"Choose from 3 Drives: 4x2, part-time 4WD, full-time 4WD"

[NoDak]

just change out the tires if you decide to do any mid to heavy off roading. the oem tires are made for mostly pavement use and some mild snow.

change em out accordingly or adjust your driving to suit the tires.

 

[wfo9]

its all moot tho, as you wont need 4wd on dry pavement.

Right, but my point about 4Hi on dry pavement was related to the recommendation to engage 4wd once a month or so to keep things properly lubed. You don't have to go offroad or be on a slippery surface to do it.

 

[NMJack]

I would recommend getting a 4x4 over 4x2. SR5, Trail, Limited matters not just depends on yours preferences and how much cash you are willing to spend for features etc. I think most average consumers do not understand and are to worried about using part time 4x4 cases on the road (they think its a stuck in the mud feature)

So true. Whatever you buy, just make sure it isn't a 4x2. Those things are cheaper, get better gas mileage, have less maintenance costs and you don't have to worry about driving on dry pavement, keeping the transfer case lubricated, etc. If you are like most drivers, the day will come when you finally take it on a dirt road (let's just say off a real road) and you'll get a chance to hit that button/throw that lever and be an "off-roading" king! After all, you are in California, and if you are willing to drive far enough at the right time of year you may actually be able to find snow that is between the point where a) you could get stuck with two wheel drive and b) forget the vehicle, just figure out how you aren't going to get eaten by the other members of your party.

Alright, that was all just pure sarcasm by a 4x2 owner. Seriously, if you honestly see yourself being a regular off-roader, then follow all the great advice you've been given in this thread. However, if budgets are a concern (and they are for most of us), don't hesitate to buy a nice affordable 4x2 SR5 and use the "leftover" money for charity, your kid's braces, paying the rent, etc.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

So true. Whatever you buy, just make sure it isn't a 4x2. Those things are cheaper, get better gas mileage, have less maintenance costs and you don't have to worry about driving on dry pavement, keeping the transfer case lubricated, etc. If you are like most drivers, the day will come when you finally take it on a dirt road (let's just say off a real road) and you'll get a chance to hit that button/throw that lever and be an "off-roading" king! After all, you are in California, and if you are willing to drive far enough at the right time of year you may actually be able to find snow that is between the point where a) you could get stuck with two wheel drive and b) forget the vehicle, just figure out how you aren't going to get eaten by the other members of your party.

Alright, that was all just pure sarcasm by a 4x2 owner. Seriously, if you honestly see yourself being a regular off-roader, then follow all the great advice you've been given in this thread. However, if budgets are a concern (and they are for most of us), don't hesitate to buy a nice affordable 4x2 SR5 and use the "leftover" money for charity, your kid's braces, paying the rent, etc.

I will never understand the 4X2 4Runner. Why live with the compromises if you don't need the utility?

 

[Jeremy556]

Alright, that was all just pure sarcasm by a 4x2 owner. Seriously, if you honestly see yourself being a regular off-roader, then follow all the great advice you've been given in this thread. However, if budgets are a concern (and they are for most of us), don't hesitate to buy a nice affordable 4x2 SR5 and use the "leftover" money for charity, your kid's braces, paying the rent, etc.

 

[scanny]

Alright, that was all just pure sarcasm by a 4x2 owner. Seriously, if you honestly see yourself being a regular off-roader, then follow all the great advice you've been given in this thread. However, if budgets are a concern (and they are for most of us), don't hesitate to buy a nice affordable 4x2 SR5 and use the "leftover" money for charity, your kid's braces, paying the rent, etc.

Never could understand 4x2 SUV. If I don't need 4x4 I would buy a minivan. No sarcasm here - I had a few minivans before - they have more cargo space, cheaper, handling is better and they are more fuel efficient. The only reason I start buying SUVs and finally ended up with 4Runner is that I felt that I need 4x4 and rugged truck for my trips.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

S After all, you are in California, and if you are willing to drive far enough at the right time of year you may actually be able to find snow that is between the point where a) you could get stuck with two wheel drive and b) forget the vehicle, just figure out how you aren't going to get eaten by the other members of your party.

Lotsa 4WD-only roads and snow only few hours away. Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Sequoia national park, etc.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

Never could understand 4x2 SUV. If I don't need 4x4 I would buy a minivan.

Towing.

 

[1engineer]

Towing.

4runners only have a 5K rating. Many CUV's have higher.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

I am gonna go with the Limited.

