Do the 4WD 4Runners ride rougher than non 4WD?

I am considering getting a 4Runner and I believe it will have to be a 4th generation due to cost. I have some physical challenges that dictate which vehicles I can buy. So far Toyotas have been the best for me and I've had 7 of them over the years! I would still be driving the 1995 2 door red Camry except that I had to give it up after I hurt my back. I digress.

I currently own a 2008 Sienna LE 2WD with lumbar adjustment and power seat, windows, and doors with adjustable steering wheel, approximately 150,000 miles, and no tow package. This car is really comfortable for who I am today.

Fast forward to now and I need a 4WD vehicle that can tow more than the Sienna and drive safely on snow and ice. It will be driven on mountains but mostly on pavement. Sometimes it will be pulling a travel trailer.

Because there are so few 4runners available on the market I will have to drive hundreds of miles just to test drive one. The first thing I must do is see how it feels to sit in the seat and whether I can adjust the seat and the steering wheel to meet my needs and how the ride feels.

The closest one to here (still not close) is NOT a 4WD but is a 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport.

I would be test driving this just to assess whether I can drive these vehicles comfortably. I won't be buying this one, I'll have to wait for a 4WD to become available somewhere. I don't want this to be a wasted trip so my question is as follows: Will driving this 2WD one will feel similar to driving an equivalent 4th generation, similarly outfitted vehicle that has 4WD?

Thanks for your time

 

A 4th Gen V6 4WD is 2WD until 4HI is selected. Plus, the suspension is going to have the biggest effect on the ride.

I can’t imagine why there would be a difference but there are much smarter people than me who I’m sure will chime in.

 

Thanks so much for your response. So I gather from your reply that I need to find out what suspension the test drive vehicle has and then, assuming I like the ride, keep track of the type of suspension when looking for one to buy.

 

You’re very welcome. Always glad to help and feel free to message me any questions as you go through the process of finding yourself a 4th Gen. Also, the 4th Gen V8 has full-time 4WD. Tip: you can tell a 4WD just by looking at the VIN. If the 4th character is a B, it has 4WD. That’s handy in instances where the pics don’t show the doors where the 4WD badges are.

Before going back to the suspension, probably the two biggest things you want to watch for are frame rust and that the 4WD works correctly in all modes. The rust is a real scandal; apparently a very large number of frames were not properly treated at the factory, and some are literally rusting out from under their owners. The 4WD needs to be engaged monthly, which is covered in the owners manual. Otherwise, the actuator can get gummed up and that gets expensive fast.

About the suspension, I was speaking in a general sense. I’m afraid it won’t be as simple as what you asked. Finding a truck with the original suspension this many years later would be very rare, and and there are many aftermarket choices. You might check for 4Runner Facebook groups in your area and see whether anyone would be kind enough to take you for a ride. That might save you some difficulty in terms of traveling for a test drive. They may not feel comfortable having you drive the truck, but you could feel how it rides on whatever suspension they might have.

I think it’s fair to say that brands such as Bilstein, Eibach, Old Man Emu and the like that lean toward off-road use will be firmer than say KYB, which is sold as more of a stock type replacement.

If you end up changing the suspension, I highly, highly recommend including the springs. They’re not expensive and while most people think of shocks as the foundation of the suspension system, that’s not the case, it’s the springs.

That’s a lot to take in. LOL Feel free to post up any questions. There are numerous good people on this forum who will be more than happy to help you choose the right truck for you.

 

That's such a well thought out reply! There are a couple of 4WD 4Runners 6 hours away but they are the 04 and 05 years. I saw that those are the worst years and that rust is an issue. I appreciate your description of the rust problem because I was wondering about that. I didn't realize that it was THAT serious. It sounds like 04 and 05 are to be avoided at all costs. Does yours have a reasonable amount of rust underneath?

Maybe someone will post a pic showing what is reasonable for an undercarriage rust amount. I can't expect a 20 year old vehicle to look perfect and am not sure how much rust to accept and how much means RUN from the car. While I did some oil changes on our trucks at work that was 18 years ago and the vehicles weren't that old so I don't remember details about rust. Since then I haven't been underneath a vehicle.

