Hey everyone... I tried searching the forums but didn't really find any solid info on this (though I remember one a long time ago about "best Gen for off roading".

First off, I love my '88 Runner. I would love to keep working on it to keep it a solid rig and make it more my own, but on the other hand, is it the best Runner for ME? I don't want to spend time and money if there is a better Generation that fits my needs. Let me give you some back ground and I would love your opinions.

1. My 4runner is for winter, bad weather, and river \ mountian trips. Mild to middle 4wheeling. I like it to look nice, but I don't ever want to be "afraid of scratching it".

2. It's a drawback because it's only a 2 door (and I'm a single dad with two little girls). I would like a 4 door for ease of people getting in the back (kids or adults).

3. Cost of maintance. I've found that parts to keep the little things cost an arm and a leg for my '88. For instance: Wiper Arms. I was quoted $59.00 EACH for the wiper arms for my '88!!! If it was a '98 it would have been $19.95. (and yes, I looked all over town for replacement arms for it and none were to be found). For me to fix my rear window it would be close to $200.00 and all I wanted was replacement rails for it to slide up and down without it coming off track.

4. Age of my runner. It's going on 20 years old now and in some areas it's showing (later generations "fix" some of the complaints \ problems of the 1st. Gen)

So what I would like to know is which generation of 4Runner has the best "balance" between initial cost to purchase, aftermarket parts availibility, cost of parts (OEM and aftermarket) and off road capibility?

Everyone on here has more knowledge that I do about what makes each generation great.

Thanks for all your help (in this and in the past).

 

i would and did go for the 3rd. they're getting cheaper these days...and you'll definitely appreciate the bigger interior. the rear window is easier and much less finicky. also, cant beat the 3.4L lump...much better than the 3L in terms of power and reliability. also available lockers. all else being equal, the only drawback vs the 1st gen aside from cost is that you cant take the roof off for some fun in the sun cruising...

 

3rd gen for sure

 

For general driving, 3rd gen - coilover suspension, rack and pinion steering, and WAY better engines.

For 'wheeling, 1st gen - sturdy frame, light weight, and removable top.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm not ready to sell my '88 just yet. I still have a lot of enjoyment to get out of it. But what really got me thinking about this was the age of my Runner and the need for lockers. If I were to keep this and put serious money into it that would be the first thing I would like to do to it. There are so many times I could have used rear lockers just during everyday driving up here in the winter time. We've had a major winter up here and just getting in and out of the driveway they would have been helpful. I'm working on moving in a few months to a larger city (Kenai, Alaska) and maybe I'll be able to find a better source of parts for it (mostly a rear tailgate).

Again, thanks and when the time comes to upgrade, I'll be looking at the 3rd Gen.

Now on a side note, are there any major differences between the years in the 3rd Gen 4Runners? Any of the later years have something the youngers ones don't? Or Vise Versa?

 

3rd gen with the locker. i wanna get one of the 4th gens with arb front and rear, later in life

 

newer 3rd gens only have auto trans

 

Later years only have Auto Trans. in them, uh??? That's good to know. How do they hold up? Remember I wont be doing extreem 4wheeling, but just mild to middle of the road (River beds, beaches, mountain roads, and trails). Maybe pulling a trailer with 4wheelerss or snowmachines on it (or a boat). Would it be wise to put a Trans. Cooler on there to help it out? Or are they pretty rock solid?

 

Psraff: Thanks for all the info. I have an '88 runner with 286k and it won't die. But it is getting a case of the uglies and you and I are right in the same situation. I was wondering exactly what are the "generation" year delimeters and when was the 22RE retired? What was the last year R12 was used? Did you get your new ride yet?

 

The generations are defined by the forums on here ...

22RE was available through '95

 

honestly, ive had, or been very close to a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gens.... honestly, 2nd is the best for fit, finish, quality, and ease of maintenance, however lacks in the drivetrain dept. unless your lucky enough to score a low mileage 22RE 5spd variety. id drop my 3rd in a heartbeat for one, and trust me, I love my 3rd.

With that said, I couldnt and still cant find a 2nd to my liking, and the styling of the 3rds appealed to me, with the addition of a 5vze, so i bit. and im happy i did, i love my 3rd, and all around, not a bad rig.

wishy washy, but nonetheless, my $0.02

edit: 4 doors is a huge plus!

edit again: keep the 1st for a wheeler and get another for a driver... (I did)

 

3rd gens did come with manuals, I have one. they may have stopped doing that in 2000?

And since you don't plan to do extreme wheeling and don't need a solid axle, 3rd gen is the right choice for you.

 

A friend of mine is looking for a V6 5spd 3rd gen in 4wd. He's dissatisfied with his 2wd auto. Have we figured out exactly what year they stopped making them with 5speeds in 4wd?

 

I agree with Colsoncj, i LOVE my 3rd gen, but really would like a 85 (last year with solid front axel and 1st with 22RE), mainly for the removable top and how much lighter it is, other than that, i prefer my 3rd...not a whole lot needs to be done to make a good wheelin rig, provided you have the e-locker

 

2002 i'm pretty sure!!

 

2000 is absolutely the last year with a manual trans and rear locker. 2001 and 2002 models were auto only, no locker, only traction control.

I have owned all three generations. I like all generations for different reasons, the 1st gens for their appearance, 2nd gens for their interiors and 3rd gens for its powertrain. I would love a 2nd gen with a rear locker and 3.4, but you might as well buy a 3rd gen at that point. It is my favorite so far.

 

I'm actually swapping my 91 Ext cab for a 1st gen (1988) due to my 3 daughters have gotten too big to ride for long in my truck. Although before I part with my 91 I am rebuilding the engine,axles, and transmission on the 4R, it currently has 238k miles. After the pretty extensive rebuild I'm hoping to drive it till I'm 80 or the world runs out of oil, whichever happens first.

I couldn't imagine getting rid of this one ever, what is cooler than a midsize SUV that gets around 20mpg, has a removable top, and the near bulletproof 22re. Then again thats just my opinion and you know the deal with opinions. They are like booty holes, everyone has one and they all stink

 

I recently came upon a sweeeeet 98 5spd. i just got it because it was there. I'm having so much fun driving it, I dont know if I wanna sell it !
and my 2 pennies... 1gen is easier to work on and build up, and on the trail squeezes into tighter places, and you 'feel the road' more. When you get in to a G3, you are in a luxury car, by comparison. More power, more comfort, and you won't want to get it dirty. So... I have one (or two or three) of each. I keep trying to snag a G2/5spd/22re, but they are RARE. A G3 will cost two to three times what a G1 will cost to purchase typically.

 

i have never owned anything with a automatic i love having a 5spd so nice to just drop a gear when needed