Why Aren't 4Runners More Popular as Expo Rigs?

[haven]

" [he] went for a fully loaded Rubicon Unlimited while saving tons of money. "

If you say so. The Jeep web page shows an Unlimited Rubicon with automatic and hard top costs $36,555. The Toyota web site says a 4Runner Trail Edition (which has rear locker, auto and a metal roof, of course) costs $36,755.

Both Wrangler and 4Runner are great vehicles for adventure travel. I give the 4Runner the edge because it works better as a regular vehicle for everyday use. Another consideration is that Jeep vehicles are perennially at the bottom of the JD Power reliability reports, while Toyota vehicles are always at the top.

 

[p nut]

I've had them all. When I was single, the 4Runner and Taco were just right. Me and sometimes +1 was perfect. I preferred the Tacoma a bit more, due to the truck bed. Got married and decided to get a double cab. Was a great compromise, as there was seating for 5 and a bed. But one test drive of a 100-series, we were both sold. The comfort level was leaps and bounds above either the 4Runner/Taco platforms. And all the space was great for the kids. Our LC is an almost perfect expo vehicle. There is a reason why most people's expo rig progression is 4Runner/Taco --> LC and not the other way around. Get older, have kids, need space.

MPG wise, they're not THAT bad. Stock vs stock, I was getting 21MPG highway in the 4Runners/Taco (all were 3.4L, 3 autos and 1 manual). LC was at 17MPG highway. Ours is not a daily driver, so with the amount of driving we do, it doesn't cost much more for fuel consumption.

We also looked at 4th Gen 4Runners and test drove many. Just didn't feel the same. It's not the "elite-LC" attitude talking, but the LC just felt more solid. Heavy, but solid. While I wouldn't hesitate to drive a 4Runner or a DC Taco, LC is on top of my list.

" [he] went for a fully loaded Rubicon Unlimited while saving tons of money. "

If you say so. The Jeep web page shows an Unlimited Rubicon with automatic and hard top costs $36,555. The Toyota web site says a 4Runner Trail Edition (which has rear locker, auto and a metal roof, of course) costs $36,755.

I also looked at Jeep Wranglers. But when I think "expo", I picture driving hours on open roads with more hours in the back country. I just couldn't imagine driving hours in a Jeep, and of course the Mrs. would have none of that. They are way more uncomfortable and unpleasant to drive (on pavement) than 4Runners and Tacos. (man, I sound old.... ) Jeeps are cool, but for me, it would be a short-trip fun toy rather than an expo vehicle. Won't even get into storage capacity...

 

[pilosopo]

" [he] went for a fully loaded Rubicon Unlimited while saving tons of money. "

If you say so. The Jeep web page shows an Unlimited Rubicon with automatic and hard top costs $36,555. The Toyota web site says a 4Runner Trail Edition (which has rear locker, auto and a metal roof, of course) costs $36,755.

Both Wrangler and 4Runner are great vehicles for adventure travel. I give the 4Runner the edge because it works better as a regular vehicle for everyday use. Another consideration is that Jeep vehicles are perennially at the bottom of the JD Power reliability reports, while Toyota vehicles are always at the top.

Sure did.

Toyota has deserved reputation for quality and price their vehicles accordingly.

Jeep... Well there's a reason people say "it's a Jeep thing"

I got my fully loaded Rubicon Unlimited for approximately 32,000 OTD. The Toyota dealership was nowhere near that on the Trail Edition I looked at, or the FJ either.

I don't disagree with you either on what you said. But a Wrangler unlimited (not the 2 door) is better than given credit for in everyday use. Long wheelbase and big tires make roads smoother. As for reliability I think it's a matter of reputation. Toyotas can obviously have issues as outlined above, and Jeeps if properly cared for can be reliable.

