Around the country... In 14 days... In a 4th gen?

[Opi]

Two of my friends and I are planning a 2 week trip in the first weeks of June, debating taking my 4runner as the vehicle of choice... Anyone do anything like this? I have 96k on it, probably drop it at a dealer before we go to make sure everything looks good and is up to date... Here's a rough idea of our trip we want to take

Edit: new map page 3 haha

 

[kkz]

I'm sure its very much doable in your 4th. As for your question, no idea if anyone has done this in a 4th gen. What other vehicles do you guys have lined up? And judging by a few of your stops, I assume you guys want to party.

 

[CookieRoe]

Two of my friends and I are planning a 2 week trip in the first weeks of June, debating taking my 4runner as the vehicle of choice... Anyone do anything like this? I have 96k on it, probably drop it at a dealer before we go to make sure everything looks good and is up to date... Here's a rough idea of our trip we want to take

The furthest I've driven from out of the area (Hazleton, PA) was to Nashville, TN. 13 hour drive. I don't know what other cars you MIGHT be taking, but the 4Runner will have plenty of space for the three of ya. Realize you won't be getting better than 23-24mpgs IF you behave on the speed. You have close to 100K miles on the clock, so go ahead and get the big service items out of the way. I was at the new dealer at Bennett on Lehigh Street (nice place) yesterday, they seem to know what they are doing. Anyway, do the following if it hasn't already been done:

1) oil/filter
2) air/cabin filters
3) drain/fill radiator
4) drain/fill transmission fluid
5) brakes checked
6) spark plugs (you have the V6, right?), get the DENSOS, don't get the Iridium whatever. Manual calls for change every 30K miles
7) drain/fill front/rear differentials and transfer case
8) wash in/out
9) bring beer (don't drink when driving obviously) :biggrin2:

As for your planned trip, sounds like fun. Good luck!

 

[NJshadow93]

Have you looked into the cost of renting a vehicle for the trip? Sure, the T4R would handle it without a problem, but why put all those miles on your truck? Plus, depending on the cost of a rental, you may be able to save a lot in gas money buy getting something with better gas mileage for the trip.

 

[TRDCal]

I know someone who did a similar trip in a Pontiac Sunfire which he bought just before the trip for like $500. And anyone who is familiar with Sunfires knows they're absolute junk, especially once there 10+ years old! If he could do it, I got faith your 4runner can too!

 

[zerowkul98]

Have you looked into the cost of renting a vehicle for the trip? Sure, the T4R would handle it without a problem, but why put all those miles on your truck? Plus, depending on the cost of a rental, you may be able to save a lot in gas money buy getting something with better gas mileage for the trip.

+1 :thumb3:

Ive done this kinda thing before a couple years back. Rented a Pontiac G6 convertible real cheap. Unlimited miles, good on gas, no need to put the miles on the 4Runner!

 

[diamondplate]

I too like the idea of a rental. keep the miles off the 'Runner.

 

[JET4]

I too like the idea of a rental. keep the miles off the 'Runner.

+1 thats what I'd do

 

[BOSMECH]

There is a guy that rides the bus to work with me that has a 3rd gen T4R that has been from Alabama to Florida and back on a weekly basis for a year then down Texas then to Mexico City Mexico then back to Alabama then up to Boston, He said he has never had a problem ever with his T4R.

 

[Atlanta_man]

check belts and hoses

avoid Atlanta !

 

[jwyshrek]

If you've never done it...do it man, do it.

I did a cross county trek back in 2006 in my 4Runner...one of the best times of my life. I did the I-40/route 66 going east then came back through St. Louis, Nebraska, Dakotas (Mt. Rushmore!), Devil's Tower, Nevada and back to CA.

This is a great and big county...lots to see and experience.

Atlanta is fine...just avoid that 285 bypass!

Just be careful and plan ahead...extra food, water, etc. Murphy's Law.

Oh, if you don't mind the heat and you've never been...I highly suggest driving through Death Valley, CA.

 

[kunia]

Never did a road trip that long, but back in 06 did an 11-day 4000mile road trip in my 04 4runner sport - 3 people, fully loaded (camping gear). Last year did a much shorter 4 day-2500 mile trip in 08 4runner Sport.

I have every bit confidence in a 4runner making a road trip like that without any hiccups. I'm debating myself if I should take my runner on a similar road trip this summer (3 week - Toronto-Vancouver-Alaska-northwest territories-Toronto, well over 7k miles).

Having said that, I don't consider the 4runner to be comfortable on such long road trips. It's much better than a regular car, but I don't think you can beat a minivan in terms of comfort Maybe it would better to just rent one.

