Done with my 4runner: lack of originality, room and HP.

[Ripper238]

Anyone else just bored with their 4runner? Everywhere I look here in the PNW, everyone has one that's modified and tricked out with similar accessories. I'm probably going to sell my 2010, tastefully modified, low mileage 4runner. The final straw was taking my fiancé, two kids, dog and off-road trailer, camping to the Marble mountains in NoCal. The lack of power, head/leg room and storage is getting to me.

I've owned this for 6 years now and it's been a great rig for overlanding and camping, but I'm recently engaged and am going to be a step dad to 2 young kiddos who are only going to get bigger and a second dog coming in August.

I'm seriously considering an older Land Rover LR3 or maybe an older Land Cruiser. Really need that additional power and space. The LR3 appeals to me in many ways...power, towing capacity, comfort, lot's of room and not many modified versions on the road. The LC is just a staple, hard working, dependable, larger version of the 4runner in my opinion. More of these on the road that are modded, but much less common than the 4runner.

Anyone else tired of staring at their 4runner doppelgänger every time you get on the road? The dated motor and transmission is a topic of content here so that's already clear.

My 4Runner is too new for me to be bored with it, and I park it where i can stare at it all day long. lol

Its funny your dislikes are exactly why i love my 4Runner. I love its size and storage space, i literally can live in it (camping for a month). I have even taken a group of 5 people and a dog on a road trip with no complaints. I also really love the power it has, beats out my little sporty 2014 Mazda3 0-60. I'm also a fan of the motor and transmission. lol

It sounds like the towing and just becoming board with it is an issue. Sequoia maybe?

 

[Mr_Bingley]

I was considering the GX as a nice replacement for my Forester, but they have the same amount of cargo space. The 4runner has 30% more.

 

[Baystate4Runner]

I have a 2020 4Runner ORP and a 2017 Land Rover Discovery....
....The Discovery is also better off road in every metric...

Never heard that one before. Looks like you have funny metrics.
Unibody, no lockers, independent rear axles, low profile tires etc...just a few things that make a Discovery less off-road worthy than a ORP.

 

[spartacus]

Lr3's are great but they are not 4runners. 4runners are simpler to work on diy which saves time and money. When it comes to payload and travel trailer towing a 1/2 ton crew cab pickup will be the best bet.

 

[KDMcD]

Never heard that one before. Looks like you have funny metrics.
Unibody, no lockers, independent rear axles, low profile tires etc...just a few things that make a Discovery less off-road worthy than a ORP.

The Land Rover Discovery 5 has a two-speed transfer case and two locking differentials. It also has an impressive 34-degree approach angle, a 27.5-degree break-over angle, and a 30-degree departure angle. And, thanks to the Discovery’s tight seals, it can ford up to 35.4 inches of water.

The Terrain Response System and Hill Descent controls are pretty great. And, the 360 camera feature is helpful, as well.

As I said in my original post, I did change wheels and tires, which I did on my 4Runner ORP, as well.

Although my 2017 Discovery has been problem free so far, I do not expect it to be as reliable as my 2020 4Runner ORP.

I enjoy them both, for different reasons. The 4Runner is kind of a throw back to a simpler time. The Disco, so far, is a much more capable, convenient and comfortable vehicle, however.

 

[Thai]

The Land Rover Discovery 5 has a two-speed transfer case and two locking differentials. It also has an impressive 34-degree approach angle, a 27.5-degree break-over angle, and a 30-degree departure angle. And, thanks to the Discovery’s tight seals, it can ford up to 35.4 inches of water.

The Terrain Response System and Hill Descent controls are pretty great. And, the 360 camera feature is helpful, as well.

As I said in my original post, I did change wheels and tires, which I did on my 4Runner ORP, as well.

Although my 2017 Discovery has been problem free so far, I do not expect it to be as reliable as my 2020 4Runner ORP.

I enjoy them both, for different reasons. The 4Runner is kind of a throw back to a simpler time. The Disco, so far, is a much more capable, convenient and comfortable vehicle, however.

All your metrics are at HIGH setting on suspension, right?

At HI setting, you have next to zero articulation and the ride is pure utter crap. So, yes, you have those metrics but you compromise (badly) in other areas.

