We definitely get the looks when we are out in full force wheeling. All of the Jeepers look in amazement when we are 6-12 strong and doing the harder lines than them.
Haha this is very true! When I lived in California I would see 4runners and tacomas all the time but that's not the case at all here in Texas. It's all about Chevys and Fords. When I was looking for a 4runner here in Texas it was impossible to find a 4wd let alone a 5 speed. The guy I ended up buying mine from moved here from Colorado.
I've been seeing more and more t4rs and tacos here too lately. I'd say 20+ a day when I used to not see hardly any. I can't believe I can't find a forum member other than ole blue with the amount of third gens I've seen between Branson and Springfield.. Colorado always see a lot of 3rd gens when I head home to Oregon every year.. Same out west, loved growing up around the yotas and Nissans in the Willamette valley.. Lots of good wheeling with good rigs and folks.
When I was shopping for a 5-speed 4Runner, I found most of them in California and Colorado. Toyota must have shipped them to dealers with varying equipment based on geography, because CA and CO also had the highest percentage of e-locked 4Runners.