Quest for all of you 3rd Gen'ers, what is your prefered year of production? why?
 

the title says it.

i remember there was a thread on the general board polling about what is people's favorite gen. of 4Runner. the result was clear that 3rd gen is the winner. so i'm wondering what's best out of the 3rd gen.

before you answer, please allow me to narrow it down to 3.4V6 4WD rigs, because that's what i'm interested.


thanks and rock on!:banger:

i like my '98 SR5 4WD 3.4L V6, mostly because it's mine and it's paid for :D i've only driven one other 4runner and that was around the block, so i don't have a whole lot to compare mine with. that is all.

Probably a lot more people have owned more than one generation of 'runner, as opposed to more than one year 3rd gen. If that makes any sense.

Of course everybody's gonna be partial to their particular year, so I'd say I'm happy I got a 97. I'm not into the push button 4wd stuff, or the bigger bumpers on the later models. Mine has the right amount of creature comforts without going overboard. Considering the only desireable feature a later model has that mine doesn't are different cupholders, I feel Toyota nailed the 3rd Gen early on.

an early 2000 4runner highlander

reasons are that it was made in japan, elocker, no annoying vtrac while wheelin', sport hood, painted flares...thats all i can think of right now

what was the last year of 4Runner has the 5spd manual, and what year first the elocker came out? i've see some 3rd gen's with plastic bumpers(BIG turn-off for me, personally), some with chrome steel bumpers, is that an option or just different production year on the body styling?

I'd say that it really depends... I have a '98 and love it. I'm not a huge fan of the 99+ front bumper, but it's growing on me... For various reasons I'd probably say that the 99-00 3rd gens are probably best, because they fixed some mishaps from the earlier models (mostly interior, but added some nice exterior stuff ie clear headlights and fogs, sport hood, etc...) and they don't include the VTRAC and crap that later models had. I love my rear locker! Plus I think the grille is the better looking of the bunch.

I gotta go with the '99 SR5 Highlander in black, although the green looked sweet that year, too. The only aesthetic difference I can see between this year and the following three production years is the narrower fender flares in rough black versus the wider, color-keyed flares in the '00-'02 Sports.

And I'm going to take the running boards off one of these weekends soon.

[http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...2image0003.jpg

99 limited with locker

automagic climate control

11 inches clearance

nicer headlights

they goofed it all up in 2001, and 1998 has ass headlights

though, what really destroyed the 4runner was gen 4.

EDIT: the full time 4wd mode and no traction control, all plusses

99+2000 best
 

I have had experiance with a few different years of 3rd gen 4runners, and I think the best would be the 99-00. I love the clear headlights, the updated bumper (color matched), the auto climate control. You get the advantages of the pre 2001 transfer case but also have the push button AWD and an E locker. No silly traction control either!

My favorite features of the 2000--last year of the 5-speed transmission and last year of the e-locker. The '01-'02 automatics are not as durable as previous years.

99 onwards is most desirable. But, a lot of the changes were cosmetic/ergonomic and can be retro fitted on older models.

I really cant say as I own a 2nd Gen, but I do love it.

I searched far and wide for a 5-speed but couldn't find one when I was looking to purchase. And, I've got no e-locker on mine.

x2

Don't forget the cupholders!:pop:

If I were to get another 3rd Gen, I would buy another 02 Sport Edition. Here are the reasons:

1) Multi-mode 4WD (AWD) system. Allows you to drive on dry pavement while in 4WD. You can also lock the center diff.

2) VSC/TRAC - Surprisingly works well. It has been noted that VSC has been the most effective auto safety device since the seat belt. TRAC works very well when climbing slippery/loose stuff. 4LO, CDL, VSC off, and it will do very well off-road.

3) Aesthetics. I just think they hit it right with all of the little extras on the 01-02 Sport Editions over the prior years. This is just my opinion.

Regards to people talking about how 99-00's have the biggest ground clearance, I think it's really a moot point. 01-02's do have the lowest gc, but it can easily be remedied by a simple lift. And it's not that expensive, either. Or simply swap in a 99-00 coil. Rear lockers, well, it would be nice to have factory rear lockers, but again, it can be added easily. BUT, it will be really expensive to add a 01-02 4WD system in a 96-00 (except the Limiteds of 99-00). Same with VSC/TRAC system.

i like my 98 cause it has a 5spd and a locker :bigok: as for the headlights nothing 80 bucks cant fix http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...icture0157.jpg

99-00 with the e-locker, auto climate control, big fender flares, fully clour matched, lift coils stock, and the selectable AWD... 2hi, 4hi, 4lo, and AWD... could you get any better than that? I think not. I cant wait till i get the blower on... it's just going to GO...

Don't hold your breath. Feels just like a 4th Gen V6. 4000lb truck with a ~240HP (at the crank) engine ain't nothing to write home about. Unless you're doing some special mods. :hillbill:

i have been in each Generation of 4Runner and since we are talking about the 3rd gen right now, i think the 2000+ for many reasons including:
better looking front bumper
lockers
nicer flares
nicer headlights
wheels
(2nd gens still have the most clearance of all STOCK 4Runners)
fog lights
grille
sport hood scoop

being that i own a 97, 98, 99, and a 2000, id say that i like the 99 & 2000 the most, actually the 2000. Mainly cause the seats are a little more comfy in the 2000, arm rest/cup holders are better than pre 98, headlights brighter - and they they just feel better - dunno why - but they do.

I would definately try to find a 99 or a 2000 - you can still find 5spd's with a locker with a scooped hood if you like em, plus the little fog lights, painted bumpers/flares. 2000 was the last year for 5spds - search ebay constantly for them - they pop up every once and a while - thats where i got my 2000.