Pros/Cons of a 4Runner

New to this forum and only joined to ask a few questions before I pull the trigger on a new Toyota...

What, as 4Runner owners, are your pros and cons of them??

Looking at buying a new rig and I have always been a truck guy (have owned 4 toyota trucks to date with my current one being a 2007 Tacoma TRD Off-road), but I test drove a 4Runner today because my neighbor (he knows me real well) who just bought one last weekend told me I should at least take one for a test drive. Long story short it wasn’t a bad experience.

I’m not worried about comments about mods (that will happen I’m sure) I’m more wondering what you guys like and dislike about them. PLEASE BE BRUTALLY HONEST

Thanks and have a great weekend!!

 

Ok I will be honest. I am more of an old school type guy and daily drove a 1989 FJ62 before selling it and buying my 4. That said I could care less about tech and this vehicle actually has too much tech on it for me. Others want even more tech, I don't. The stereo speakers suck. I would like the locker to be able to be used in 2 HI. The 4 has enough power, especially coming from an FJ, but I would say any vehicle these days could always use more power, especially from Toyota (except the Tundra, LC). An that's about it. I love this thing!

 

I'm in my 60's, so it's too much tech. Too many nannie buttons and and things that I don't use. The 4.0 is adequate and I like the rear locker but, wish they offered a 5sp manual and lower gears in the axles. Not all of us worry or care about gas mileage. And the not so convenient location of the trailer plugs. It could use a little more room in the wheel wells too.
And truck builders, stop glueing in the windshields. Mine cracked and I only have 29k miles on it. I had my old '73 FJ-40 for 34 years and only replaced one windshield due to pits.

 

On my second 5th gen and I just love them. It's the only real midsize SUV left. Built tough, works on trails, takes a beating, looks good, feels substantial. I like the fact that it's using proven mechanicals and technology. The convenience of something working properly is worth more to me than bleeding edge technology that isn't fully field proven. And if you don't like it and want to move into something else, it has great resale so you won't lose as much as other mid size SUV's.

The only cons that comes to mind are a lack of mirroring for android or iphone, eco friendly soy based wiring that can attract rodents (probably something shared with a lot of other modern cars-I use a peppermint spray once a month or so under the hood to help prevent this issue), and unless you're getting a Limited, no leather or ventilated seat options.

 

I drove Tacoma's for 20 years. 1 first gen and several 2nd gens. Loved them all. Then I got a 3rd gen and hated it. The transmission sucked. And it felt underpowered. So I moved to the T4R. Ha I like everything about it because it reminds me so much of my 2nd gen Tacoma's.

About the only thing I'd change in the T4R would be the head unit, as many people suggest. It feels outdated in comparison to other vehicles. Other than that, I hope they don't change A SINGLE THING in future design.

I've heard a big redesign is coming. I really hope they don't change it too much. It seems the trend is to take "trucks" and turn them into "large station wagons". I very much hope this doesn't happen to the 4runner.

I have an SR5 runner and I do wish the suspension was a little stiffer. I also wish it had a "push button tailgate closer". HID headlights would be nice. Those are small things. The biggest thing is it's STILL A TRUCK. And hasn't been turned into a car (like the Nissan Pathfinder or Ford Explorer, for example).

 

So I don’t go CRAZY off-roading but I do like my out of the way/off the grid camping spots. Is there anything wrong with taking an SR5 Premium Vs OR Premium? I mean other then locker and stuff...

 

Sometimes.... but not very often... I have never used it in my Taco but I also know how to get the most out of my rigs. Never ever got stuck in my ‘88 22re truck and took that into some hairy places... good tires and a good driver will get you pretty far.

 

You can have your dealer turn off the auto door unlock feature or buy from Carista and do it yourself. The dealer may charge you but that is what I did. They can customize many different things and given your situation I wouldn't hesitate to customize it.

https://caristaapp.com

https://caristaapp.com/vehicles/toyota/4runner/5th-gen

 

This thread lists all the things you can customize with Carista. Post #5.

https://www.4runners.com/threads/disable-keyless-entry-chirps.3442/

 

Back to topic. HAHA.

