First impressions

[Fishpilot]

After 21 hours and 1500 miles from Cincinnati to Albuquerque the first week I owned this beast, I'm about as impressed with my new 4R as I can be. A few thoughts:

18mpg at 75-80mph on cruise control is ok by me but will improve with a little lighter right pedal and a few miles of break in.

The NAV/Radio works great and sounds great as well. If you forget to include toll roads in your NAV preferences you will take a detour through very rural Kansas and Oklahoma. Oops.

My iPad works great and apparently charges while in the glove box hooked to the USB port, awesome!

This thing in comfy. And quiet.

The brakes work fine despite the nose dive and overall unappealing/unnerving brake pedal "feel".

I'd trade XM traffic for auto on/off headlights in a heartbeat!

High crosswinds are a bit terrifying on the highway, not the most aerodynamic vehicle out there.

This thing wobbles/tracks grooves a bit on the highway and even more on wet highways, hopefully this can be fixed by removing then lighting the stock Dunlops on fire then swapping in some duratracs.

Overall, I am totally sold even with gas near $4 a gallon. Can't wait to get this thing off trail soon.

 

[emsmatt]

I wish gas was only nearing 4 dollars a gallon here. I paid 4.29 today.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I wish gas was only nearing 4 dollars a gallon here. I paid 4.29 today.

And that is why the desert is better than the beach.. I still wish I lived by a beach..

Fishpilot, sounds like a pretty great 4runner you have. Any plans for it? You should join us other abq guys on the trails sometime.

 

[kmiller8821]

The NAV/Radio works great and sounds great as well. If you forget to include toll roads in your NAV preferences you will take a detour through very rural Kansas and Oklahoma. Oops.

LOL - I know what you mean. I was using it and noticed it was taking me an interesting route (since I knew the toll road was quicker, I was just comparing routes) I pulled over and found the preference setting and then I was good.

My iPad works great and apparently charges while in the glove box hooked to the USB port, awesome!

Mine too, its sic isn't it!!

I'd trade XM traffic for auto on/off headlights in a heartbeat!

I have those, but I'm guessing thats an "only on Limited" feature. That's silly, it should be on ALL models along with auto climate control, imho.

High crosswinds are a bit terrifying on the highway, not the most aerodynamic vehicle out there.

Yeah, sometimes it's like driving a box truck thru a tornado. I can definitely feel the wind at speeds over 80 when I go home to Houston. That stretch of freeway between houston and dallas (45) is pretty flat and I can really feel it push me around sometimes.

This thing wobbles/tracks grooves a bit on the highway and even more on wet highways, hopefully this can be fixed by removing then lighting the stock Dunlops on fire then swapping in some duratracs.

LOL @ on lighting on fire.. nice

 

[SeattleMike]

High crosswinds are a bit terrifying on the highway, not the most aerodynamic vehicle out there.

This thing wobbles/tracks grooves a bit on the highway and even more on wet highways, hopefully this can be fixed by removing then lighting the stock Dunlops on fire then swapping in some duratracs.

New tires will resolve these issues. What model did you buy?

 

[philsey]

..... High crosswinds are a bit terrifying on the highway, not the most aerodynamic vehicle out there.

This thing wobbles/tracks grooves a bit on the highway and even more on wet highways, hopefully this can be fixed by removing then lighting the stock Dunlops on fire then swapping in some duratracs.

New tires will resolve these issues. What model did you buy?

@SeattleMike: I understand tires fixing the wobbling/tracking issues, but are you suggesting they will make the vehicle less susceptible to cross winds as well?

 

[SeattleMike]

@SeattleMike: I understand tires fixing the wobbling/tracking issues, but are you suggesting they will make the vehicle less susceptible to cross winds as well?

Well, the winds will hit with the same force, but it won't wander half way into the next lane as a result. The same problem that causes the tracking issues with the stock tires also plays a major role in how the truck handles cross winds. At least, I haven't seen anyone with Duratracs claim the problem still exists.

 

[philsey]

Well, the winds will hit with the same force, but it won't wander half way into the next lane as a result. The same problem that causes the tracking issues with the stock tires also plays a major role in how the truck handles cross winds. At least, I haven't seen anyone with Duratracs claim the problem still exists.

