Greetings!

Heres the deal, I just got rid of a 2015 Jeep JKURH.. I had it for 11 months and put 40k on it. I bounced that ride for a 2016 4Runner 6 weeks ago and I've put 6500 mi on it already. I'm expecting to put 55-60 k on the 4Runner per yr. Please note, this is not my first Toyota, I've had a 2007 and 2008 FJ.. Both modded and wheeled. I intend to wheel the 4Runner quite a bit too.

What I want to do is share my experiences with the 4Runner community about living in this vehicle for a thousand miles per week and it can be done pretty comfortably...

Why a 4Runner and not a TDi? Well, a car just go where I need it to go for pleasure, work and where I live, 4wd is mandatory. I live at an elevation of 9600'. And we get snow until mid May.

My first work road trip after I broke it in was so much more enjoyable than the the past ride... It was so much quieter and better with the high winds out here in the west. I could drive for 12 plus hours and not be totally worn out. The Jeep was fine for 8-9 hours a day, but those last few hours to 10-12 were horrible.

The 4Runners headlights are much better than the Jeep, and with my new E2 light bar, I will report how it is in the back country.

I travel with 300-400lbs of kit/swag and I can still avg about 20 mpg. My best tank has been 434 miles. A 413 mi tank was from Missoula to Ennis to Billings with work stops. I have that logged on another site.

I plan on doing a western slope (CO) trip next week for a little over 1200 miles and I may sleep in it a night or two.

Typical load out:
Engel Fridge, Cot, Kit, SWAG, Beer, for camping on the road.

Current mods:

Behind the grill light mounts made by a fella on this forum with a 20" E2 Combo light bar.

Surefire Vision Minimus on sun visor with red filter, great for not impairing your night vision.

Husky Liners

Future mods:

Metal Tech Sliders

34x10.50 KO2's (probably July when the Nittos wear out) If those won't fit, then 275's will go on it.

Current issues with the 4Runner:

Slight noise that rears its ugly head below 40 degrees. It's coming from the headliner or windshield area. Sounds like a mouse chewing on wood. I have searched the forum and undone the white plastic harness under the front passenger area, reinstalled the cabin filter with no success.

Radio completely shuts off if I'm using the USB port to charge my IPhone.

Squeaky drivers seat below 30 degrees.

Overall, its great to be back in a Toyota!

Have that same squeak sound

Excellent thread! Never thought about posting/creating a thread specifically for this topic... but in all honesty, it’s one of the main reasons I own a T4R! I HOPE to get more outdoor activities going on as my oldest is now 5 going on 6 later this year and is finally at the age where he and I will enjoy some fishing/camping/hiking, etc. I just need to get him riding a bike!

Having said that, the main reason I own a Runner is because I (too) am in sales, and though I do not have to drive all over half the U.S., I do need something that covers all of the following:

1. Reliable - I need it to start every day when I have to be in surgery by 6:30am almost every day of the week. I don’t have a “teammate” that can just “cover” for me while I get there later. It doesn’t work that way in my line of work. I’m 100% commission... if I f up and lose business, my family doesn’t eat.

2. Capable - see point #1... we don’t plow snow/ice covered roads in TX... we let the sun come out and melt it. Which means once or twice a year, if you don’t have a capable vehicle that can handle a little snow & ice, you’re staying home for 3 days. I don’t have that luxury with my job.

3. Room to haul shiote (without beating the crap out of your car). I haul some disposable boxes, a little sales material, and surgical trays/equipment quite often. Can you do that in a car? Absolutely. Will you beat the shiote out of your car, seats, suspension? Absolutely. 4Runner handles it all without even breaking a sweat (ever).... Including my couple times of year 12 totes/20 trays/500 lbs transfer from hospital to another hospital.

4. Family hauler. Not too big, not too small. Just right.

5. I just freakin’ like it. I love many of the colors available on the 5th Gen T4Rs... by my Black TEP just looks a little menacing... And I like that. Not too crazy off-roader, but not completely City-Jockey either. Happy mix of both. Which suits my needs perfectly.

Are there one or two other vehicles out there that can cover my needs and still pass the eye test? I think so (read: Touareg)... And maybe I’ll try one, one-day. But it is REALLY tough to beat a T4R in all these categories, and not end up falling short in more than one area... IMO