What do you all think of the new Gen6 4Runner Trailerhunter? Overland master?

[kayasaman]

So, gona pop this up:


I have seriously fallen in love with this thing!!


Being in a difficult location for 4x4's and Overlanding as my country doesn't have much space or natural land, or even public land. I stumbled across the new Gen6 2025 4Runner and decided to check it out.
There are plenty of "raised" vehicles if style is your thing (aimed at the luxury market), but I would not want to take any of them off-road as they're really not designed for that kind of use....


Currently I'm doing a lot of research and trying to get more into understanding things in terms of vehicle builds etc... as in what can be done and who there is around that can do it and who makes tried and tested high quality parts.


Being from Europe I can see that the LandRover Defender 110 is really popular as well as the Toyota Landcruiser.


I have also checked out the Tacoma Trailhunters from a few sources:





It looks really impressive!


Me being me, I am seriously considering the 4Runner. Alternatively maybe a HiLux with R.A.D. body kit from Thailand... that would tricky as the only distributor I know of is in Australia. I think there is a v8 HiLux too but only found in Indonesia or Thailand?
I'm not a fan of the Lexus GX550 OverTrial+ edition. I just don't like the looks inside or out, even though I own a Lexus currently....
Maybe an LX570 imported from Japan? But how and where would I get it modded from city slicker SUV to Overland capable? I would need to reach out to my Japanese friends on that one if they have any idea.


From the get go it seems like Trailhunter, either Taco or 4Runner just seem like the best fit as they come pretty much factory direct with everything..... I would only add a winch, extra roof mounted light bar, 2-way ICOM dual band radio and maybe bull bars if they are legal in my region (I recall them being banned in the 90s), but they are so useful to mount cameras to ;-)


I think it's a really difficult decision to make when starting out with an off-road rig. You want the vehicle to do everything and still be available and look good and be able to live with it etc....


What really has me concerned with importing is parts and the fact that the lighting geometry needs changing for a RHD country rather then LHD. My plan is mainly to take the thing into LHD countries anyway as I wouldn't use it much locally, so I'm not sure how that would work out?
That's something I'd have to ask the importer I guess....?


Has anyone got any experience with Trailhunter?

Over on the 4runner6g site, I got to listen to the "snorkel" aka raised air intake. It sounds really cool!! I love the way it hisses and wheezes - they might have a problem with that locally though as it maybe considered anti-social as they don't tend to like noises made by engines in cars. Would it be able to even be made legal over here is another question that would need answering?
I remember reading a while back that someone in a Defender 90 with modified engine/exhaust system got prosecuted for the vehicle being "too loud"....

 

[Gravelette]

Do they sell Tacos or 4Runners where you live?

 

[kayasaman]

Do they sell Tacos or 4Runners where you live?

Unfortunately not! :-( - I think it's US and Canada only....

My thought though was to import.

For me the biggest thing is that I don't like anything on offer locally so I'd end up having to import from the US or Japan anyway.

It is difficult for me because I am currently researching a trailer as well and have either MDC, Imperial Outdoors, or Pause as solutions but I don't believe any of these are available locally either.....

Just makes for more banging my head against a brick wall trying to figure out the best direction to go in.....

 

[Gravelette]

Don't make it difficult, choose from what's available.

 

[kayasaman]

Don't make it difficult, choose from what's available.

I think about the only things that are available are under spec'ed pickups, LandRovers and Landcruisers.... I really dislike them all!!

Dacia Dusters seem to be popular too.... something I would never even consider...

So difficult :-(

I think the most difficulty I'm having is my ASD.... I have specific things in mind and nothing is available locally, including where I want to go either....

 

[p nut]

Unfortunately not! :-( - I think it's US and Canada only....

😂 I’d MUCH rather have a Hilux than a Taco or 4Runner.
What I wouldn’t give for that 2.8 diesel and manual transmission.

 

[kayasaman]

😂 I’d MUCH rather have a Hilux than a Taco or 4Runner.
What I wouldn’t give for that 2.8 diesel and manual transmission.

Ah the Hilux!!!

