[Captn]

Just figured with the nature of the last thread I read here I would use it to introduce myself. I've been lurking around your forum for the past few weeks as I was preparing to purchase a 4runner and wanted to see what owners were saying.

You guys really sucked me in. After looking at everything from bmw's to jeeps (with ford, dodge, Honda all in the middle) I sold my BMW 535I and Sunday purchased a 2011 blizzard pearl 4x4 limited (no 3rd row) w sand beige interior.

I absolutely love it. Drove it a few hundred miles already and I don miss my BMW or my BMW service rep one bit!

I already have purchased mud flaps for it and a stubby antenna thanks to you all. We will see if I get the guts to do anything beyond that but I really enjoy reading this forum and look forward to learning a lot more about my new purchase here.

Ok - figured out how to add a pic 2 days later!!! Hopefully this works.

[Jtraskell]

Welcome Captn, and congrats on your new purchase. Before others remind you, you might want to post a photo! Take care and be safe.

[Johnny Utah]

best thing i did was trade my 02 xterra in for a '11 4Runner. It's awesome!

Good work, and i think you meant "stubby" antennae, lol

[emsmatt]

Originally Posted by Johnny Utah

best thing i did was trade my 02 xterra in for a '11 4Runner. It's awesome!

Good work, and i think you meant "stubby" antennae, lol

Maybe he didn't. I got a chubby antennae first time I saw the 5th GEN too.

[zmw]

what is this chubby/stubby antenna of which you speak...

[Ripsnort]

I too came from a BMW.
My last 4 vehicles since 1999 have been:
--1999 Ford Explorer (A pig when it comes to body roll. Sucked towing with it too)
--2001 BMW 330ci (Sold due to my side business, photography, grew and my kids grew! The trunk/backseat got really small!)
--1997 F250 HD (*used for camping, towing, hauling stuff to the dump)

--2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser (upgraded my primary driver, the BMW, to this)

--2010 4Runner. By far the best of the 4 vehicles for everything except cornering (BMW comes in first here)

The 4Runner was a nice change from the FJ Cruiser, comfort, cornering much better, less harsh of a ride. With a loaded Limited, its like a freaking Cadillac and I really look forward to driving it every morning that I commute.

If you ever think your 4runner 'handles' poorly, I highly suggest driving a Ford Explorer with equal mileage and then reconsider your opinion.

Now, if they could put the BMW suspension on a 4Runner, you'd have a winner *but you'd also have a vehicle that costs as much as a BMW X5, which is atrocious.

[brockeverly]

Originally Posted by zmw

what is this chubby/stubby antenna of which you speak...

The Stubby Antenna

[hrothgar02]

Capt'n

Welcome and congrats on your purchase. I too crossed over from the German brands. My last car was a CLK55 AMG cabriolet. Other cars were 2 Porsche Boxsters, SLK, VW Touareg and a BMW Z3. My wife and used to budget $2,000 / year on maintenance / repairs for our cars. Since we both drive Japanese, I don't think we spent more than $200/year. We are constantly amazed at the cost of ownership (or the lack thereof).

[Daypoblue]

Another option for a Stubby Antenna is Pep Boys. They have 1 mentioned in another thread (haven't located the thread yet...) that requires no mods and is only 5.95 Installs in 30 seconds

[Batang.Gapo]

Congratulations on your new 4Runner.

I myself is relatively new to 4x4 world (5 months to be exact). But after just one test drive I was totally convinced.

I don't miss my Accord and always look forward to driving my 4Runner...

[AddictedUSAF]

Originally Posted by brockeverly

The Stubby Antenna

We should get a group buy on those.

[toyslug]

Here's a dumb question: How is the reception with the change in ht(shorter a/m stubby) compared to the stock antenna? ie. improved/same/worse?

[vastyle]

Hi! Welcome to the site! I upgraded my wife from a 98 limited 3" lift 285's to the 11 SR5 when the 98 hit about 165k miles and needed a timing belt, steering rack and some other work. We are loving the new 11. I must admit that my DD is a 2011 X5 diesel though.

[Daypoblue]

I purchased the stubby version from Pep Boys. To date, I have not been able to detect any difference in the 2 antennas (original vs. stubby)

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by toyslug

Here's a dumb question: How is the reception with the change in ht(shorter a/m stubby) compared to the stock antenna? ie. improved/same/worse?

You know what they say... there's no such thing as a dumb question.
IMO, the reception with the stubby antenna is noticeably worse than with the factory antenna. Now that I've replaced the front speakers with Infiniti Kappas, it's even more noticeable. Good thing I still have the XM radio subscription. To me, it's worth the look. It's one of those things that Toyota "cheaped out" on.