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Old 07-10-2019, 04:04 PM #1
whiplashtx whiplashtx is offline
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Which 4runner?

I guess I'll start with a little back ground info. I've always been the outdoors type and my trips and vacations have reflected that fact. My daily driver is a Subaru Crosstrek and also gets used at the property (4wd required) when I don't need a truck. Usually for vacations I take the Dodge diesel with a 28' travel trailer. I also have a heavily modified jeep that is no longer street legal or pavement friendly. A couple of years ago I bought a teardrop camper to tow tandem behind the trailer I haul the jeep on for a place to sleep on jeep outings.

Well last year I made last minute plans to go to Wyoming and Colorado but all the places that I normally stayed at were booked that would fit my truck and trailer. They did have smaller spots available so I took the Subaru and teardrop on their first long trip together. Wow, I've been doing it wrong all these years. I could make or break camp in 5-10 min and the trailer was no longer an obstacle. I got numerous shots of wildlife and scenery because the setup could easily be pulled off the road or parked anywhere. I also loved the fact that the much narrower Subaru fit places my truck never would. I have since taken several trips with this combo but want to correct a few shortcoming. While the Subaru has done great and I love the AWD it starts choking at high altitudes and the lack of 4lo has been limiting. I also may be swapping the teardrop for a 12' cargo trailer conversion and there's no way that will be a happy combo towing.

I am now looking for a new daily driver that is mid sized, has 4lo, a live rear axle, able to tow the fore mentioned cargo trailer, and a suv. There aren't too many choices out there which leads me to the 4runner. The problem is I can't decide which one even after doing a bunch of research and test drives. Do I go with a 4th gen with the V8 or the more refined 5th gen? The Lexus GX has all the features I could want but it's top heavy and weighs a lot more. Which would you choose or is there a better vehicle I have overlooked?
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Old 07-10-2019, 04:40 PM #2
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Step 1 is probably to go drive both.
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Old 07-10-2019, 05:18 PM #3
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Depends on your budget.

<$5k - 3rd gen
$5-8k - 4th gen 03-05 V6
$7-10k - 4th gen 03-05 V8
10-15k - 4th gen 06-08
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Old 07-10-2019, 11:01 PM #4
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I've already test driven both generations. Going to test drive a GX tomorrow and also look at a Trail edition. Budget is 30k.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:40 AM #5
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I love my 07 V8 4Runner. The full time 4wd High with option to switch to Low plus BFG A/T K02's make it a beast and I trust it to go anywhere. I take it to the Blue Ridge mountains and have never had any issues with loss of power or getting through trails or snow.
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Old 07-11-2019, 04:00 PM #6
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With a $30K budget, I'd be looking for a 2010-13 TE. They will tow a teardrop with no worries and I don't think the 4th gen V8 is going to give you any particular advantage.
I'll just throw this other option out there too.... Land Rover LR4. Yes, they are IRS, but they do have adjustable airbags and can tow pretty well. Plus their depreciation is quite high so you can get all the bells and whistles for less.
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Old 07-11-2019, 10:21 PM #7
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Interested to hear about your choice. Don't see many (any) built newer GXs. But that fuel mileage with the V8 would probably be rough.
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Old 07-13-2019, 12:37 AM #8
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The GX was nice but I couldn't warm up to the disproportionate roof height. Would love to have a Rover if it weren't for the higher ownership cost. I looked at a 2016 Trail and it followed me home.
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Old 07-13-2019, 08:33 AM #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whiplashtx View Post
The GX was nice but I couldn't warm up to the disproportionate roof height. Would love to have a Rover if it weren't for the higher ownership cost. I looked at a 2016 Trail and it followed me home.
Nice, I think you'll be happy with your decision. We tow a custom m416 that is about 1,800 lbs fully loaded including the RTT. I think the 4runner is perfect for teardrop/small trailer towing.
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