 

[gaterose]

I think you should be fine. I've taken my '03 to CO from AL and back several times, a few times straight through without stopping. It's only 22-24 hr (depending on route), but it was fine. The first time I went I was pulling a very heavy trailer with Harley on it and I had 124K on my V6. I've never had any problems with it on the road.

 

[Sungod]

Considering you are at 97K and there are plenty of people with twice the mileage I don't think there should be any concern. I wouldn't get crazy with excessive unscheduled maintenance. Would you expect any failures in the next 6k? That is really what you are looking at. Just putting 5K on in two weeks instead of 6 months.

I would suggest probably taking I-10 all the way there and then coming back the northern route so you are getting to see something new.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Been to Greenville before?

 

[Opi]

I'm sure its very much doable in your 4th. As for your question, no idea if anyone has done this in a 4th gen. What other vehicles do you guys have lined up? And judging by a few of your stops, I assume you guys want to party.

Well, I have a 2001 Sentra SE with 306k on the clock lol. We were talking about doing that just for the hell of it, and bragging rights.... Hell, document the trip and send it to nissan and see what they do haha.

The furthest I've driven from out of the area (Hazleton, PA) was to Nashville, TN. 13 hour drive. I don't know what other cars you MIGHT be taking, but the 4Runner will have plenty of space for the three of ya. Realize you won't be getting better than 23-24mpgs IF you behave on the speed. You have close to 100K miles on the clock, so go ahead and get the big service items out of the way. I was at the new dealer at Bennett on Lehigh Street (nice place) yesterday, they seem to know what they are doing. Anyway, do the following if it hasn't already been done:

1) oil/filter
2) air/cabin filters
3) drain/fill radiator
4) drain/fill transmission fluid
5) brakes checked
6) spark plugs (you have the V6, right?), get the DENSOS, don't get the Iridium whatever. Manual calls for change every 30K miles
7) drain/fill front/rear differentials and transfer case
8) wash in/out
9) bring beer (don't drink when driving obviously) :biggrin2:

As for your planned trip, sounds like fun. Good luck!

I drove to Nashville in 09 for CMA fest, had a 02 xterra at the time (that thing was a dog) I went to bennett to shop runners, their salesman were re****ed... if you say the service is good though ill check it out.

Have you looked into the cost of renting a vehicle for the trip? Sure, the T4R would handle it without a problem, but why put all those miles on your truck? Plus, depending on the cost of a rental, you may be able to save a lot in gas money buy getting something with better gas mileage for the trip.

Not really no, interesting thought. But arent most rentals $30+ a day? 14 days... ehhh.. have to be a lot of gas saving... Im not concerned with putting the mileage on my truck that much.

I know someone who did a similar trip in a Pontiac Sunfire which he bought just before the trip for like $500. And anyone who is familiar with Sunfires knows they're absolute junk, especially once there 10+ years old! If he could do it, I got faith your 4runner can too!

that's ballsy...

+1 :thumb3:

Ive done this kinda thing before a couple years back. Rented a Pontiac G6 convertible real cheap. Unlimited miles, good on gas, no need to put the miles on the 4Runner!

That sounds fun to, but the three of us have a combined weight of like 700 pounds so three dudes in a small convertible... ya know.

I too like the idea of a rental. keep the miles off the 'Runner.

bah. cmon dont you trust em or what :guitar3:

There is a guy that rides the bus to work with me that has a 3rd gen T4R that has been from Alabama to Florida and back on a weekly basis for a year then down Texas then to Mexico City Mexico then back to Alabama then up to Boston, He said he has never had a problem ever with his T4R.

wow. weekly? for work or what

check belts and hoses

avoid Atlanta !

i was counting on avoiding that actually lol

If you've never done it...do it man, do it.

I did a cross county trek back in 2006 in my 4Runner...one of the best times of my life. I did the I-40/route 66 going east then came back through St. Louis, Nebraska, Dakotas (Mt. Rushmore!), Devil's Tower, Nevada and back to CA.

This is a great and big county...lots to see and experience.

Atlanta is fine...just avoid that 285 bypass!

Just be careful and plan ahead...extra food, water, etc. Murphy's Law.

Oh, if you don't mind the heat and you've never been...I highly suggest driving through Death Valley, CA.

That's a good idea, taking two routes I didn't think of that (why i made this thread haha) I love the heat death valley is a good idea. My only concern is gas, but we're figuring 6-700 a person for gas round trip. which honestly isnt much more than a roundtrip plane ticket to ca for us

Never did a road trip that long, but back in 06 did an 11-day 4000mile road trip in my 04 4runner sport - 3 people, fully loaded (camping gear). Last year did a much shorter 4 day-2500 mile trip in 08 4runner Sport.

I have every bit confidence in a 4runner making a road trip like that without any hiccups. I'm debating myself if I should take my runner on a similar road trip this summer (3 week - Toronto-Vancouver-Alaska-northwest territories-Toronto, well over 7k miles).

