a few questions

[lester]

hello all.

let me first say thank you to who ever started this forum. it has been very interesting. i have been sifting through this for about a week now and have finally decided to ask a few questions. i am getting ready to purchase a new car. i have narrowed my search down to two vehicles. my top choice is the 05-06 4R. this is after 13 years of reliable service from a toyota tercel. now, i need a truck that can carry me as well as my 110 lbs. german shepherd-Goose- and want a few things cleared up.

1. Does anyone take these vehicles offroad? i know i see the older, 95-02, on the trails, but i don't see many pics of people with 4th gens.

2. how deep can you take a 4R in the water? jeeps all say about 20 in., hummer is 2 ft. and the LR3 is the same. i know the new FJ is rated to go about 20 in. is it the same for the 4R?

3. what is the rate of wheel travel or articulation? i read the FJ got a 490 something which is pretty good. i have not been able to find anything out.

4. is the limited slip center diff kind of like having full-time 4WD on demand. by this i mean, is it kind of like being able to shift from 2WD to a part-time AWD. if it is, i think that is the best in the world. save gas...(i do understand you can lock the center diff and this will shut down the VSC and basically give you a true, old-fashioned 4WD system.)

5. what is the 4LO gear ratio?

6. what is your worst complaint about the 4th gen 4R? be honest, i know where i am, but i want you honest opinion.

thanks in advance guys/gals and i look forward to your answers and opinions

b-

 

[Thai]

Ok...let me take a stab at your questions:

1. There are plenty of people who take their 4th gens out in the mud...just read the last few thread of this forum! Because the 4th gen has become more luxurious and comfy, it now attracts more soccermoms. 4runners are now more popular than ever before. However, it has not lost any off-roading capability in the process. Yeah, it's front end is lower than before. But, you gain a lot more power, more power electronics to help newbie off-roaders (DAC, HAC, etc.), stronger frame, etc..

2. 4runner can, technically-speaking, go up to 27" of water (according to Toyota)...actually, all Toyota frame SUVs can do this. However, the rear axle does not have a true breather tube. I am not sure about the transmission and transfer case. So, i would say that it can go at least 20" for sure. If you extend the rear axle breather tube, then it may go deeper.

3. 4runners have RTI of about 420-450. This is a good number for most midsize SUVs.

4. ALL 4wd 4runners have TORSEN limited-slip center dfferential. It is gear-based (instead of clutch-based), which means low maintenance. If you buy a V6 4runner 4wd, then you have these modes: 2wd, 4wd HI, 4wd HI center diff lock, 4wd LOW, and 4wd LOW center diff lock. If you buy a V8 4runner 4wd, then you have these modes: 4wd HI, 4wd HI center diff lock, 4wd LOW, and 4wd LOW center diff lock.

If you want to go into 4wd HI or LOW range, then you push & turn the 4wd electronic dial. Center diff locking is accomplish by pushing a button to the left of the steering wheel. You can run 4wd HI or LOW on dry pavement on any 4wd 4runner. However, once you lock the center diff, then you must be on slippery ground.

5. 4 LOW = 2.566.

6. Worst complaint for an off-roader about the 4runner: Low front end/differential (due to car crash compatibility government requirement). A few hardcore owners may complain about the lack of wheel travel and difficulty with suspension lift on the IFS. Otherwise, i would bet that few on this forum can complain about anything.

Hope this helps.

 

[bolt]

:dance:

 

[lester]

thanks, very informative. you really seem to know your stuff. i did have one more question. where does toyota measure it's minimum ground clearance. i personally have not measured underneath the 4R, but in the front especially, it does not look like 9.10 inches. do they measure in the center or is it really 9.10 inches at its lowest point?

 

[JB.]

..i personally have not measured underneath the 4R, but in the front especially, it does not look like 9.10 inches...is it really 9.10 inches at its lowest point?

