New member looking for information ...

We are just starting to ask questions.

My wife and I bought a 2007 4Runner in August, 2007. We added a stainless steel nose guard and ICOM-ID-5100 HAM radio. We got our HAM radio licenses in 1977.

For those not familiar with HAM radio, the ID-5100 D-Star radios broadcast in either FM or digital VHF and UHF frequencies. Primarily through local repeaters, we are able to communicate having coverage over perhaps 70% of Eastern Washington State between vehicle and home. My base can contact directly to hikers in the Eastern Cascade mountains to people at times 80 to 100 miles west of my home. If a person is in trouble and transmitting in digital mode, we will immediately know their GPS location!

The information we are seeking is what year 4Runners or perhaps Highlanders would have improved camera and mirror systems compared to our 2007? My wife is have extreme pains in moving her head to see the side cameras. Improved video systems (backup, and perhaps forward for parking) would be helpful.

A second big help would be having the driver's seat move farther back. I have long legs and get uncomfortable after driving just a couple of hours. Japanese cars are designed by for smaller people. I nearly got a bloody headache due to shorter doors on Japanese commuter trains in 1963.

We will not be looking for a new vehicle. Our 2007 4Runner is in very good condition. However, both my wife and I are now over 80 years old. I do not expect to keep a new vehicle as long as I kept a 1970 Chevy K/5 Blazer which I drove for over fifty years, then sold to a friend who was born in 1970. He WANTED that Blazer as it was fully equipped for off-road and highway. I had been in a Search and Rescue team.

If you would like to contact me (especially if you are a HAM), my email address is Leonard.Grant@nwi.net.

 

Hello I am pretty sure someone much much more knowledgeable about Toyotas will chime in and pass on some hopefully helpful information

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome

 

welcome

 

welcome

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Ok, I guess I’ll take a whack at this. My observation has been that Toyota’s TSS (Toyota Safety Sense) has been increasingly getting better over the past several years. IMHO, a 2021 Toyota 4Runner 4X4 or the same year Highlander AWD would serve your purpose very well. The non-hybrid Highlander with the 3.5 V6 and 8-speed transmission, again in AWD would be my choice. Good luck and welcome to the forum, Thomas.

 

Hello from Missouri. Seems Gary knows well, i concur on his recommendation!