What is your favorite generation of 4runner?

If you had the option of buying any generation of 4runner when it was new, and you could not resell it afterwards, which generation would you get?

 

I've always loved 3rd gens. Was never in a position to get one or was always looking at something else. These days, they go for more than I am willing to pay based on mileage/age/unknown histories. So, I bought my 5th gen and love it.

 

I love my 2nd Gen but if I had too it’d be a 3rd Gen 4x4.

 

Pretty much the same reason I ended up in a 5th gen. Really wanted a 3rd gen, however I just couldn't find one in decent condition in my area. In retrospect I probably should have widened my net Nationwide.

Here's my list:
Best overall: 3rd gen.
Coolest and most capable: 1st gen.
Best-looking: 2nd gen.

If I hit the lottery, I would probably have a 2nd gen with a 6.0 LS and SAS built.

 

I would also go with a 3rd, like a 99 Highlander Edition. I so wanted one of those and to this day, wish I had gotten one.

 

I think the third gen is best overall and the fact Toyota put an e-locker on it is amazing. I like the styling of the 1st gen and I think its the coolest one looks and otherwise (especially if it has those cool 80's graphics on the sides). I would probably go with a 1st gen because I already have a 3rd gen and I think the convertible top is neat.

The 2nd gen is a close runner up, especially the later ones that came with better safety features. It'll be my honorable mention, it loses out to the 3rd gen because of the 3.0 v6 and the very poor (even in its time) safety rating.

 

I would say the updated version 5th gen is my favorite. Next would be the 3rd gen with the fat lip

 

seriously. A Chevy motor? Plus a 6.0 LS would probably twist any gen 4 runner frame.

 

I would have a 1st Gen., because it reminds me of my first Toyota pickup '86 with a 22RE, automatic trans. Not a barn burner by any means! It was simple, durable, and economical, so I'm guessing the 4Runner of that era must have been similar.

 

I have always been in love with the dark green 3rd gen. Slightly lifted with gunmetal or matte black wheels brand spanking new would be a dream.

 

4runners I have owned, in order of how much I liked them.

 

Hell yeah a GM motor! If I can afford to have the thing motor swapped and SAS'd, I could afford to have some extra tubing thrown on the frame, lol.

The other acceptable alternative to the LS is a Hellcat.

Come to think of it, I would do the same exact thing to my 5th gen. That thing is dying for a motor swap.

 

You get a new one every Generation?

 

No the 3rd and 4th Gens I bought used. We just picked the 5th Gen up on Saturday for my wife. I am keeping the 4th Gen as a work vehicle.

 

I really liked my '03 V8. At this point, it's hard to say if the 5th gen will be as good in the long run.

Boo!!

Unlimited funds for a motor swap, and you don't even consider a 2JZ??

Booooo!! Booooooooo!!!!

 

I own a 3rd gen... and I LOVE IT! Call me crazy, but eventually, I'd kinda like to try a 2nd gen. They just look SO good.

 

Single or twin turbo?

 

I grew up in a 3rd gen my dad drove for 10 years so it’s always gonna have a place in my heart. Just picked up my 5th gen last month and plan to keep it just as long+

 

Nope! If it ain't a V8, it ain't sh!t. LOL (also, LS would most likely be better for packaging reasons).

 

Boooooo!

2JZ and 1JZ are better. Just add boost and fuel, and make a ridiculous amount of reliable power. And, then there's the sound. It's like beautiful music.

 

I remember over the summer, I saw a modded Supra cruising around, not the current one, the last gen (the good one), and it sounded terrible.

I'm just not a Toyota guy I guess.

 

More than likely it was the vehicle itself but what the stupid owner did too it.

 

That is very possible. On the other hand, I think it's very hard, if not impossible, to make a V8 sound bad.

Speaking of cars sounding bad, a few summers ago, I had my head under the hood of my Firebird, and I heard this vehicle driving up the street. I thought it was some sort of utility truck like a UPS truck or something similar. As it drove by I popped my head out to take a look, and it was a Lamborghini Gallardo. No word of a lie, this thing sounded like an old UPS truck as it idled up the street.

Now after he turned the corner and got on it, it sounded good when the revs increased, but at low RPM, yuck.

Also, I realize this is so far of a tangent off the OP's original post, so I'm going to stop commenting on it now. Just wanted to share that little anecdote though.

 

I told my 7 year old daughter she can have my 2020 4 runner in 9 years when she gets her drivers license.
She doesn't believe it will last that long! LOL

 

We’ll give up on a 4Runner long before it give out on us! I’m sure it’ll see her through college years too with proper maintenance

 

3rd... I had 2 of them

 

What are the major differences on the exterior between 2nd and 3rd gens?

 

In the 2nd the rear acts like a tailgate while in the 3rd it pulls up as a shelter. In 1999 the hood scoop was introduced. I believe the front end is a bit different too. That's about it.

 

Do you mean 2nd gen the rear tailgate was split and the glass went up and the bottom half went down so you could sit on it?

 

Glass rolled down, and then it folded down.