some very minor scratches and a door ding or two but heck, she is 20 years old with 296,000 miles. Still runs great with no issues! If you go with a 2nd gen I would stay away from the 3.0 v6 engine.