Contemplating the 2015 4runner

[off-road runner]

Yeah I've got 2 big Labs and they love the cargo area and sticking their head out the rear window.
About 20 years ago I went to a dealer and was looking for a Jeep Wrangler. They showed me several. As I talked to the salesman, I looked over his shoulder and saw a 4runner. Then I remembered in high school my friends father had a 4runner, '84 or '85 with the straight axle, took that everywhere. I also remembered getting stuck or broke down in my friends jeep wrangler. I left with the t4r, had one ever since.
Ultimately the choice is yours. The jeeps have the classic off road look and feel with the straight axle. 4runner is known for being reliable and one of the last practical SUV's built on a frame.

 

[BigJones24]

Thanks a lot, that really helps put it into perspective. Once my fiancée starts vet school I'll have a 30 minute commute to work - that combined with an annual 20 hour trip to Canada definitely make the 4Runner seem like the better choice. Being 6'5 I also feel like there will be more space for me in a 4Runner than there would be in a Wrangler

 

[BenKen]

I have a 70lb dog, and he loves "his" space in the back as well.

If you have a fiancé then you have future in-laws. I just took my future in-laws (and two dogs) from Atlanta to the mountains in Tennessee and back, and they just raved about my new SR5 Premium the whole time (admittedly, they had a little trouble getting in the back seats though, I bought some headrest grab handles to help with that).

With a Yakima skybox 16 up top the T4R was a roadtrip champ for us. We could even stop at restaurants, park near a window and roll the rear window down so we could keep an eye on the dogs too, which was cool.

I'm pretty sure my fiancé and her parents wouldn't be too keen about 4+ hours with two dogs in a Wrangler.

Test drive a wrangler with the fiancé, have her ride in the back seat for a bit, and then do the same with the T4R. I'm pretty sure you'll have a good answer then.

 

[Yellow Dog]

Get the 4Runner!

Big,

I recognize that Jeep quality and reliability is far better than it was even a few years ago, but seriously, get the T4R and you'll never regret it.

I guess it depends on what you want from a vehicle. My habit is to drive my vehicles until the wheels fall off - I take really good care of them but I also drive the hell out of them. I live outside DFW, and I have 3 labs. I don't really do any rock hopping, but I do take my dogs hunting, camping, and pretty much everywhere else. I'm also in sales, so I frequently drive 3-4 people to lunch. Finally, we do sometimes have some bad road conditions due to ice/snow and my wife is a healthcare professional who absolutely, positively has to make it into work regardless. i can't imagine that any other vehicle could meet all these requirements better than my 2002 T4R.

Finally, I'll tell you this. My 2002 has been paid off for a few years, and I've been thinking about trading it in. It's mechanically perfect, but it's got a little road rash from being used hard for 13 years. After looking around, I couldn't find anything I liked as well for less than about $45K. I decided, screw it, my 4Runner only has 220,000 miles on it. I'll put a little money into it to clean up the cosmetics, and I can probably get another 100K out of it. Try that with a Jeep!

 

[I4N]

The ones equipped with the KDSS suspension have less ground clearance...

I'm sure I'm exposing my ignorance with this question but, how much of a difference in ground clearance? Is it because the swaybars are mounted lower on the ones with KDSS?

 

[williamlv282]

I'm sure I'm exposing my ignorance with this question but, how much of a difference in ground clearance? Is it because the swaybars are mounted lower on the ones with KDSS?

As far as I know (someone please correct me if I am wrong) the KDSS swaybar attaches at the lower control arm. The front skidplate is also lower to allow the KDSS pistons room. What you lose in ground clearance you make up for in articulation and wheel travel. Whether that's a decent trade-off is up to you and your driving style. You could always lift it or throw bigger tires on later anyway to make up for the loss.

I'm not sure of the exact number of inches in lost ground clearance, but if I had to guess without checking I'd think it's probably somewhere around 1-1.5"? This is only at the front skid plate if I remember correctly.

 

[Toyo Bob]

I drove everything I could get my hands on before buying my 2015 T4R XP and have had it a month now and wouldn't trade it for the world.

In all fairness the CJ doesn't have a chance in this comparison. The Wrangler is after all... a Jeep and the T4R is a luxury truck/suv.

If you want a strictly utility vehicle that will be used a lot off road and not much on the highway or for commuting, plus you crave that jeep type feel then by all means get the Jeep but if you want a true multipurpose vehicle that can still double as a comfortable, respectable in any circle, presentable ride you'd be proud to transport anyone in then the T4R is IMO the best choice out there and I've had SUV's and pickups since most of you were still in diapers.