 

Rides like a station wagon
Under powered
Could use a diesel option with a 5 spd
Sat nav is crap
lots of useless crap in the etune
to many on the road, I mean they are everywhere.
cup holders evil, evil cup holders that stay on the bottom of your coffee mug.
The light on the dash board that tells you your lights are on.
Lack of volts, oil pressure read outs.
top dollar for old tech.

 

that nanny state message about looking around your car and not sleeping while driving, never really read it.Displays every time you start the car.

 

Pros - love it all

Cons - nothing for me!!

 

...That moment you realized you should have bought a Mercedes E class diesel.

Anyway I need to add something to my list. Not sure if it is a con or pro, but the 4 is so boringly reliable. That is a pro if you plan on keeping it until it dies and a con if you want something else but are screwing yourself for getting rid of a perfectly good vehicle that won't die.

 

Gutless motor, more gears/gearing would be neato, poo mileage, 17th century bulbs inside and out, info center is all but useless. I feel it could, nay, SHOULD have much much more important info. No dark headliner option. Spongy as shit suspension. Cost, they are wicked pricey, new, used, high miles, on fire, in any state/location. I feel like some updated swag, should be on it, for the cost you pay. Aftermarket stuff, seems the same. Expensive. But, there does seem to be a fair amount of aftermarket support for em.....

In the end,... i still love mine to death.

 

Pros;

Built in Japan and quality is much better than the Tacoma’s which are done here.

Solid platform with the 4.0

Resale value

Will last a long time with just basic maintanence.

Cons;

Gas MPG is poor for a 6, our old 4.7v8 Runner was better on fuel and safer with full time 4wd and was better at towing with more torque.

Nav sucks, gets outdated too fast and the update is costly.

Door actuators are known to break, mine currently needs one replaced.

Headlights suck but that is cured with a decent high quality HID Kit and some morimoto fogs.

 

My wife's is an SR5 Premium and we took it on the beach stock. It did fine even in the deep sand. You will be fine.

~Stew

 

I love the 4Runner. Only thing I do not like about it (someone said it already) is that the trailer plug outlet is in a tough spot. Needs to be much closer to what you are towing. Also the backup lights are not that great.

~Stew

 

Al these people saying the headlights suck on tacoma and the 4runner clearly havent drove a 90s chevy lol. If the stars or moon were out i couldnt see my headlights, 4r and taco have plenty of light compared to some vehicles.

 

I recall the old school 70's Broncos that you could not see 20' past the bumper. It's like people have to drive in complete daylight these days, on coming traffic and the guy in front of you can go to hell. It's dark out. Lol.

 

This is a good list. I agree with the tailgate grime. It’s relentless up here in the PNW weather this time of year. I’d also add, for anybody who has dealt with or is living with the steering wheel wobble, that can be annoying obviously. I also wish my dash plastics didn’t pop and rattle so much. That actually surprised me coming from a 2017 Tacoma with similar rattle issues. But, I love the motor and transmission. So smooth and predictable. The back seat room for my kids and their stuff is great! And 4Runners look cool.

 

So I feel like I know what I’m getting myself into with MPG because my Tacoma has the 4.0l in it and I average 16.5-18.1 MPG. I drive 30 miles one way to work and am usually sitting in my truck for an hour on the way home because of traffic. I’m also thinking if I wanted to keep some miles off the 4Runner right off the bat I could have my wife drive it to work, which is only 2 miles from home compared to 30, and I would drive her 2014 Camry to work.

 

Yup,.. im 42 one way, and, if im not working, im out and about, hence the wicked high mileage ive got on mine. And, man, that would be TOUGH for me lol. Sitting in a camry, (and i mean ZERO dis on the cam) on the way to work, knowing my 4runner is there. Maybe every other day take the camry? .........lol.









Nope, cant do it,...... miles or not,.. imma drive my baby lol..... Wish you the best with whatever yo, for real.

 

FWIW I get very similar mpg in my T4R as I did in my 2nd gen Tacoma.

 

I commute every other week in a 2005 Camry. It has about 190.000 miles on it. It's working out well keeping the miles low on the 4. Don't commute in it all the time because I start to miss the 4 after a week of not driving it.