Hi, my name is Monkeymenno (you can call me Monk) and I own a 4Runner. I needed a body-on-frame (solid rear axle) vehicle to tow my camper with and didn't want a box - so here I am.
My previous vehicle was a 2007 Honda Ridgeline with a cap. It towed my camper really well, but went through tires like they were made of ice cream when I did as the tongue weight screwed with the suspension geometry so much. So with 250,000kms on it I gave it to my Dad, and ordered my Magnetic Grey Trail. I haven't done piles of off-roading but what I have done I have enjoyed immensely, so I hope to do more of it.
I'll be honest, I really didn't know the heritage the 4Runner had before I started looking to replace my Ridgeline, but have been ever more intrigued by the things I have heard and seen. Stories of this bullet-proof little bulldog SUV are everywhere. So in with both feet I jumped.
I need my 4R to do a few things:
1.)Haul my wife, 3 daughters and me when I am home. Or to see my wife's family 2400km away.
2.)To Go Camping: 23ft trailer and all the gear you would imagine 4 women to bring camping.
3.)Haul me to work, mostly in Northern Manitoba about 8 hours from home. I am a Lineman by trade and work takes me away. I need to be able to take me and up to 800lbs of gear anywhere and everywhere from Northwest Ontario to Northern BC and beyond in every weather imaginable.
My goals for this thread are as follows:
1.) To document my experience with the 4Runner, hopefully to provide useful insight to people looking for a Swiss Army SUV.
2.) To do something with my 4Runner every week or two that is worthy of posting - be it a mod, an adventure, a frustration or just what it's like to be a 4Runner owner.
And... since everyone else has one and mod list.
1.) Weathertechs: Little girls = muddy floor as they love to be outsiden
DONE
2.) Roof Rack: I have lost the ability to do some of the hauling I did in my truck and a rack will restore most of it. Canoes, building material, old crossarms, cross country trips - it will see it all.
3.) Extra Lights: Northern driving can feel really dark and lonely in the winter. No idea what I will put on or how but it needs to be done
4.) Paint: The front and rear silver trim that my wife hates needs to be black. Might plastidip, might bedliner am open to suggestions. I have some other ideas, but I haven't seen anyone else on the forums do them so I am going to hold my cards close for now.
5.) A front hitch receiver hidden in the front bumper. Oh so useful once you have had one.