Just remember that the T4R is a truck and most SUV's are glorified cars and make sure you want a truck. It still rides comfortably but it is after all a truck with 270hp and mine has 4wd which suits the heck out of me.

I get by FAR more compliments on my XP than any other vehicle I've ever owned and I've owned some nice ones in my time.

Bob

 

[NuclearN8]

[MENTION=123507]BigJones24[/MENTION] you don't sound like a huge offroader... so if I were you I would get a SR5 and install a good set of all terrain tires (lots to choose from out there). that will take most people more places than their stomach will likely let them drive. My point here is that only a very small percentage of people use the 4Runner to its full capabilities, even off the showroom floor. Most people mod for looks or the "what if" scenario and there's not anything wrong with that at all. just saying that a stock 4Runner with a good set of tires will take you just about anywhere common sense let you drive.

if you need more interior room I'd consider picking up a used GX470 or 460. it's a 4runner with more headroom and interior creature comforts and most are driven to the grocery store or office by their first owner.

also worth consideration is a used land cruiser 2005-2007 to get the vvti engine.

with either the GX or LC remove the back seat and you have even more room (although the rear window lifts up and doesn't roll down into the tailgate which may be minus)

all the above vehicles have good road manners and will take you just about anywhere you want to go offroad with a good set of tires in stock form.

 

[BigJones24]

Wow, thanks for the very detailed. The GX's you listed are a little out of my price range, I will look into the SR5, I'd been looking at the trail because of the leather seats option, but I supposed I could go SR5 and then install leather seating separately. But you are spot on, I'm definitely not a huge off roader which is why I don't need any super fancy high equipped off road add-ons. Mainly looking to do as you said mod for looks, a lift kit and good looking tires.

 

[wanderMT]

Leather not available on Trail - only the Limited. Trail Prem. and SR5Prem. both have softex vinyl - Trail ad SR5 have fabric.

 

[LandCruiser]

Get the Jeep if your primary goal is to drive off road.

They're loud, drafty, primitive, have the interior from a Chrysler minivan, have a dog of an engine, dart all over the highway with their front live axle (worse once you lift them), leak, are cold as hell in the winter and wet and humid in the summer.

A JKU has a row of seats in the back, which is useless, but you can dump them and have a useful trail rig that holds a toolbox or something in there. Also you'll be better off stripping and herculining the interior.

Get the 4Runner if you want to do 80-90% of what the Heep can THEORETICALLY do, and still want to use it as an everyday vehicle, and not have to climb into a truck that has bugs or frost on the inside windows. Also it's not a FIAT, will outlast most Jeeps, can actually be driven at highway speeds without being loud and squirrely... also the 4Runner can have a MUCH nicer interior if you spec it that way.

People THINK they want a topless 4x4 they can drive when the weather is great, but most Jeeps are sold/traded in because people get sick as shit from all the other crap that is wrong with them.

 

[williamlv282]

have the interior from a Chrysler minivan

That's actually a compliment, but it's not true. They're actually not even close to being that nice. Chrysler Minivan interior > Jeep Wrangler interior in my opinion.

VS

 

[LandCruiser]

That's actually a compliment, but it's not true. They're actually not even close to being that nice. Chrysler Minivan interior > Jeep Wrangler interior in my opinion.

VS

Not the nice ones, the shitty plastic and chrome you get at airport rental car agencies.

 

[darrylj]

I also have 3 dogs (160lbs combined) so I need something that will fit them and something easy to clean (lots of short dog hair that gets stuck in cloth seats). Currently driving an 07 Jeep Patriot and keep the dogs in the cargo space.

You can always get fitted seat covers or a cargo mat for the dog hair, it's a small price compared to the total purchase price of a new vehicle. I ordered carbon fiber seat covers for my 2015 SR5 a week after I bought it because I had fabric covers in my old car that wore to shreds over 14 years and I saw how they preserved the seat appearance. In another 14 years I'll have a tired old T4R with pristine seats!

 

[4RunnerAU]

I drove a Wrangler JK sport (2dr) for 3 yrs. There is no other car out there with as many aftermarket mods as the Wrangler. Fact. I miss that and my stick shift, and the top down at the beach. I had to sell bc my wife is preggers and babies can't ride in Jeeps. I don't miss the questionable reliability (pentastar engine has header problems, soft top is a piece...lots of fights with that bastard in the pouring rain) and inconvenience - limited space, tough to get dogs in back (2dr thing). Also, i could never leave anything worth a damn in my Jeep because it was so easy to break in. My Jeep was amazing offroad. I am happy with my 4runner, though. Definitely a soccer mom car stock, but my future baby boy can ride in my truck with me, which is important to me.