basic 4Runner questions.

[Muzzle of Bees]

My 2016 trail premium will take me essentially anywhere with upgraded tires. The biggest difference will be understeer and that losing that comfy suspension coming from a sporty vehicle.

 

[ForwardFlight]

2020 TRD Pro

1. Heads-up display. I had it in my Yukon and really got used to it. I also miss my proximity sensor. When I would walk away from the Yukon it would automatically lock. I've left my 4Rnr unlocked a few timesalready

I'll see if I can find it again but there was someone making HUDs for Tacomas and 4Runners. It is installed in the speaker section on the far left of the drivers side dash.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

1. Are there any options that you wish you had/wish you did not have?

KDSS. It makes a slight difference in on road handling, but also makes for weird leaning issues when lifting.

2. Are there any particular "quirks" with specific model years I should be aware of?

Older ones will have bad door locks. It's an expensive fix to dig around in the doors. The 5th generation models before the 2014 all have cheaper interiors than the post-refresh models, especially if you get the upgraded one. Toyotas also love to rust in certain climates so get a southern vehicle if buying used.

3. What are some easy "cost-efficient" mods I might consider getting right after purchase?

Nothing I did, it depends on how you use it.

4. How do you feel its like a daily driver?

It's a heavy and large truck. Perfectly capable of being a DD/commuter, but if that's your main use, then there are far better vehicles.

5. Do you feel there is anything else you need to add as a new possible "4Runner enthusiast"?

Don't modify anything until you have an idea what your specific needs are.

6. Do you think I should wait for another year or two based on "rumors" of new things?

No.

I would add that they kinda suck in CO snow and ice unless you have dedicated snow tires, even then the lack of a center diff blows when using the 4WD on streets and highways. I used Blizzaks and Nokians for snow tires.

Honestly, the BEST winter car I had in CO was my dad's Outback. That thing killed it in the worst weather conditions.

I disagree with the first

 

[ecila.z]

I disagree with the first

Can you elaborate? I'm not sure if I should get KDSS on mine.

 

[EddieV4runnin]

Can you elaborate? I'm not sure if I should get KDSS on mine.

KDSS won’t cause a lean when lifting, people who have a lean played around with the valves on the actuator per several recommendations by some members on this forum. I feel like it’s a great system and quite reliable. Drive both and see for yourself if you like it or not. I personally love it.

 

[Photogr]

Greetings all!
Trying to make this post brief. Lost my pre-owned BMW x5 3.0 to some slick roads a couple of weeks here in Colorado Springs. I have been contemplating a 4Runner for a while now. To keep things simple, if I were to go for a 4Runner I would be looking at least at the base TRD model for the 4x4 (Colorado weather) capability as well as "possibility" of doing bolt-ons and other stuff later if I get into more off-roading (which my friend with a jeep wants me to......im 50/50....money always key.) Keeping short, here are some questions I have for you all.
*context: If I don't buy new, I am looking at least at gently used 2014-present model years as alternatives*
1. Are there any options that you wish you had/wish you did not have?

I'm in CO in a gently used 14 TEP w/ KDSS which I bought about 6 months ago. I was in a 2004 Sport before which had a V8. I miss the bigger engine a little. There are many things I wish Toyota did better, but nothing that would prevent me from owning the car. Things like: It doesn't have Apple Play (Entune is a joke), It has an old style key fob and no push button, the stock headlights suck and dash computer graphics are pitiful! My 04 had full time 4WD, this one has a locking rear differential, which means a 2WD/4WD lever.

2. Are there any particular "quirks" with specific model years I should be aware of?

The style of the 14+ is slightly different than 10-13.

3. What are some easy "cost-efficient" mods I might consider getting right after purchase?

There are pages of threads on this. Start here: Mods on a budget, Easy Weekend Mods

4. How do you feel its like a daily driver?

It's my DD and it's great. I commute about 20 miles each way and it's fine. No issues. It's no BMW off the line or on the highway though.

5. Do you feel there is anything else you need to add as a new possible "4Runner enthusiast"?

Phone mount, additional USB's, Weatherproof floor mats (if they didn't come with it), XID headlights,

6. Do you think I should wait for another year or two based on "rumors" of new things?
Thank you all for your hospitality!

Personally I don't know why you would. Get yourself a truck and start driving. Do your research and learn by others experiences.

 

[TRDHULK]

I'll see if I can find it again but there was someone making HUDs for Tacomas and 4Runners. It is installed in the speaker section on the far left of the drivers side dash.

That would be a really cool addition!

 

[pDubs]

Since you're in Colorado, the only advice I can give is to help you decide between a Limited vs other models.