Being a unibody, any hit you get from off-roading will result in major $$$ repair bills. Sliders are useless on a unibody.

Your LR3 has a center diff lock and a “variable electronic” rear locker. Correct me if i am wrong, but i heard that this rear locker is controlled by Terrain Response…so, you don’t have full control over it and it can unlock on its own if the computer deems it. And it is very slow to engage at times. And since it is mainly clutch pack type locker, there are issues with it wearing out and failing with age…some people just leave it open because the repair bill for the axle is horrendous.

 

[thennen]

All your metrics are at HIGH setting on suspension, right?

At HI setting, you have next to zero articulation and the ride is pure utter crap. So, yes, you have those metrics but you compromise (badly) in other areas.

Being a unibody, any hit you get from off-roading will result in major $$$ repair bills. Sliders are useless on a unibody.

Your LR3 has a center diff lock and a “variable electronic” rear locker. Correct me if i am wrong, but i heard that this rear locker is controlled by Terrain Response…so, you don’t have full control over it and it can unlock on its own if the computer deems it. And it is very slow to engage at times. And since it is mainly clutch pack type locker, there are issues with it wearing out and failing with age…some people just leave it open because the repair bill for the axle is horrendous.

And Thai takes the lead! Lol!

 

[KDMcD]

All your metrics are at HIGH setting on suspension, right?

At HI setting, you have next to zero articulation and the ride is pure utter crap. So, yes, you have those metrics but you compromise (badly) in other areas.

Being a unibody, any hit you get from off-roading will result in major $$$ repair bills. Sliders are useless on a unibody.

Your LR3 has a center diff lock and a “variable electronic” rear locker. Correct me if i am wrong, but i heard that this rear locker is controlled by Terrain Response…so, you don’t have full control over it and it can unlock on its own if the computer deems it. And it is very slow to engage at times. And since it is mainly clutch pack type locker, there are issues with it wearing out and failing with age…some people just leave it open because the repair bill for the axle is horrendous.

My last pass at this. Yes, on high. The ride, however, is not crap. It is certainly more firm than normal height, but still better than my 4Runner on the same terrain. Not cap at all, even on washboard.

Yes, it is an electronic locker. I have not experienced any delay on any trail I have done. So far, it has performed great. Frankly, better than I would have expected and the other goodies make it even better.

You have referenced the LR3 a few times. I am not sure if that is the vehicle you intended to reference or not, but I am referencing the Discovery 5. I have no direct knowledge of the LR3. Never owned one.

My experience with the 2020 4Runner ORP and 2017 Discovery 5 comes from owning both at the same time and driving each one when I choose to. It’s direct experience in real time, off road and on, highway and city. And, to be clear, I do expect my 4Runner to be more reliable over a longer timeframe. It’s just a simpler, less convenient and less capable vehicle at the moment.

 

[KDMcD]

And Thai takes the lead! Lol!

Ha! Love it. Not trying to push anything, just sharing my experience from owning both vehicles concurrently versus hearsay.

 

[Thai]

My last pass at this. Yes, on high. The ride, however, is not crap. It is certainly more firm than normal height, but still better than my 4Runner on the same terrain. Not cap at all, even on washboard.

Yes, it is an electronic locker. I have not experienced any delay on any trail I have done. So far, it has performed great. Frankly, better than I would have expected and the other goodies make it even better.

You have referenced the LR3 a few times. I am not sure if that is the vehicle you intended to reference or not, but I am referencing the Discovery 5. I have no direct knowledge of the LR3. Never owned one.

My experience with the 2020 4Runner ORP and 2017 Discovery 5 comes from owning both at the same time and driving each one when I choose to. It’s direct experience in real time, off road and on, highway and city. And, to be clear, I do expect my 4Runner to be more reliable over a longer timeframe. It’s just a simpler, less convenient and less capable vehicle at the moment.

My bad…misread…but same thing. Center and rear diff locks are fully “automatic” electronically controlled by ECU. And when raised, zero articulation and ride is bad. Unibody. Horrible reliability and durability.

