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All gen review

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by SlvrSlug, Dec 5, 2020.

  1. Dec 5, 2020 at 7:30 AM
    #1
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug [OP] Slightly bent.

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    TRUCKS & SUVS
    The Evolution of the Toyota 4Runner Is Dramatic
    by Savannah Keaton on remain the same over the years, while others go through drastic changes that essentially turn it into a new vehicle, even if it has the same name. The Toyota 4Runner has made some amazing strides over the years, but there’s one crucial area that has remained the same. Motor Trend has all the details regarding what’s evolved, and what will most likely never change.


    1st generation Toyota 4Runner
    The first Toyota 4Runner generation ran from 1984 to 1989. As far as looks went, the 4Runner had little flash to offer. It was a plain built 2-door SUV that didn’t turn heads when it drove down the highway.

    This probably had to do with the fact that the 4Runner was essentially a modified Hilux pickup truck, which wasn’t known for its looks either. The 4Runner still began to attract attention with the off-road community, however, and it slowly drew in a cult following. By the end of the ’80s, it was one of the most popular SUVs to hit the trails.

    Not much change for the 2nd generation 4Runner

    The second-generation Toyota 4Runner didn’t receive many changes beyond extra doors to make entering and exiting more smooth for passengers who were relegated to the back seat.

    The rear leaf springs were replaced with coils, and a chain-driven transfer case helped reduced road noise. Otherwise, there were no major updates that helped it stand apart from the first generation.

    Once again, the second generation had a five-year run before being updated. It ran from 1990-1995.

    The 3rd generation 4Runner got some pretty big tweaks
    RELATED: The Best Toyota 4Runner Years For A Used Model

    Toyota finally decided to let go of the Hilux influence in the third generation of the 4Runner. It received a bigger engine to give it more power, and Toyota made it smoother for driving on road.

    The body style was also lengthened, giving the 4Runner a more attractive look. Some of the lines on the frame were smoothed out, which was an improvement over the boxy shape that plagued previous generations. The interior also got some much-needed improvements, giving it a more modern look.

    The third generation had a slightly longer run that lasted from 1996-2002.


    Changes continue for the 4th generation Toyota 4Runner
    The fourth generation left the box shape behind even further as the lines were softened even more. The interior was also given more room, which was an attractive choice for anyone who likes to go off-roading, but still has to get the kids to school on time.

    This generation spanned from 2003-2009. The 2003 model is one to avoid due to the rust problems, but the other model years don’t seem to be plagued with this unsightly problem.

    The long-lasting 5th generation

    The fifth-generation is easily the longest-lasting, as it began in 2009, and continues until the present. It once again departed from the smooth lines more appropriate for a sedan and incorporated some sharp edges that give it a tough look.

    While Toyota is focused on daily driving more, the TRD pro trim is perfect for any fans of going off-road. Features in the interior like USB ports and driver-assist features bring the 4Runner into the 21st century, while still remaining true to its off-road roots.

    Off-road for life
    RELATED: This Toyota Is the Versatile SUV You Need For the Holidays

    While there have been many changes to the 4Runner over the years, one thing has remained the same. It’s an off-road vehicle, and that will most likely never change. The 4Runner has been designed for crossing deserts, thundering over streams, and tearing up trails since the beginning, and that has only gotten better.

    If you’re looking for a used 4Runner, the third generation is considered the best for going off-road, but it might not come cheap. The 4Runner’s price might shock you, especially the used models which tend to hold value. Still, you get what you pay for, after all.



    TRUCKS & SUVS
    Why Does the 2004 Toyota 4Runner Have the Most Complaints?
    by Wendy Johnson on some of the most reliable and most dependable vehicles on the market. As with any automaker, they saw a few terrible years with some of their vehicles, though.


    The 2004 model was probably the worst year for the 4Runner yet. With all the complaints lodged against it, it’s a wonder they continued to produce it at all. CarComplaints.com forum shows all the common problems plaguing the 4Runner and how bad the issues were.

    Dashboard problems on the Toyota 4Runner
    The most common problem seen with the interior of the 4Runner is the cracks showing up on the dashboard for no apparent reason. Sometimes, the dash melts and becomes sticky. A few owners, who experience this, state they had the vehicle garaged when not in use and took good care of it, but cracks started forming within the dash material, anyway. The average mileage for the cracks were around 81,000 miles.

    This issue, rated fairly significant by CarComplaints.com, didn’t necessarily pose a risk to passengers, but it hurt the SUV’s value, not to mention that it looked just plain ugly. However, one driver was concerned about the airbag since the crack in his 4Runner was running across the dash right where the airbag was nestled within.

    There’s no report of anyone repairing it themselves, and it seems most people just left it and drove it around that way. But there was an enhanced warranty rolled out in 2015 that would get owners the repair done for free. However, it would only extend until the end of May 2017.


    Body issues with the 4Runner
    One of the most concerning issues found with the 4Runner deals with the vehicle’s underframe, which CarComplaints.com rated pretty bad. Owners wouldn’t realize there was a problem until another issue popped up. A driver took their SUV in for muffler/exhaust repair, but the mechanic refused to fix it because the underframe badly rusted.

    There were more serious incidents, though. One owner had a lower control arm break, which caused them to lose steering on the vehicle. When it went in for repairs, they were told of the underframe was in terrible shape due to the rusty condition. They were lucky that it didn’t fall apart on them while they were driving.

    Rust happens on many vehicles as they get older, but most of these owners experienced them around 100,000-140,000 miles. That’s far sooner than it would be for normal conditions. Another thing to note is that the rust was terrible, and the frame was ready to split in half in some of those cases. You rarely see that in older vehicles with tons more miles on them.


    There were no reported prices for the repair because most seem to have found the issue too late to do anything about it. Others gave up and let the vehicle sit until something could be done at a later date. Toyota released a recall out for the rusty underframe, but it was for other Toyota trucks, not the 4Runner.

    Performance problems with the Toyota 4Runner
    There were a couple of problems concerning the performance of the vehicle. The first dealt with the brakes. Owners reported driving their 4Runner normally until, all of a sudden, the dash would light up with warning lights, and a high-pitched alarm sounded. They would try to pull over to a safe area, but they would often find their brakes would not work.

    The repair costs for this ranged from $2,000-$4,000. Mechanics couldn’t quite agree with what caused the problem. Some felt it was a failed master brake cylinder, while others thought it was a faulty ABS actuator pump. Some owners stated that they thought the issue stemmed from a bad ground cable on the battery sending low-voltage signals to the car’s computer, which would shut down the brake system.

    CarComplaints forum rated it awful because this could cause an accident. The average mileage when this would occur was 119,000 miles, which isn’t all that much.

    The second problem encountered by owners had to do with the engine. In cylinder compression tests, mechanics found one cylinder was misfiring, which was usually caused by coolant leaking into the chamber. The underlying problem, though, turned out to be a bad head gasket.

    The cost of replacing the head gasket was around $3,200. One mechanic claimed a new engine would be in order, which would set the owner back approximately $6000. But he declined to have it done. The average mileage for this problem was around 165,000 miles, and Car Complaints forum rated it pretty bad.

    There were several other complaints lodged against the 2004 Toyota 4Runner, some of them keeping the NHTSA pretty busy. But, these were the most common issues plaguing the owners of these SUVs. The 4Runner went on to get produced for many more years, and quite a few of them saw fewer complaints.

    RELATED: The 2020 Toyota Highlander Overshadows the 4Runner in Every Way



    TRUCKS & SUVS
    The 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Achieves Balance That the Jeep Wrangler Can’t
    by Wendy Johnson on The Jeep Wrangler has always been the go-to for off-roaders. And, for the longest time, it was the only one available on the market to handle those rocky terrain areas.


    We now have several options to pick from and one of them, the Toyota 4Runner, is fast becoming a close competitor to the Wrangler. One Road and Track author came to the realization that it’s more of a contender than we previously thought.

    What did Road and Track’s testing on the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro reveal?
    The article’s author, Mack Hogan, shared that he previously owned a Toyota 4Runner, one from the third-generation era. Although it had rust and was prone to leaking, the only thing he regretted about that vehicle was that he sold it to someone else.

    His next experience with this Toyota was when he tested a 2020 4Runner TRD Pro in the mountains of Ouray, Colorado, and on the trails of Moab. It performed great for the rough and rugged terrain, but it didn’t impress him too much as far as the interior and price points go.

    In fact, he felt it was just too outdated, compared to its competitors, and the interior was humdrum, lacking any kind of appeal. This particular model came at a price of around $50,000, which just seemed way too overpriced for what you really got for it.


    It wasn’t until he got another chance to evaluate it that he changed his mind about the 4Runner. This time he would test it on some back roads about an hour and a half from his home in New York.

    Does the 4Runner perform as well as the Jeep Wrangler?
    RELATED: Best Third Row SUVs for an Adventurous Family

    With the expanse of the outdoors surrounding him, The Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro pounded through muddy areas with ease. It plowed through deep sections of water with no issues and handled two-foot potholes without batting an eye.

    Small, jagged rocks didn’t stop the 4Runner TRD Pro from adventuring down moderately rough terrain. Outside of the mud, there wasn’t a mark on it. It’s as if he never left the road that brought him out to the area.

    But, what seemed to impress him the most was the fact that the 4Runner went from off-roading with ease to on-roading with just as much ease. Transitioning from rough terrain to normal driving had no effect on the SUV.

    The 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro had exactly what he was looking for. It was fun to drive over rocky areas, but smooth driving on the highway.

    The Jeep Wrangler, however, is more suited for rougher terrain and harder roads to traverse on. The issue, though, is that it doesn’t handle the highway all that well.

    What else does the 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro offer?
    RELATED: There’s Only One Type of Person Who Should Buy a Toyota 4Runner

    The 2020 model is a midsize SUV with plenty of cargo space for all the stuff you pack for an off-roading adventure. This Toyota comes with either a rear-wheel, all-wheel, or four-wheel drive, depending on which package you choose.

