A smaller version ot the 4Runner
- Thread starter Buckfever
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I have both, 4-runner and xterra. Maybe the measurements wouldn't bear this out but my stock xterra appears to be bigger, not smaller. It may not be longer but it 's taller and seems to be at least as wide as my 4-runner. Both trucks are stock 4x4 with oem tires. When parked in the garage side by side most people would think the xterra was bigger. Gas mileage is actually a little better with my v-8 4-runner, but not by much. I'm easy on the peddle with both!
That's why I posted it up, I really can't find anything. I wish Toyota would make a smaller version of the 4Runner, just uping the fuel economy.
BTW I have no plans on ever selling my 4Runner, but my son's going to college in 2 years and we might need another vehicle. So I was thinking I'll get another vehicle for me and the kids can use the 4 Runner get them through college need be. I put a lot of miles on so a smaller 4Runner with a little better fuel economy would be perfect, heck even if it was at the same price point.
Slim pickings though.
BTW I have no plans on ever selling my 4Runner, but my son's going to college in 2 years and we might need another vehicle. So I was thinking I'll get another vehicle for me and the kids can use the 4 Runner get them through college need be. I put a lot of miles on so a smaller 4Runner with a little better fuel economy would be perfect, heck even if it was at the same price point.
Slim pickings though.
what about the suzuki vitara...its unibody, but with a laddar subframe and a true 4wheel drive system.
It comes with a v-6, but I heard than in 09, I think, a 4cyl will be available...and I think you can get a manual.
Don't knock those unibodies...I have an XJ that has a unibody (not a car) and the little sucker is tough...
Oh, you'll have to check, but I think the vitara comes with most of the electronic gizmos that the 4runner has...
It comes with a v-6, but I heard than in 09, I think, a 4cyl will be available...and I think you can get a manual.
Don't knock those unibodies...I have an XJ that has a unibody (not a car) and the little sucker is tough...
Oh, you'll have to check, but I think the vitara comes with most of the electronic gizmos that the 4runner has...
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
Does the Vitara have 2 speed transfer case with 4lo? I just don't see one of those going very far off road as a 4Runner by far.
"I absolutely love my 4Runner. I love the body on frame, off road capabilites, reliability etc. But I could get by with a smaller version of the same vehicle, maybe 500lbs lighter a little more fuel efficient. "
Is there such a vehicle?
Yes, a 3rd gen 4Runner
but the MPGs still suck and you have less power than a 4th gen.
"I absolutely love my 4Runner. I love the body on frame, off road capabilites, reliability etc. But I could get by with a smaller version of the same vehicle, maybe 500lbs lighter a little more fuel efficient. "
Is there such a vehicle?
Yes, a 3rd gen 4Runner
but the MPGs still suck and you have less power than a 4th gen.
yeah, it does...it even comes with full time 4wd just like the v-8 4runners.
No, probably not as capable as the 4runner offroad...mainly due to limited ground clearance...but probably a lot better than those cute-utes. There is probably a lift kit somewhere out there...
From the suzuki website...
"4-Mode, full-time 4WD system with transfer case lock and low-range gear"
No, probably not as capable as the 4runner offroad...mainly due to limited ground clearance...but probably a lot better than those cute-utes. There is probably a lift kit somewhere out there...
From the suzuki website...
"4-Mode, full-time 4WD system with transfer case lock and low-range gear"
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Thai
Elite Member
Your son would love a Jeep Wrangler!! Yeah, it's fuel economy is not better than 4runner, but it is a fun vehicle for a college kid. Top-down driving is unrivaled. And off-road, it can easily hang (and probably beat) the 4runner. And if you get the Rubicon model, then you have the best off-roading machine off the showroom floor in the world. And yes, they are fairly reliable, not as good as 4runner, but significantly better than the Chrysler crapmobiles out there...comes with LIFETIME powertrain warranty (and for $3,000, you can get Chrysler LIFETIME bumper-to-bumper warranty). Wranglers also have very good resale value.
You can tell that i am a BIG fan of the Wranglers.
Trust me, if the current version of the Wrangler Rubicon was available in 2004, then i would have one in my garage right now.
You can tell that i am a BIG fan of the Wranglers.
Trust me, if the current version of the Wrangler Rubicon was available in 2004, then i would have one in my garage right now.
ozana
New member
how about this?
http://www.kitcar.com/wombat/home.html
don't know much about it, but sure it looks nice, and for a kid in college what else could be more important??
http://www.kitcar.com/wombat/home.html
don't know much about it, but sure it looks nice, and for a kid in college what else could be more important??
leftyguns21
New member
ozana said:
wow those are pretty cool..and cheap. kind of a jeep/H1 mix
KarenCaren
New member
From ozana
http://www.kitcar.com/wombat/home.html
Its not a good. They will give you less MPG. Engine is not that good also. but it looks good outside.
_______________
Get some Catalytic Converters for your truck.
http://www.kitcar.com/wombat/home.html
Its not a good. They will give you less MPG. Engine is not that good also. but it looks good outside.
_______________
Get some Catalytic Converters for your truck.
Cape 4RUNNER
New member
+1 for the 4CYL 3rd gen. Smaller, still has the four doors, body on frame construction, more fuel efficient, pretty cheap now to buy on private party sales, and most importantly...ITS A 4Runner!
