by "Dru" (therealkennyd)
Published 06/21/2017 at 16:21
by "Dru" (therealkennyd)
Published 06/21/2017 at 16:21
Tags: T4R
STARS: 0
My mother bought this still new 2016 Trail Premium 4Runner a couple weeks ago. It was quite the bargain with 7K off sticker. This rounds out my experience with all generations. Here’s my rambling take on each one:
1st Generation (1984-1989): Kind of like a really comfortable tractor. Oozes character, but generally miserable to drive in modern traffic. The removable top is actually fun, but is not fun to take off nor put back on. I’ve only done it once. I have driven several 1st gens.
2nd Generation (1990-1995): Still rather utilitarian, but much more civilized and livable than its predecessor. The rear tailgate was okay, the window therein was prone to malfunction. The 3.0L V6 is terrible, as you probably know. Surprisingly flat in corners, unusually fun to drive for something so heavy and slow. I’ve owned two of these, and driven several more.
3rd Generation (1996-2002): Take everything that was wrong with the 2nd gen and fix it, that’s the 3rd gen. I’ve only driven two of these, the 3.4L V6 is very good, but still no powerhouse. Rear hatch > tailgate. This could be the best all around.
4th Generation (2003-2009): The first time I drove my dad’s, I thought “wow, this is kind of huge.” Not huge in general, but huge compared to its predecessors. The 4.7L V8 is a blast to drive. The 4.0L V6 is perfectly fine. If you ever thought about getting one of these, get the V8. It still maintains the relative flatness in corners, so is fairly fun to drive.
5th Generation (2010-present): YUGE. Seriously. Having been so well accustomed to these vehicles over the years, my mom’s 5th gen felt absolutely massive. The ride isn’t particularly comfortable over rough surfaces, but smooths out nicely on the highway. It definitely feels like a truck. The only engine option is the V6, and it feels refined enough to be “pretty good” at this point. The above standard build quality is readily apparent, no creaks or rattles whatsoever. The interior doesn’t feel particularly premium, but still quite good. I don’t care for the steering feel of this generation. Not sure if it’s electric now or not. My mom’s has a bunch of off road gadgets that I’m sure will never get used. I may buy it from her in a few years. Also the 4WD is actuated by a lever instead of a dial, which I prefer and adds to the off road aesthetic.
So there you have it. A barely intelligible series of takes on a legendary lineup. In all seriousness, 4Runner’s are very well screwed together, and can take a surprising amount of abuse. But as HHFP says, reliable doesn’t mean maintenance free. Take care of them and they last.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/21/2017 at 16:27, STARS: 1
2nd gen wasn’t too heavy @ 3700 lbs. I mean its lighter than V6 accord. Gen 5 is big though, its dimensionally identical (more or less) to my Land Cruiser.
"TDIGuy" (owenrosier)
06/21/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0
So I’ve owned a second gen. That 3.0 V6 is absolutly awful, but I still loved it. And my brother now has what used to be my dads 4th gen with 200k+ miles on it. Literally only ever done breaks and tires. Best vehicle we have ever owned
"TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo" (drivesaswedishcarmadeinbelgium-)
06/21/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 0
I hate that Toyota axed the V8 option right when fuel dropped in price.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 17:02, STARS: 0
2nd felt like approximately 1.3 Bajillion pounds. But the lightish weight explains flat cornering.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 0
The 3.0 does engender some kind of love. Or Stockholm syndrome. I used mine as a mobile by-the-hour motel/General Lee Charger and it survived well past 250000 miles. After a head gasket job at 160K of course.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 17:05, STARS: 0
Ditto. It’s perfect for the 4Runner. Especially the current XL version. The V6 isn’t exactly a fuel sipper either.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
06/21/2017 at 17:08, STARS: 0
I like the 3rd gen too
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
06/21/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 0
My take on 3rd thru 5th gen:
3rd: Slow and cramped, good visibility, nice combo of multi-mode 4wd/awd and rear locker on the 00-01 Limited although the awd is a pretty basic center diff.
4th: Good on paper since all of them have the Torsen center diff, and the ’09 Trail Edition adds a rear locker. But the seating position is on the floor and you have to look way up over the dash thru the small windshield. The only good 4th gen 4Runner is a Lexus GX.
5th: Finally combines both roominess and (mostly) decent visibility. The rear visibility blows because it’s so damn tall. The step-in height is absurdly high without running boards. Only the Limited has the Torsen center diff anymore while the lower trims are part-time 4wd.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/21/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 0
Mine made it to 170k without needing the gaskets.... For the apparent second time.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/21/2017 at 17:13, STARS: 1
It feels heavy because of the engine.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
06/21/2017 at 17:17, STARS: 0
3700 pounds is a lot for >150 horsepower
"jasmits" (jasmits)
06/21/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 0
Hey wait I like my tailgate. The window can be a bit of a pain when you need to toss something in or grab something quickly but I find that it makes it easier to load/unload stuff both because it doesn’t obscure the opening and because I’m pretty tall and liftgates always get in the way.