I really want another Yoda. They last forever and rarely break down. All of mine except the 07 Highlander have been great vehicles. What's not to love? I will marinate on your response and get back to you.

 

The rust is a rare stain on Toyota’s good name. Just an awful situation. They did a frame replacement recall for Tacomas and settled a lawsuit on them, Tundras, and Sequoias, but inexplicably excluded 4Rs. There’s a fascinating time-lapse video of a Tacoma frame replacement on YT. Maybe it’s this poor bastard:



A 4R example from online:



Repair? I’m skeptical though there are some weld-on products that can at least keep the truck driveable depending on where the damage is. Be cautious if the frame looks painted; people sometimes hide the problem that way.

My guardian angel was with me b/c I knew nothing of this when I bought mine in 2014. That said, I always pay a shop to inspect potential purchases so they would have seen it. Knock on wood, my frame is clean.

Most people seek out 4Rs from states that seldom need to treat icy roads. Mine spent its first 7 years and 96K miles in NC and is garage kept now. Just hit 276K last week.

Mild surface rust is to be expected. You can take a few pics and post them here for opinions on any you’re unsure of.

Where do you live, if you’re comfortable sharing?

And about model years, imo you’re on the right track. There are some nice pre-‘06 4Rs whose owners have addressed the known issues but if I were in the market, I’d stick to ’06-‘09.

 

They are 4wd trucks and heavier with heavier suspension for offroad. It's a truck and not a truck that drives like a car. Different suspensions ride different. You probably want a Highlander or RAV4 or Honda. Something with no frame and drives like a car. Everyone wants one, but they aren't for everyone. There's what you want, what you think you want, and then what you will really need. Be honest with yourself. If you're going to trade it eventually, I would get something else. I think the value is in keeping, maintaining and driving without any payment. It will still be running decades after being paid for. I just like not having a perpetual car payment. I can buy more gas and worthless 4runner accessories.

 

At a low budget, be sure to cast a wide net as how the vehicle was cared for also is a large factor. You might find 5th gen’s or other vehicles entirely that fit your requirements.

4Runner’s aren’t a value-pick even older models so you won’t necessarily get as much for your dollar even if the vehicle itself is solid.

I think it’s a 1500 lb difference in tow rating between the Sienna and 4Runner so you might want to look at a vehicle that has more capacity depending on what you’re planning to pull. (It’s not as rough-and-tumble but a comparable Highlander that met my - admittedly not your - requirements cost much less when I was shopping)

I would expect 2WD to drive similarly to 4WD - maybe a little less weight up front but wear and if aftermarket suspension is on it will make a bigger difference if you’re sticking with 4th gen’s.

 

I will admit I've wanted a 4Runner for over 25 years but it has so far not been in the cards. The important reason I'm considering one now is because of needing to tow a significant load and needing 4WD. RAV4s were my first choice but do not have the towing capacity I require. I can't drive old Honda cars.

I had a 2007 Highlander Hybrid and it was the only Toyota vehicle I lost money on, ever. I had a not uncommon but very dangerous Highlander problem an ABS brake actuator failure. Mine happened on top of the mountain and could have easily killed me so I've soured on Highlanders. After reading of all of the wrecks people were having I literally got out and walked away from my car, on foot, 600 miles from home. However, I just checked and Highlanders from 2008 onward have more towing capacity (5,000 lb) than the Sienna (3,500) and I know I can drive them comfortably. This towing capacity might just be enough. I don't WANT another Highlander but thanks to your frank advice, I will consider getting one. I'll research the years with the faulty problem.

What do you know about and think about the option of an old (2001-2007) Sequoia?

 

Icebear a second vote cast for a Highlander. Definitely worth noting. My budget is no more than $12,000. I can't believe what's happened to used car prices since I bought my Sienna in 2014!

I know that how a vehicle is cared for really matters and it makes me uncomfortable that I have to consider vehicles far from home. Here I can use a trusted mechanic to look at them before purchase. I will have to hire some random mechanic sight unseen. It's another thing that's uncharted waters for me.

 

If you are going to constantly tow stuff, get a V8 instead. An older tundra or something you are not worried about weight limits and capacities. That's just me. Good luck.

