jeffryscott
2006 Rally Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
My 2002 Trooper transmission started showing signs of failure, so I decided it was time to move on. I tried to convince myself to get something economical, such as a Subaru Forester, but I have owned 4wd's since 1987 and just couldn't give up true 4wd.
I have owned two previous 4Runners, a 1987 and 2001, both great vehicles, but didn't think I could afford a newer 4Runner. I looked at Xterra's, but the seemingly fairly common transmission issues in the new body style scared me (I was, after all, bailing on my Trooper because of transmission fears) The only real choice that was in the realm of affordability was a 4Runner (well, I did see Range Rovers and Land Rovers in that price range - tempting, but upkeep expenses kept me away)
Enter the 2004 4Runner, expo white, 4wd SR5 with a V6, 136K. While the truck is only 2 years newer, and actually had about 5,000 more miles than its replacement, the 4Runner appeared well maintained and clean. Drove well and looks nearly new. 4Runner reliability is about as good as it gets from all the reviews I've seen.
interestingly enough, although the Trooper and 4Runner were only two years apart in age, the difference in refinement and technology is amazing. The Trooper is a good solid platform, but technologically way behind - something I didn't realize all these years.
All that aside, the 4Runner now sits in my driveway on my recently purchased 265/75/16 BFG AT KO2's, and awaits an Old Man Emu medium suspension, and sliders as funds allow. Today I took the 4Runner out on some trails I took the Trooper out to a few weeks before. While the Trooper (equipped with an Old Man Emu suspension) had more flex, the 4Runner with its ATRAC and Hill Descent was a step above, and will only get better once I get the suspension upgraded.
I have owned two previous 4Runners, a 1987 and 2001, both great vehicles, but didn't think I could afford a newer 4Runner. I looked at Xterra's, but the seemingly fairly common transmission issues in the new body style scared me (I was, after all, bailing on my Trooper because of transmission fears) The only real choice that was in the realm of affordability was a 4Runner (well, I did see Range Rovers and Land Rovers in that price range - tempting, but upkeep expenses kept me away)
Enter the 2004 4Runner, expo white, 4wd SR5 with a V6, 136K. While the truck is only 2 years newer, and actually had about 5,000 more miles than its replacement, the 4Runner appeared well maintained and clean. Drove well and looks nearly new. 4Runner reliability is about as good as it gets from all the reviews I've seen.
interestingly enough, although the Trooper and 4Runner were only two years apart in age, the difference in refinement and technology is amazing. The Trooper is a good solid platform, but technologically way behind - something I didn't realize all these years.
All that aside, the 4Runner now sits in my driveway on my recently purchased 265/75/16 BFG AT KO2's, and awaits an Old Man Emu medium suspension, and sliders as funds allow. Today I took the 4Runner out on some trails I took the Trooper out to a few weeks before. While the Trooper (equipped with an Old Man Emu suspension) had more flex, the 4Runner with its ATRAC and Hill Descent was a step above, and will only get better once I get the suspension upgraded.
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