Farewell friends...

[bryancos]

Well I enjoyed the ride while it lasted and I had a ball with the mods etc. I did on my 4R, but for financial reasons (and the price of gas, even tho it's slowly dropping) I traded in my beloved 4Runner a couple of weeks ago for a less expensive, but still fun to drive, Mazda 6. I'll miss the 4Runner and it's capabilities, but not the payments or higher insurance rates... As I was mostly commuting in town, I could no longer justify the high payments and 18mpg. I'm essentially going from vroom vroom to zoom-zoom. Take care fellas and maybe someday I'll be back and behind the wheel of a newer 4Runner when/if they develop a hybrid model.

 

[leftyrb]

Will miss your wisdom and great posts I have enjoyed for over a year. I have given some thought to replacing my 4Runner with an Avalon, as we already have one additional 4 x 4 in the family. Hope you join us again.

Rick B (leftyrb)

 

[Derek]

You'll be back :

I traded my '04 for the same reasons you traded yours.... and I ended up coming right back and getting another 4Runner.

 

[bryancos]

Derek,
I'm pretty sure I'll be back eventually... at least when I get another 4R, it won't have the grey cladding detracting from it's looks. It was a bit too "Avalanche-ish" for me anyhow.

 

[THUNDR CLOUD]

I don't think anyone here is saying you have to leave the board. I think you should stick around. There are always postings with questions if this looks good etc...

Stick around the board can use you...besides, I think you will be back too...good luck to you what ever you decide.

 

[ksneubec]

Bryancos-

Great chatting with you. Stick around the boards. I'm sure you'll own a 4R soon enough again.
Karl

 

[Koz]

Your Family, stick around. You can't be without a 4Runner for long. Good Luck!

Koz

 

[Mark86]

It was great having you here! You provided a lot of helpful information. I am sure you will be behind the wheel of another 4Runner soon. You should still stick around. I am just wondering, was it tough going from a very high SUV to a sedan?

 

[bryancos]

Well I'll probably still pop on from time to time to check out everyone's rides and be envious Whoever ended up with my car got a heckuva deal as it only had 27K mi... and less than 3yrs old! I haven't even made my first payment on my 6 yet, and I've already started with the mods... wired up the center tail lights as additional brake lights, dropped in a K&N, got a rubber cargo mat.. lower front fogs are on order... Doesn't matter what type of car you have.. modding them is what makes things fun!
I'll keep in touch and watch the forums... although I probably won't be around as much as I used to. However, If I were to win the lottery, I'd definately go right out and get another 4R! And yes, it took some getting used to sitting WAY DOWN LOW and losing that commanding view of the road you have in an SUV...

 

[MicaBlue03]

bryancos, I enjoyed your posts and want to add my voice to those suggesting you drop in at least once in a while. Driving what you now drive, you'll add some diversity of daily experience to our discussions.

 

[AlexJet]

Well I enjoyed the ride while it lasted and I had a ball with the mods etc. I did on my 4R, but for financial reasons (and the price of gas, even tho it's slowly dropping) I traded in my beloved 4Runner a couple of weeks ago for a less expensive, but still fun to drive, Mazda 6. I'll miss the 4Runner and it's capabilities, but not the payments or higher insurance rates... As I was mostly commuting in town, I could no longer justify the high payments and 18mpg. I'm essentially going from vroom vroom to zoom-zoom. Take care fellas and maybe someday I'll be back and behind the wheel of a newer 4Runner when/if they develop a hybrid model.

So sorry you're out. Come back soon...

 

[bryancos]

Gosh, seeing your old car for sale on a dealer's website is sort of like reading your own obituary... It took a while for papers to clear apparently -- because I KNOW the only thing they had to do to prep it was change the oil and vacuum it... The bogus labels I put on the dummy switches are still intact (one of them said "OOPS!" They're asking way more than than I was trying to sell it for on autotrader!

http://bobpenkhusmazda.com/used_vehicle_details.htm?vehicleId=eaa7043b4046381e00a9a32cb53b18de

 

[toyota03]

Gosh, seeing your old car for sale on a dealer's website is sort of like reading your own obituary... It took a while for papers to clear apparently -- because I KNOW the only thing they had to do to prep it was change the oil and vacuum it... The bogus labels I put on the dummy switches are still intact (one of them said "OOPS!" They're asking way more than than I was trying to sell it for on autotrader!

http://bobpenkhusmazda.com/used_vehicle_details.htm?vehicleId=eaa7043b4046381e00a9a32cb53b18de

They are actually asking $26,400 for your old 2003 4runner v6.