 

Towing and 4x? I'd get a 4 door truck or an old V8 4runner. I'm seeing some are listed with a 7300lb capacity. I suppose the AWD Highlander might be an in between option.

 

I have a 2004 FT4WD V8 and I've been VERY happy with it. I have 156K miles and have pulled my 23' Airstream quite a bit. I have almost no rust and the vehicle lives outside. I have the luxury of not driving it in snow or on salty roads so rust is at a minimum. I have the Sports Edition which came with the optional X-REAS suspension. The SR5 had regular shocks and the Limited came with X-REAS as standard. I feel like the X-REAS allows better control when pulling the travel trailer. The X-REAS are connected L/F to R/R and R/F to L/R and they share the hydraulic fluid depending on the load and terrain.

I do not go off road with it. I bought it to pull my bass boat and when I retired I wanted to get a travel trailer. My 4Runner suspension is stiff but not harsh and I like the way it rides. The driver's seat is manual but there is a power lumbar support which I think I have adjusted maybe twice. The FT4WD is outstanding in rainy weather and especially when pulling my boat up the launch ramp. The transmission has a LO and HI setting but since I don't go off road it stays in HI 99.9% of the time. Once in a while I'll shift to LO just to exercise the transfer case. It gets sticky in cold weather.

My oldest son had a 2007 model and he bought it new in Minneapolis, so it has seen a lot of snow and ice. His is also a V8. He recently moved out of the country and sold his 4Runner to one of my grand kids and she loves it. He had close to 190K when he sold it to her.

The V8 is a solid, well built engine. Some V8s have an issue with the starter motor, which I have not had but my son did. The starter is extra heavy duty and it's rare for them to go out, but some do. It requires a lot of work because of its location. He let the shop handle it and they took a couple of days to fix. There is also an issue with the exhaust pipe where it meets the catalytic converter. I have not had any problems but his was making noise until it heated up and sealed. He never had it replaced but it is a significant expense, like the starter motor.

All in all we both love our Gen4 4Runners. I plan on keeping mine for a long time.

 

The Highlander is a no go according to a forum of those who've towed similar weights. It's ok on flat terrain, only on days with no wind or rain. I'm going to be driving through mountains in all kinds of weather. Let's hope the 4runner is comfortable.

 

What are you towing? Lots of people (you can see some here already) would say that the 4Runner is not well suited for a lot of towing in mountainous terrain.

I've towed a bit with mine, but for full time / majority towing heavy, I'd be in a Tundra.

I think you'll find better tow vehicles for less money than 4Runners at the moment, too. 4R is one of the most overvalued vehicle these days.

Edit: I see you're talking about a travel trailer? What size / weight?
I absolutely would not choose to buy a 4Runner if I was planning frequent camper towing in the mountains. All of those complaints you read about the Highlander will also apply to the 4R.

 

The Sequoia or Tundra from this timeframe would be a solid option, but you'll find much better availability with 2nd gen of each.

 

I've traveled the Interstates through the Rocky and Appalachian mountain ranges, pulling a full 23' Airstream (GVWR 6,000 lbs). No you won't be going 70 up the ranges, closer to 55, but there are others at that speed. I don't camp in the mountains unless they're off the Interstate. The V8 has 320 ft lbs of torque. I've never been stuck anywhere, not even close. The 4WD V8 capacity is 7,000 lbs with 700 lb tongue weight limit. The 2WD is 7300 lbs with 730 lb tongue weight. I normally run 60-70 mph on the Interstate, depending on the headwind. Mileage is 9.5 - 12 mpg, depending on the headwind. When going to Florida I take a 13' tandem kayak on the roof.

 

This is in addition to what’s already been said but have you taken a look at the Lexus GX?

Similar bones, size, V8 standard, I think rated towing capacity starts at 6,500# for the older GX 470.

Probably will also not be a flaming deal but it’s a solid 4Runner cross-shop.

I would also be open to the Sequoia/Tundra as long as the size and fuel economy are not major concerns.

 

Rich so you have had great success towing your 23ft Airstream through the Rockies with a Highlander? That is great news, indeed. Which Highlander do you have?

One of the commenters elsewhere said that it was really stressful for him when he was towing with the Highlander in windy conditions. Is that your experience?

Also, have you driven your Highlander in snow? If so, how did it hold up?