Below is a really cool one!! <3

I'm not sure about Diesel engine? :-( I have driven a few diesels and hated them all.... just like the Lexus hybrids as well in terms of CT and NX... I did not even feel safe in the CT as it just wouldn't go.... great for my anxiety (by the way I suffer from hyper anxiety due to my conditions and it actually is really bad....)

The Hilux in the pic has a bodykit from Thai outfitter R.A.D. I believe there is a distributor in Australia though... so would have to get the parts shipped over then who do I get to install it? uh.....

I would probably go with a V8 engine which I think is only available for the Far Eastern market... either Indonesia or Thailand again.... so again another import 😭


Though I've worked out a lot..... I would add an ICOM ID-5100E 2-way radio to it, a Garmin Tread Overland XL which is amazing because of the eco system of Garmin so ties into my watch and 67i inReach....

Not sure if the Hilux comes with cameras everywhere like the 4Runner... but I guess I'd have to attach an DJI Action 5 Pro or something underneath when making videos with the rig....
Having recently discovered, videoing my last trip was really cool 😍

 

[kayasaman]

Looks like first drives of the new Gen6 are starting to air:


from the Expedition Overland team

They even got some "air time" in the TRD Pro.... love the mud color but would still opt for a Trailhunter ;-)

 

[Downytide]

It's very expensive for what it is, at the price point the GX550 makes a better value proposition.

we had a 4runner TRD Pro, bought it new in 2020, at that time the price was already high, but borderline fair, fast forward to now, the price is insanity when you consider a Ranger Raptor is CHEAPER, a Tacoma Trailhunter is same price as a F150 Raptor, and I've driven them both, you would have to be insane to buy Trailhunter over a F150 Raptor for the same price.

 

[kayasaman]

It's very expensive for what it is, at the price point the GX550 makes a better value proposition.

we had a 4runner TRD Pro, bought it new in 2020, at that time the price was already high, but borderline fair, fast forward to now, the price is insanity when you consider a Ranger Raptor is CHEAPER, a Tacoma Trailhunter is same price as a F150 Raptor, and I've driven them both, you would have to be insane to buy Trailhunter over a F150 Raptor for the same price.

Interesting!

I'm seeing many "first drive" videos as the cars are coming out and it looks really good - of course without individually driving it, you are relying on 2nd hand information basically.

The Ford Ranger ironically is sold locally so I wouldn't need to import that, but it's about $70-80k USD which sits in the same price range as the 4Runner Trialhunter. Add on top of that finding somewhere to lift it and install all-terrain tires etc.... would be much more.
- not sure if any of that could be done locally either as apart from LandRover's (which I can't stand) I don't think there are any 4x4 mod shops around??

 

[Downytide]

Interesting!

I'm seeing many "first drive" videos as the cars are coming out and it looks really good - of course without individually driving it, you are relying on 2nd hand information basically.

The Ford Ranger ironically is sold locally so I wouldn't need to import that, but it's about $70-80k USD which sits in the same price range as the 4Runner Trialhunter. Add on top of that finding somewhere to lift it and install all-terrain tires etc.... would be much more.
- not sure if any of that could be done locally either as apart from LandRover's (which I can't stand) I don't think there are any 4x4 mod shops around??

If you are importing you are better off import from Canada, exchange rate is very favorable and Canadian market msrp is the cheapest when factor in currency, a 4runner Trailhunter is about 87k CAD, or 62k USD, last I checked in USA it's 68k usd + mark up, everyone in Canada is broke so you can buy these off the lot at MSRP.

North American journalists views are sometimes very skewed, they drive different cars everyday and their opinions can be subjective, I've bought cars that were based on journalists review, and you know what, they weren't for me, I had 2019 Ram Rebel, it was the newest, best, blah blah, on paper it was way better than Tundra, yea interior was better, I had awesome stereo stock in the Ram, but it was vastly different from what many journalists say.

6G 4runner has better interior, better seats, 5G 4runner seating position can be awkward if you are tall, which I am.

6G 4runner drives better on hwy.

6G 4runner hybrid feels more "preppy", 5G 4runner throttle response feels anemic, but we love horsepowers here.

6G 4runner trunk bed does not fold flat, 5G 4runner has slight incline when folded.

The hybrid is not for fuel economy, it's main purpose is for power and smoothness.