 

[bryancos]

Yeah, can you believe that crap? Obviously they set the price higher so they can negotiate. They were initially only going to give me 18K in trade then bumped it up to 22K when it was clear I was going to walk. Amazing what the manufacturer to dealer incentives can allow them to do when they're motivated. The rebate offered by Mazda ate the remaining negative equity I had. Of course as luck would have it, we have about 4-6 inches of SNOW today... figures.

 

[Mark86]

Man, I feel your pain. I remember seeing my old 2003 Sport for sale and it killed me. I actually passed the dealer a few times and saw my old truck just sitting there! Back in June, they were asking $28,500 for my 2003 V8 Sport with 20,000 miles

 

[EDGE]

wow, they priced that truck high, I like to keep an eye on the used car prices and I've seen 2003 Limiteds priced around their:

anyways, good luck with your new car, so many different cars to choose from today I nolonger drive my 4Runner I still have it but I now have a loaded 06 Maxima as my daily driver and honestly I never thought I would enjoy it as much as the 4Runner, sure I would like the AWD and the V8 and the ground clearance plus getting in and out of a Maxima is way different then the 4Runner but still, both are different but I like both the same for what they offer, thats why I got them:

I still lurk and post once in awhile:arrow: again good luck with your mazda, but it sure does suck to see snow and be in a sedan:awais:

 

[ViprFixr]

I Feel Your Loss!!!

bryancos, Thank you for the great mods...some I even used myself!!! I too traded my beloved 4runner, but I went with a Dodge 2500 Diesel 4x4...needed the bed space after I bought a new home. I seriously miss my runner!!!!! Now, my wifes car is about to turn 3 years old and we are talking about buying a new 4runner . My old one was a 2003 SR5 with the V8, beautiful Green (Best color and it was discontinued!!), K&N, 285/70R17 BFG AT KO, Revtek spacers--although I drooled over the Donnies!!, Tail-light brake Mod, Rear-Dif Breather Mod...etc...etc.

As you can see I really needed to vent my sadness too! I tried to reply but my old logon and password didn't work anymore (talk about feeling horrible)! But, I will buy a new one as others have mentioned...seems once you have been wheelin' in your Runner and know what it can do you yearn for the day you can return. Here are a few pics of my beloved '03 Hulk and my new truck that has yet to be named. I hope to see you on this board again some day. Best wishes...

 

[ViprFixr]

Re: I Feel Your Loss!!!

and my new truck that has yet to be named. I hope to see you on this board again some day. Best wishes...

Edit: I have yet to figure out how to post multiple pics...LOL Here is my new truck

 

[AlexJet]

Re: I Feel Your Loss!!!

...My old one was a 2003 SR5 with the V8, beautiful Green (Best color and it was discontinued!!), K&N, 285/70R17 BFG AT KO, Revtek spacers--although I drooled over the Donnies!!, Tail-light brake Mod, Rear-Dif Breather Mod...etc...etc.
...

I see you had 285/70R17 tires. Have you trim the fenders or anything else? If yes, what exactly have you trim?

 

[ViprFixr]

Re: Fender Liner Trimming

I see you had 285/70R17 tires. Have you trim the fenders or anything else? If yes, what exactly have you trim?

AlexJet,

I had to trim the front mudflaps quite a bit (inboard side), the fender liner also needed to be trimmed. Turn your wheels to full lock in both directions to see where they rub and whack away! I also had Revteck spacers...you will need these or a similar lift. I did not notice any extra water entering the engine compartment.

I did quite a bit of wheelin' with the 285s and they stuffed fairly well. They did not rub anymore after I trimmed the above mentioned areas and was very happy with the results. You could not tell where I trimmed from standing next to the truck...neat appearance is a plus on a 30000.00 plus vehicle.

Then again, I was planning on buying a new front bumper and putting sliders on it, so my point of view may be a little biased!

I hope this helps...the bigger tires were a huge benefit off-road. I went everywhere from fire/logging roads to rock crawling (yes, you WILL break/smash someting climbing over rocks--I can vouch for that...but it is fun!)

I guess what I am trying to say is that it IS worth it...took about 20 minutes to get just the right set-up. Oh yeah, I used small bungy cords to hold back the fender liner since I had to trim where they were held in place by fasteners.

Let me know how you fared with the trimming or if you have any other questions!

Have Fun!