A little background: I’ve owned a 1996 SR5 V6 Auto 4WD (Bilsteins, PF Carbon Metallics) for the past 11 years and it now has 260,000+ miles on it. Off-roading limited to Forest Service dirt tracks, logging roads etc. when going camping/fly-fishing; in other words nothing too serious. Also have a 2001 Lexus RX300 Silversport AWD that’s the wife’s DD.
Decided it was time to replace the 4Runner and started looking initially at the 2001-2002 Sport version then turned my attention to 4Gen models. Settled on a 2004 Sport Edition 4WD V8; guess I like those hood scoops. Clean, solid, no rust, well-maintained. Flew in from Santa Fe and picked it up in San Diego. Driving home initially on freeways and interstate, smooth and quiet. Cruised effortlessly at around 2000 rpm = 70mph resulting in ~21mpg indicated, ~18.5mpg calculated.
Steering seemed initially very darty and precise, with absolutely no play. Took me a couple of hours to get a feel for it and develop a lighter touch. XREAS suspension felt firm but compliant; didn’t hammer over bad pavement and both bounce and rebound very controlled. Little or no body lean in turns. Brakes linear and powerful.
Funny, but I never nailed the throttle. I just assume it accelerates hard (for a two-ton truck), but never felt the need nor had the opportunity to really get on it.
North of Phoenix into the mountains it became apparent that the steering, suspension, brakes, AWD and engine were extremely complimentary to one another resulting in a really impressive driving experience. It got even better when it got dark and I realized just how good the lighting system is. Traffic was sparse and I had the high beams on a lot and they, along with the rest of the package inspired total confidence driving fairly hard in unfamiliar hilly, curving terrain. I was almost sorry to see Holbrook come into view.
Day 2 was simply pounding along the interstate back to Santa Fe, although pretty country through Navajo land. Again, 18+mpg calculated at 65-70mph but no better. No real opportunity to test its abilities like the night before, but it has totally impressed me as a solid all around machine. Exceeded every one of my expectations and I’m very happy to have acquired it.
Many thanks to the contributors of this forum for providing the research material for me to make a wise decision. Looking forward to many years and miles ahead.
Decided it was time to replace the 4Runner and started looking initially at the 2001-2002 Sport version then turned my attention to 4Gen models. Settled on a 2004 Sport Edition 4WD V8; guess I like those hood scoops. Clean, solid, no rust, well-maintained. Flew in from Santa Fe and picked it up in San Diego. Driving home initially on freeways and interstate, smooth and quiet. Cruised effortlessly at around 2000 rpm = 70mph resulting in ~21mpg indicated, ~18.5mpg calculated.
Steering seemed initially very darty and precise, with absolutely no play. Took me a couple of hours to get a feel for it and develop a lighter touch. XREAS suspension felt firm but compliant; didn’t hammer over bad pavement and both bounce and rebound very controlled. Little or no body lean in turns. Brakes linear and powerful.
Funny, but I never nailed the throttle. I just assume it accelerates hard (for a two-ton truck), but never felt the need nor had the opportunity to really get on it.
North of Phoenix into the mountains it became apparent that the steering, suspension, brakes, AWD and engine were extremely complimentary to one another resulting in a really impressive driving experience. It got even better when it got dark and I realized just how good the lighting system is. Traffic was sparse and I had the high beams on a lot and they, along with the rest of the package inspired total confidence driving fairly hard in unfamiliar hilly, curving terrain. I was almost sorry to see Holbrook come into view.
Day 2 was simply pounding along the interstate back to Santa Fe, although pretty country through Navajo land. Again, 18+mpg calculated at 65-70mph but no better. No real opportunity to test its abilities like the night before, but it has totally impressed me as a solid all around machine. Exceeded every one of my expectations and I’m very happy to have acquired it.
Many thanks to the contributors of this forum for providing the research material for me to make a wise decision. Looking forward to many years and miles ahead.
