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

[Clutch]

This thread has me thinking about the couple of blogs I'm following, two are 1st gen 4runners and one keeps bumping into a 3rd gen green stockish 4runner.
But what really has me thinking is not so much the manufacture but the style, So which is more prevalent: SUV or Pick Up Expedition vehicle?
I guess I could just ask http://www.nolimitx.com/

I own both a SUV and a Truck...I like the truck better, more storage, and keeps the nasty dirty stuff out of the passenger
compartment. Even though SUV's seem to be more popular in the expedition world.

As for your link...I would pick a 130 truck over a 130 wagon, 110 or 90.

 

[84scrambler]

i love my 3rd gen 4runner i looked for a year before i found a low millage non sun roof model, it is good as a family car, i get 20 mpg most of the time and there is just enough room for a overnight camp trip or you have to use the basket, it dose ride real soft and i need to upgrade to ome here real soon, if it was only a 5 spd it would be prefect to me, to compare i have had fj80, tacoma, 1st gens, 2nd gens, wranglers, rangers, Cherokees, and a f350 crew cab

 

[Containerized]

for a multi-national expedition, I wouldn't be caught in anything but a land cruiser. Probably a 60 series, as it has very common guts to many other models (axles, brakes, hubs, etc...). Or something more common in other countries, like a 70 or similar.

I used to think the same, but it's amazing how the HUGE popularity of both the Hilux and the Prado (even in very poor areas like northern Uganda, northern Congo, South Sudan, and Ethiopia) makes anything Hilux/Taco/FJ/Prado/etc. suddenly more sensible than it would have been five years ago. Still, the 70 is the gold standard of durability and parts availability, but it has its own trade-offs.

 

[Dipodomys]

For me they're too small, too expensive, and not as adaptable as a Tacoma or other pickup. The Tacoma just offers more possibilities, IMHO.

The international availability of parts is way overstated. A much as I'd like to dream otherwise, my Tacoma will almost certainly never leave North America, so getting parts won't ever be a problem. If I want to do a grand Sahara trek or cuise the Australian Outback, I'll rent or purchase a vehicle there.

 

[wonderfulremark]

for those people saying 4runners are too small..
ya guys need to go on a backpacking trip... I managed to live out of a couple backpacks for a couple months..
That was including a tent set, sleeping bag, mini stove, laptop, camera + 2 lenses and clothes.

As a minimalist, 4runner(or any of the same sized vehicles such as XJ, xterra and even foresters) provides more than enough room.

Also, getting 10-13MPG is not acceptable for me.(talking FJ80 and FZJ80)
That means I'd have to fuel up every 200miles(250 if lucky)

 

[MountainEagle]

I'm a new guy here so take me for the village idiot I am but here goes....

I've got a 4th Gen 4Runner based on the T120 platform - very different beast than the 3rd Gen 4Runner. I picked it up to be the family adventure mobile now that our little boy is nearing 2.5 years old and we can get back out and doing stuff.

My wife and I took my old 97 Wrangler (bought new from the showroom floor 15 years ago) all over the country on roadtrips. It was tough at times, I won't lie. But we blasted that thing to the Grand Canyon, West Virginia, etc. and had some of the best times of our lives in it. I think part of what makes a good 'expo rig' comes down to what a person is willing to do without (see the biker dudes and minimalist backpackers). The more room you have, the more stuff you'll take. Just the way it goes.

Well, we had a little boy and as much as I loved my Jeep - it just doesn't cut it once you have more than 2 people (for us) and you don't want to have to deal with a trailer/rack all the time. So, I started looking around. The 100 series LCs are awesome. However, I quickly learned that I could get the exact same power train; 2UZ-FE V8 and A750F 5 speed. So, I decided to compromise on space and try a 4th Gen T4R. The good part is since the vehicle is smaller the gas mileage goes up.

I've still got Toyota reliability, roominess and something the Jeep didn't have - AC!!. Easy to start feeling spoiled.

I love my 4Runner. While I fantasize about taking off for Argentina (and I just might someday) I think the T120 platform is great for cross country driving in the U.S. I don't know how common 100 series 2UZ-FE drivetrains are in S. America (I'm the village idiot, remember) but I'd bet drivetrain parts wouldn't be too bad. Suspension/Electrical stuff might be harder to source...

