4Runner LTD Family
- Thread starter freitz
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Bumbo
New member
It helps a lot to know what you want to do with the truck… I love to off-road, go to the desert, hit the trails, camp, and just have a good time, but I also realized over the years that heavily modified trucks on the street are full of compromises.
I bought a Limited but that’s only because I have another 4Runner (4th Gen) which I decided to keep. It’s got 200k miles on it, but it’s pretty much a garage queen until it’s time to have some fun off-road. Its got the right mods to do what I want to do without any real compromises. I can keep building this up without worrying about on-road performance. Eventually LT the suspension.
I wanted the nicer the trim level and amenities of the Limited… real leather, push to start, climate control, AWD / Torsen TC, XREAS which I really do like on the street. I bought it as a daily driver, road trips, mountains, bad weather driving. After it gets old, XREAS fails, and goes out of warranty, eventually mod it for off-road and retire the 4th gen.
If I didn’t own another truck, I would have probably went with the ORP because I would have wanted the off-road capability out of the box. I was a bit turned off by them removing the option for the Torsen on the other trim levels, I like having AWD. My 4th gen has it, GX, and Land Cruisers are all the same. It’s just preference and makes the truck more usable for all conditions driving. Arguments go both ways about the TC, but in the Limited, I get exactly what I want, and get time to put some miles on it and enjoy it on-road as it before getting the itch the mod.
I’ll admit, it’s a pretty tough choice with the way the trucks are now built in the 5th gen trim levels. I wish they merged the best of the Limited and ORP into the same truck, and called that the Pro.
I bought a Limited but that’s only because I have another 4Runner (4th Gen) which I decided to keep. It’s got 200k miles on it, but it’s pretty much a garage queen until it’s time to have some fun off-road. Its got the right mods to do what I want to do without any real compromises. I can keep building this up without worrying about on-road performance. Eventually LT the suspension.
I wanted the nicer the trim level and amenities of the Limited… real leather, push to start, climate control, AWD / Torsen TC, XREAS which I really do like on the street. I bought it as a daily driver, road trips, mountains, bad weather driving. After it gets old, XREAS fails, and goes out of warranty, eventually mod it for off-road and retire the 4th gen.
If I didn’t own another truck, I would have probably went with the ORP because I would have wanted the off-road capability out of the box. I was a bit turned off by them removing the option for the Torsen on the other trim levels, I like having AWD. My 4th gen has it, GX, and Land Cruisers are all the same. It’s just preference and makes the truck more usable for all conditions driving. Arguments go both ways about the TC, but in the Limited, I get exactly what I want, and get time to put some miles on it and enjoy it on-road as it before getting the itch the mod.
I’ll admit, it’s a pretty tough choice with the way the trucks are now built in the 5th gen trim levels. I wish they merged the best of the Limited and ORP into the same truck, and called that the Pro.
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It helps a lot to know what you want to do with the truck… I love to off-road, go to the desert, hit the trails, camp, and just have a good time, but I also realized over the years that heavily modified trucks on the street are full of compromises.
I bought a Limited but that’s only because I have another 4Runner (4th Gen) which I decided to keep. It’s got 200k miles on it, but it’s pretty much a garage queen until it’s time to have some fun off-road. Its got the right mods to do what I want to do without any real compromises. I can keep building this up without worrying about on-road performance. Eventually LT the suspension.
I wanted the nicer the trim level and amenities of the Limited… real leather, push to start, climate control, AWD / Torsen TC, XREAS which I really do like on the street. I bought it as a daily driver, road trips, mountains, bad weather driving. After it gets old, XREAS fails, and goes out of warranty, eventually mod it for off-road and retire the 4th gen.
If I didn’t own another truck, I would have probably went with the ORP because I would have wanted the off-road capability out of the box. I was a bit turned off by them removing the option for the Torsen on the other trim levels, I like having AWD. My 4th gen has it, GX, and Land Cruisers are all the same. It’s just preference and makes the truck more usable for all conditions driving. Arguments go both ways about the TC, but in the Limited, I get exactly what I want, and get time to put some miles on it and enjoy it on-road as it before getting the itch the mod.
