Your favorite year?

[Thai]

Can't compare a 99 to a 00? They are nearly identical and the only years that had the upgrades along with an available 5 speed and rear locker. The only real diff is the Highlander models had different flares from 99 to 00 otherwise they are the same truck otherwise the trim levels stayed consistent.

The '99-'00 models stand alone when compared to the rest of the generation.

What you said above is true in regards to OFF-ROADING potential. However, from a safety point of view, the 2001-2002 gets the nod with its 4-channel ABS, VSC, and brake assist. So, it really depends on one's needs. (I am also a big fan of the Multi-mode 4wd system on '99 Limited and up.)

I voted for 2002 because it was only on this year that you can get the Lexus Pearly White color on Limited models.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yes,I do mean off road prowess since that has been the original intent of 4Runners of old which was lost a bit with the lowering of the '01+,loss of 5 speed/locker and the addition of electronic nannies (fortunatly can be defeated with a few simple mods) but is better and safer on-road but I wouldn't even own a 3rd gen if I didn't take it off road and if I want all the electronic goodies and better ride I'll buy a 4th gen for the street which I might do so I can park my '99.

I love the power and ride of my aunt's '08 Sport which was a major step up for the 4th gens.

 

[david_ray320]

Yes,I do mean off road prowess since that has been the original intent of 4Runners of old which was lost a bit with the lowering of the '01+,loss of 5 speed/locker and the addition of electronic nannies (fortunatly can be defeated with a few simple mods) but is better and safer on-road but I wouldn't even own a 3rd gen if I didn't take it off road and if I want all the electronic goodies and better ride I'll buy a 4th gen for the street which I might do so I can park my '99.

I love the power and ride of my aunt's '08 Sport which was a major step up for the 4th gens.

You got a whole family of 4Runners, huh?!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Actually there are more than a few 4Runners in my family and none was influenced by me.

My family had an '86 Runner that was near new and then in the '90s my uncle drove a '92 and a '97 then my stepmom got her limited in '99 then I bought my a '97 in '03 then replaced it with my '99 in '04 then my aunt got hers a year ago which is her 6th Toyota since the mid '80s.

 

[Matt Starr]

Why is there so many more votes for the 99 vs. the 00? Personaly I love the wide body flares, I think they make the runner look a lot nicer and exotic. But I vote 99 or 00 for sure. My dream 4runner would be a 2000 V6, 5spd, locking diff and center diff in a sport edition. AWW ohhh I just came :bigok:

 

[Thai]

Yes,I do mean off road prowess since that has been the original intent of 4Runners of old which was lost a bit with the lowering of the '01+

Now that you mention it...what was the original intent of the 4runner?? I always thought that Toyota made the 4runner because it needed a midsize SUV...to go below the Land Cruiser. It was not a "Jeep Wrangler" type vehicle where off-road prowess was its top priority. I believe that the 4runner's main priority was to combine civility with good off-road capability. It was made for broad appeal. I would even argue that the 4th gen 4runner fulfills Toyota's view of a 4runner better than any generation before it. Why?

Well, think about it...besides the relatively few enthusiasts on this forum, most buyers of 4runners use it for various practical reasons...like towing, camping, all-weather, etc.. Consumers buy it for the Toyota reliability that is baked into its all-purpose nature. Think of it another way, did the original 4runner ("classic 4runners") come with rear locker?? I don't think so, even though it was based on a truck platform. Yes, the 3rd gen 4runner had it early on, but Toyota dumped it for a more advance technology that combines safety and off-road capability. Some may argue that this move made the 4runner just a bit less capable, but many will argue that it also made the 4runner a whole lot safer on the road for 99% of the consumers who bought 4runners.

4runners were never made to be a niche vehicle, like the FJ Cruiser or the Jeep Wrangler. It was a vehicle made to appeal to a wide range of consumers. The fact that it was capable off-road is just icing on the cake.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Toyota wasn't selling 4Runners to soccer moms in the '80s and most of it's media ads showed the 4Runner most often in off road situations,camping or working so I guess I just perceive it as being more rugged and less pretty then it's competitors like the S-10 Blazer and Bronco II which initiated Toyota to make the 4Runner.
The first thing I thought when I saw a 4Runner in '84 was it would be fun to go off road in and I wasn't even driving yet so my view is a bit biased but arguebly viable.
Toyota wasn't even shipping the first year 4runners with back seats and were a dealer added item as were the seatbelts as it helped Toyota with import cost as they could claim the 4Runner as 2 seat truck.

I remember when a few of my parents friends bought brand new 4Runners and they were very utilitarian and simple and one of them had his 4Runner off road within the first 1000 miles..........and got his first bumper dent.

I guess it's my biasness but from my memories from somebody who lived in the Colorado mountains point of view the 4Runner was a working,rugged vehicle that could go from a showroom to a trail without skipping a beat and that's how I saw it through the '80s.

At least Toyota is now offering what could the most complete 4Runner ever with the '09 TE which covers all the bases so I guess some voices were loud enough to bring back the rear diff lock coupled with the ATRAC just makes everything better.

Too bad it may not continue with the next gen.

 

[Thai]

Toyota wasn't selling 4Runners to soccer moms in the '80s and most of it's media ads showed the 4Runner most often in off road situations,camping or working so I guess I just perceive it as being more rugged and less pretty then it's competitors like the S-10 Blazer and Bronco II which initiated Toyota to make the 4Runner.

