LandCruiser
New member
That’s weird, because I had the same thought but then I realized that it’s not available as a 4x4.
A manual four-cylinder turbo 4Runner with the six speed from the FJ cruiser would be amazing.
Did you know they made a 2WD 4Runner?
- Thread starter LandCruiser
- Start date
A manual four-cylinder turbo 4Runner with the six speed from the FJ cruiser would be amazing.
Jetboy
New member
Lots of aftermarket turbo options for the 3Rz. Really easy to make a reliable 325hp and would probably be a lot better at elevation. Plus the turbo kits are only about $2500.
I think the real reason it existed was "starting at $25,999".
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I have a 2wd 2019. Live in Texas and rarely see ice / snow and if there is I’m probably not driving. Used to have various 4wd cars but would barely use it so it was just more maintenance etc
I bought it for the clearance and reliability. It will get me everywhere I need to go when camping etc. there may be a few times I wish I had it but most of the time I won’t.
I bought it for the clearance and reliability. It will get me everywhere I need to go when camping etc. there may be a few times I wish I had it but most of the time I won’t.
Jetboy
New member
Sure. But the Highlander is a better station wagon ground clearance (maybe more than the 2wd 4runner?). And it's cheaper and otherwise does everything better. If the dozen or more mid size crossovers didn't exist I could see the argument for it.
Whippersnapper02
Senior Member
Probably the old "1 at this price."
bak3rme
Senior Member
I had a 3rd gen 2wd 4R, it was actually my parents back then and they used it to and from work as a DD for a good while. Put almost 200k on the already 120k miles from a used dealership. This was down in Georgia.
If you are buying it to use as a DD and living in the city where it doesn't see snow it makes perfect sense.
Of course on a forum for 4runner enthusiast it will always be a topic of debate with the majority leaning towards the 4wd.
But ya know what? 2wd has taught me a lot about momentum and what I can actually go through and be smart about it.
If you are buying it to use as a DD and living in the city where it doesn't see snow it makes perfect sense.
Of course on a forum for 4runner enthusiast it will always be a topic of debate with the majority leaning towards the 4wd.
But ya know what? 2wd has taught me a lot about momentum and what I can actually go through and be smart about it.
thennen
New member
People buy what they like. I’m sure there are vehicles that make more sense than the 4Runners I’ve bought over the years. But I didn’t want those. While I would never buy a 4R without 4WD, some people do. A guy I worked with years ago bought one (3rd Gen) because he didn’t want the concerns of a drivetrain up front. But he wanted a 4Runner. People make way more idiotic decisions than this when they buy vehicles.
jrandom
New member
My dad picked up a 2017 highlander a few years ago, that thing is plush by comparison and can easily carry a platoon. It really is a nice vehicle.
I second this. I live in Oklahoma, so maybe 3 days out of the year would I need 4wd, but I’m retired and would just take my wife’s fwd car if I needed to go out in the snow. I don’t enjoy wheeling offroad so I don’t do it.
I have a 2019 2WD 4R that I bought to replace my 1997 2WD 4R that I handed down to my daughter. I looked at Highlanders but after owning a fwd unibody (Honda CRV) for a little while, I wanted another 4R. We only car camp now, and it holds a lot inside and up top, and it does all I want/need. So I get the reliability, ride height, interior storage for camping stuff, but no maintenance for a 4wd system I don’t need.
Snowtrooper
New member
MOST 4runners in our city/ town are 2wd variants on balding oem-spec radials (not much rain or snow here). It’s almost offensive when I pull up to the local grocery store in KO2’s. :boink:
As many have mentioned, I’ve recommended the Highlander to plenty of people interested in the 4runner, typically after they balk at the entry price and lack of 4x4 aesthetic accoutrements in the most basic trim.
“It looks aggressive” is enough to influence people’s purchase choices. Must explain why our town is slowly getting taken over by Ford Raptors.
As many have mentioned, I’ve recommended the Highlander to plenty of people interested in the 4runner, typically after they balk at the entry price and lack of 4x4 aesthetic accoutrements in the most basic trim.
“It looks aggressive” is enough to influence people’s purchase choices. Must explain why our town is slowly getting taken over by Ford Raptors.
LandCruiser
New member
I never understood the "4WD maintenance" because diff and t-case changes are pretty basic, cheap, and infrequent enough that it doesn't become a factor and CV axles only wear out with constant use. And Toyota 4WD systems aren't know for being frail or prone to breakdowns.
And now that I'm in the market for one, the price gap between the 4WD and 2WD is getting pretty narrow. I remember buying 3rd gens and there was a substantial premium for a 4WD, not so much anymore.
And now that I'm in the market for one, the price gap between the 4WD and 2WD is getting pretty narrow. I remember buying 3rd gens and there was a substantial premium for a 4WD, not so much anymore.
Jetboy
New member
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The highlander with the v6 and 6 or 8AT should tow better as well. Our RX is the same thing and it tows better than the 4Runner. It doesn't have the right rear suspension - but it is more comfortable, has 4.40 diffs, and an extra OD gear. It really does pull better than the 4R. And it has an OEM transmission cooler!! And a higher tow rating.... (Why does my minivan without sliding doors get an OEM transmission cooler and my truck with extra seats 4R doesn't? lol)
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thennen
New member
The “4WD maintenance” thing mostly comes from people who don’t know any better or, as in the case of my co-worker, have no experience. It was his first Toyota. I’m closing in on 700k miles across the three 4Runners I’ve had, with not even a cracked boot. Never one single problem up front. So I’m with you there.
Same can be said for some of the 4wd drive 4runners and lifted trucks that i see out there. Not a spec of dirt or evidence of any 4wd driven record of usage. And don't get me started on the lifted truck crowds with $$$ invested.. What for... Just for looks, like hey, I am cool 4wd crowd. Tons of pretenders out there, very few hardcore users of 4wd purpose.. . Some i swear only 4wd drive done is going over the driveway curb onto their lawns. On the other side some crazy cash strapped, riding their rav4 2wd out there and bear chasing down other side, out there, simply because they like outdoors, but no $$$.
Yes, i got 2002... 2wd because cheap used unit from neighbor, rear wheel drive units, screw fwd cv axle, long life engine, and keep my wife nagging me for suv, so that she can be me too crowd like her freinds. . But i love wrenching and still have my original new bought 90 truck with 22re engine, bullet proof.
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Yes, i got 2002... 2wd because cheap used unit from neighbor, rear wheel drive units, screw fwd cv axle, long life engine, and keep my wife nagging me for suv, so that she can be me too crowd like her freinds. . But i love wrenching and still have my original new bought 90 truck with 22re engine, bullet proof.
Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
I knew about it. I'd like to drive one just to see how it feels.
I had a single cab toyota 4x4 with stick with a version of that 4 cylinder and it was gutless. 4runner has to be slow as crap when coupled with hundreds of pounds more weight and a slushy.
I've driven Tacomas with the 2.7. And a 3rd gen 4Runner with the 2.7. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be impressed in a 5th gen 4Runner with that engine, but I would like to try it just out of curiosity.
I'd never buy one because they were 2wd only. Which would defeat the purpose of owning a 4Runner for me.