So, yeah, it all depends on your needs. LR 5 is certainly fancy (but fugly IMO) and looks great on “paper”. 4runner is more basic and certainly not fancy. But it will surely last longer, handle off-road punishment much better, and much easier to modify if needed.

 

[bob3dsf]

Probably around 96. As I said, the car had ~80k miles on it.
The reliability thing was sarcasm. You can pull your panties out of your ass now.

LOL. So much for interpretation of typed responses. But actually, sometimes I like commando.:wacko:

 

[CutthroatSlam]

My last pass at this. Yes, on high. The ride, however, is not crap. It is certainly more firm than normal height, but still better than my 4Runner on the same terrain. Not cap at all, even on washboard.

Yes, it is an electronic locker. I have not experienced any delay on any trail I have done. So far, it has performed great. Frankly, better than I would have expected and the other goodies make it even better.

You have referenced the LR3 a few times. I am not sure if that is the vehicle you intended to reference or not, but I am referencing the Discovery 5. I have no direct knowledge of the LR3. Never owned one.

My experience with the 2020 4Runner ORP and 2017 Discovery 5 comes from owning both at the same time and driving each one when I choose to. It’s direct experience in real time, off road and on, highway and city. And, to be clear, I do expect my 4Runner to be more reliable over a longer timeframe. It’s just a simpler, less convenient and less capable vehicle at the moment.

Finally, how's that resale value on the Range Rover Discovery 5?

 

[Too Stroked]

Finally, how's that resale value on the Range Rover Discovery 5?

So cruel.

 

[Covet]

My 4Runner is too new for me to be bored with it, and I park it where i can stare at it all day long. lol

Its funny your dislikes are exactly why i love my 4Runner. I love its size and storage space, i literally can live in it (camping for a month). I have even taken a group of 5 people and a dog on a road trip with no complaints. I also really love the power it has, beats out my little sporty 2014 Mazda3 0-60. I'm also a fan of the motor and transmission. lol

It sounds like the towing and just becoming board with it is an issue. Sequoia maybe?

New to 4Runner world here, and honestly it is not very exciting. Diving a JLUR for 4 years as a daily driver and all of the on pavement time I spend I would suggest a Gladiator or Wrangler for your boredom. My JL was/is surprisingly reliable, a lot of fun to drive, but is a much more active process - think school bus steering on the highways lol! Again the Jeep platform is not boring, but I am happier now with something that is a little more predictable and smoother on road.

 

[David9962000]

OP, about a pre-owned GX460!

 

[Flyer]

I can handle the boring and bland interior but with the steep mountain passes we have, the lowish torque delivery is pretty underwhelming. Offroading is about the same as any decent IFS. Here's to hoping it gets a turbo or two. The Lexus version of the LC is the only Toyota worth it for me, though the 4R is at least somewhat inexpensive.

 

[David9962000]

The Ineos will be available next year.

https://mss-p-034-delivery.sitecorecontenthub.cloud/api/public/content/Public_US_English?v=c9da6627

 

[Flyer]

Looks like a serious off-road 4x4.

 

[Spriggs53]

I say, to each their own. I don’t mind how “boring” the 4R is, and in all honesty I say it keeps some responsible drivers. I owned a 2011 Nissan Juke w/ a manual trans before this ‘02 4R, which is a very fun car to drive by the way, tho I formed some very bad driving habits. It was so light and speedy, I kinda miss it, but with the 4R its about on the opposite spectrum, which I could totally see that being a negative for most, but I say its also more predictable, more safe, and easier to maintain, not to mention the reliability as everyone else has. It might be boring, but thats a nice break from the overhyped world of gadgets and tricks that will be more difficult and expensive to fix in the long run. Certainly less to go wrong. For those who like to work on their own cars, mod to their liking, find simplicity relaxing and refreshing, the 4R is ideal. But, if thats not your thing then by all means, find your thing and enjoy it. This world is always moving, there may be something even more perfect for you 2 years down the line, or not, who knows. Not trying to convince you of the 4R, but there is something there to be appreciated, whether its your taste or not. My rant is done. I hope you find ‘your’ car.

 

[SurferUK]

I'm seriously considering an older Land Rover LR3

Take it from an English man - don't.

I shipped my truck across an ocean rather than buy a JLR product...