However, a friend of mine mentioned the Grand Cherokee. Apparently those are full-time 4WD, and have more power and much nicer interiors than the 4Runners, but for some reason they're not popular at around here. Hell, I see more BMW SUVs than GCs! What do you guys think?

 

[Maverick]

I am gonna go with the Limited.

However, a friend of mine mentioned the Grand Cherokee. Apparently those are full-time 4WD, and have more power and much nicer interiors than the 4Runners, but for some reason they're not popular at around here. Hell, I see more BMW SUVs than GCs! What do you guys think?

I think the reliability and resale of a 4Runner is much better than a Grand Cherokee. I also like that there aren't a ton of 4Runners on the road around here.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

I think the reliability and resale of a 4Runner is much better than a Grand Cherokee.

But that may be a thing of the past. I thought the American manufacturers have improved A LOT as of late. In particular, Ford has made huge strides in quality. But of course, perception is more important--still most people think that American cars are of lesser quality than Japanese.

Reliability aside, the Grand Cherokee is a better choice than the 4RUnner.

 

[NMJack]

Never could understand 4x2 SUV. If I don't need 4x4 I would buy a minivan. No sarcasm here - I had a few minivans before - they have more cargo space, cheaper, handling is better and they are more fuel efficient. The only reason I start buying SUVs and finally ended up with 4Runner is that I felt that I need 4x4 and rugged truck for my trips.

Hey Scanny. Enjoy that minvan!!! There are still some of us "old guys" who could care less about space/cheaper/handling and just truly appreciate solid body-on-frame rear wheel drive quality transportation. Be honest, if you had a choice of driving around a city in a "soft" mini-van or crossover or a proper 4Runner, which would you choose? In the words of Tom Petty, "take back your front wheel drive." (!!!)

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

There are still some of us "old guys" who could care less about space/cheaper/handling and just truly appreciate solid body-on-frame rear wheel drive quality transportation.

I heard the terms "body-on-frame" (truck-based SUV) and "unibody" (Jeep GC), and i dont really understand them. Which one is superior?

 

[NMJack]

I will never understand the 4X2 4Runner. Why live with the compromises if you don't need the utility?

??? Are you asking why somebody who doesn't need 4WD would still buy a solid, dependable 4Runner? Are you sure you're in the right forum?

 

[dhylander]

But that may be a thing of the past. I thought the American manufacturers have improved A LOT as of late. In particular, Ford has made huge strides in quality. But of course, perception is more important--still most people think that American cars are of lesser quality than Japanese.

Reliability aside, the Grand Cherokee is a better choice than the 4RUnner.

Take a look at this thread on the subject of JGC
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/167077-jgc-vs-4runner-can-we-sticky.html#post1681529

 

[NMJack]

Thanks Jeremy!!! Your picture tells a thousand words that illustrate my point. Quick poll: how many members of the forum would prefer driving Jeremy's vehicle than a 4x2 4Rnr??

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

Take a look at this thread on the subject of JGC
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/167077-jgc-vs-4runner-can-we-sticky.html#post1681529

I said: RELIABILIY ASIDE, the GC is superior. True or not?

Perception is everything so, of course, I'm gonna go with the 4Runner, but it is very sad that Americans are so eager to ridicule American-made cars. Every manufacturer has problems.

Mark my words, just like Apple rendered Sony irrelevant, the American car makers (Tesla!) will conquer the world.

 

[dhylander]

I said: RELIABILIY ASIDE, the GC is superior. True or not?

I guess that all depends on what your looking for. For me I prefer a more truck like vehicle, I wheeled FJ40's for years. It's hard to put reliability aside, reliability is everything for me when I'm out in the sticks. If the GC was reliable, and I and looking for creature comfort, GC would get a look from me.

 

[scanny]

Hey Scanny. Enjoy that minvan!!! There are still some of us "old guys" who could care less about space/cheaper/handling and just truly appreciate solid body-on-frame rear wheel drive quality transportation. Be honest, if you had a choice of driving around a city in a "soft" mini-van or crossover or a proper 4Runner, which would you choose? In the words of Tom Petty, "take back your front wheel drive." (!!!)

Lol, I was enjoying minivans for many years : ) In the city body on frame does nothing in my opinion, in the matter of fact when we're going to downtown I prefer to take my wife's Mazda - easier to parc and I don't have to worry about underground parking being too low. I love my 4Runner, but not having it 4x4 doesn't make sense in my books, no offence : )