 

[Clutch]

I also looked at Jeep Wranglers. But when I think "expo", I picture driving hours on open roads with more hours in the back country. I just couldn't imagine driving hours in a Jeep, and of course the Mrs. would have none of that. They are way more uncomfortable and unpleasant to drive (on pavement) than 4Runners and Tacos. (man, I sound old.... ) Jeeps are cool, but for me, it would be a short-trip fun toy rather than an expo vehicle. Won't even get into storage capacity...

Man, us moto guys must seem like barbarians to you cage drivers...:elkgrin: *chuckle*

 

[p nut]

Man, us moto guys must seem like barbarians to you cage drivers...:elkgrin: *chuckle*

Ha! A friend of mine does those iron butt rides. Longest I've gone is 2 hours and I was done. I couldn't even get a decent meal on the thing without getting pickles and ketchup all over my visor.

 

[Box Rocket]

I've had them all. When I was single, the 4Runner and Taco were just right. Me and sometimes +1 was perfect. I preferred the Tacoma a bit more, due to the truck bed. Got married and decided to get a double cab. Was a great compromise, as there was seating for 5 and a bed. But one test drive of a 100-series, we were both sold. The comfort level was leaps and bounds above either the 4Runner/Taco platforms. And all the space was great for the kids. Our LC is an almost perfect expo vehicle. There is a reason why most people's expo rig progression is 4Runner/Taco --> LC and not the other way around. Get older, have kids, need space.

MPG wise, they're not THAT bad. Stock vs stock, I was getting 21MPG highway in the 4Runners/Taco (all were 3.4L, 3 autos and 1 manual). LC was at 17MPG highway. Ours is not a daily driver, so with the amount of driving we do, it doesn't cost much more for fuel consumption.

We also looked at 4th Gen 4Runners and test drove many. Just didn't feel the same. It's not the "elite-LC" attitude talking, but the LC just felt more solid. Heavy, but solid. While I wouldn't hesitate to drive a 4Runner or a DC Taco, LC is on top of my list.



I also looked at Jeep Wranglers. But when I think "expo", I picture driving hours on open roads with more hours in the back country. I just couldn't imagine driving hours in a Jeep, and of course the Mrs. would have none of that. They are way more uncomfortable and unpleasant to drive (on pavement) than 4Runners and Tacos. (man, I sound old.... ) Jeeps are cool, but for me, it would be a short-trip fun toy rather than an expo vehicle. Won't even get into storage capacity...

I happen to be one who went the other direction. Have had an 80 series LC for more than a decade (still do) but a DC Tacoma has become my primary offroader. I love the versatility of the truck that has already been mentioned and prefer the slightly smaller size of the Tacoma. I have 4 kids and thw whole family likes to go so I neededed similar options for seating as I did in the cruiser. I had to improvise but my Tacoma now has seating for 7. But that required room elsewhere for gear so I have a trailer as well, but I was using the trailer with the Cruiser before I ever got the Tacoma.

For overlanding, as good as the 80 series is, I love the IFS in the Tacoma. As long as you're not playing hard in the rocks the IFS will hold up just fine and the lack of a solid axle isn't a downside to the Tacoma.

 

[p nut]

How in the world did you get seating for 7 in the Taco?

I'm also a IFS fan and love it in the 100.

 

[austintaco]

Martinjmpr summed it up pretty well. Having a Tacoma, I love it, but the value is finding a 3rd gen 4runner, if you can find it with desirable options like the elocker.
Last week, I helped a friend of mine shop for a 3rd gen 4runner. He didn't need 4wd, and he ultimately bought a very clean 2wd. However, I was amazed that for less than $8k you could have a fully loaded 4x4 3rd gen with low miles in unmolested form.

For $8k in the Tacoma market, you are getting lots of miles, a pre runner, or someone's half finished project that went the wrong direction.

However, if you want a v6 with the e locker, you can find it easily in the Tacomas, but not so much with the 4runners.