No, it's not. There are spots up front where the skid plate is about 8 inches and the tubular cross members that are visible from the side are about 8 inches or slightly more. There are no vitals that low, though. About 9 inches at the gas tank so maybe that's where the 9.1 comes from. FWIW, it'll take 32" tires (1 inch bigger) no problem and the rocker panel clearance is good. The excellent traction it gets can often make up for the low clearance in low speed off-roading. I've had mine a year and used it a lot and still don't see anything that could have filled my wants and needs better.

 

[lester]

awesome.

again thanks to all. i appreciate all of your help. i just want a good SUV that will do what it says it will do. granted, i will be using this for 80% pavement as that is where i live, but i do want to know i can take it OR and be confident to get home. the reason for my first question was because i do see a lot of soccermoms driving this and i want a vehicle that will appeal to the male side of me-rough and capable-while a practical vehicle as well.

and since you guys have been so helpful, what do you think about the Jeep Grand Cherokee. better, worse, about the same? (that is my second choice)

 

[Thai]

where does toyota measure it's minimum ground clearance. i personally have not measured underneath the 4R, but in the front especially, it does not look like 9.10 inches. do they measure in the center or is it really 9.10 inches at its lowest point?

See this link:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16674

This has been a criticism of Toyota by other manufacturers who quote minimum ground clearance. Toyota is simply fudging their data to make it look good.

 

[Thai]

and since you guys have been so helpful, what do you think about the Jeep Grand Cherokee. better, worse, about the same? (that is my second choice)

I am only talking about the new Jeep GC. The older one sucks in reliability big time! The QuadraDrive I system also sucked...not as good as ATRAC (4-wheel traction control).

The new Jeep GC is a decent vehicle. It's reliability is a BIG question along with resale value. It's not particularly roomy for both passengers and cargo. Interior materials are not that great for the price. It is UNIBODY...so the body will flex when you off-road...not as durable as body-on-frame design. More chances of creaks and groan down the road if you off-road it. You cannot get big tires like on the 4runner. The Boston Acoustics stereo is not that impressive (but i have also heard that 4runner's JBL system is not mind blowing either.)

But it does have some positive over the 4runner. It's underbody is significantly cleaner than the 4runner...not much hang below the body. You can get a HEMI in it which does make it fly down the highway. The QuadraDrive II is probably a bit more effective than the ATRAC system on 4runner. QDII is about as close as you can get to having lockers front and rear. (Maintenance of this system is questionable however as it uses clutch packs front, center, and rear. If you use it often enough, then these clutches could wear quickly. Replacement could be $$$$.) I do believe that you get more features for the dollar than 4runner...as is typical of most domestic trucks/SUVs.

Bottom line...do you want features or reliability/durability?? IMHO, i would go with 4runner. Remember, i don't own a 4runner anymore and i do own a Daimler-Chrysler product myself...so, my opinion is based purely on each vehicle's merits, and not on brand loyalty.

 

[primags]

jeep grand cherokee

I just came from a 2005 jeep grand cherokee w/ hemi Navi DVD..fully loaded. I traded it in for an 05 V6 SR5 w/ leather. That was an even trade - so in case you can't figure it out, trade-in value SUCKS! Sticker price for the car was 44K and the dealer (several) tried to give me 23K for the jeep with 17k miles on it...23K for a fully loaded jeep. Now, the barebones 4runner is more than that!

I am so much happier with my 4runner..I never look at in the driveway and wonder when it will break down. I know the quality is there. I never look at it in disdain when at the gas station, because I get more than 10 miles per gallon now. Literally, I always got 10 miles per gallon. I knew it was a HEMI, but come on.

Everything inside the jeep just feels different - sure it had some bling..but the bling felt like it would fall apart in soon years to come. Lots of cheap, ugly plastic.

I have not looked back even though I lost so many toys.. (it even had rain sensitive wipers, heated seats, bluetooth hands free cell phone) but I don't miss a thing when I get into my 4runner and FEEL like I got a good deal.