You really don't need to lift these things to go far, there's lengthy technical decision on why sometimes its detrimental to lift these vehicles too high, you loose suspension travel.

If you love it, get it, just be realistic that these things alure sometimes do not meet your expectations, my wife LOVED the 4runner, but it can be bit lousy to live with day to day.

 

[kayasaman]

If you are importing you are better off import from Canada, exchange rate is very favorable and Canadian market msrp is the cheapest when factor in currency, a 4runner Trailhunter is about 87k CAD, or 62k USD, last I checked in USA it's 68k usd + mark up, everyone in Canada is broke so you can buy these off the lot at MSRP.

North American journalists views are sometimes very skewed, they drive different cars everyday and their opinions can be subjective, I've bought cars that were based on journalists review, and you know what, they weren't for me, I had 2019 Ram Rebel, it was the newest, best, blah blah, on paper it was way better than Tundra, yea interior was better, I had awesome stereo stock in the Ram, but it was vastly different from what many journalists say.

6G 4runner has better interior, better seats, 5G 4runner seating position can be awkward if you are tall, which I am.

6G 4runner drives better on hwy.

6G 4runner hybrid feels more "preppy", 5G 4runner throttle response feels anemic, but we love horsepowers here.

6G 4runner trunk bed does not fold flat, 5G 4runner has slight incline when folded.

The hybrid is not for fuel economy, it's main purpose is for power and smoothness.

You really don't need to lift these things to go far, there's lengthy technical decision on why sometimes its detrimental to lift these vehicles too high, you loose suspension travel.

If you love it, get it, just be realistic that these things alure sometimes do not meet your expectations, my wife LOVED the 4runner, but it can be bit lousy to live with day to day.

I actually have a Lexus IS250... UK spec. That means 2.5 liter engine is largest size and all the stuff normally found in US and JP spec vehicles are gone such as the safety features like Lane Assist and Blind Spot monitoring etc.... no, we don't even get the button on the rear view mirror to open garages with and sure HomeLink (was it called HomeLink? There's On Star which is the breakdown service and then the one for opening your front gate etc) exists here too.

I love the car overall but the spec and engine size is to be fair... crap!

Especially after my trip up to Scotland where it was the first time for me doing any type of long road trip (which is why I am trying to get into Overlanding in the first place), I loved it!! But of course no ground clearance and 4-wheel drive meant I got stuck a few times.

I *did* get to drive a LandRover Defender 110 (old gen) and it was interesting but a dinosaur compared to more modern vehicles.

Outside of the Hilix (which only comes in 2.4 or 2.8 diesel power) nothing really exciting (for me) is sold here as maybe I'm a Toyota/Lexus fanboy? (definitely for the SuperGT over in Japan)

...I think it's just tricky trying to work out what is going to work for me and if it can be made to comply too... someone imported a CyberTruck for example and there are endless problems trying to get that to meet local regulations :-(

For me I think the hardest thing is having ASD (autism spectrum) and ADHD meaning that my likes are very particular and I find it hard to compromise without getting seriously depressed (as per the way the conditions effect me).

Not easy....

 

[Downytide]

I'm sure many folks here would say get a LC250, but grass is always greener on the other side.

If you can deal with the LHD, then I'd wait until 2027 Model Year, let them work out the kinks, cause I do not think the T24 is going to be available in UK anytime soon so sourcing parts can be a pain, buy a SR5 with hybrid, buy the wheels/tires, drive around North America, ship it to UK as used car, which you would have less duty and you get a trip.


do keep in mind the new 4runner is roughly same dimension as L322 Range Rover, so its not small.

 

[Ozarker]

This thread reads like an infomercial, I'd rather have the Bronco.

 

[kayasaman]

I'm sure many folks here would say get a LC250, but grass is always greener on the other side.

If you can deal with the LHD, then I'd wait until 2027 Model Year, let them work out the kinks, cause I do not think the T24 is going to be available in UK anytime soon so sourcing parts can be a pain, buy a SR5 with hybrid, buy the wheels/tires, drive around North America, ship it to UK as used car, which you would have less duty and you get a trip.


do keep in mind the new 4runner is roughly same dimension as L322 Range Rover, so its not small.

There is the LC Prado, which I really don't like either.... but you're probably right. Waiting is better...