    Under the hood is a beefy 4.0-liter V6 engine, according to Car and Driver’s review of this SUV. It’s paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, which gives it an acceleration time of 7.5 seconds for a 0 to 60 run.

    The 4Runner disappoints with its EPA rating of 20 highway mpg, which makes it fall behind its competitors. But, it makes up for it with its optional off-roading features like a locking rear differential, multi-terrain selection, and crawl control.

    At the end of the day, the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is an excellent choice for mid-range off-roading ventures. It handles rough terrain with ease but still rides smoothly on normal road surfaces, making it a truly well-balanced SUV.


    CROSSOVER & MIDSIZE
    2020 Toyota 4Runner: The Biggest Downsides You Should Know Before Buying
    by Savannah Keaton on Off-roaders will love the new Toyota 4Runner, but it might be a hard sale for individuals looking for a reliable vehicle for everyday driving. It has some decent capabilities, but there are a few key factors that will send many potential owners running for the hills. Here’s why the 4Runner might not perform as well as Toyota would hope.

    Why you’ll love the Toyota 4Runner
    The Toyota 4Runner has a long history, and it has developed a bit of following. That doesn’t happen with vehicles that are total junk, unless it’s the Pontiac Aztek, of course.

    Edmunds reports that the 2020 4Runner is a great off-road vehicle. Even though there were a few new features, Toyota didn’t sacrifice the ability to drive over mountains and through streams to appeal to a new fan base like other automakers have done in the past. For those who love the ability to defy Mother Nature, things are better than ever.

    Toyota also added a slide-out floor in the cargo area. For anyone who feels like there is never enough room in their vehicle, this could be a game-changer. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was also a pleasant surprise that was long overdue.

    Another factor that might tempt drivers to give the 4Runner a chance is the fact that it resists depreciation well. For those who prefer to trade their vehicle in after a certain amount of time has gone by, being able to resell a vehicle that hasn’t lost all its value will be liberating.

    Here’s what might make you think twice
    No vehicle is perfect, though there are several vehicles that come close. That being said, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner seems to get mixed reviews. Cars.com recently reviewed the 4Runner and had four things that they weren’t thrilled about.

    The first issue was that the 4Runner doesn’t handle well on-road. Cars.com reports that “its standard 270-hp 4.0-liter V6 engine is slow to come to life from a stop. And on the highway, you can really feel how heavy the SUV is in its reluctance to accelerate.” Other complaints revolved around the fact that it’s difficult to park and has a wide turn radius.

    The second factor that might turn drivers away was the poor gas mileage. Fuel is at record low rates at the moment, but that won’t always hold true. Prices fluctuate, and when the prices rise again, the 4Runner will be eating through your wallet. It only gets an estimated 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway.

    The third problem Cars.com had was the loud exhaust. The car review site reports, “the TRD Pro’s cat-back exhaust is supposed to put out a powerful growl; in reality, it sounds more like a groan.”

    Finally, the 4Runner might be too tall for many drivers and passengers. It has 9.6 inches of ground clearance, making it difficult to get in and out of. For anyone in heels, this might be a safety hazard. It will also be a challenge for children and the elderly.

    Is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner worth the overall price?
    The Toyota 4Runner starts at $36,020 for the base model, and it tops out at $49,765. For many drivers, that’s simply too much. Those who can afford it may be wondering if they should given how many other options are on the market today.

    When comparing the Toyota 4Runner to long-standing rivals like the Jeep Wrangler, the 4Runner actually comes out on top. The Wrangler might have a loyal following, but it has its share of flaws, like the fact that it’s not made to be driven daily. It also offers less room.

    On the other hand, the Jeep Wrangler is often recommended over the 4Runner. It has a great looking body, performs well both on- and off-road, and it has more tech.

    So is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner worth investing in? If you’re interested in a great off-road vehicle, it’s hard to beat. On the other hand, if you need a vehicle for driving back and forth to work every day, you might want to look elsewhere.


    TIPS, TRICKS & TRENDS
    Chrysler Pacifica Hellcat Baits FCA Global Head of Design
     
    06_dark_knight likes this.
  2. Dec 5, 2020 at 9:00 AM
    #2
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Thanks for the post. Some good reading there!
     
  3. Dec 5, 2020 at 9:11 AM
    #3
    trlhiker

    trlhiker Lazy Bum

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    So the 2nd gen was basically the same as the 1st with no major updates? Wow! Ignorant article.
     
  4. Dec 6, 2020 at 5:53 AM
    #4
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug [OP] Slightly bent.

    Joined:
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    Ramona Ca.
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    2017 4-Runner SR-5 P. Kings, Built Right uca’s, Durabumps, RSG sliders
    Not much change for the 2nd generation 4Runner

    The second-generation Toyota 4Runner didn’t receive many changes beyond extra doors to makeentering and exiting more smooth for passengers who were relegated to the back seat.

    The rear leaf springs were replaced with coils, and a chain-driven transfer case helped reduced roadnoise. Otherwise, there were no major updates that helped it stand apart from the first generation.

    Once again, the second generation had a five-year run before being updated. It ran from 1990-1995.
     

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