Ron4RNevada
New member
Right off the start I was wondering if this was the way to go; dumping the '04 Discovery and taking on the '13 4Runner. Full time 4wd to part time 4wd; 4 speed auto to 5 speed auto; 4.6 V8 to 4.0 V6; lever action 4high - 4low shifter to a knob for shifting 2high-4high-4low; a lever for center diff lock to NO center diff lock; solid axle both ends to independent front - solid rear; Electronic Traction Control to Automatic TRACtion control; Hill Descent Control to Downhill Assist Control; plus all those extra features like a moon roof, ten airbags, Bluetooth, Sirius XM, Back-up assist, backup camera, etc......
Well after weeks of reading the 600 page owners manual and three off road sessions: 4R Trek 264 (with passenger tires), 4R Trek 265 (with the 10 ply mud terrains), the little jaunt out in the Tufa area, and trying out every steep, slippery, gnarly spot I have come across the verdict is in ---> This is going to be a great off roader for northern Nevada trails.
1. The Toyota 5 speed shifts quicker and more positively than the LR 4 speed. When in low range going down a steep grade and shifting down from say 3rd to 2nd the LR would free-wheel for a second gaining speed - The Toyota is almost instantaneous!
2. The 4 liter V6 gets about 50% better fuel economy than the LR 4.6 and does it on regular rather than premium petrol. Horsepower and torque are supposedly about the same but the V6 definitely feels stronger and quicker. Perhaps due to the 4 overhead camshafts and 24 valves. Toyota engines with proper maintenance are praised for long life.
3. The part time 4wd does take some getting used to. You have to be careful about driving on solid non-slip surfaces in 4high as there is no center differential at all - the front shaft is solidly locked to the rear propshaft when engaged. The shift knob takes a few days off roading to get to where I can do it successfully without looking. 4low is awesome! Since the front and rear shafts are always locked there is very little need for the traction control which is switchable off or on.
4. The traction control system actually is licensed from Land Rover but is obvious that there have been some improvements to it over the years.
5. The downhill assist can be used in any gear while in 4low and maintains the speed at 3mph. the LR was set at 5mph which I always thought was way too fast.
6. The independent front suspension is a lot less jarring than the LR solid axle. It gives a softer ride both on and off road than the LR. I do think the steering on the Land Rover was more precise and easier than the Toyota. That might be due to the Toyota having been designed for highway tires rather than LT tires.
All the other stuff?
I will probably never open the moon roof.
I rarely turn on a radio except to search for road conditions or weather.
A Bluetooth? I don't even own a cell phone or portable entertainment stuff.
The extra airbags - Well at least they have a switch to turn the side ones off when in low range so they don't inflate when at steep side angle or really rough ground.
Sirius XM - will not be used.
The back up camera and park assist will actually be useful when doing a tight turn around between big rocks or backing down a trail........
Color me happy.
Well after weeks of reading the 600 page owners manual and three off road sessions: 4R Trek 264 (with passenger tires), 4R Trek 265 (with the 10 ply mud terrains), the little jaunt out in the Tufa area, and trying out every steep, slippery, gnarly spot I have come across the verdict is in ---> This is going to be a great off roader for northern Nevada trails.
1. The Toyota 5 speed shifts quicker and more positively than the LR 4 speed. When in low range going down a steep grade and shifting down from say 3rd to 2nd the LR would free-wheel for a second gaining speed - The Toyota is almost instantaneous!
2. The 4 liter V6 gets about 50% better fuel economy than the LR 4.6 and does it on regular rather than premium petrol. Horsepower and torque are supposedly about the same but the V6 definitely feels stronger and quicker. Perhaps due to the 4 overhead camshafts and 24 valves. Toyota engines with proper maintenance are praised for long life.
3. The part time 4wd does take some getting used to. You have to be careful about driving on solid non-slip surfaces in 4high as there is no center differential at all - the front shaft is solidly locked to the rear propshaft when engaged. The shift knob takes a few days off roading to get to where I can do it successfully without looking. 4low is awesome! Since the front and rear shafts are always locked there is very little need for the traction control which is switchable off or on.
4. The traction control system actually is licensed from Land Rover but is obvious that there have been some improvements to it over the years.
5. The downhill assist can be used in any gear while in 4low and maintains the speed at 3mph. the LR was set at 5mph which I always thought was way too fast.
6. The independent front suspension is a lot less jarring than the LR solid axle. It gives a softer ride both on and off road than the LR. I do think the steering on the Land Rover was more precise and easier than the Toyota. That might be due to the Toyota having been designed for highway tires rather than LT tires.
All the other stuff?
I will probably never open the moon roof.
I rarely turn on a radio except to search for road conditions or weather.
A Bluetooth? I don't even own a cell phone or portable entertainment stuff.
The extra airbags - Well at least they have a switch to turn the side ones off when in low range so they don't inflate when at steep side angle or really rough ground.
Sirius XM - will not be used.
The back up camera and park assist will actually be useful when doing a tight turn around between big rocks or backing down a trail........
Color me happy.
