hamonschad

I am looking to get into the 4runner world. I was looking Gen 2 1993 $ Runner and did tons of research on the Gen 2. However now I am thinking about going with a Gen3. What are the Prso and Cons for the Gen 3 vs the Gen 2

HighLux

If budget allows...get the third gen without ever looking back.

The 3.4 is light years better than the 3.0

If you can find a limited from 99-01 you get the sweet multi mode tranfer case. Possible factory rear diff loc too. Look around.

I love 4runners alot....but I kinda look at 2cd gens as the "stepchild" years.

My third gen is the best suv I have or ever will own.

wii_tarded

I own one of each. My personal choice is the 2nd Gen. It feels as if it has more lateral room in the driver's seat. My 3rd Gen is a nice, but I feel a little closed in while driving it (I'm 6'2" and around 315#, space matters). There are other differences, the center console is larger in the 3rd, but you only have one of the storage bins in the back where as the 2nd has 2.

Performance, yes the 3rd has the 3.4; but I think for the same cost of a decent 3rd Gen, you can pick up a 2nd Gen and do the swap. A 3.4 in a 2nd Gen is really fun.

Just my $.02, if you have specific questions, feel free to ask.

hamonschad

what are some of the other differences, such as suspension and such

Greg_Canada

Many more suspension upgrade options for the 3rd gen vs 2nd gen. Just watch out for lower ball joints and swap them with new OEM units. Also had problems with rad's cracking internally. Other than that they are quite bombproof.

I would go 3rd gen any day over 2nd gen. Everything is built better. A 3rd gen is basically a better built / upgraded 2nd gen.

My 3rd has nearly 250,000 miles on it... great truck.

wii_tarded

2nd Gen has torsion bars up front and the 3rd has coil overs. Out back its the same coils instead of leafs. There are other little things like the fuel tanks are on opposite sides. The 3rd Gen has a lift gate that the rear window rolls down into. The 2nd Gen has a tail gate that drops like a pick-up. You have to roll the window all the way down in the 2nd Gen to lower the tail gate, but you don't have to do anything to the window in the 3rd to open the lift gate.

hamonschad

can you tell from vin if it had a factory locker. Where is the button located so I can look to see in picture also

94 Newbie

But, Here is a good picture of the locker button.

Whole thread is here : http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ers-guide.html

Good Luck !

Britt

Edit - another good source of info : http://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyot...nner-faqs.html

Jomoka

2nd gen pros:
- usually significantly cheaper. If not, it's a deluded seller

2nd gen cons:
- slower - 3.sl0 is not enough to hang with modern traffic very well
- not as safe - 3rd gen made very significant improvements in side impact, front impacts, ABS brakes, airbags, etc, etc.
- rust prone - here in the salt belt, it's very rare to see a 2nd gen withOUT any rust holes in the body. At the same time, it's very rare to see a 3rd gen with ANY rust holes in the body. At this point, the ages are close enough that it's not just the 3, 4 years newer 3rd gen age making the difference
- not as reliable - 3.sl0 hungers for moAr headgaskets.
- not as good on the road - more antiquated suspension and steering, not as queit and smooth

All that and the 3rd gen is still as good off road as the 2nd gen is. Even better if you have the locker.

Keith B.

I had a choice -budget-wise- of either 2nd or 3rd gen trucks.
I went with a 3rd.
My previous vehicle was a 4 cyl '91 4WD p/u.
The frame and front suspension are tougher on the 2nd. Those torsion bars never sag and just keep working. The funky tailgate where you can't open the rear hatch if the electric rear window craps out is also a negative on the 2nd gen.
The 3rd gen has side guard beams in the doors and superior engines. The front suspension is designed weaker on the 3rd but shouldn't be a problem with observant maintenance, and more suspension choices exist in the aftermarket for the 3rd..

vasinvictor

iTrader: (3)

Look and feel- 2nd gen.
Everything else- 3rd gen.