Best options < $20k

Hey everyone,

Nearing on purchasing a 4Runner and need some guidance...

I can save quite a bit, leaving more money for upgrades, if I go for a 2011/2012/2013 SR5/TRD.
Or I can go for a later model, say 2015/2016/2017...even 2019 which costs a bit more. Similar mileage across both year options. Seems to vary from 100k -> 190k.

Probably won't get one with over 140k miles on the clock and will for sure get one with a full service history & that was serviced every ~5k miles.

Now, I will mainly be using this to go out on surf trips (boards on top), keep stocked with hiking & camping equipment so it's ready for the weekends, and to upgrade and play with. In the winters, I head up to the mountains occasionally to ski and will be driving it on ice / in the snow.

I would like to install a roof rack, the raptor lights, new grill, new lights, rock rails, all terrain wheels etc.

I'm on the fence between saving a bit, and getting the SR5 4x2 / RWD or really searching for a decent TRD/SR5 4x4 / 4WD. I'm not sure what to do!

Can anyone offer me any advice? Thanks!

Edit: just clarification, upgrades are not included in the price for the model. I'm looking to spend ~ $20k on just the base 4Runner

 

I'll say if you plan on taking this thing on the beach or in the snow/ ice, do not get a two-wheel drive. The main point of one of these is that they're four-wheel drive and have good off-road capability, so a two-wheel drive one just doesn't really make too much sense.

Looking at a 2010 to 2013, versus up to 2019, there really isn't a difference in features, only some cosmetic differences. The biggest thing to look for is rust, especially if you are in an area that uses road salt.

I bought my 2013 in 2019, because it was significantly cheaper than a newer one. At the time there were not any features that the new ones had that I felt I was missing on the 2013.


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X2 on the 4X4

Btw, welcome to the forum

 

x3 on 4x4

 

I don't even understand why 2WD 4Runners exists. Then I see Jeep Wranglers were available in 2wd. How dumb is that?

Its also strange that 2wd 4Runners have less ground clearance.

 

4x4 it is ! This is the confirmation I needed

 

Also thank you! Glad & excited to be here.

 

X4
4x4… you will not regret it…

 

2014+ most trims have better clearance bumper and low profile rocker panel for better option running boards / rock sliders.

2014+ also got projector headlights so you can upgrade headlights easily with high power HID / LED bulbs.

2014+ easy to install behind grill light bars / offroad lights.

 

Makes sense to me that 2WD models are expected to tackle less so lower ground clearance for 2WD models isn’t uncommon in crossover land.

But for folks who want only the style and whatnot, 2WD does just fine and probably helps keep the advertised starting price down.

Also 2WD can still get a lot of places especially when dry with that articulation, every so often I’m reminded of that Crown Victoria tackling Moab.

 

Nice lift man, what is it?

 

A 2wd 4runner makes for a good wagon. Very little maintenance requirements. There are a few other nice wagons available, but they’re expensive, complex techy luxo euro vehicles that become unaffordable to maintain in a few years time. A 2wd 4runner has a good chance at outlasting cockroaches.

But if you’re wanting to take it offroad, you might as well get the 4wd version.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! Your best choice was the 4X4, you'll be able to go to the places you mentioned without needing to get pulled off the beach.

 

Why not look for 4Runner with some of the mods already installed? You *never* get money back from mods, if anything you will get less for your modded truck. As such, let someone else take that hit.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Saw a modded 2015 4Runner 4WD today with nearly all the mods I'm looking for & now pretty dead set on that, between 2015 -> 2018.

Yeah it'd be great to get one pre-modded but also, I want to learn & install mods myself as part of this being an all terrain / adventure project.

Had a brief stint looking at the 1986 pickups and 1990s 4Runners today too - damn, really nice but too much maintenance. I just want to be able to get in and go, reliably, every weekend