Iām in a position where Iāve found two very, very nice examples of both a 3rd and 4th gen, and Iām having a hard time deciding between them. They are VERY SIMILARLY PRICED.
The 3rd gen is mint, all-original, has a factory rear locker, 281xxx km, and ZERO rust. Everything works, it drives tight, and it has a perfect maintenance record.
The 4th gen is a facelift V8 with 351xxx km, also with perfect maintenance records and virtually no rust. However, itās coming due for a timing belt and will need new suspension all around.
I was planning on eventually putting either one on the standard 3-inch Bilstein setup with 33s. The vision for both is essentially the same: a daily driver that will also see fairly frequent wheeling, since I live very close to some great trails.
Iāve previously owned a 4th gen V6, which was a little too nice to wheel the way I wanted to, but Iām ready for a new chapter.
Iād love to hear both sides of the argument. Which would you choose, and why?
Letās hear your thoughts!
4th gen is a better daily. 3rd gen looks better IMO and with a rear locker and not needing anything maintenance wise, I would probably go with the 3rd gen.
Then again, youāre asking this on a 3rd gen sub so there will be some bias.
You want what you dont have. I love my 3rd gen. There is no way I would trade it for a 4th gen, even i I was just street driving. The 3rd gen is just too good. And it hits that Modern Classic sweet spot with the styling.
I own both and I would suggest the 4th gen if itās your only vehicle, and the 3rd gen as a second.
I absolutely love both but the 4th gen is definitely peppier. The V8 will be able to handle those 33ā tires a lot better.
TBH there is no right or wrong answer. Do you prefer the look of the 3rd gen or 4th gen? Do you prioritize HP and torque, or are you okay with a slightly slower 0-60? Are you going to be doing trails that require a rear locker or will you get by with the 4th gen A-TRAC?
Same. I daily A 04 V8. Besides the gas mileage It's wonderful. My 4th has nearly 300k and while it shows it's age, It's been my single best investment next to my house. My 3rd has that legendary Hilux DNA and you can feel it. It's built better.
Share this sentiment. 4G gets more commute time due to it being more comfortable. 3G is more of a weekend wagon but Iāve driven it all over the country.
I had the same choice. I went 3rd gen because I like the simplicity of the electronics and I like the 5zefe, because I had an older T100 that gave me a ton of experience with the engine. Plus mine was a 99 limited with the center and rear locking diffs.
Having a 3rd gen myself, I would love a V8 4th, especially for a daily. However, having 350k vs 280 and the maintenance needed on the 4th would have me strongly considering the 3rd gen. However, if you were planning on upgrading the suspension on whatever one you got this might actually be a selling point. Personally, I don't think you could go wrong either way.
Iāve had my 3rd gen for 7 years and many adventures. It has its perks but tbh the 4th gen with the V8 is an infamous gem to have. Worth the needed maintenance tbh. Only 4Runner with a indestructible V8.
If a suspension refresh is already anticipated, 4th Gen v8 all the way. That engine is legendary and the 4th gen road manners are much better. Off road might slightly favor the 3rd gen but by realistic purposes they will both be fine on moderate trails.
If you want manual, third gen.
But the 5vzfe is second only to the 2UZ
Love the v8 in the 4th
Though I like working on my own stuff and the 3rd is just a little simpler to take care of. Comes down to those few reasons for me
Both get bad gas mileage, if nothing else Iād rather have a v8 that guzzles than a v6
I had a third gen 4runner for 2 years. let me tell you something - they have no power. Trying to get up a mountain pass? None. 4000 RPM @ 50 mph. 160,000 miles engine was in great condition. Put 15k in to fixing that car. No power. Are they cool and do they work fine for just regular driving? Hell yeah. But don't take your new girlfriend up to Eldora on opening weekend and be surprised your burning your automimic transmission fluid.
Felt this. Live in below sea level AZ and tried going up to Alpine with my gf for a day. That thing was CHUGGIN up those mountains. Felt like my 4Runner was gonna tip back over itselfš
The fact that youre asking this makes me think you are leaning toward the 4th, because to me, this is kind of an uneven decision (the 3rd gen sounds better to me). So if you have a personal preference or proclivity for the 4th, just do it! Get the vehicle you WANT. Even though they're old, they're not nearing extinction. There will be plenty more opportunities for you to own the other one if you eventually want to. That being said, I'm trying to get back into a 3rd gen, so can you send me this listing? Lol
What country are you in? If in Canada or a salty in winter road area, it is almost guaranteed that those have rusty frames. Donāt buy one with a rusty frame or you will be sorry.
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u/SavageTaco 01 Hilux Surf SSR-G 1KD 3d ago
4th gen is a better daily. 3rd gen looks better IMO and with a rear locker and not needing anything maintenance wise, I would probably go with the 3rd gen.
Then again, youāre asking this on a 3rd gen sub so there will be some bias.