Considering a 2012 SR5

[WaySlowWhitey]

I'm considering a 2012 SR5 4Runner. I currently own a loaded 2011 RAM 1500 4x4. Drives great, decent mileage and respectable HP. In driving the 4Runner I'm concerned that I'll miss the HEMI. I don't tow/haul anything and really want to get something smaller than my truck and hoped I could get some insights here. Anyone else make a switch from a full size truck to a 4Runner? Pros/cons?

 

[Foques]

oh you will miss the power, yes you will.. but if you're looking for something AWD / 4x4.. and smaller the switch is worth it.

i'm very pleased with the truck.. though, i'm not coming from a full sized truck, but a twisty buster g35 coupe..

 

[4FL]

I come from the full size truck world, f350's and 250's PSD. I drive a 2003 explorer now, but getting a 4 runner this spring.

Pros
- Many things. Size is one, there is plenty of room yet it is in a smaller package, great if living in the city like me.

- Being able to throw things in the back without regard to it being in the open is also great. I have camping gear, beach stuff, misc items in the back. Before I had it in the tool box (on my reg cab), or hogging up the back seat on my excab.

- 4 runners (explorers also) handle great in things like the snow. My explorer would have run circles aorund my trucks in the snow and ice, it is just better balanced than a pickup.

- Room for people inside, bonus only if it a concern.

Cons

- Opposite of being able to throw things in the back; fuel, lawnmowers, anything that smells or you would not want to breathe. The solution is to get a trailer, but throwing it the bed of a truck is always good.

- I had an f350 and two f250's, they are tough, they can pull a lot. But I never towed (excpet with the f350 when I worked construction), and they are overbuilt for what most people will ever need, even for off roading which I did with the f350. But if you are into big tires and everything, I would not go less than a f250.

All in all, the 4 runner (suv's in general) are great for my purpose and was a great trade off. I miss the looks and feel of the f series, and love sitting up in the air, but those are minor trade offs to what I get out of an suv.

The 4 runner is a very capable suv. Even on the trails with my f350, I could not ever complain about a nealry stock 4 runner with good tires (and a good driver). Only heavy mud was a barrier, but who the heck wants to get into that stuff really. The 4 runner also tows enough for most people, like 4 wheelers or something, if extra hauling space is needed.

I will always be a truck person, but I have no complaints about a good suv, and the practicality of owning one. Plus, ones like the 4 runner are pretty darn cool like a truck.

 

[My 4R]

If your concerned that you will miss the V8 power...................... your going to miss the V8 power. Engine is only about 30hp less, but the V6 does not have near the push a V8 does. Is it a fair trade-off, some no...others yes. I came from a Dodge diesel and tow under 5000#, so it was a big shift for me, but I really enjoy my 4R and it tows my trailers decent enough.

 

[StRanger7032]

I came from a 2010 Tundra with the 5.7l V8. I missed the power at first, but got used to the V6 eventually. Doubling my gas mileage helped ease the transition to a less powerful engine. I like the size, the climate controlled cargo area for my dogs, and the look (after some modifications). I guess the big questions is: Do you REALLY need a pickup truck. For me, the answer was no, partially because I can borrow my friend's beater 88' GMC if I really need to haul something.

 

[WaySlowWhitey]

Thanks for all the input. I bought the RAM 1500 a year ago after driving a RAM 2500 CTD for about 4 years. The change in power was huge. Now looking at the 4Runner and losing 120 HP is gonna take some getting used to. Was hoping Toyota still had a supercharger but was told by the dealer that Toyota is trying to get away from them.

 

[DDM4]

I came from a 2010 Tundra with the 5.7l V8. I missed the power at first, but got used to the V6 eventually. Doubling my gas mileage helped ease the transition to a less powerful engine. I like the size, the climate controlled cargo area for my dogs, and the look (after some modifications). I guess the big questions is: Do you REALLY need a pickup truck. For me, the answer was no, partially because I can borrow my friend's beater 88' GMC if I really need to haul something.

I agree.

I would go as far as saying, unless you are towing things that are +#5000 REGULARLY and for long distances, what's the point of a really nice truck, from a practicality stand point? If you just want one, go for it. They're awesome. But for me, coming from somewhat of a similar background (always owned trucks as a primary DD and now own a tahoe), I don't do those things. Not to mention, you can pick up a single cab v8 pickup to use as a workhorse for pennies, really.

My situation is, I had a Tahoe and a BMW 3. The BMW went back after its lease and we looked for another vehicle. I leased her a VW GTI for a screaming deal. Given my wife's lengthy commute, in fuel savings alone, we save $200 monthly compared to her driving the tahoe. That has a little over 2 years left on the lease.

The Tahoe is now 10 years old and it's time to buy something else. I've looked at 07+ tahoes, suburbans, New F150s, Silverados, Wrangler unlimited, FJ cruiser, the new grand cherokee, and the 4runner. All very seriously. (Serial researcher). The best "deal" based on size, power, comfort and price is the used Tahoe or a slightly used F150. Both struggle with resale in my area, both have nice features and plenty of power. Sure, there are tradeoffs but that's an objective opinion based off my research. I have no brand loyalty with vehicles. Frankly, my exposure to Toyota has been negative by way of my mother's Sequoia and Lexus and my sister's 4th gen 4runner, which all had problems and ****ty dealer support. :happens:

I've gotten over the idea that I will miss the power, my main concern is that I'll miss the space. I decided I didn't want my wife in the GTI once we finish our move to TN and then figured, with only 2 years left on the GTI, I could get a smaller SUV to see how we fare. If, after 2 years, we decide it wasn't enough space as a primary family vehicle, I'll get something larger then and she will continue to drive the 4runner as her primary.