Ron Helmuth
Senior Member
caught u again
pushing a Wrangler !
Thai!
I would not recommend a Heep to anyone much less on a Yota forum.
No offense intended -but a new driver may need the side protection not offered by the Heep.
The short wheelbase and narrow track-for a new driver could be deadly.
Insurance costs I hope would be astronomical....
Rav4 is a better choice any day than a Heep.... older ones now being swapped in with the solid axles.... oh stock only?
get an older 1st gen....
pushing a Wrangler !
Thai!
I would not recommend a Heep to anyone much less on a Yota forum.
No offense intended -but a new driver may need the side protection not offered by the Heep.
The short wheelbase and narrow track-for a new driver could be deadly.
Insurance costs I hope would be astronomical....
Rav4 is a better choice any day than a Heep.... older ones now being swapped in with the solid axles.... oh stock only?
get an older 1st gen....
Thai
Elite Member
Re: caught u again
You should check out the current Jeep Wrangler lineup. Note, i am ONLY referring to the Wrangler, not any other Jeep crap out there.
The new Wrangler comes with optional side CHEST AND HEAD protection airbags for front passengers. This alone probably makes it superior to a 1st, 2nd, and possibly 3rd gen 4runners in crash protection safety. (IIHS and NHTSA have not tested a Wrangler with side airbags yet.) Front crash safety is indeed superior to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen 4runners.
The new Wranglers come with ESP (stability control) and 4-wheel traction control (similar to ATRAC). None of these safety technologies were available on 1st nor 2nd gen 4runners. In fact, correct me if i am wrong, but no 4-cylinder 3rd gen 4runner had these technologies either. (2001-2002 3rd gen 4runners did come with these technos but, by that time, 4-cylinders were not available.)
Short wheelbase? Have you seen the new 4-door Wranglers?? Trust me, its wheelbase is VERY LONG. And it can carry more cargo than a FJ Cruiser!
As for vehicle TRACK, you should know that the current Wrangler's track is only narrower than FJ Cruiser by LESS than 2 inches. And, in fact, it is over 2 INCHES WIDER THAN A 3RD GEN 4RUNNER!!
So, with a 4-door Wrangler, it is LONGER AND WIDER than a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen 4runners. For a 2-door Wranger, it is still WIDER than those generations of 4runners.
Insurance cost? I am not sure, but my brother has not complained much about it. He has an '03 Rubicon. I did not hear that it was anymore than his '08 FJ Cruiser that he also has.
Conclusion...the current Wranglers are fun as hell (esp. for a college student) and have progressed to the point that it is competitive with current SUVs in most soccer mom criterias. I personally would pick it over a 1st or 2nd gen 4runner for sure even if you are solely concerned about safety.
RAV4? Yeah, that thing is "cool" (sarcasm!) and i doubt that it is any safer...hell, i would think that it is NOT as safe as a current gen Wrangler. And no matter if it has 10 solid axles, it is still going to be a grocery getter! You can put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig!
In fact, what YOU recommended is indeed deadlier than a current gen Wranger. :awais:
Ron Helmuth said:
You should check out the current Jeep Wrangler lineup. Note, i am ONLY referring to the Wrangler, not any other Jeep crap out there.
The new Wrangler comes with optional side CHEST AND HEAD protection airbags for front passengers. This alone probably makes it superior to a 1st, 2nd, and possibly 3rd gen 4runners in crash protection safety. (IIHS and NHTSA have not tested a Wrangler with side airbags yet.) Front crash safety is indeed superior to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen 4runners.
The new Wranglers come with ESP (stability control) and 4-wheel traction control (similar to ATRAC). None of these safety technologies were available on 1st nor 2nd gen 4runners. In fact, correct me if i am wrong, but no 4-cylinder 3rd gen 4runner had these technologies either. (2001-2002 3rd gen 4runners did come with these technos but, by that time, 4-cylinders were not available.)
Short wheelbase? Have you seen the new 4-door Wranglers?? Trust me, its wheelbase is VERY LONG. And it can carry more cargo than a FJ Cruiser!
As for vehicle TRACK, you should know that the current Wrangler's track is only narrower than FJ Cruiser by LESS than 2 inches. And, in fact, it is over 2 INCHES WIDER THAN A 3RD GEN 4RUNNER!!
So, with a 4-door Wrangler, it is LONGER AND WIDER than a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen 4runners. For a 2-door Wranger, it is still WIDER than those generations of 4runners.
Insurance cost? I am not sure, but my brother has not complained much about it. He has an '03 Rubicon. I did not hear that it was anymore than his '08 FJ Cruiser that he also has.
Conclusion...the current Wranglers are fun as hell (esp. for a college student) and have progressed to the point that it is competitive with current SUVs in most soccer mom criterias. I personally would pick it over a 1st or 2nd gen 4runner for sure even if you are solely concerned about safety.
RAV4? Yeah, that thing is "cool" (sarcasm!) and i doubt that it is any safer...hell, i would think that it is NOT as safe as a current gen Wrangler. And no matter if it has 10 solid axles, it is still going to be a grocery getter! You can put lipstick on a pig, it is still a pig!
In fact, what YOU recommended is indeed deadlier than a current gen Wranger. :awais:
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