Tacoma / 4Runner Buyers Guide for Overlanders?
- Thread starter nwoods
- Start date
TangoBlue
American Adventurist
Awesome site - thanks!
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Well, the bank confirmed my options today. Can't refi the current vehicle enough to pay to rebuild the tranny, but they'll give me a loan for a new ride.
So now I'm earnestly in the market for a daily driver with decent mpg, that can fit a tall family of 4 and handle slightly above average off road trails.. under $16,000.
I'm still open to suggestions
So now I'm earnestly in the market for a daily driver with decent mpg, that can fit a tall family of 4 and handle slightly above average off road trails.. under $16,000.
I'm still open to suggestions
Containerized
Adventurer
I'd go farther down from your "allowance," get a low monthly payment, and go for one of these with a mod budget going forward:
T-100
Disco I
1st Gen Taco
2nd Gen 4R
D90
I know Defender prices are ridiculous in the U.S., but is a '95 or '97 D90 really over $16k over there still? Drawback is the '97 NAS D90 had only auto trans, if I recall?
T-100
Disco I
1st Gen Taco
2nd Gen 4R
D90
I know Defender prices are ridiculous in the U.S., but is a '95 or '97 D90 really over $16k over there still? Drawback is the '97 NAS D90 had only auto trans, if I recall?
To the OP and Containerized - yes, D90 prices here in the U.S. are still sky high. I choked the last time I compared prices between here and the UK - turbo diesel D1's for 2,000 pounds, D110's nicely kitted for under 10,000.
I agree on starting below the 16K budget. That said, you could pick up a 2003-2005 4runner for under 16K right now depending on mileage, options, and location.
I agree on starting below the 16K budget. That said, you could pick up a 2003-2005 4runner for under 16K right now depending on mileage, options, and location.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
I don't fit in any of these except the T-100, and my family would not fit in it along with me. I'm currently driving a loaner 2gen 4Runner courtesy of a generous friend, and comfortable it is not. I'm just too big.
A 4gen 4Runner without a sunroof is a possibility assuming I can relocate the seat back a few inches, but they are exceedingly rare! With a sunroof, I have to hold my head sidewise, and I'm still pressed up against the roof, and my knees are crammed into the dash. I have spent significant time in one, and know intimately well that the sunroof is a major problem due to my size.
Really not sure about a 3gen. Never sat in one, don't know anyone who owns one. Not too many in the the local stealerships, but I'll start hunting one down for a test drive. I have always enjoyed they way they look, and they seem to last forever.
As for the Suby, an excellent daily driver to be sure, but scary reliability record, seems to be hit or miss without rhym or reason. Also not up to the off road task I'd like to subject it to. I need far more ground clearance.
I saw a link to a coiler LR3 for $15k. I used to own one! That is very tempting.....
bullcrew
Observer
Don't know what you consider tall but Im 6'4" and have a 3rd gen with sun roof heads close but doesn't rub or hit unless I hop in seat up....
My oldest is 16 6'1" 205 lbs not fat extremely athletic, daughter 13 5' 7" and sliiiim and they fkt the back seat really well. Heads aren't close to roof, PLENTY of leg room in a 3rd Gen the platform is elongated vs tight and tall.
The 4 of us (wife included now lol) can ride comfortably in it, we just sold our discovery II it had ALLT of head too but very limited leg room... was a bit to cramped front to back to be comfortable on longer runs...
My 3rd Gen seems to have more room then my 2nd gens did as far as head room and sunroof, there will always be a bit more room without sunroof for obvious track reasons.
My reasons were wanting to go camping, 4wheeling, road trips back and forth to the northwest, reliability to focus on the trip and not if I'm going to make it, gas mileage, ease of finding parts and easy maintenance. Loved my discovery but I sold it for another 4runner and the disco was built to the hilt for off road....
Good luck.... its always fun shopping for a new ride.
Btw what vehicle did you have that the tranny went out on....
My oldest is 16 6'1" 205 lbs not fat extremely athletic, daughter 13 5' 7" and sliiiim and they fkt the back seat really well. Heads aren't close to roof, PLENTY of leg room in a 3rd Gen the platform is elongated vs tight and tall.
The 4 of us (wife included now lol) can ride comfortably in it, we just sold our discovery II it had ALLT of head too but very limited leg room... was a bit to cramped front to back to be comfortable on longer runs...
My 3rd Gen seems to have more room then my 2nd gens did as far as head room and sunroof, there will always be a bit more room without sunroof for obvious track reasons.
My reasons were wanting to go camping, 4wheeling, road trips back and forth to the northwest, reliability to focus on the trip and not if I'm going to make it, gas mileage, ease of finding parts and easy maintenance. Loved my discovery but I sold it for another 4runner and the disco was built to the hilt for off road....
Good luck.... its always fun shopping for a new ride.
Btw what vehicle did you have that the tranny went out on....
nwoods
Expedition Leader
That's good to hear about the room you've found in the 3gen. I'm a bit larger than you at 6'7" and 300 lbs. My wife is 6'2" ex-pro volleyball player and all leg. My son turns 14 next week, he's already 6'1" and projected to hit 6'8". My daughter is only 10, but already 5'6" and growning like a weed. VB Coaches are hounding her weekly!
As such, we definitely do not fit in a Discovery 1 or 2, and had to modify the seats in our old LR3 for my wife and I to fit.
My current vehicle with the bum tranny is a 2002 Volvo XC70 with a modified drivers seat. Kids were very cramped in it, but I found it very comfortable as a daily driver. We never did any trips in it longer than an hour or so due to the poor fit for the backseaters. It was fine when we had the Jeep LJ for offloading, but since we had to sell that, we are without a trail capable rig and it's driving me absolutely crazy to not be able to hit the trails.
