2nd or 3rd Gen?

[Team Japan]

2nd gen: Tailgate drops down.
3rd gen: Tailgate lifts up. (like a hatchback)
2nd gen: Fuel filler cap on driver's side.
3rd gen: Fuel filler cap on passenger side.
2nd gen: Torsion bar springs on the front.
3rd gen : Coil springs on the front.
2nd gen: Steering box bolted to chassis behind front bumper.
3rd gen: Steering rack bolted to body under the floor at the front.
2nd gen: 4WD only on loose surfaces.
3rd gen: 4WD (AWD) on any surface. (Only if multi-mode transfer box fitted, otherwise as 2nd gen)
2nd gen: No airbags.
3rd gen: Has driver and passenger airbags. (passenger airbag can't be deactivated to fit baby seat)
3rd gens have a slightly longer wheelbase.

That about sums it up, but I would add:

(My Friend KPAutos has a 3rd gen, so comparing it to my 2nd gen)
-3rd seems quieter than 2nd - same 3.0 engine. I don't know if it's better insulated or if his is just a bit newer and less tired!
-3rd gen taller inside, and seats higher off floor more like a conventional car
-Parts for 3rd gen are harder to find or more expensive than for 2nd, especially off-roading modification parts, eg. suspension lifts, snorkels, etc.

Having owned my 2nd gen a couple of years now, I'd say the main advantages of a 3rd gen would be the lifting tailgate (once the novelty has worn off it becomes a pain to wait for the rear window to open before you can drop the tailgate in a 2nd) and the option to run in 4x4 with an open diff and so use it on the road. The biggest advantage I've found of the 2nd gen is availability of parts.

Both our cars are suspension lifted and wearing the same tyres and there is practically no difference in off-road ability.

Hope this helps.

[Dodge]

That about sums it up, but I would add:

(My Friend KPAutos has a 3rd gen, so comparing it to my 2nd gen)
-3rd seems quieter than 2nd - same 3.0 engine. I don't know if it's better insulated or if his is just a bit newer and less tired!
-3rd gen taller inside, and seats higher off floor more like a conventional car
-Parts for 3rd gen are harder to find or more expensive than for 2nd, especially off-roading modification parts, eg. suspension lifts, snorkels, etc.

Having owned my 2nd gen a couple of years now, I'd say the main advantages of a 3rd gen would be the lifting tailgate (once the novelty has worn off it becomes a pain to wait for the rear window to open before you can drop the tailgate in a 2nd) and the option to run in 4x4 with an open diff and so use it on the road. The biggest advantage I've found of the 2nd gen is availability of parts.

Both our cars are suspension lifted and wearing the same tyres and there is practically no difference in off-road ability.

Hope this helps.

I agree mostly. But...

"(once the novelty has worn off it becomes a pain to wait for the rear window to open before you can drop the tailgate in a 2nd)"

If I'm going in the boot after driving I usually use the switch to lower the window as I stop. If I'm using the key it's pretty much down by the time I've swung the spare out of the way.

That said I'd buy a third over a second, if it were anything other than a financial decision, purely for full time four wheel drive.

[Bogus]

Depends what you want it for. If you want a cheapish, but well made reliable vehicle for offroading, green laning, generally abusing and playing in, just get a 2nd gen. If you want something that can do all those things, but still take you up and down our motorways and tarred roads, do the school run and the shopping trips in a bit of comfort and style then it has to be a 3rd gen.
Ive had 2 second gens, one of them a pre facelift 2.4 and the other a wide body 3 litre. I loved them both, but I much prefer my 3rd gen. It can do everything the 2nd gens did but in more comfort and it looks and feels a whole lot better.