 

Icebear. I hadn't even thought to check on a Lexus. Thanks for that idea. I have researched the Sequoias a little. There are far fewer of them for sale, in my price range anyway, than there are 4Runners. There is one that would serve as a test drive vehicle a couple of hours from here. I've loved the look of the Tundras ever since they came out but I don't want something I have to hoist myself high up into over and over again. On good days it would be fine but there are enough bad days to avoid it. A few inches makes a big difference.

 

A 2WD 4Runner will ride better than a 4WD 4Runner. In a 2WD 4Runner when a front wheel hits a bump the only thing that moves is the tire/wheel which might weigh 50 pounds or so. When the front wheel of a 4WD 4Runner hits a bump the entire front axle assembly moves and it weighs around 1000 pounds and you will feel it. Some pick-up buyers will choose 2WD for the ride comfort

 

Gumpus Thank you for that explanation. What about getting a 4WD that has to be placed into 4WD but spends most of the time in 2WD? Would that solve that problem except when engaging the 4WD?

 

One topic to factor into the ride of your desired newer vehicle is tires-tires grip the road with the drive train provides the tire rotation. Do you need M&S rated All Season or All Terrain?
Of course a body on frame truck will ride stiffer than a crossover unibody suv which has much softer suspension components.
Older crossovers with replaced shocks will definately ride softer than 4 runner where replaced shocks are mostly firmer.
Tires contribute a lot to ride comfort, as much as the shocks in my opinion.

 

The weight of the 4WD components up front will always be there no matter what. But I would imagine it’s just another hundred pounds or so (you can compare curb weights)

But I don’t think there will be a dramatic difference. You can try test driving a newer 2WD vs 4WD 4Runner at CarMax or something and that would also eliminate the factor of wear. (as long as they have the same suspension system so probably stick with SR5 trim)

 

The only extra moving weight on a 4wd is part of a CV axle (one end doesn't move) and the drive hub. Nowhere near 1000 lbs...

 

FWIW, I towed a 4000-lb. travel trailer through the mountains of the NE last fall with my ’07 V6. No issues other than 11 MPG on average and investing a few bucks on temporary mirrors. I installed airbags in the rear springs beforehand and that helped a lot with leveling.

 

I have an '04 4Runner V8 FT4WD. I've crossed several bridges that had warning signs about high winds. I've driven through several states that had strong crosswinds. I've not had any problems towing the Airstream, probably because of the tandem axles. My 17' bass boat is single axle and it is more sensitive to a crosswind, but nothing too difficult to handle.

The only snow that I've driven in with the 4Runner was unsalted snow on my street. I baby my T4R to the max
If it snows I stay home or take the wife's '99 Sienna.

There were 2 times that I had to take the T4R out in snowy weather. Once I was coming back from a town about 60 miles away, towing the bass boat. The road had been salted and was slushy. No problems with handling but getting road salt off in February was a hassle. The chains and metal on the trailer still show signs of that trip. I hosed off the bottom and fender wells of the T4R with a hose as best as I could. My trusted shop says it looks great under there.

The second time we were coming back from Florida and I was pulling the Airstream and the road was clear and dry. We were almost home, 25 miles away, when I was in the right lane and saw a stretch of about 100 yards of packed ice covering my lane and I couldn't get over. The road was curving to the left and I had visions of jackknifing with the trailer. I eased up on the gas and coasted over the ice, white knuckled. Made the curve with no problems. Now we stay until the end of February before coming home.

 

My wife doesn't like the ride of our 4Runner without the Airstream behind it. I keep telling her that if we want to tow 6,000 lbs. you can't do it with a soft ride like her Sienna. I like the ride of my 4Runner with or without the trailers. I don't find the ride to be rough even when hitting a pothole The frame absorbs most of the shock, unlike unibody vehicles. I find the ride strong but not harsh. I really like the handling of the 4Runner when I have the Airstream behind it. I also like how well the FT4WD traction does in the rain or when I'm pulling the Airstream across a grassy area in a campground; no spinning rear wheel. I don't think having 4WD adds any more difficulty than having the V8's weight in the front. Toyota engineered the T4R very well. I wish they had kept the V8 option but now it's going turbo. I don't know about that yet.