I’ll admit, it’s a pretty tough choice with the way the trucks are now built in the 5th gen trim levels. I wish they merged the best of the Limited and ORP into the same truck, and called that the Pro.
Based on your description a limited best suits my needs. Mainly as a daily driver and family road trip car; mountain roads, ski trips, cabin camping trips. We get snow in the winter, heavy rains fall and spring.
Would consider moderate mods; Bumper, tries, 2-3" lift and a roof rack. Thats about it.
I need a good reliable family car that fits my 3 year old and soon to be new born. Also that can run in all kinds of weather and situations.
a CUV doesn't check most of those boxes. Hated not having 4WD.
My only gripe is the 4runner seems compact inside. Head space is very limited esp. for the front passenger since the seat is not adjustable.
The GX460 was eh... more space but less rugged and honestly didn't think its worth the money.
zcruiser
Senior Member
I haven’t towed anything other than a small trailer loaded to the gills... yet... but for normal driving I find when I stuff the go-pedal, it does just fine.
zcruiser
Senior Member
You seem to have lost something there.... lol
Thanks, I think I need more test drive time. I felt fine in it the first drive.
Just need a solid go anywhere family vehicle. Its really down to this or the wrangler... given the current wrangler fail rate that leaves me basically with this.
Down side
-Size, not very big inside; not a lot of ceiling height with the moon roof.
-Passenger seat not adjustable (wife isn't tall but is 5'7", so shes not short either) worried with baby seat back there might be hard for her to sit there on long rides.
-Seat comfort. Interested to hear what people think on long rides how comfortable are the seats.
Just need a solid go anywhere family vehicle. Its really down to this or the wrangler... given the current wrangler fail rate that leaves me basically with this.
Down side
-Size, not very big inside; not a lot of ceiling height with the moon roof.
-Passenger seat not adjustable (wife isn't tall but is 5'7", so shes not short either) worried with baby seat back there might be hard for her to sit there on long rides.
-Seat comfort. Interested to hear what people think on long rides how comfortable are the seats.
Bumbo
New member
It was a Tacoma, but having driven a supercharged 4.0, I wasn't impressed. It was nice, but underwhelming.
Plenty of reading to do on this topic... installed costs vary, and the "stock" SC configuration is a bit weak. You can mod it and get some more boost, but even then it's hard to justify value.
I've been quoted about 13-14k for a dealer installed and warrantied upgrade. If I was doing this to a brand new 4Runner with a warranty, I would have to thing long and hard about the route I took for install.
For the added cost of the SC, personally, I rather just buy a GX instead. GX is pretty nice if you can get over the fact it looks like your neighbors wife's truck.
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I didn't really feel like the GX was that much faster. Just more power.
I guess could mod the GX so it doesn't look like the neighbors wife's truck.
I would buy a used GX460 though. Not sure what the long term reliability looks like on this truck at all? Most used around here are 16's with 40k on them.
zcruiser
Senior Member
My 2 cents... I don’t know why people keep buying Jeeps. Image? Self-punishment? I honestly just don’t know.
I’ve had 3 3rd gens, an FJ62, a FZJ80... and now the 4Runner Limited. I wish I could have kept them all.
My wife has a RAV4 for her short commute but the 5th gen 4Runner Limited is our road cruiser and my weekend warrior. Front seats are very comfortable but haven’t spent any time in 2nd row.
I don’t baby it, but because of mobility issues with our oldest daughter, the running boards will have to stay. (On my 2000 Sport w/o running boards, I actually had to lift her into the seat.)
AWD is awesome, similar to the 3rd gen Limited or the FZJ80. Just go, and don’t worry ‘bout a thing. I don’t even bother to scoop snow off my driveway anymore.
