Sitting Here Pondering Which Vehicle To Build....

[NIVEK_TURK]

So as I sit here in the wonderful country of Afghanistan for the next 8 months the only thought going through my head is which vehicle do I build up when I return. The dilemma here is do I build up my wife's 15 TE 4runner or my 01 4runner. The 15 is sitting mostly stock added the 5100's up front to level it out and will be getting tires and possibly springs in the back. The 01 was an unexpected buy summer of 14 after I sold my 96 taco due to us having a kid and at the time she was driving a VW CC (not the ideal CO winter car by the way). The 01 is currently sitting on a 3in lift with 33's and up graded roof rack. So on to my dilemma, we want an all-around off the beaten path family camping / long weekend adventure rig. After seeing all the builds with the 5th gens it really gets me wanting to do hers up, at the same time I really want to make the 3rd gen a dedicated expo rig. So I reach out to you guys to help me decide which will be the better rig to build upon.

 

[SurferJacoby]

Your dollars would go further with the 01 but the TE affords you more space, more Offroad features (crawl control and all that fun stuff). I considered a 5th gen but when the time comes I plan to get a GX460 base model. You sound like you're halfway there anyhow on the 01 so I'd just go with that and save more money to enjoy those trips the two of you plan to take.

 

[mbrewer]

Does your wife want to daily drive an expo rig?
If yes, build hers... If not build the 01.

 

[Applejack]

Coming from a guy who previously had a built 3rd gen and now has a '16 TE,....build the TE. Just the extra space is worth it.

 

[paddlenbike]

Whichever vehicle has the more appropriate size for your intended uses is the one I would build. The new one will offer more space but will be less nimble on the trail. The newer rigs really get lethargic if you add too much weight, while the 01 offers the supercharger option to make up for the additional weight. (The 3rd gen weighs 900 pounds less than a 5th gen--ie, a built 3rd gen will likely weigh less than a bonestock 5th gen.)

 

[NIVEK_TURK]

Thanks all for the reply's. Its a tough one to figure out part of me wants to do the 5th gen due to the creature comforts. I'm planning on doing a mild build (winch bumper, sliders) on the 5th gen and full expo the 3rd. Also drawing up plans to build an expo trailer so we can utilize both vehicles.