How would you spend 30k?

[Willman]

Nate,

How old are your kids? If they are a bit older or as they grow, you might find the 4Runner a bit tight - get your entire family to sit in one at a dealer.

Don't count out a Sequioa - it's closer to a size your family may be used to. They are great family haulers, reliable and are quite capable for medium trails. You are limited for aftermarket accessories, but there a some good ones. Donahoe makes coilovers, ARB has bumpers, etc... Give them a good hard look. You can often find a low mile version for a decent price.

With that said, a 100 series Cruiser is always a great option.

Pete

I totally agree with Pete!

I'm going to be in your boat in a year.......I think it is ether going to be a Sequioa or a 100 series LC.....I going to buy one used with about 25 k on it....You can pick one up around the Ut area for around 25k-30k.....

Good luck!

And......Welcome to the ExPo!

 

[Clutch]

Yep that would be about what I would be doing with 30K or a set up like that with a work shell and a trailer.

4" lift, some 35's, the 7.3 diesel, manual trans....ATC or FWC....good to go!

I have seen a few early 2000's F250/350's for around $12K....and fullsize FWC going for $6K....that leaves another $12K for mods...

 

[Grim Reaper]

4" lift, some 35's, the 7.3 diesel, manual trans....ATC or FWC....good to go!

I have seen a few early 2000's F250/350's for around $12K....and fullsize FWC going for $6K....that leaves another $12K for mods...

My buddies son has 250 for sale that set up but a Auto. He unfortunately is a little upside down and not figured that out yet and still trying to sell a little above market.

My buddy has a 250 that he pulls a fifth wheel toy hauler camper with. He ran it up to Alaska from Atlanta 2 years ago and was getting 15 mpg on the plains. Empty he can get 21mpg. That’s impressive that such a big truck and get that sort of MPG.

 

[NAdams]

Thanks guys for all the great input. Regarding the Burb, it really has served us well and we will miss all the room for the family. It is however a 1/2 ton, 2 WD model and I really can't see using it for much offroad duty with out some serious modification (that I'm not capable of....there, I said it!!).
I will continue to research the 4runner vs LC dilemma. My buddy has a Sequoia and really speaks well of it. My thought was that of the 3 SUVs offered by Toyota, the Sequoia was the least off road ready but would fit our needs as a family the best. I guess everything is about tradeoffs....regardless, I don't think we would be unhappy in any of the above choices.
Again, thanks for the feedback and keep those ideas coming.

Nate

 

[bigwapitijohnny]

One day...

I have a '98 4runner currently, and my wife has an '04 sequoia...in a couple of years, she will get a new car, my son will get the 4runner, and the Sequioa will be modified like no other mall-runnin', Starbuck drinkin', soccer game totin' rig that Kansas has ever seen :chowtime: ...Ohhh the humanity. I've already told Jed at Armorology to start acquiring mounds of steel for the front and rear bumpers...

Regards,

BWJ

 

[DaveInDenver]

How old are your kids? If they are a bit older or as they grow, you might find the 4Runner a bit tight - get your entire family to sit in one at a dealer.

The 4th gen 4Runner is very comfortable for 4 real sized people. It's smaller than a Sequoia and Cruiser, but it's not the same mini truck anymore.

 

[Clutch]

.....getting 15 mpg on the plains. Empty he can get 21mpg. That’s impressive that such a big truck and get that sort of MPG.

That what has me thinking of selling the Tacoma, the Taco gets roughly the same mileage...yet so under sized, gets over loaded quick. I am waiting until spring, to make a decision. Gives me enough time to find exactly what I am looking for.

I keep on thinking of getting an adventure bike, but, my dirt bike alone keeps me busy enough....can't haul the dog, and the girlfriend too easily on the bike either.

 

[jeepboyd]

Have you thought about the new 4 door Tacoma good rear seat room and it's allways a pick-up truck can 6500 lbs what more is there and a brand new one can be had for just under 30k with the offroad package(TRD) which gives you the rear locker ( life saver). just my $0.02

 

[ckkone]

Get a 100 series Landcruiser...I have two kids and sold my dual cab Tacoma becuase it was just a bit too crowded with everyone in there...The 100 seems much wider, leaving more room for the kids stuff...Not sure how old your kids are but if they are still in carseats, I have also found it easier to get them in and out of the LC...

 

[Pskhaat]

Hundy

 

[crawler#976]

Hmmm,

...a quick search on cars.com bought up a 2003 YukonXL 2500 4x4 w/ 41K miles, 6.0L and auto for $22,800. With the remaining $$$ add an ARB RD114 to the rear, upgrade the shocks to Bilstiens, and put on some GoodYear Wrangler Silent Armor tires and go have fun.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...ional&paId=242536196&recnum=4&leadExists=true

Mark

 

[Scott Brady]

For a family of 4, get the 100 series TLC. No question...

Very comfortable on the highway and enough room to save a few family squabbles too. With minor modifications, the trail capability is quite good too.

30K will probably get you an 03 or 04 with low mileage.

 

[Jacket]

The 4th gen 4Runner is very comfortable for 4 real sized people. It's smaller than a Sequoia and Cruiser, but it's not the same mini truck anymore.

I agree. I owned a 2nd and 3rd gen 4Runner, and those things are pretty tight. It's pretty easy to grow out of the back seat. The 4th gen is definitely more mall-ready, with more room for the family.

Its a tough call. I'm considering a 100 series Cruiser for my wife's next kid hauler, but my wife has this thing against 4Runners (probably because of the old ones I owned-she didn't share the love). Another thing to consider is the 3rd row seating of the Cruiser. A family of 4 can quickly become +2 as each kid brings along a friend, or you are driving friends to soccer, movie, party, etc. That's the primary reason we sold the 3rd gen 4Runner - we wanted a car with a 3rd row seat for those reasons.

 

[calamaridog]

For a family of 4, get the 100 series TLC. No question...

Very comfortable on the highway and enough room to save a few family squabbles too. With minor modifications, the trail capability is quite good too.

30K will probably get you an 03 or 04 with low mileage.

30k MIGHT get you into an 03. The real value right now is in the 00-02 market, with low miles. I've seen 02's with only 60k miles in the 25k range. Low mile 00's around 18k or so.

Needless to say, the 100 series are a good family rig and should last for a long time.

4runners are very nice too.

 

[Martinjmpr]

How about a double cab Taco with a shell? The LC will be a better 'wheeler, but will kill you on MPG. You can pull 20mpg from a Taco if you lay off the gas. I know the new double cab tacos sell for just under $30k which leads me to believe you can probably get a 2005-06 for around $25k if you shop around. A decent fiberglass shell will run you less than $2k new and you may be able to find one used. On the '05-up DC with the short bed you can get the 6m transmission. 01-04 DCs were AT only.

I personally don't care for the '05-up Tacos just because they got rid of the manually shifted T-case, but I have to admit that that's just a personal bias of mine. Lots of 05-up Taco owners swear by their reliability.

Honestly I don't care for the newer 4Runners. I think they went off track when they went to the Prado/V-8 platform. Again, just my opinion, but I like rugged more than I like luxurious.