To compliment that, I plan on buying a beater truck for the farm for those instances when I need the power.

God that was long... Just passing along my situation in the hopes it helps.

Married, father of 2 small children. Have dogs and building a farm. My needs are safety, get-home-no-matter-what-ability, and long term reliability.

 

[bigslimdog]

I had an F-250 before my T4R. For me, I needed a more family friendly vehicle. My wife had a baby in September and we couldn't fit the car seat in the back seat of the F-250 very comfortably. We also couldn't haul around all the necessary baby gear (strollers, etc.) that we needed to (didn't want to put stuff like that in the bed of the truck). With more little heads planned for the future, we decided to go with an SUV and the T4R was the best one for under $40k IMO.

I definitely miss the V8 power but as someone else already said, it makes up for it by doubling the MPG. It didn't bother me too much to lose the truck bed because I have a small trailer that I can hook up to the T4R and use when necessary (which isn't very often).

 

[WaySlowWhitey]

Thanks DDM4. I don't tow a thing and seldom use the truck box. I live in the city (Denver, CO) but enjoy trips to the mountains where some additional HP helps climbing the roads. That said, having 390 HP is nice but not always practical. As for the interior space, we like to tent camp so we'll likely need a roof rack to help haul some of the camping junk and leave space for the dog. Again, thanks to everyone for the input. Now if I could just get a TE without a sunroof. At 6'6" I need all the headroom I can get.

 

[WaySlowWhitey]

I had an F-250 before my T4R. For me, I needed a more family friendly vehicle. My wife had a baby in September and we couldn't fit the car seat in the back seat of the F-250 very comfortably. We also couldn't haul around all the necessary baby gear (strollers, etc.) that we needed to (didn't want to put stuff like that in the bed of the truck). With more little heads planned for the future, we decided to go with an SUV and the T4R was the best one for under $40k IMO.

I definitely miss the V8 power but as someone else already said, it makes up for it by doubling the MPG. It didn't bother me too much to lose the truck bed because I have a small trailer that I can hook up to the T4R and use when necessary (which isn't very often).

Bigslimdog what sort of trailer do you use?

 

[DDM4]

Thanks DDM4. I don't tow a thing and seldom use the truck box. I live in the city (Denver, CO) but enjoy trips to the mountains where some additional HP helps climbing the roads. That said, having 390 HP is nice but not always practical. As for the interior space, we like to tent camp so we'll likely need a roof rack to help haul some of the camping junk and leave space for the dog. Again, thanks to everyone for the input. Now if I could just get a TE without a sunroof. At 6'6" I need all the headroom I can get.

What is the HP % loss per 1000 ft of altitude? I would guess you'd be around 200HP at 10,000ft. Just guessing there. Something to think about for sure. Good luck. 5000ft + is something I don't have to consider, that's for sure. Around 1200-1500ft where I'm headed.

 

[bigslimdog]

Bigslimdog what sort of trailer do you use?

It's just a little 6 foot trailer with 4 foot wooden sides. Good for trips to the dump or to home depot. Probably only weighs about 400 lbs empty and gives me that extra cargo space when I need it and I don't have to worry about damaging the interior. That is the main thing I miss from my F-250, the ability to just throw stuff in the back and hit the road. But the positives outweigh the negatives by far!

 

[DDM4]

It's just a little 6 foot trailer with 4 foot wooden sides. Good for trips to the dump or to home depot. Probably only weighs about 400 lbs empty and gives me that extra cargo space when I need it and I don't have to worry about damaging the interior. That is the main thing I miss from my F-250, the ability to just throw stuff in the back and hit the road. But the positives outweigh the negatives by far!

I've got a 5x8. Worth the investment. A lot of utility out of a simple piece of equipment.

 

[TOYSTRY]

I'm considering a 2012 SR5 4Runner. I currently own a loaded 2011 RAM 1500 4x4. Drives great, decent mileage and respectable HP. In driving the 4Runner I'm concerned that I'll miss the HEMI. I don't tow/haul anything and really want to get something smaller than my truck and hoped I could get some insights here. Anyone else make a switch from a full size truck to a 4Runner? Pros/cons?

In short, you will miss the power. IMO, and in the opinion of many others the engine is underpowered for the weight. My biggest discrepancy with the 4Runner is the underpowered gas guzzler that it is. I get AT BEST 17mpg combined city/hwy. If I'm gonna get 17mpg, I want a V8......my .02 cents.

Of note, URD is finalizing a S/C for our engine if you want to spend $4-$6k for more power. HTH

 

[DDM4]

In short, you will miss the power. IMO, and in the opinion of many others the engine is underpowered for the weight. My biggest discrepancy with the 4Runner is the underpowered gas guzzler that it is. I get AT BEST 17mpg combined city/hwy. If I'm gonna get 17mpg, I want a V8......my .02 cents.

Of note, URD is finalizing a S/C for our engine if you want to spend $4-$6k for more power. HTH

What other options are available for boosting power, currently?