Well, at first, Toyota used a pickup truck and added fiberglass cover over the rear...and called it a SUV. This was done out of necessity IMO rather than appealing to the off-roaders. Toyota, at the time, did not have a midsize SUV design to use...so, they used a pickup truck. I think that the TRUE design feature of what Toyota wanted in the 4runner can be seen in the 2nd generation...since this was truly its first original design.

You have to look at what it was competing with at the time. There were Pathfinders, Explorers, Chevy Blazers, etc.. All of these SUVs were made to combine on-road civility and off-pavement capability. These were not Jeep Wranglers by any shot of the imagination.

Like everyone else, Toyota refined the 4runner over the ages to make it truly the "best of both worlds," which i believe is what Toyota strived for all these years with the 4runner.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Oh yeah,I agree by the 2nd gen the market and Toyota's intentions with the 4runner were better defined but the '80s was a different environment for the mini SUV market which was a niche market then.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Why is there so many more votes for the 99 vs. the 00? Personaly I love the wide body flares, I think they make the runner look a lot nicer and exotic.

I think the '99 Highlander is what's getting most of the votes for the '99 year since it's the only year the Sport version got the skinny unpainted flares which appeals to quite a few people over the widebody Limited version which tend to take a beating off road for those who would take it off road.

I like the widebody flares but if I had those my 4Runner would have alot of abuse to them and it would show.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Not much love for the '97s but the favs by far is the '99-'00 models which are pretty much identical and control 55% of the poll so far.

 

[LPS266]

1999 safety

I am thinking about buying a 1999 model with a 5 speed. It has 85k on it...and a check engine light.
Does this model have any safety issues that you all are aware of?

 

[p nut]

2000. The last of the best.... (options wise, anyway).

 

[longhaul747]

I have a 98 so I guess I like that year best. It seems well built and not over dressed like later models. I am not a fan of the fat front bumper on later years and I think in 01 or 02 it got hideously fat. I think in 01 or 02 they lowered the 4Runner making it easier to get in and out of but killing its off road capability. My 98 stands pretty tall stock and its not lifted.

One thing I don't like as much about my 98 is the basic 4WD. Just regular basic 4WD and no locker option on mine. Fancier 4WD systems have been around since the late 80's so not sure why the 4Runner did not have it as standard. Being basic does have its benefits though. It does work when you need it unlike many other fancier systems (Jeep).

I believe its 99 or 00 (perhaps the only the Limited package) they had an option to not only lock the rear diff but also the center diff. So you had a very flexible 4WD system. You could engage 4WD and leave the center diff unlocked and have an AWD system. Very good for slippery roads. Once off road you can engage the center diff lock to increase traction and when things got really iffy you can engage the rear diff. Perhaps in a few years I will try and find a 4Runner with this capability.

Slightly off topic but someone in our parking garage at work drives a base 96-98 4Runner 4WD (it might be a 4 Cylinder as well but just guessing) plus a 5-Speed and a Rear Diff Lock. I tell you that rear diff lock option shows up on the most random of 4Runners. I would like to find out who owns it and get to know the person and perhaps buy it eventually. Not sure why but you don't see many base 4 cylinders with 4WD and a rear diff lock plus a 5-Speed out there.

 

[BigRedAZ]

I chose 2000 because that is what mine is i liked the taillights of the 01 and 02s but no Manuel available on those years. My perfect 4runner would be a 1999 Bright red Manuel V6 4WD with the rear locker and TRD superchargered.

 

[fightman80]

I'm going to be different and say that I prefer the 2002! I love the grill and the flares, and find the bumper to be a nice touch, as it gives more detail to the front facia. I've got a 98' and love it, but really wish I had the looks of the 2002, with the lift I've got on mine!

 

[BigRedAZ]

I voted 2000 since it was the last year with a stick available. Newest, most sorted in terms of equipment glitches, and more with less miles.

Ironic reasoning since my 2000 is an auto.

Haha yea i agree though

 

[peter78]

I voted 99 because of all of the good changes, but there is something to be said for 2001. The Highlander came out in 2001 and no one wanted a 4Runner. I was looking in 2000 and thought they were too high, but early 2001 they dropped the price, both is suggested retail and at the dealers. People got great deals in both 01 and 02 and I am talking 1000's under dealer cost, so for me that made me a 4Runner owner.

I would think I paid less for my 2001 than say a typical 1999 owner. VSC was just icing on the top of the deal.

 

[Houston]

96/97 are my favorite but 98 is ok. I prefer the side to side a/c controls on the 96-97 and the bumpers 96-98, rear window switch location, gauges, wheels,


The only things I like about the 99+ is the headlights, I wouldn't mind having a 99+ center console to add some cup holders (I like the factory pull out cup holders but more is always better). I put two 44oz drinks in the oem holder without any problems, it looks flimsy but hasn't failed yet. I just hate the condensation dripping onto my leather shift boot, but I figure its thirsty too.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The only things I like about the 99+ is the headlights, I wouldn't mind having a 99+ center console to add some cup holders (I like the factory pull out cup holders but more is always better). I put two 44oz drinks in the oem holder without any problems, it looks flimsy but hasn't failed yet. I just hate the condensation dripping onto my leather shift boot, but I figure its thirsty too.

Are you kidding? The cupholders are one of the worst designs ever;the cups sit right in front of the air vents and controls and any kind of bump can send liquid flying and are totally useless off road.
I had a '97 and that is one of the features I loathed and don't miss one bit.


Most of the dislikes and likes between the older Runners and the '99+ versions appears to be mostly personal taste but some things like cupholders,auto up/down front windows,digital odo/dual trip meters made me appreciate my '99 even more but my '97 was still a good truck.

Here's my '97 waiting to be sold right after I got my '99.