What's your budget?

 

I would like to stay 20k or under.

I was seeing some gen 3s for 15-17k with around 40-60k miles or so.

Also was looking at the old school land cruisers, pre 98, and was intrigued???

hmmm???

3 diffs, solid axle, what a beast.

how would that 4.5L compare to the 3.4 for reliability?

 

There's nothing bad about the 4th gen 4runners. They are a little lower, a little more complicated, more powerful, smoother riding. The 1st gen 4runners are the simplest, cheapest to modify, ride the worst, for better or for worse they keep getting more civilized. They are all body on frame, tough as hell, with great drivetrains good for several hundred k. From what you said about your plans you don't have extreme needs, so I'd say get the newest nicest one you can afford.

 

I now think I would lean to a 3rd gen, just do not care for the front of the new 4runners, it is really low and car like imho. meh.

Finding a lower mile one is a different story.

 

With a $20K budget, you could find a lot of them. I'd look for a low mileage that is already sem-built. I'm sure that Runner will have enough value for the bank to lend on.

 

if i had it to do all over again i would have purchased a pre 04 double cab tacoma. 3.4l with rear locker. and i still may.

 

Well let me tell you this first-off...

What will you use this truck for? Offroading? Daily driver? Or serious stuff with hardcore modification.

To be honest, with gas prices you might wanna get a car, and a strictly "offroader". With that, you could buy 1-3rd gen 4runners, but my favorites are the 2nd gen (obviously, I own one). Their downfall is the engine, but that can be swapped for a better 3rd gen engine EASILY..

Heed my advice, or throw it away, I don't care. That is what I would do...

 

I meant most powerful compared to the other versions of the 1st gen 4runners.

 

Is this truck going to be a daily driver? Are you going to off road the truck? Tow anything? Alot of miles a month?

I do think 3rd gens combine off road capability with easy to live with day to day manners and confort and look great too especially the mid gen upgrades in '99 but we lost the rear locker after '00. You can get the '99-'00 with 80-100kish miles for under $10k pretty commonly now but just settle on what will fit your needs the best and keep you happy for a while.

This is one of my fav pics up at Red Rock Amphitheater...