Here is the situation, just bought the wife a new Camry, sold my TJ and 2500 sub so now I have possession of our 07 4runner. My dilemma is do I build this thing up a little (front bumper, sliders, etc) and make it a multi pupose rig (dd, trips 200-300mi, mild off-roading) or do I spend the cash on a cheap dd/trail rig? I have found a couple 1st gen trucks that would fit my needs for about the same $$ I would spend on said mods ($4k). Wife doesnt want the extra vehicle around, I think it would be nice, plus I could get some use out of the truck, although not necessary. Your experiences, thoughts, opinions appreciated!
Build my 4th gen or buy?!
- Thread starter NCrunner0
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montijo505
Senior Member
Build it!!
Agreed. Build it! More fun :thumb3:
montijo505
Senior Member
You will do your first big mod(lift, bumper, etc) and you will be addicted, you will never wanna drive anything else!
philskeeter
New member
Build it! save the hassle with two cars
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER
New member
Since this is the 4th gen section, you're going to get biased answers. Ask the same thing in the classics section and I'd bet you'd get different answers.
I was in a similar situation, I chose to go with the extra vehicle (wife has a 09 Camry, I have a 03 4runner, and added a 88 Pickup). For me this has been the right choice. Here were the key factors in my decision.
1. I'd rather off road in a $3,000 vehicle than a $10,000+ vehicle
2. If something major breaks, it's not as big of a deal since it's not your dd
3. Since the truck is so much smaller, tight trails are more easily navigated
4. Mods/parts are cheaper and it's easier to work on
5. The truck can still be used as a dd to keep miles off the 4runner, and also useful around the house.
I was in a similar situation, I chose to go with the extra vehicle (wife has a 09 Camry, I have a 03 4runner, and added a 88 Pickup). For me this has been the right choice. Here were the key factors in my decision.
1. I'd rather off road in a $3,000 vehicle than a $10,000+ vehicle
2. If something major breaks, it's not as big of a deal since it's not your dd
3. Since the truck is so much smaller, tight trails are more easily navigated
4. Mods/parts are cheaper and it's easier to work on
5. The truck can still be used as a dd to keep miles off the 4runner, and also useful around the house.
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montijo505
Senior Member
All very valid points, guess it depends how seriously you off-road, if it's very frequently then a second older vehicle is the way to go, if it's not often just the occasional weekend then the 4Runner is very capable and you probably won't do much damage.
I would suggest the 2nd vehicle to build. For many years I kept my 4Runner for a DD and had a LandRover for my trail rig. I was nice to have my clean DD and not have to worry about if something broke on my trail rig. When the LandRover died I built up the 4Runner. But I never pushed the limit or got it as dirty since it was technically at that point my DD. The last time it broke down on the trail I had to drive the track car to work. Just not something I was going to again.
I am a big fan of having dedicated use vehicles. IMHO I just lets you use the vehicles for their destined purpose and not have to worry.
I am a big fan of having dedicated use vehicles. IMHO I just lets you use the vehicles for their destined purpose and not have to worry.
toy4xchris
New member
I am in some what of the same position after having to dd an off-road vehicle most of my life it isn't that bad. You are making it into a rock crawling buggy so go for it man build yourself a Dr/weekend wheeler that's what I am in the process of doing.
Nyc-Runner
New member
Build it! It's much better cause you can make it your own to accommodate your needs and style of what you want and then once your addiction grows and takes over haha which it will no point on fighting it,,, then you can get the 1st Gen for a trail rig :thumb3: In the meantime have fun building and learning about 4Runner...
build or
Thanks everyone for the opinions and input, keep them coming , still haven't decided. I also look at it like this, I probably won't recoup the money put into the 4runner, but if I get a decent deal on a 1st gen then it shouldn't be a problem to resale if needed. I have annoyed the wife enough she now says get the truck but we all know how that goes. Fyi I have plans to look at a couple trucks this weekend, I will update!
Thanks everyone for the opinions and input, keep them coming , still haven't decided. I also look at it like this, I probably won't recoup the money put into the 4runner, but if I get a decent deal on a 1st gen then it shouldn't be a problem to resale if needed. I have annoyed the wife enough she now says get the truck but we all know how that goes. Fyi I have plans to look at a couple trucks this weekend, I will update!
foxtrot
Member
Sell your current 4th gen and but this one: DeMello 4runner for sale - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
Haha, cheaper in the end
Haha, cheaper in the end
Build
Foxtrot...saw the Demello yesterday, would love to have that but 25k could go a long ways...after talking and looking all week at 1st gens, I have decided to just do a mild build on my 4th. If i can pick up a few used items I could probably do a budget build around$2k-$3k range and the only 1st gens I have saw in that range are rough!! So, yesterday I started my build and picked up a set of FJ steelies, I need tires for the 4runner anyway. Wish me luck! Thanks for the input!
Foxtrot...saw the Demello yesterday, would love to have that but 25k could go a long ways...after talking and looking all week at 1st gens, I have decided to just do a mild build on my 4th. If i can pick up a few used items I could probably do a budget build around$2k-$3k range and the only 1st gens I have saw in that range are rough!! So, yesterday I started my build and picked up a set of FJ steelies, I need tires for the 4runner anyway. Wish me luck! Thanks for the input!