Occasionally I wish we had 3rd row, but that’s rare.
Bumbo
New member
If you want something truly fast, buy something else. These trucks are pretty damn good for what they were designed to do. When I play off-road, in low range, it can throw down. Its about the only time I do care about the power anyways.
I am a big fan of a modded GX, but it takes more money to get to where you want to be when compared to a 4Runner, especially if we are talking about modding a 460. 470 is easy, with plenty of good examples out there.
Bumbo
New member
4Runner / GX reliability is pretty much on par... it's for the most part, the same truck.
You can find a better deal on a used GX, they tend to fly under the radar in comparison to the 4Runner. If you live in an affluent area they are all driven by city people and easy to find a good sample. I see a ton of them where I live. The 4Runner has better resale. The popularity of the 4runner really keeps the price up there.
I bought a new Limited, only because I was saving next to nothing on a used one. I didn't consider (or really know about) the GX at the time. For the money spent, I should have bought a lightly used GX instead. I like that it is understated.
If you want something truly fast, buy something else. These trucks are pretty damn good for what they were designed to do. When I play off-road, in low range, it can throw down. Its about the only time I do care about the power anyways.
I am a big fan of a modded GX, but it takes more money to get to where you want to be when compared to a 4Runner, especially if we are talking about modding a 460. 470 is easy, with plenty of good examples out there.
I re-read what I posted. Not looking for something fast. We have fast.
I've been going back and forth for days. I think the GX460 checks all the boxes. Not interested in a new one though as the depreciation is a big hit on that car.
Used 16's around here have about 40k on the clock not sure for reliability vs the 4runner would think or hope it would be good no?
Bumbo
New member
As long as the price is right...
Reliability IMO isn't a concern... It's like owning a 4th gen V8 (awesome truck) with the features of a 5th gen Limited.
My friend owns this 470, it's got almost 300k on the clock, it still drives great.
My plan is to buy it off him when I hes done with it... getting a pretty good price on it. It's got some miles, but its still not scaring me away.
Even stock he hangs with me just fine in the desert cruising trails and some light sand driving and that's with street tires and stock suspension with factory bags in the rear.
Reliability IMO isn't a concern... It's like owning a 4th gen V8 (awesome truck) with the features of a 5th gen Limited.
My friend owns this 470, it's got almost 300k on the clock, it still drives great.
My plan is to buy it off him when I hes done with it... getting a pretty good price on it. It's got some miles, but its still not scaring me away.
Even stock he hangs with me just fine in the desert cruising trails and some light sand driving and that's with street tires and stock suspension with factory bags in the rear.
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Bumbo
New member
Agreed... after taking a close look at the 460, it would be very difficult to mod correctly. The bumper flows into the fenders, bumper/grill/hood transition is more complicated, and you have electronics with the parking sensors you will loose if you don't retrofit it.
Sounds like he wants it more as a road truck, so the 460 would fit the bill quite well from what I am reading here.
Bayou_Pro
New member
Bayou_Pro
New member
Honestly the way I drive it I don't find it under powered at all. And my other driver is north of 700hp. It's no racecar but does well for what it is.
I'm 6'1" and don't feel cramped at all. My SO is 5'11" and she hasn't complained.
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MAST4R
New member
That's almost verbatim what my friend concluded before buying a 470 a few years ago. He got a very clean one from here, AZ, and has been grinning ever since.
I think so but since the OP mentioned several Wranglers and an 80 series, I decided to throw that 21 degree AA tidbit for consideration.
I would personally rather have a new Limited than a 2-3 yo GX460. But the GX should be superior for towing.
Bayou_Pro
New member
A Pro is an upgrade over the regular off road. Upgraded TRD bilstein suspension with a 1" lift up front. More skids underneath, different front grill, the black leather with the red stitching, carbon interior look, blacked out exterior trim, black trd wheels, and very low production numbers. I'm sure I'm missing a few things as well. I have the Pro and love it.
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