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NEED ADVISE-3rd or 4th GEN BETTER?

Discussion in '4Runners' started by Mad Man Marty, May 15, 2013.

  1. May 15, 2013 at 6:49 AM
    #1
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    2007 Tacoma SR5 TRD Sport
    6speed, TRD intake, bed tie downs, weathertech rear,Tint
    Have tacoma & may be dumping grand cherokee to buy used 4runner.
    My question is, which is better, 3rd or 4th gen & why?
    Thx 4 the help.
     
  2. May 15, 2013 at 7:24 AM
    #2
    JWaldz

    JWaldz It puts the Joe Dirt in the hole

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    Waldo
    Colo Springs
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    If you're wanting a similar sized vehicle to the GC then a 3rd gen is a good match. It's a bit under powered at times, especially when towing or hauling heavy stuff. There are 5 speed manuals out there, otherwise it's a 4 speed auto with od. The 01's and 02's have a some traction options not available in previous years but a lot of people bypass them cus they suck for offroad. Same concept with the xreas in the 4th gens. You can manage to find factory rear elocked 3rd gen with a 5 speed and 4.30 gears but they're getting to be pretty hard to find. Even harder to find one with a supercharger one it. 4th gens were available with v8s which is nice.

    What you going to be using this vehicle for should be the main question. If it's mainly a road queen with the chances you'll be using it to tow/haul stuff then 4th gen. If it's going to see trails more often and you don't want the bulky size of the 4th gen, then I say 3rd gen.
     
  3. May 15, 2013 at 7:27 AM
    #3
    JDMcQ

    JDMcQ Well-Known Member

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    The V8 on the 4th gen is fantastic. Passes everything but gas stations. But, the fuel economy is not much worse than my 1st gen, 3.4 Tacoma.
     
  4. May 15, 2013 at 1:05 PM
    #4
    LTDSC

    LTDSC 32oz of fun

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    if you're above the height of the average female, dont get a sunroof. I regret it dearly.
     
  5. May 15, 2013 at 1:16 PM
    #5
    Redfox1

    Redfox1 'Stralia! Riding Roo's and wrangling koalas

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    Conner
    Santa Paula, CA and SLO
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    Browning Floor Mats, 275/70/17 BFG All-Terrain T/A's, Procomp 7089 wheels,Rear Spring TSB, Bilstein 5100's, LED roof light, seatbelt chime disabled, CB, UWS Toolbox,
    Advice
     
  6. May 15, 2013 at 1:19 PM
    #6
    JDMcQ

    JDMcQ Well-Known Member

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    Glad I did not get one. Amazing how much headroom they take up.
     
  7. May 15, 2013 at 1:21 PM
    #7
    LTDSC

    LTDSC 32oz of fun

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    granted im 6'8" but all i need is one more inch and my neck would be so much better. Im cutting up my seat brackets this weekend, hoping that helps.
     
  8. May 15, 2013 at 1:26 PM
    #8
    JDMcQ

    JDMcQ Well-Known Member

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    6'8" ??? :eek:



    freak.



    :D
     
  9. May 16, 2013 at 8:42 PM
    #9
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6speed, TRD intake, bed tie downs, weathertech rear,Tint
    The runner would mostly be used as a taxi & grocery getter. But i live 1/2 mile off pavement & need to use 4wd everyday in the winter to get up my mountain road. My wife would be the primary driver & likes comfort & accessories. We would use it as a daily driver, for camping trips & off road trail trips once a year. My wife drives a grand cherokee, 4.0 select trac now, but has driven a f350 crew cab 8ft bed for 3 years in the past. She is 5'8", & i am shorter than her so head room is not a issue. i was thinking maybe a 2001-2004 with 85k or less miles. I do like the 3rd gen. Option suggestions & problems/things to look out for would also help.
    Redfox your video is great. Who is she?
    Any other advise would be appreciated
     
  10. May 18, 2013 at 6:46 PM
    #10
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6speed, TRD intake, bed tie downs, weathertech rear,Tint
    Anyone else?
     
  11. May 18, 2013 at 7:44 PM
    #11
    downpour11

    downpour11 Well-Known Member

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    1996 4runner SR5 4x4 - 419,000 miles, 14" Spacer Lift
    Definitely 3rd gen, unless you want a V8. Look for a 3rd gen with an e-locker.
     
  12. May 19, 2013 at 5:18 PM
    #12
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6speed, TRD intake, bed tie downs, weathertech rear,Tint
    I probably am going to go with a v6.
    My wife and i took a 2000 sport with the 3.4 (auto) for a ride this weekend.
    She was not impressed with the power.
    The last 4runner we had only had 3.0, but due to the 5 speed seemed more peppy. So it looks like we have it narrowed down to the 4.0.
    Can i get some help with the best year & options, & what to look out for when buying? Thx for the help.
     
  13. May 19, 2013 at 5:56 PM
    #13
    downpour11

    downpour11 Well-Known Member

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    1996 4runner SR5 4x4 - 419,000 miles, 14" Spacer Lift
    I'd start searchin' over here: A wealth of info
     
  14. May 20, 2013 at 7:56 AM
    #14
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6speed, TRD intake, bed tie downs, weathertech rear,Tint
    Thx. Ill check it out.
     
  15. Jul 26, 2013 at 10:33 AM
    #15
    MojaveMadman

    MojaveMadman Cali Raised LED

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    Depends on how much you want to spend! 4th Gen is very very nice, my wife drives one and I love that thing. V6 has tons of power and has a timing chain instead of a belt so maintenance is much less. It's bigger and has more room for whatever you put in it. But they are much more pricy than a 3rd Gen. If you are tight on money, or want to mod it right away 3rd Gens are still great rigs, just a little slower and a little smaller. I am getting ready to build a 3rd Gen because I don't want to spend the money on the 4th Gen and then have no bidget for mods...
     
  16. Jul 29, 2013 at 7:28 AM
    #16
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thx mojave.
    From 1 mad man to another.
    My wife and i drove a 3rd gen '02 with the 3.4.
    It was automatic and did not have much pick-up at all.
    It will be her DD, so that deal was squashed.
    We had a 3.0, but had a 5 speed, & had much more get up & go.
    Do u have a stick? Do they have much more pick-up than the auto?
    Thx, marty
     
  17. Jul 30, 2013 at 10:12 PM
    #17
    Dr. Gonzo

    Dr. Gonzo Member

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    06 4Runner Limited 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 set at .85", exhaust tip relocated with borla tip, weather tech mats throughout, map light mod, Morimoto HID 4300k, custom sat nav mount
    I have owned both. The 4th gen is better to live with as a DD.
     
  18. Aug 5, 2013 at 6:25 PM
    #18
    Mad Man Marty

    Mad Man Marty [OP] Well-Known Member

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    6speed, TRD intake, bed tie downs, weathertech rear,Tint
    Anything i should look out for?
     
  19. Aug 6, 2013 at 9:45 PM
    #19
    Dr. Gonzo

    Dr. Gonzo Member

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    Bilstein 5100 set at .85", exhaust tip relocated with borla tip, weather tech mats throughout, map light mod, Morimoto HID 4300k, custom sat nav mount
    If you want a V6 get 05+ they have 5 speed auto vs 4speed. 06+ gets a body refresh. As far as problems to look out for. I haven't encountered any. Upgrade the suspension to Bilstein 5100s and it should be on par with your TRD, minus the LSD.
     
  20. Aug 7, 2013 at 8:23 AM
    #20
    Wishbone Runner

    Wishbone Runner Because 4R

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    4th! :D (I may be biased).

    If you are familiar with maintenance and modding your taco, the 4th is (nearly) identical.
     

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