3000 mi trip over Christmas

[Cliff s]

Here is my impressions after a 4 state 3000 mi. trip over Christmas in in my 2004 T4R SE 4X4 V8.

MPG at 70 mpg about 19 and at 80mph 17 mpg. Averaged 57 mph for the 3000 mi.
The mileage gauge read 19.4 mpg, was really about 18.

All sorts of weather but no snow on road. A couple of 2 to 3 hour delays do to a closed
highway(thanks a lot Cal Trans).

Found out the seats need more padding and are not very comfortable on long drives.

Another quirk, the transmission won't just drop the converter above 65 mph. It just acts
like it has no go until it shifts to 3rd gear and 4000 rpm. This can be defeated by pulling
the handle to 4th gear. Did find that 4th gear worked well in 60mph+ hill climbing.

The heating system worked well and the heated mirrors are great, although the rear window defogger is a little wimpy.

The stock Dunlop AT20s did work OK in the rain, I didn't observe any excessive hydroplanning in 2000 mi. of rain.

The headlights were nice and you can actually see, but the fog lights are a real joke, they don't do anything,
but light up the ground right in front of the T4R. They are completely worthless in the fog.

The X-reas really works well, the handling was firm are straight. The brakes well balanced and do stop the T4R.

It would be nice if the window controls were illuminated.

The next 2 things I add are a auto-dimming mirror and the handle above the drivers seat that is missing.

All in all the T4R preformed very well on the road.


Happy New Year to all,

Cliff s

 

[Mark86]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip with the 4Runner. Many of the complaints you stated are exactly like mine. The seats could get annoying after awhile (maybe leather is more comfortable and padded). Also, the auto-dimming is not standard on the sport edition. I think the majority of the sports do not come equipped with the auto-dimming mirror. I had to add it in after I got my 4Runner. Originally it had the manual day/night mirror. Also, the driver side assist handle is a great addition!!

 

[krosno3]

Aren't those trips nice???
I drove 4700 (in 6 days) in a 1 month old 4Runner SE and I can tell You only one thing that almost every time I get into it now, all those memories come back to me and I can't wait to go for another trip like that. I agree with most of your observations but somehow I can't complain about a seats. They where pretty comfortable for me and the best thing of all was that I could make front seat flat and seat in the back with my feet resting comfortable on a front seat while my wife was driving. Really useful thing on a long trips !!!!

 

[Cliff s]

A comment on the seat: I suspect that they were engineered for
a 5"7" 130 lb Asian body and not a 6'2" 220 lb one.

The back of the seat is not wide enough or the bottom of the seat
long enough for larger people.

When I was looking to buy, I found most vehicles did have the same type of seat.

Cliff s

 

[peter78]

That is pretty decent mileage. I went on a 1,200 mile trip with my 2001. I used my "hitchpacker" to carry more stuff and the SUV did great. The only bummer I have is it turned over 60,000 miles. That means I am without a warranty of any kind. I sure hope these 4Runners last forever.