4Runners in Afghanistan

[sportdriver]

Thought you guys would like to know. My nephew just returned from Afghanistan and said that his Ranger battalion tested four 4Runners in the Eastern mountains while looking for Al Quaida. He drove one for 30 hours straight and loved it. All units performed excellently hauling men and equipment over tight trails through snow.

Jim

 

[ChuckyD]

WOW... Kool stuff!

 

[jharris2]

Any details on how they were equipped (engine, etc.)?

 

[sportdriver]

They were V6's, stripped out inside, front seats only. Each carried 8 Rangers and their stuff. Light bars on top with luggage racks. Stock tires (AT's) and wheels. The place looks like Tahoe, really nice.

 

[ChuckyD]

I would love to see a picture of them!

 

[sportdriver]

Sorry, no photos of the trucks. Lots of poser pics looking bad with SAWs and M4s (I guess they are bad, actually). So I see this white (?) door post in the corner of one shot and ask for details and that is how I find out they were using 4Runners. I knew there'd be a board where owners would want to hear the story.

J.

 

[Phalanx]

I know NATO uses 4Runners, doesnt suprise me that the US forces used them too. Special Forces used Tacos in Afghanistan since they could fit into smaller hellicopters that Humvee's couldn't. I heard they were donated by a dealership in Fla.

Heres the Isreli Defence Force using Land Cruisers

Is this a Nissan?

Check out the rest of the pics

 

[prlundberg]

I know NATO uses 4Runners, doesnt suprise me that the US forces used them too. Special Forces used Tacos in Afghanistan since they could fit into smaller hellicopters that Humvee's couldn't.

Maybe the Humvees couldn't keep up with the Taliban Tacos either?

It's interesting that the US military really doesn't have a good light-duty truck of some sort. At least not that I'm aware of. The Humvees seem to be a bit overkill for many uses. Although in battle I would prefer a Humvee I think.

I looked for a picture, but couldn't find one. I did find this interesting article though:

Horses beat Toyota

Also found out Toyota was none too pleased to be associated with the Taliban. They never sold to them, they came from other means from adjoining countries.

 

[mp95bravo]

Someone in the US Gov't (DoD / Dept of State / CIA ???) purchased 60 white "plain jane" 2003 4runners from Koons Tyson's Toyota in Northern VA. That is the place I got mine. They came in with suitcases of cash and they were then shipped in containers to the theater of operations. That's the story I got. This is funny, as I have been a part of many protection teams and we always used Suburbans (armored) and now Tahoes. I guess they wanted something smaller, quicker and more dependable.

 

[webshot]

Do you think war and the fight on terror voids your warranty?

 

[mp95bravo]

Not unless something is done to void it. Actually, it would be in Toyota's best interest to make this either public (for sales) or at least a buy-back for data on how they performed under those extreme conditions. Imagine the next articles:

WHY buy a H2 when a T4 (Toyota 4Runner) can do the job better, quicker and at half the cost.....