So as the title suggests I'm in the market for building a new rig.

My current setup is an 85 4unner with built and locked axles, RUF and Ford springs out back 14" travel bilsteins front and rear 38.5s blah blah, but it's a purpose built rig with no ac no heat no carpet and I recently rolled it and had to put a lexan windshield and now have no front windows.... So I'm looking to lean more towards an overlandish style with some more creature comforts and more reliability

I'm thinking of either a 2nd gen with a 22r and an auto (I know) or a 3rd gen with a 3rz (seems impossible to find) both are going to feature some sort of long travel Suspension and both would probably be getting new crate motors (reliability)

I would like to run 35"s but it seems I'll need a little more lift than total chaos LT kits give, (any ideas?)

So which generation and why?

 

Forgot to mention I'm going to have in the neighborhood of an 8k budget. Here's a pic of my junk for whatever reason. From before I rolled it

 

get the newest truck you can afford, make it reliable and go from there
not a lot of aftermarket support for the 2nd gen, more for 3rd gen

 

I would say what ever generation you want!!

After all it is your project

If you want creature comforts 2000 plus

Why the 4 cylinders ?? Why not the 3.4 ??

Watch those Yards they can surprise you !!

 

Thanks for the reply guys,

The reason being for either 2nd or 3rd is starting price I can get either for around 1800-3000 in decent shape...and the reason for the 4cylinders is I'm more comfortable working on them, I know a ton about the 22r and It would be a hell of a lot easier for the initial motor swap but I may change my mind if I find a cheap enough 3rd gen with a 3.4...

I like a 2nd gen because of the super easy/reliable 22r, and suspension setups are pretty simple, I won't die if I get mud on the interior lol

3rd gen seems more comfortable with a better front suspension and the ability to run coilovers easy without welding in hoops n such and better powerplants
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i was just hoping to catch somebody that built a third gen or second gen up with LT and may have their reasons of why not to do it or hurry up and friggen do it lol

 

I gotta admit my first 3.4 was a basket case from a very poorly done swap .

I hated it hated the OBDII system.

Once I got all the bugs worked out so very many .

I now love that engine Love the OBDII system but one needs to have a code reader I carry one in each vehicle

I also Have the software to access real time data if needed .

Nice to have a system that points in the area of the problem

The starter quit on my 87 4Runner 22Re I rebuilt it still stits on the front floor it has only been a few years I think

Sure they are a different engine but it does not take long to get up to speed