With the Limited, you have full time AWD and can lock the rear diffs with the transfer case knobby thing. So, you'll never be in RWD and risk spinning out whereas if you have any other model, do you mind fandangling around with the transfer case by frequently putting it in and out of 4H from 2H?

I was going to give my 4runner to my wife and try to find a GX 460/470 but I had a couple of hiccups while driving in 2H this winter which I don't think my wife would have recovered from. So, I don't want her having to fandangle with the 4H/2H since she should be concentrating on driving. I also don't really trust her to not be in 4H when she shouldn't be or switch to/from 4H when she should without destroying the transfer case.

So, when her 4th gen kicks the bucket, I guess she'll get the GX 460/470. I'm so jealous lol

But yeah, if you care about the ****ing around of 4H and 2H, take that into consideration.

The Limited doesn't have locking rear diff. Did you mean lock the center diff to change it from "AWD" to 4wd?

That's a good point about the limited though. The 4th gen 4runners had a center diff and you could be in 2hi, 4hi (without the center diff locked it was like full time AWD) then 4hi locked, then 4lo.

If it were bad out or even wet you could be in 4hi without locking center diff and make turns, drive around without binding. Now with my 5th gen if I go 4hi, you basically need to be offroad or in real bad snow to avoid binding.

One thing I wish my 4runner had that is available is the sliding cargo tray. Being able to fold the seats down and have a flat surface would be nice, then also being able to slide it out and access things in cooler, etc could be convenient.

I also wish there was a heated steering wheel option.

 

[LandCruiser]

The Limited doesn't have locking rear diff. Did you mean lock the center diff to change it from "AWD" to 4wd?

That's a good point about the limited though. The 4th gen 4runners had a center diff and you could be in 2hi, 4hi (without the center diff locked it was like full time AWD) then 4hi locked, then 4lo.

If it were bad out or even wet you could be in 4hi without locking center diff and make turns, drive around without binding. Now with my 5th gen if I go 4hi, you basically need to be offroad or in real bad snow to avoid binding.

One thing I wish my 4runner had that is available is the sliding cargo tray. Being able to fold the seats down and have a flat surface would be nice, then also being able to slide it out and access things in cooler, etc could be convenient.

I also wish there was a heated steering wheel option.

Binding isn't as terrible as people make it out to be. I drive with it in 4H on snow and ice with transitions to dry pavement and just ignore it. The biggest downside is the decreased turning radius when you're essentially skid steering it.

 

[00Sebby]

With 9 years in, the short list is what I don't like:
1 - Cruise control; too touchy. It slams the gas.
2 - Temp, clock, compass display; can't see when sun shines on it
3 - The dreaded 65 mph shake

What I do like:
Everything else. It's still as solid as the day I bought it.

I agree with you on the CC. It seems to be all or nothing. LOL

I wish I had the dash display from my '10 TE in my ORP. On the new ones, it only displays the clock. It is in blue letters and easier to see in the sun but, we lose the mpg/compass/temp and it's really stupid how those things are now displayed on the 2020 system.

As for the 65mph shake, I haven't experienced that in either my '10 or '20 so I cannot comment on that.

 

[Deathrage]

Since you're in Colorado, the only advice I can give is to help you decide between a Limited vs other models.

With the Limited, you have full time AWD and can lock the rear diffs with the transfer case knobby thing. So, you'll never be in RWD and risk spinning out whereas if you have any other model, do you mind fandangling around with the transfer case by frequently putting it in and out of 4H from 2H?

I was going to give my 4runner to my wife and try to find a GX 460/470 but I had a couple of hiccups while driving in 2H this winter which I don't think my wife would have recovered from. So, I don't want her having to fandangle with the 4H/2H since she should be concentrating on driving. I also don't really trust her to not be in 4H when she shouldn't be or switch to/from 4H when she should without destroying the transfer case.

So, when her 4th gen kicks the bucket, I guess she'll get the GX 460/470. I'm so jealous lol

But yeah, if you care about the ****ing around of 4H and 2H, take that into consideration.

I don't mind messing around with the 4H and 2H. I have been around military vehicles for the last 13 years and they all have their own quirks and difficulties. I doubt this will be an issue for me, but we will see.

Spoke with the dealership this morning, they are going to bring 2020 TRD premium to the house for a test drive tomorrow or Monday. The spec sheet they sent me for the vehicle ill be test driving has a few options (KDSS, skid plates, 17inch wheels) without negotiating the price from the dealer is $38,716 before tax. I'm taking things slow and not rushing into anything because I want to get it right.

 

[Photogr]

I also wish there was a heated steering wheel option.

^^^This!

