MightyP
Observer
As Vera sits today (05/16/18)
The Build:
I love ExPo, but have avoided putting a build/exploration thread on here because I have so many other threads on the same topic on other forums. Further, 4runner builds, and even 4th Gen specific builds, are a dime a dozen. What finally convinced me to make a thread here was realizing just how much my build is an exercise in balance and building on a budget, but without sacrificing the creature comforts my suburbia, middle-class family has come to expect. I'll admit I haven't read all 300 pages of Toyota builds, let alone the hundreds of threads for other manufacturers, but this kind of build is few and far between. So I decided I might as well do the build/exploration thread.
Previous vehicle was an '08 STi 5-door, built for track days. When I knocked up my wife the second time, I decided I needed something I could put a rear-facing car seat in and something with a bit more trunk space. Sold the STi and bought a VW Passat. That is what I call “The Dark Time”, so I won't go into detail, but suffice it to say, I had it less than a year and bought the 4runner.
The "Grocery Getter"
"Schnitzel"
I can't say what exactly I was thinking when I bought the Passat, but I built my new requirements list from scratch when I decided to get rid of it. First, I came up with what my new vehicle needed to do. Then I set requirements so the next vehicle would be able to achieve my goals. At that point I started looking at vehicles and obviously ended up purchasing my 4runner.
What does this vehicle need to do?
- Last at least 5 years without significant maintenance cost.
- Function as the vehicle of choice for family road trips.
- Handle well in snow and adverse weather
- Have appropriate comfort features for the daily commute
- Be interesting enough that I'm not going to start shopping for something new in 2 years (historically when I get tired of a particular vehicle)
Those needs became the following requirements:
- Objective data showing the specific model/year vehicle are extremely reliable
- Popular enough of a vehicle that there will be ample How To's online on maintenance and repairs.
- Solid online community, including forums.
- Minimal scheduled maintenance (many recommended changing spark plugs at every oil change for the Passat)
- Large enough back seats to comfortably fit a rear-facing car seat
- Large enough cargo area/trunk to comfortably fit all our crap for a week-long family vacation
- Reasonably smooth and quiet ride (my STi had neither)
- Comfortable front seats
- Enough power to reasonably accelerate into traffic and pass slow moving cars.
- Appropriate mpg and tank size that I get at least 300 miles per tank
- Automatic climate control (tri-zone preferred)
- Automatic transmission
- AWD or 4WD
- Looks good
- Appropriate aftermarket support
- Fun to drive
- Under $18k
- No body rust and minimal/surface-only frame rust (this is HARD to find in Minnesota!)
- Reasonable maintenance records
- Clean accident history
I then put together a list of vehicles that, at first brush, met the requirements and eliminated them until I settled on a 4runner or GX470. I would have preferred a V8 4runner or GX, but couldn't find any in my price range that weren't rusting out. Then I came across what is now my V6 4runner and loved it. Bought it a couple days later and have been happy ever since.
The Build:
I love ExPo, but have avoided putting a build/exploration thread on here because I have so many other threads on the same topic on other forums. Further, 4runner builds, and even 4th Gen specific builds, are a dime a dozen. What finally convinced me to make a thread here was realizing just how much my build is an exercise in balance and building on a budget, but without sacrificing the creature comforts my suburbia, middle-class family has come to expect. I'll admit I haven't read all 300 pages of Toyota builds, let alone the hundreds of threads for other manufacturers, but this kind of build is few and far between. So I decided I might as well do the build/exploration thread.
Previous vehicle was an '08 STi 5-door, built for track days. When I knocked up my wife the second time, I decided I needed something I could put a rear-facing car seat in and something with a bit more trunk space. Sold the STi and bought a VW Passat. That is what I call “The Dark Time”, so I won't go into detail, but suffice it to say, I had it less than a year and bought the 4runner.
The "Grocery Getter"
"Schnitzel"
I can't say what exactly I was thinking when I bought the Passat, but I built my new requirements list from scratch when I decided to get rid of it. First, I came up with what my new vehicle needed to do. Then I set requirements so the next vehicle would be able to achieve my goals. At that point I started looking at vehicles and obviously ended up purchasing my 4runner.
What does this vehicle need to do?
- Last at least 5 years without significant maintenance cost.
- Function as the vehicle of choice for family road trips.
- Handle well in snow and adverse weather
- Have appropriate comfort features for the daily commute
- Be interesting enough that I'm not going to start shopping for something new in 2 years (historically when I get tired of a particular vehicle)
Those needs became the following requirements:
- Objective data showing the specific model/year vehicle are extremely reliable
- Popular enough of a vehicle that there will be ample How To's online on maintenance and repairs.
- Solid online community, including forums.
- Minimal scheduled maintenance (many recommended changing spark plugs at every oil change for the Passat)
- Large enough back seats to comfortably fit a rear-facing car seat
- Large enough cargo area/trunk to comfortably fit all our crap for a week-long family vacation
- Reasonably smooth and quiet ride (my STi had neither)
- Comfortable front seats
- Enough power to reasonably accelerate into traffic and pass slow moving cars.
- Appropriate mpg and tank size that I get at least 300 miles per tank
- Automatic climate control (tri-zone preferred)
- Automatic transmission
- AWD or 4WD
- Looks good
- Appropriate aftermarket support
- Fun to drive
- Under $18k
- No body rust and minimal/surface-only frame rust (this is HARD to find in Minnesota!)
- Reasonable maintenance records
- Clean accident history
I then put together a list of vehicles that, at first brush, met the requirements and eliminated them until I settled on a 4runner or GX470. I would have preferred a V8 4runner or GX, but couldn't find any in my price range that weren't rusting out. Then I came across what is now my V6 4runner and loved it. Bought it a couple days later and have been happy ever since.
Last edited:
