Current 4pro Xterra owner looking at 4runner off road

Hey Everyone,
I have owned a Nissan Xterra since 06 either an offroad or 4PRO series. I have found them pretty indestructible, awesome offroad and pretty descent on the road. Sadly, Nissan has stopped producing them. Sooo... the next full frame suv is the 4runner. Sell me!

 

I had considered a used Xterra but ended up going with a used 4Runner and couldn't be happier with this vehicle. I've always loved the look of both trucks but now that I'm a 4Runner owner, especially the 5th gen, I think it's the best looking truck out there. Especially with all of the available options/mods for it, it just makes it a fun truck to own and tinker with. Not to mention the fact that I've seen multiple with over 300k miles and a few even over 400k miles and people report no major issues.

So for me, as someone who was purchasing a vehicle for the first one in a many years (I usually lease), I wanted something I knew would be reliable and last a long time, have plenty of space (I have the 3rd row - 5 kids), can pretty much go anywhere, looks great, and I can make unique easily with lots of aftermarket options. With this being my 10th vehicle, it is by far my favorite.

 

Thank you for the input. I really like the looks of the 4runner too. I've been scouring the dealers within 50 miles and haven't found one that has what I want. I'll probably end up ordering one. Any input on what options I should get/avoid? I'll wait till warranty is done before any major mods. I run 70% highway, 20% rough/back roads and 10% off.

 

@Tankcmdr Welcome to the forum!

I recently purchased 4runner Off-road (OR) Premium w/moonroof and w/o KDSS
Minimized all the other options to few.

I believe you will be happy with the 4runner platform. Here are the options that I researched.

Pro: exclusive badges and colors + exclusive Pro wheels 17x7 + exclusive trd badged Bilstein shocks + exclusive front grill

Vs.

Trail/Off-road: normal badges and colors + trail wheels 17x7.5 + terrible soft shocks + normal grill
Add (premium package): + Softex fake leather seats + heated signal side mirrors + auto dim rearview mirror + premium audio entune navigation

Options:
KDSS: Improves on road handling (harder to lift/expensive repairs/aftermarket parts incompatibility)

Remote start: Engine shuts down when doors are opened?

Power Moonroof: Awesome IMO/More potential maintenance issues Note: Not available on Pro

Most the other options can be purchased cheaper online or from Craigslist (roof rack bars, sidesteps, all weather mats etc)

The used market is similar to Tacoma (do not depreciate much at all) and dealerships are not in need to deal on Trail/OR/Pro models. The cheapest and largest inventory were in Chicago and Florida in my buying mode.

The savings from buying a OR Premium over the Pro can be used on all sorts of parts (steel front bumper, suspension, wheels)

I searched Nationwide and used @ramonortiz55 buyer advice to maximize savings and buying power. https://www.4runners.com/threads/so-you-want-to-buy-a-4runner.3318/

Look forward to seeing what you end up going with and eventually build out.

 

I love the Xterra.

Witness - Moab, 2015:



OME lift, 265/75 16 tires, basket, etc. Took us on a kickass cross country trip and back.

The Xterra has a lot going for it - it is a simple truck that - as their early advertising campaign said - is everything you need, nothing you don't. There's something to be said for brute simplicity. It's also a lot less expensive than a comparable 4Runner (X to SR5, Pro 4X to Trail or TRD OR).

Having said that, I think the build quality on the 4Runner is better, and it's a "lifetime" vehicle (Nissan still has the SMOD issue with the current auto trans Frontiers and last year of the Xterras). I went from an Xterra to a 4Runner and was happy with my decision, although I did always feel that the 4Runner just had more shit on it than I wanted... didn't have that issue with the Nissan!

I guess now, if you want to buy new, you don't really have a choice... good luck finding a leftover 2015 Xterra.

 

For me, one of the biggest difference between the 4Runner and the Xterra is the ability to modify the suspension. With the 4Runner, you can easily replace the stock front struts with coilovers and have huge performance gains both on and off road, if done properly. With the Xterra, putting a coilover on is a lot more involved (and expensive).

Also, the fit and finish of the 4Runner is a lot better than the Xterra. Don't get me wrong, the Xterra's are a great vehicle that will last forever if taken care of, but they feel cheaper than a 4Runner. Lastly the resale value of a 4Runner is way higher than an Xterra of the same year.

 

I loved the pro-4x xterra with the 6speed manual! I miss them on the market! I loved my Titan Pr-4x as well! I have owned more Toyota products than Nissan but the Pro-4x line changed my view of Nissan! The Vq series of motors has changed my mind on them as well btw! Can't go wrong with either but the 4Runner is sold and actually is/was a slightly higher class! I get far better gas mpg with my toyotas than my Nissans! My xterra was not kept long but even with the six speed and stock tires I was getting better mpg out if my v8 4Runner on 285's!!!!

 

Interestingly, I found the 4.0 in the Nissan got better power / acceleration and gas mileage than the 4.0 in the 4Runner.

 

how much did you save off sticker?

 

This should be enough reason here



But really the Nissan is a great truck, but if you still want a truck based SUV the 4runner is your only choice. Unless you want a money pit, like the jeep which can catch fire on the trail.

 

JBTRD, Great pic... What does a guy from florida know about snow other than it drives old people to florida for 5 months?! Ok, letting go of my 4pro is like putting a loyal dog down. You will all be happy to know that I go in to the dealership tomorrow. Still up in the air about kdss.

 

44357 (.44 .357 cool) What did you do to upgrade shocks if anything?

 

Hey, it was just a joke. I know those nissans are great trucks, convinced my friend to buy a used one the other day, since he could not afford a 4runner. And the kdss, i did not get on my truck. If you are going to upgrade shocks and lift, and add skid plates it just makes things harder and more expensive. But i see its worth if you are going to rock climb and travel on city streets, help the truck hug corners or more flex more to keep all wheels on the ground.

Also im from North GA with black ice and times with some snow, i know it is easy to get in a ditch like that with one hit of a slick spot can happen to anyone.

 

That's a good point on the suspension. I think I might be leaning towards ordering the TRD pro suspension on a Off road premium. Other than that I'll go bare bones, I'll add sliders and a roof rack first thing.

 

Thank you all for the advice, It did help in making some choices! I don't go to the dealer until 2 (eastern) so any last minute guidance is appreciated. I'm going to ask about warranty issues on the suspension, if changing it doesn't void anything then I'll order an off road premium with no upgrades.

 

Thats is exaclty what i did. I have a trail, which is a TRD offroad base with preimu audio and nav. I put on the TRD Pro suspesnsion and wheels. Next is the front grill. But see if you can work it out in your negotiations, if toyota orders it and installs it, it will not void your warrenty at all.

 

Awesome! That is good to know before I meet the dealer.

 

Ok...My evil plan didn't go quite as planned (No plan survives first contact intact). I am now the proud owner of a 2017 TRD Offroad Premium. Magnetic grey, moonroof, etc. I pick it up Fri.

 

...about 7-10% off msrp of my build list. Savings paid for taxes and some extras...

357 mag lever and revolver is my ideal two gun one caliber set up.

Going TC/Kings this time around.

Congrats on the new 4runner! Excited to see your eventual build out.