 

[the_fornicator]

The Limited doesn't have locking rear diff. Did you mean lock the center diff to change it from "AWD" to 4wd?

Yes! Sorry, this.

 

[Deathrage]

So finally got to drive the TRD premium on Monday. Some of my first takeaways were that it felt so much bigger than my old BMW (which is not a bad thing) even though it's only a few inches bigger in each dimension. The model I drove was quite near as basic as it gets with the TRD premium with a few small additions. It had the TRD shift knob, and TRD floor mats as well as KDSS. Other than that, no bells and whistles. The Spec sheet had the MSRP at $43,684 However the dealer was quoting me $38,716.

Before he drove the vehicle away he gave me what I expected....trying to get me to commit right then. Trying to entice me saying the dealer was doing an additional 3 years of maintenance, as well as he was still willing to work some numbers my way.

If I could make any changes to the vehicle (in order of importance) it would be swapping out the front grill for the Pro grill, Sunroof, and TRD wheels. Now all these things I know cost money, so I need to find comparables and see what people have been paying for the vehicle as well as these options.

Bottom line, great vehicle, would love to get it but would like to be just a little happier with the options.

 

[jacinda]

1. Are there any options that you wish you had/wish you did not have?

KDSS. It makes a slight difference in on road handling, but also makes for weird leaning issues when lifting.

2. Are there any particular "quirks" with specific model years I should be aware of?

Older ones will have bad door locks. It's an expensive fix to dig around in the doors. The 5th generation models before the 2014 all have cheaper interiors than the post-refresh models, especially if you get the upgraded one. Toyotas also love to rust in certain climates so get a southern vehicle if buying used.

3. What are some easy "cost-efficient" mods I might consider getting right after purchase?

Nothing I did, it depends on how you use it.

4. How do you feel its like a daily driver?

It's a heavy and large truck. Perfectly capable of being a DD/commuter, but if that's your main use, then there are far better vehicles.

5. Do you feel there is anything else you need to add as a new possible "4Runner enthusiast"?

Don't modify anything until you have an idea what your specific needs are.

6. Do you think I should wait for another year or two based on "rumors" of new things?

No.

I would add that they kinda suck in CO snow and ice unless you have dedicated snow tires, even then the lack of a center diff blows when using the 4WD on streets and highways. I used Blizzaks and Nokians for snow tires.

Honestly, the BEST winter car I had in CO was my dad's Outback. That thing killed it in the worst weather conditions.

Nice opinion

 

[Drobs]

So finally got to drive the TRD premium on Monday. Some of my first takeaways were that it felt so much bigger than my old BMW (which is not a bad thing) even though it's only a few inches bigger in each dimension. The model I drove was quite near as basic as it gets with the TRD premium with a few small additions. It had the TRD shift knob, and TRD floor mats as well as KDSS. Other than that, no bells and whistles. The Spec sheet had the MSRP at $43,684 However the dealer was quoting me $38,716.

Before he drove the vehicle away he gave me what I expected....trying to get me to commit right then. Trying to entice me saying the dealer was doing an additional 3 years of maintenance, as well as he was still willing to work some numbers my way.

If I could make any changes to the vehicle (in order of importance) it would be swapping out the front grill for the Pro grill, Sunroof, and TRD wheels. Now all these things I know cost money, so I need to find comparables and see what people have been paying for the vehicle as well as these options.

Bottom line, great vehicle, would love to get it but would like to be just a little happier with the options.

I have the gray TRD wheels on my 19 Off Road. I like the looks of them. I've read that silver wheels offer more protection to the tire stems. Hasn't been an issue for me yet, though.

Gratuitous 4Runner Pic:

 

[Deathrage]

I have the gray TRD wheels on my 19 Off-Road. I like the looks of them. I've read that silver wheels offer more protection to the tire stems. Hasn't been an issue for me yet, though.

Gratuitous 4Runner Pic:

I am a car guy. I often lust over any car worth lusting over (looking at you Mustang GT500). Not very often do I like the factory wheels offered with vehicles, even as options. The 4Runner TRD wheels are the exception. I really do like them and if I were to get them I would most likely stick with them indefinitely. I'm still thinking about the numbers given and what I feel in my gut is reasonable. I got more research and advice to look for to make sure I can get the best price I can.

 

[pableaux]

I too came from BMW to the 4Runner. I had a '05 E60.

What I wish the 4Runner had was a heated steering wheel, HID headlights from the factory, better sound system, automatic wipers, and an automatic tailgate. I think that's about it. Automatic headlights maybe. But not really that big of a deal as the others to me. All luxury items that I'm perfectly fine living without besides the HID headlights. I ended up upgrading to HID anyways.

I absolutely love driving it as a daily.