On that note, this is my friend's 1999 4runner here in Austin. He's selling it because he's getting married. The last time I drove it, I was amazed at how well it drove and handled.
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/3190634982.html

 

[Martinjmpr]

But one test drive of a 100-series, we were both sold. The comfort level was leaps and bounds above either the 4Runner/Taco platforms. And all the space was great for the kids. Our LC is an almost perfect expo vehicle. There is a reason why most people's expo rig progression is 4Runner/Taco --> LC and not the other way around. Get older, have kids, need space.

MPG wise, they're not THAT bad. Stock vs stock, I was getting 21MPG highway in the 4Runners/Taco (all were 3.4L, 3 autos and 1 manual). LC was at 17MPG highway. Ours is not a daily driver, so with the amount of driving we do, it doesn't cost much more for fuel consumption.

We also looked at 4th Gen 4Runners and test drove many. Just didn't feel the same. It's not the "elite-LC" attitude talking, but the LC just felt more solid. Heavy, but solid. While I wouldn't hesitate to drive a 4Runner or a DC Taco, LC is on top of my list.

After I sold my 3rd gen in June I went shopping around for something with enough grunt to pull my trailer. I started with a Sequoia and didn't like it at all for a number of reasons (interestingly, the 1st gen Sequoia is the only platform Toyota offered in the US that gave you both the 4.7 V8 and multi-mode 4wd.) Next I went to a dealer that had a bunch of 4th gen 4runners, but sitting right next to them was a 2001 100-series LC with just under 100k and it was in my price range (Sub-$18,000.) I just had to drive it.

Overall I was very impressed. It felt as solid as a tank. The headroom was a bit diminished because of the sun roof but it was quiet and comfortable. Ultimately, though, I decided it wasn't the right vehicle for me for three reasons: 1. Dismal MPG (and with a gas tank that is roughly the same size as on the 4th gen 4runner, that would put me back into the same poor range as my 3rd gen), 2. The fact that it was a 2001 would make financing more expensive (in order to get the best rate I had to get 2005 or newer) and finally 3. The fold-and-tumble back seat meant diminished cargo room compared to the 4runner with its fold-and-flip design (you can take out the bottom cushions on the 4runner with a socket wrench and have well over 6' of length for cargo.)

Still, it was nice. And gorgeous, with a royal blue paint job and tan leather interior. :bowdown:

 

[Clutch]

Ha! A friend of mine does those iron butt rides. Longest I've gone is 2 hours and I was done.

Yeah, I do those, and live a couple weeks at a time off the bike.

I tried getting a 24hr offroad race series going here in AZ, but no one was really interested.

I couldn't even get a decent meal on the thing without getting pickles and ketchup all over my visor.

Ha ha!

 

[1911]

Jeep... Well there's a reason people say "it's a Jeep thing"

:sombrero:

 

[Finlay]

My wife has a 4th gen (06) T4R. I have a 2012 Taco.

She prefers the creature comforts of the T4R and I won't lie - the electric seat is a nice touch.

That said, I am absolutely certain that her truck would make a great overlanding cruiser. I too am surprised that it isn't a more popular platform - especially as she's got a very well mannered V8 and lots of cabin space.

Personally though - as much as I enjoy her truck - I very much prefer my Taco. It's got more utility - and having grown up in an era of small cars and trucks (Datsun ******!) I prefer having to be smart about what I chose to include in the cabin.

Plus, it's a dying art, but I really really prefer a manual transmission. The T4R doesn't come in anything but an automatic anymore.

Neither of us care for the new 5th gen T4Rs, though. Much too large and ugly besides.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Jeep... Well there's a reason people say "it's a Jeep thing"

I couldn't even get a decent meal on the thing without getting pickles and ketchup all over my visor.

Thats funny right there.

 

[ttora4runner]

How in the world did you get seating for 7 in the Taco?

He installed a set of bucket sets in the bed. If I remember right he moved the two front seats to the bed and got different fronts seats.

 

[pilosopo]

:sombrero:

Thats funny right there.

Haha, that's some good stuff there.

All my friends are in Toyotas, I just couldn't pass up the deal I got on my Jeep