Does Toyota use the same paint on the 3rd and 4th gens? I noticed the exterior paint on late-model 3rd gens (01, 02 for example) seems brighter/shinier, more brilliant than the 4th gens. Is this just my imagination or has anyone else noticed this too?

 

Hard to say. Paint technology changes all the time.

 

Oh yeah? I think the 4th Gen Paint is brighter, shinier, and cooler than the 3rd gens!!

j/k hehe. No, really I have noticed some nice 3rd Gen Paint Jobs not sure what the answer is....

 

Some colors the paint is just, well, paint, and some colors are basecoat/clearcoat. Makes a difference. That may be part of what you're seeing. They do have a few exceptionally brilliant colors lately though, I agree on that!

Years ago Toyota actually had a clearcoat paint option - in 1985 it was $509 I do remember, I had it on my gold pearl '85 4R.... don't know if they still have such an option. (My dad retired years ago so I can't ask him...)

 

I do know 3rd gen Runners came from Japan... are the 4th gens made in Japan or USA?

 

My dealer told me a few months ago that ALL 4th Gen 4Runners sold in North America are made in Japan.

 

4th Gens are 100% Japan