Very interesting, this. I've certainly noticed the susceptibility to cross winds, but had no idea better tires would improve this. I was going to just put up with the Dunlops, as I have Blizzaks for winter and do not off road.

Ratfarts - now I have to pick new tires. I don't want/need anything as aggressive as the Duratracs.

Oh, and thanks.

 

[SeattleMike]

Very interesting, this. I've certainly noticed the susceptibility to cross winds, but had no idea better tires would improve this. I was going to just put up with the Dunlops, as I have Blizzaks for winter and do not off road.

Ratfarts - now I have to pick new tires. I don't want/need anything as aggressive as the Duratracs.

Oh, and thanks.

Fortunately, there is a ton of feedback on tires on this forum. Sorry to cost you money.

 

[Esteban15]

X10 on the duratracs being a huge improvement!

 

[1engineer]

I too share the views of the OP. After adjusting the pressure on the OEM Bridgestone tires I got it to be a little more manageable. I have over 5K on the odometer in 2 1/2 months so I am on the road quite a bit and am looking forward to some new tires, probably before winter. Since most of my driving is on the road I will go with Michelins or something to that effect. I like the Duratracs but I also like the 22-23 mpg I am currently getting and do not need the "LT" rating.

 

[Arc.]

Is there an SUV out there that knifes through cross winds? I just traded in my 2002 4Runner that had goodyear mud terrains and a mild lift and there is no way I'm going very fast in heavy winds out here in Colorado. My truck would get attacked pretty badly. Is everyone coming from low-to-the-ground vehicles to an SUV? Maybe I'm missing something, but being tossed around by winds is something I've dealt with dating back to my 1989 4Runner.

 

[Ramzey28]

I too share the views of the OP. After adjusting the pressure on the OEM Bridgestone tires I got it to be a little more manageable. I have over 5K on the odometer in 2 1/2 months so I am on the road quite a bit and am looking forward to some new tires, probably before winter. Since most of my driving is on the road I will go with Michelins or something to that effect. I like the Duratracs but I also like the 22-23 mpg I am currently getting and do not need the "LT" rating.

What PSI are you running?

 

[Ramzey28]

X10 on the duratracs being a huge improvement!

REading reviews on C ratings vs E ratings but do you think now that C ratings will run well or still have the issues described in other reviews...most were related to big trucks..??

 

[Fishpilot]

Just put 265/70/17 Load E Duratracs on today and then took it for a spin on the highway, up a 10200' mountain on an unimproved closed for winter road and finally to a local Thai joint for dinner. WORTH IT! It wasn't as windy today but it was still 20+kts sustained which pushes you around a little. These things run just as quiet as the stockers and track considerably straighter despite road conditions which I was amazed at considering their tread. I tried 4H, 4L and all the A-TRAC and ABS goodies the TE comes with and you can NOT break these tires loose unless you are driving at the speed of stupid. I got mine from Discount Tire in Albuquerque, they gave me $200 for the Dunlops with 1700 miles on them and they took a little off the top and the install fee to get me out the door with the warranty for $1000.45. Not bad, but I am totally justifying throwing out brand new stockers in an attempt to trick my brain into thinking new tires are a must for a brand new 4R! More to follow, this rig rules.

 

[Fishpilot]

New tint and new tires heading up Sandia Peak.

 

[SeattleMike]

Not bad, but I am totally justifying throwing out brand new stockers in an attempt to trick my brain into thinking new tires are a must for a brand new 4R! More to follow, this rig rules.

Keep it at 44 psi for highway driving and you'll never miss those Dunlops.

And new tires ARE a must for a new TE... it's in the manual. :girl:

 

[Froggy]

keep it at 44 psi for highway driving and you'll never miss those dunlops. . .

X2 for the DuraTracs

 

[1engineer]

What PSI are you running?

34-35 psi. When I picked it up it had 44 psi in the stock tires. I took them to 40, 38, and 32 psi. it kept getting better until I made the jump to 32 psi which was too soft. I took it back up to 35 psi and it is much better, Remember though I have the stock OEM tire which is "P" rated. 44 psi on an "E" rated tire would be just fine (thicker sidewalls) and designed for that pressure. I like the weight of a "P" vs an "E" tire for the gas milage side of things.