Other than that though, good write-up. Sums up why a 3rd-gen is tempting as a 2nd gen owner but I like the look and character of the 2nd-gen a lot better.
"R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet" (r-saldana)
06/21/2017 at 17:23, STARS: 1
5th gen 4Runner:
Charge a premium price for a non-premium product. Like paying $500 a night to stay at a holiday inn.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
06/21/2017 at 17:30, STARS: 0
The current gen CHUGS fuel like crazy, too.
I actually don’t mind them, but agree that they’re massive. Like practically full-size truck levels of massive. I feel that “fine” is the adjective for this gen - everything about it, from the engine to the ride to the handling, is roughly adequate or what I’d expect.
I don’t remember the steering feeling weird, but when I drove one a lot was after I owned my first car with electric power steering. I somehow failed to notice which it felt like. After a couple years in my car and my wife’s car (both with electric power steering), hydraulic power steering feels really weird. So much road feel...
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 17:58, STARS: 0
That seems typical. I think my first one had them done prior to my ownership as well.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 17:59, STARS: 0
True.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 18:27, STARS: 0
2nd gen was one of the better designs IMHO. But I see why the tailgate appeals if you’re tall. I’m 5'7" so I don’t have that issue.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 18:28, STARS: 2
Yet somehow it’ll still be worth 30K in 4 years. It’s baffling.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
06/21/2017 at 18:29, STARS: 1
If you’re over 6 feet liftgates are always in the way, especially if you’re trying to load something bulky.
I love the look and size of my 2nd gen but the damn 3VZE is just such a terrible engine.
"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/21/2017 at 18:37, STARS: 0
That’s why they popped again actually, they just replaced the gaskets and possibly t-belt. The had was warped, and they didn’t touch it. So they let go because of that the second time.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 19:59, STARS: 0
From what I hear a 3.4 swap is fairly straight forward. You can also do a 1UZ FE swap if you’re mildly insane.
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 20:00, STARS: 1
Ah that makes sense. Mine had the full run through at 160K.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
06/21/2017 at 20:13, STARS: 0
It’s about as straightforward as it gets, same motor mounts, the R150F tranny I have was even used with the 5VZ. I’ve been considering the swap, if/when I need any significant work on the 3VZ I’d probably go for it.
A 1UZ is a great daydream but it just doesn’t make financial sense to swap into a manual 2nd gen. You can buy an adapter bellhousing but that’s $800 bucks in its own, and I’d imagine a 1UZ is more expensive than a 5VZ although I haven’t priced it. Apparently it’s easier with an auto but I like my manual.
I’d be looking at about a grand for a reman 5VZ and the other parts I need which would make way more sense than spending time and money on anything significant for the 3VZ
"Dru" (therealkennyd)
06/21/2017 at 20:24, STARS: 0
1UZ’s are all over eBay for sub 1K. But yea you do need the custom bell housing for a manual. I don’t know what other ancillaries would be involved. It would be quite the mountain to climb, but worth it I think.
"jasmits" (jasmits)
06/22/2017 at 01:45, STARS: 0
Maybe to the right person. The 5VZ would be enough of a power bump for me and I’d want to minimize downtime for the 4Runner so if I had to do the swap I’d want the most straightforward option. I have another car I can drive around but here in Oregon camping season butts right up to ski season and my E36 isn’t the best for either of those!
It’s more that I think a 5VZ would make more financial sense than dumping any money into the 3VZ than a desire to do an interesting swap
"TDIGuy" (owenrosier)
06/22/2017 at 09:26, STARS: 0
Yeah mine had the second set of gaskets done at 168K as well lol
"GWarr" (gwarr)
11/17/2018 at 16:52, STARS: 0
No 4Runner will ever be as good as the 1st generation. My ‘86 will go more places than any of its successors, and with its proper (re: manual) transmission, it is more fun to drive on all surfaces than the excessively large mall-crawlers that bear the “4Runner” badge now. 4th generation and onwards are all bloated monstrosities made for suburbanites with subpar taste; they will never surpass the 1st gen’s utilitarian form - it is sublime in its simplicity.
"JBT" (jbtut1)
03/22/2019 at 12:18, STARS: 0
The premium is what you don’t see. You’re paying for QDR that’s second to none. For most people, a crossover or car is the better choice. What doesn’t show up on paper is that the 4runner can handle the Rubicon trail then go outrun a ford raptor in the Baja 1000.