As such, we definitely do not fit in a Discovery 1 or 2, and had to modify the seats in our old LR3 for my wife and I to fit.
My current vehicle with the bum tranny is a 2002 Volvo XC70 with a modified drivers seat. Kids were very cramped in it, but I found it very comfortable as a daily driver. We never did any trips in it longer than an hour or so due to the poor fit for the backseaters. It was fine when we had the Jeep LJ for offloading, but since we had to sell that, we are without a trail capable rig and it's driving me absolutely crazy to not be able to hit the trails.
cnynrat
Expedition Leader
Don't know if you've considered this option, but you can't beat an FJ Cruiser for tall people. We were originally thinking of a 4 Runner until I found that my head is in the roof.
There are obvious downsides: rear seat passengers will complain about the porthole affect of the rear windows, getting in and out with the rear suicide doors is akward, the styling is a little too funky for some, and you'd be challenged to carry a weekend's worth of camping gear for 4.
That said, it has great trail capabilities, and you might be able to get a decent used one in your price range.
Just a thought ...
There are obvious downsides: rear seat passengers will complain about the porthole affect of the rear windows, getting in and out with the rear suicide doors is akward, the styling is a little too funky for some, and you'd be challenged to carry a weekend's worth of camping gear for 4.
That said, it has great trail capabilities, and you might be able to get a decent used one in your price range.
Just a thought ...
bullcrew
Observer
Leg room they will be fine headroom look for a non sunroof unit if you go this direction.
I hate to say it but at those sizes you should be looking at full size I'm 240 lbs and considered a big guy quads and upper body (not gut lol) but when compared to a lineman 6'7" 300lb + fast wrecking machines make guys like me seem small....lol
I'd probably look to a sequoia, newer tundra, possibly fj80 but I get out of the 4runner and its sometimes unexpected by others... my buddy I race with is 6'7" bit 190 height is his issue he dlesnt have a family so hes driving a cj5 now but had a tundra before and he fit height wise pretty good...
Keep us posted as to what worked out I think it would make a good thread oR post for others.
Whether it be a Toyota or whatever......
I hate to say it but at those sizes you should be looking at full size I'm 240 lbs and considered a big guy quads and upper body (not gut lol) but when compared to a lineman 6'7" 300lb + fast wrecking machines make guys like me seem small....lol
I'd probably look to a sequoia, newer tundra, possibly fj80 but I get out of the 4runner and its sometimes unexpected by others... my buddy I race with is 6'7" bit 190 height is his issue he dlesnt have a family so hes driving a cj5 now but had a tundra before and he fit height wise pretty good...
Keep us posted as to what worked out I think it would make a good thread oR post for others.
Whether it be a Toyota or whatever......
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Man I'm all over the place. Test drove a GX470 today. Top end of the budget, but what an amazing vehicle. A little scary though, talk about a rolling computer! You can't even adjust the fan speed on the A/C without interacting with the touchscreen display. Seemed way to nice to scratch up on the trail.
Had my eye on a 2002 Trooper, but it sold before I could test fit it.
Test drove a white 4gen 4Runner WITHOUT a sunroof, and I did fit pretty well.... but that GX470 was definitely roomier. The Runner was pretty rough, it's had a hard life, and concerns me a bit.
Also thinking about a Montero...
Dragging the family out this Saturday to test fit various things.
Going to have to give the 100 series another look. It's bigger than I want, and gets worse gas mileage than I'd like, but it ticks the other boxes quite nicely.
Sigh... I hate buying cars on a budget. This would be so much easier if I could just buy an AEV JK
Had my eye on a 2002 Trooper, but it sold before I could test fit it.
Test drove a white 4gen 4Runner WITHOUT a sunroof, and I did fit pretty well.... but that GX470 was definitely roomier. The Runner was pretty rough, it's had a hard life, and concerns me a bit.
Also thinking about a Montero...
Dragging the family out this Saturday to test fit various things.
Going to have to give the 100 series another look. It's bigger than I want, and gets worse gas mileage than I'd like, but it ticks the other boxes quite nicely.
Sigh... I hate buying cars on a budget. This would be so much easier if I could just buy an AEV JK
jarmentrout
Observer
2nd gen xterra might fit.
nwoods
Expedition Leader
Well, so much for my "preapproved" loan. The bank won't issue a loan on a vehicle more than 12 years old with an excess of 100,000 miles on it. Yes, that means a nice clean 2004 4Runner does not qualify, not to mention a nice 2003 Land Cruiser I drove the other day. They'll only give a partial loan (about 60% of the vehicle cost), which doesn't help me at all.
So I'm back to seeking repair options on the original car, the 2002 Volvo XC70.
So I'm back to seeking repair options on the original car, the 2002 Volvo XC70.
Clutch
<---Pass
$5000 Trooper, comes with a parts vehicle.
Could you sell the Volvo and with savings pay cash?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999..._Trucks&hash=item257193f51a#ht_504wt_1167
There is a Volvo salvage yard in Tucson that might have a tranny for your XC70. They may want to buy the XC70 off you as well...
https://plus.google.com/109326897775619294160/about?gl=US&hl=en-US
Could you sell the Volvo and with savings pay cash?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999..._Trucks&hash=item257193f51a#ht_504wt_1167
There is a Volvo salvage yard in Tucson that might have a tranny for your XC70. They may want to buy the XC70 off you as well...
https://plus.google.com/109326897775619294160/about?gl=US&hl=en-US
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