I will say the highway MPG on my 4Runner really starts to go down over 70mph. We took ours to Missouri this summer and going 80-85 through kansas there were times it was down to 15.5 MPG. Was really hoping for some of that 19MPG. But, the Jeep certainly couldn't have been getting better. Funny thing: I never ever once in 15 years paid attention to the MPG I got in my Jeep. I just knew it got around 300 miles to the tank and I'd fill it up when it got empty. Different times....


-------------
aka boondoggle
2004 Toyota 4Runner V8, ~107k miles

 

[Byblos]

For what its worth, here is my 5spd SR5 on a trip to Oman in the Arabian Peninsula.

98 4Runner SR5 5spd
ARB lockers front and back
Bumper front and since the pic was taken, rear metal and winch
Storage drawer in the rear,
Coleman stoves, Propane tank, on board air
water, fuel, Waeco 50 litre fridge, chairs, RTT and bunch of other stuff.
Fuse boxes, dual battery and others.

I can list more and more, but since the topic is on the 4Runner, i thought I can contribute.

Hope you like what you see.

All maintenance is preventative maintenance on all the trips.

 

[spectre6000]

Where is the truck originally from (market)? There's another thread about 4Runners and RTTs, have you had any issues? Have you done any sort of reinforcement? I keep hearing the roof won't hold up to the load, but I think that claim won't hold up to scrutiny.

I've been thinking about this for a while now, and I think I've come to a conclusion:

It isn't more common because people generally don't have a dedicated rig/aren't willing to dd a dedicated rig (Tacoma), and those that do opt for the LC for tradition and space. I agree with the space being something you fill, though more space does come in handy for making one's home away from home more homey. It makes sense. There's no reason it's not used, there just are reasons that others are more common.

 

[Byblos]

Where is the truck originally from (market)? There's another thread about 4Runners and RTTs, have you had any issues? Have you done any sort of reinforcement? I keep hearing the roof won't hold up to the load, but I think that claim won't hold up to scrutiny.

It is a California Car, bought it new 1998. I had no issues thus far, no reinforcement on the roof. I do not put anything heavy in the front part other than the chairs or the added canopy for the RTT.

I do have an awning on the other side too.

I will post the pic on the other thread as well.

In other words, the 4Runner went from a Turtle to a snail :safari-rig:

 

[Martinjmpr]

For what its worth, here is my 5spd SR5 on a trip to Oman in the Arabian Peninsula.

98 4Runner SR5 5spd
ARB lockers front and back
Bumper front and since the pic was taken, rear metal and winch
Storage drawer in the rear,
Coleman stoves, Propane tank, on board air
water, fuel, Waeco 50 litre fridge, chairs, RTT and bunch of other stuff.
Fuse boxes, dual battery and others.

How do you augment the 3rd gens meager gas tank? IMO that's the worst limiting factor. The Taco suffers from the same deficiency but because the Taco has a separate cargo compartment, carrying gas cans is easy. In the 4runner, not so much.

One thing I LOVE about my 4th gen is the bigger gas tank + better MPG = longer range!

 

[Byblos]

How do you augment the 3rd gens meager gas tank? IMO that's the worst limiting factor. The Taco suffers from the same deficiency but because the Taco has a separate cargo compartment, carrying gas cans is easy. In the 4runner, not so much.

One thing I LOVE about my 4th gen is the bigger gas tank + better MPG = longer range!

Bought a Long Ranger fuel, goes where the old spare tire goes, gave an extra 100 litres of fuel.

 

[toyotech]

4runners are popular expo rigs, you just dont see any posted up here because they are all out using their rigs. tacos are more driveway expo rigs lol jk

 

[spectre6000]

Bought a Long Ranger fuel, goes where the old spare tire goes, gave an extra 100 litres of fuel.

Is that the Australian outfit? How does it manage the two tanks? Is it a manual switch, are the gauges synced to one or is there a second? What's the story on it? Also, did you get it in the UAE or back here?

 

[enzo]

I'm looking at buying my second 3rd gen T4R to mod so I don't tear up my new Tacoma. I think the size is just right but dam these things are sluggish.

 

[enzo]

4runners are popular expo rigs, you just dont see any posted up here because they are all out using their rigs. tacos are more driveway expo rigs lol jk

lol