Having said that, I don't consider the 4runner to be comfortable on such long road trips. It's much better than a regular car, but I don't think you can beat a minivan in terms of comfort Maybe it would better to just rent one.

Rent a minivan? I drive truck for a living, I can't imagine I would be bothered much by being comfortable (Ive driven some pretty rickety **** for 600 miles at a shot) What was your main gripe with the comfort?

Considering you are at 97K and there are plenty of people with twice the mileage I don't think there should be any concern. I wouldn't get crazy with excessive unschedulded maintenance. Would you expect any failures in the next 6k? That is really what you are looking at. Just putting 5K on in two weeks instead of 6 months.

I would suggest probably taking I-10 all the way there and then coming back the northern route so you are get to see something new.

True. We have to shoot south to get my budy in greenville, that sounds like a plan too

 

[Opi]

Been to Greenville before?

nope

 

[4Runners]

Haha wow this sounds like something i would do! I've taken several long road trips before (the longest being from Dallas, TX to Glacier National Park almost in Canada!) Some of my road trips were done in my 4runner that had around 150,000 miles at the time (now it's approaching 165,000) Check out my build thread here http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/106546-4runners-build-thread-road-trip-warrior.html and scroll to the part where i talk about road trips. It's got helpful links about taking long road trips in the 4runner from others on this site and nice pics!

Now if there is something i've learned from these long trips its that your plan usually always changes, alot! Sometimes i plan out a huge loop like you have then end up cutting it down to just one area because we just want to spend more time exploring/ doing activities there than driving. But if you can hit up cool places along the way to your main destination then that's cool too! I have actually been to most of the places your going to, and to be honest since you only have two weeks i would focus on spending most of your time in that loop you have planned out in Arizona, Nevada and California (H, G, F and E on your map). There is so much to do there in just that area and if you have never been out there before you would really enjoy it. You got the Grand Canyon, Arizona Meteor crater near Flagstaff, if you like outdoor/scenery stuff you got Sedona instead of Phoenix, you will want to spend some time hitting the tables in Las Vegas and if you have enough money to continue your trip (you know, vegas? lol) go through Utah instead of going to Tijuana. (I'd stay clear of the US/Mexican border. It's dangerous and you will end up going through one of those immigration checkpoints that they have setup at least 100 miles from the border which was actually quite an interesting experience) And Utah has some of the best scenery i have ever seen. You got Zion National park North of Grand canyon, Arches, heck you can even cut through Colorado on your way back home (although depending on when you leave i would check snow reports).

Now about your route, that drive from New Orleans to Albuquerque is pretty boring. You will feel like you are in Texas forever and it's all boring and flat out there. Once you cross over the Rocky mountains...bam! Scenery galore! I've also heard that New Orleans is still kinda messed up (not what it used to be) ever since Katrina. It all depends on what you want to do. I've never had any problems doing road trips with my 4runner and wouldn't hesitate to do your trip with my 165,000 mile 4runner. Just check out the link i gave you to my road trips and all the links there too and you'll see what i mean.

 

[MikeInNH]

I now have over 200k miles on my 4runner. And I wouldn't hesitate to do that trip.

The only thing I question is taking it to the dealer. Any good independent can do the same work for less. Toyota's are NOT something special. They are very popular and not difficult to work on. In many cases a good independent is BETTER then the dealer.

 

[CookieRoe]

dumb salespeople........

I drove to Nashville in 09 for CMA fest, had a 02 xterra at the time (that thing was a dog) I went to bennett to shop runners, their salesman were re****ed... if you say the service is good though ill check it out.

Service is good/quick/price seems reasonable. The waiting area is nice and ample. As far as the salespeople, I have a philosophy:

They only want to make a sale. They generally know d*ck about the vehicle you are interested in. When I got my 4R, I asked about the engine (at the time I didn't know specifics). He told me, "These cross overs have a V8"

Anyway, I didn't care, I knew that the 4th gen was a SOLID truck. I previously had 2 3rd gen 4Runners (Surfs), so there was "no need to sell me". The price was right too. I don't know anything about Bennett's salespeople (however, there was an episode back in 1991 when there was a Supra in the showroom. My dad recently got a new LS400 BTW. Anyway, a saleman (older guy) said, "be careful, that's a $50,000 car". I wanted to tell him off. I went there to specifically see the 4Runner. I'm sure that guy is dead (good) now).. The sales people at the Lexus dealer here have no clue what they are talking about either. My Honda dealer too. I asked to see a Civic with a NAV in 2007 (my current car) and was told they don't come with them. Urrghhh. I agree with ya though!

That's why I research the car/truck I'm going to buy BEFORE I head to the showroom to talk turkey.