My honest 2011 Toyota 4runner review
- Thread starter JJMAC
- Start date
DarkHelmet
Adventurer
the new 4runner is not that much smaller than the tahoe, plus the cheby has better towing capacity and more cargo room. I know hard core yota fans cringe at domestic vehicles, but there are other options out there.
I run into them in the back country all the time, they are used by the border patrol.
+1 like!
xcmountain80
Expedition Leader
I run into them in the back country all the time, they are used by the Border Patrol.
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Does low bidder mean anything?
A
Does low bidder mean anything?
A
Sure, they use Ford and Dodge (Jeep too!
) as well.Just saying if the 4Runner isn't enough for the OP, there are more options. Heck could even do a Sequoia. However just about every available 4WD vehicle offered by the factories is going to need suspension up grades for payload and towing. Except for 3/4 and up vehicles, sure and a couple 1/2 tons.
Even the TRD so called "Off Road" Tacoma's suspension is lack luster, I killed mine in the first year.
Just a shame that you have to throw another $5-10K at a $40K SUV to make it more capable. Would be nice to see a more capable "stripped down" sport ULTILITY vehicle, available from the factory, they have them overseas...
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Yeah, that is why we have to pay through the nose to get what we want.:ylsmoke:
More Icon porn...
...do want.:drool::drool::drool:
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
That's too bad about the 5th-gen. I like the way my parents' 3rd-gen tows and 4-wheels with the 5-speed gearbox. The original rear coils were pretty spongy but then they got a recall letter and the dealership swapped in some different coils for free. Now the back end is really well supported against bottoming and sag. Maybe they'll do a similar spring recall for the 5th? Or I suppose they should have already known, since the recall of the 3rd happened before the 5th came out.
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My buddy has the 4th generation, it pulls fine, needed the suspension upgraded though.
tanglefoot
ExPoseur
haha--it's true the shade is often in the water. A lot of times we'll hang towels off the sides of the top with clothes pins when we're anchored to shade the inside. We might have to look into a bigger top like that one some day.
It does tow it well, even on the high-altitude passes.
It does tow it well, even on the high-altitude passes.
targa88
Explorer
AS others have mentioned, I appreciate the honest review by the OP.
Toyota makes reliable vehicles that cater to the masses, able to do a bunch of things with decent capability.
North of the border, we get boxed into more "package" deals. I would really like to start with bare bones and build what I needed.
Premiums associated with some of these packages do not necessarily equate to better performance.
The subsequent upgrades that I did were based on my use/designation of the vehicle - which Toyota could not provide - and don't intend to cater to such a small percentage of the demographic that they sell to.
In general my pet peeves are exactly that, small and inconsequential: a) poor lighting, b)crappy stereo, c) upright angle of windshield prone to rock chips;d) fuel tank capacity.
Ultimately a capable vehicle - as are most of the Toyota line up.
A couple of tendencies that I don't understand: why are some of these models getting bigger and bigger with every generation (4R, Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia), more electronic gismo = more chances to break down when bounced around off road. The mechanical components remain strong, but there are still issues with bodywork and rust proofing...
It is too bad really.
You can get a fairly stripped down pickup from the Big 3....with gasp!, vinyl seats, rubber flooring, and hand crank windows...sadly the manual transmissions are almost gone. The Dodge Ram with the Cummins is the only one left.
N
NorCalBorn
Guest
I see nothing wrong with using a built rig to go shopping, besides, with my 2nd-Gen there's that many more toys I can load with my higher rate coil springs..and the kids and our daughter have more fun playing with it than the stupid $ .25 rides inside. We all just seem to have to spend a little extra to get the actual "Sport" and "Utility" out of our "Vehicle(s)". :ylsmoke:
Having said that, there are some very strange options/features that are hard to get away from on new vehicles. For example, when recently shopping for a new pickup, the Ford F150 Fx4 ('off-road' package) with V6 EcoBoost engine, 4.10:1 axles w/ rear locker, only comes with 20" wheels and black interior. What ???????????????? Similarly, the Toyota Tundra Rock Warrior package (closest thing to an 'off-road' package in the Tundra) also only comes with black interior. Since when do people like black interiors in white trucks that might go off-highway? In favor of the Tundra is that at least they sell this RW package with special 17" wheels, as they apparently know that off-highway we would like more tire sidewall and not more wheel, which Ford clearly doesn't understand or care about. Wait, I forgot, these trucks are for the masses and it's more about styling and the idea of off-highway use.
