5th Gen 4Runners in Central and South America

[dsfra]

Hola! The wife and I spent a month hiking in Peru and Chile a couple of years ago, and loved the whole (far) south of the border scenario. We have been following several blogs of intrepid wanderers who have been or are currently on extended road trips as far south as Ushuaia in Argentina. We're both soon to be retired, and are in the early stages of considering heading south in our 4Runner (it's a 2012 but has only 14,000 miles on it). We would like to get further south than Mexico, and are consequently trying to find out how common 5th Gen 4Runners - or their mechanical siblings - are in Central and South America, specifically parts availability and the likelihood of finding knowledgeable/experienced service options. Are the 4.0 L engine, A750 trans, KDSS, etc even to be found in South America? We understand that Brazil is out since the fuel is mucho ethanol-ized apparently due to government mandates based on the current year's sugar crop. Any 5th Gen-specific information would be appreciated.

We note a new member on the forum, "flarosac" in Lima; maybe he would be able to discuss the situation in Peru?

Any information would be appreciated.

 

[1engineer]

Toyota 4 Runner | Perú

 

[Okki]

I saw some 5th Gen 4Runner police vehicles in Belize when I was there on vacation last December.

Okki

 

[dsfra]

Unfortunately, not much information forthcoming, but thanks anyhow.

Found a somewhat amusing machine translation on 1engineer's link. The caption for the opening pic of the 4Runner gets translated by Google as:

"The new 4Runner emphasizes unmatched fashion free spirit that identifies you and is the endless source of motivation for your life."

Pretty heady stuff. Little did we know!