Kids... you know the story.

I really needed two things that the 4R wasn't working well for - more space and more towing power. With 2 kids and a dog the 4Runner was just too small inside to fit two kids seats that take up a ton of space and then the dog goes in the back. No problem. Except it wasn't working for camping trips or longer road trips anymore because if the dog goes in the back there's no room for stuff. And things like a double stroller or double bike trailer are so damn huge. I really had no idea how much volume of crap tiny humans require.

I sold my crew cab diesel F250 last fall and didn't have it as a backup for when I needed more space or towing. It a gigantic piece of shit. But it was really nice to have the space and power. Again - kids. Breaking down is a PITA when it's just the two of us and a the dog. When it's in BFE with two little kids - it's a lot less fun.

So sadly it was time for a change for a while until the kids are bigger and out of car seats and not needing so much stuff. I was planning to buy a 2022/3 Tundra but didn't love the one I finally got to test drive. It was a fine truck, but needs to cleanup on fit and finish. It wasn't good enough for me to justify the $30k price difference and multi-month wait. Maybe in a year or two once they cleanup the production. So I ended up swapping for low mile 2nd gen Tundra for a while.

For the trade in I ended up returning the 4R to stock except for the hidden winch and sliders. I paid a couple thousand dollars in the trade to a newer Tundra with about 60k miles. The 4R was amazingly durable and reliable for the 7 years I owned it. And I ended up getting about $5k less than I paid new for it back in trade value. And mine was well maintained, but by no means pristine. It had plenty of trail scars around. So I'd guess a cherry condition one would bring as much as I paid new. Maybe more. Hard to argue with that.

Softex is amazing material and at this point my top choice for what I'd want in a new one. I'll take it over real leather without hesitation. Our RX350 we bought the same time has far more visible wear on the leather seats than the Softex in the 4R despite the lexus getting leather conditioner regularly and 4R being used much harder for everything from hauling skis, bikes, kids, dogs, lumber, etc. and getting in and out with sharp objects in my pockets multiple times that I thought would have punctured a seat cover. Washed it down with mild soap and water and it looked like new. New Tundra has leather, but it's a cheaper grade than the Lexus and it feels like it. It's hard and slippery. It's fine. But not a very premium leather.

I kept all the suspension, tires, armor, etc. I'm hoping to get back into a 4R or GX again in a few years or maybe the next gen 4R. If it has the turbo 6 it'll be an easy choice. I like the size a lot better for everything but road trips. So much easier to park, drive, etc. And they're much better for the off-road adventures I love to do. I found the 4Runner driver's seat snug but comfortable for long trips. I never liked the passenger seat though. Maybe it just wasn't very worn in? I already miss the 4R and would trade back tomorrow for a new 4R if I didn't need the space. Would have swapped to an LC/LX if they had more room. Looked at a couple. Prices are dropping on them, so they're kind of a good value right now. But interior space is basically a wash, so I'd get the towing power, but not the space.

My co-worker wants to give me her LC100 very cheap and I might take it. But I really don't need another vehicle right now and my wife doesn't love the idea of having it in the driveway. So... I'm probably going to buy it. haha.

Side note: the tundra is really dated in some areas of tech. It's a lot like a 5th gen 4R. Somehow it still doesn't come with a power tailgate lock that locks with the rest of the truck. But Toyota has an add-on kit for it. Why not just install it OEM? And some other oddball stuff - Limited trim still has a non-power passenger seat, etc. Not really an upgrade. More like a lateral trade. But it'll serve what I need for the next couple years. And the reliability is my #1 requirement.

Geez the write up alone is worthy of an ovation.
Either way hope it all works out for you and by the way it looks you'll probably find yourself in another 4r eventually.

Well if you don't stick around (or if you do), thanks for your great, knowledgeable input to the board.

I'm on the opposite side of the 3 kid-dog-stuff hill.
As the kids got older I went from a Tahoe to 4Runner.... was a little small at first.
Now with only one kid left in the house the 4Runner seems huge.
Most of the time I don't even have the back seats in - dog loves that space.

You'll be missed.
Posts from "old timers" like you, Antman, and others made this a great forum.

I hear you. We roadtripped from San Antonio to Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton and then back home last summer. 2 week trip with the wife and two kids. Was cramped, but we made it work. Add a dog and no way it would work. Hang around here. Always good to have some old timers here and especially ones with good info and advice.

How much for the LC100?

I can't imagine 2 kids and a dog, just 2 of us and we fill ours up

4runner for Tundra, no big deal, you're still in the family.

Sorry to see you go. Always enjoyed your posts and learned much from them.

You've been a very valuable member for the forum but lives change and we all understand that.

Bummer to see you go my friend. I always enjoyed your informative perspectives and legit trail use of your 5th Gen. Good luck with the Tundra and hope to see you back in the community soon!


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Thanks for the knowledge

You will be missed. You have been a pillar to the community, and for that I thank you. Be well and dont be a stranger, who knows you might be back once they have an electric 4Runner. Cheers, Jetboy!

@Jetboy

I agree, you have been a pillar in this community. A wealth of knowledge on a lot items discussed. You will be missed here!
But you know you can visit and respond to our technical issues in the future!

Those pictures are amazing!

How does the truck address the kids and dog issue though?

I would have thrown the dog in a kennel in the camper and gotten an SC for the 4runner