P.S. I love my 4th Gen., but it's heavily modified to be what I want, not what Toyota intended.
Me..I love the black graphite material, especially in the Toyota's, it hides the dust and grime better. :victory: As for the ecoboost, how about that foam lined thingy on top of the engine? Dealership I went to had one that was already torn to shreds from either small birds or mice getting under the hood..then there's the alloy engine blocks, which if done well (Toyota gets points here) look and perform great, but at the expense down the road of the cylinder sleeves, can you even rebuild the domestic stuff?? I ask b/c I've seen plenty of Ford and GM alloy blocks corroded to (poop) from the salt air out here. At least the iron blocks are still around in the smaller sizes and the 1GRFE doesn't have the same issue of corrosion, I'll give Toyota that.
LOL..close, a friend in the company over in Japan calls it "angry constipated and squinting sumo guy with small balls"..
..and has this as his dashboard decoration. :coffeedrink:
xcmountain80 said:
GSA ******! As long as you like black, white, gold, or mint green. :wings:My GSA 91 S-10 went over 260k without needing anything above $2000 in repairs at any given point other that a new injector set and basic maintenance, but then died horribly when the timing chain went. Too bad we can't get LA County or Florida to give up their 4Runners. So see, the turnover (GM/Ford) versus the Toyota's doesn't match, they hold onto Toyota's. My Toyota the expenses have been in the upspec and the head gaskets, but FWIW no domestic from that same era can say the same, I got lucky w/ the truck, plain and simple, that said it was nowhere as nice as my Runner.
Ultimately aside from my "discerning agreement and feedback provided" I'd still look at Toyota (likely used so I can build what I want and stay w/i $40k) over the other manufacturers, just as I did with this 4Runner. It would be nice if Toyota went back to the multi-package deals like they used to have. Incidentally, notice that the disappearance of their multi-packaged options disappeared right around the time the Sequoia and Tundra became bigger marketing tools. Not all of us like the "American Model" of choice and spec and appreciate the older "Japanese Model" Toyota had.
Heck, I can still get a Honda (Civic/Accord) in just about whatever style and spec I want, too bad they don't make something that can compete with the 4Runner..
Toyota, please just listen to the replies here. You're ending the FJ-C and enthusiasts are still out there, just look for the market and offer the choices. You already have lost some purists to having to swap solid axles onto 4Runners and Land Cruisers here, don't lose because of the lack of spec and options. I wanted and would still consider a 2012 4Runner, just make it so we have a better powerband and let us do the "-(CP)/(SR)" while keeping the SR5 cruise, power windows, etc option. For that matter, give us back our 5/6-speed manuals and the option to go +(MH).. ( :smiley_drive: Manual Hubs!)
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4Rescue
Expedition Leader
I don't think ANY modern SUV would fit the bill of 100% of our wants and needs. I'd be interested to hear what you think after you re-gear, install an OME suspension (no STOCK coil sprung SUV rear-end is going to tow well, as said above, they're made for COMFORT, not load capacity from the factory) and then mod the little interoir woes you had (all REALLY simple fixes btw)... AFIK it's the best all-around package in an NEW SUV right now. Good review though, glad to hear the CONS as well so that you get a good overall picture of the rig. Price is a little steep, but Toyotas usualy are. A big thing you have to think about is that these trucks will STILL be on the road 300K later versus the competetion that will most all be in the junk yard. It's the case with every other gen. of Toyota 4wd and I'm sure it won't change with this 5th gen.
Cheers
Dave
Cheers
Dave
Just to set the record straight, i have a 2011 BP SR5 4x4 with no sunroof and no sliding cargo tray. So pretty stripped with only an upgraded radio and floor mats. I did not have to special order this configuration, it was on the lot like this. I posted pics of it after the lift and tires in the picture thread if you wanna see it. After the 5100 swap and the 2" taller and 15% stiffer rear springs, i am fine with the suspension. The power of the 6cyl is fine, yeah it doesnt match the hemi power i had before but i knew that going in. The only gripe i still have is the steering. It is so lite with very little feel to it. i thought with the heavier tires and stiffer front suspension it would put some resistance and feel back in the steering but it only seemd to amplify the problem.