Handeling on 2011

[gwcpa]

SR5 handles well. I read the reviews too and think it is a quiet and good handling vehicle. Have a Cadillac and Ridgeline that have tighter steering, but I prefer the 4Runner.

And you can drive part time on dry pavement. I do it all the time, just flip the xfer case into 2wd when you turn. Same thing people have done for years with p/t systems on Jeeps, pickups and SUVs. Take a turn wide and you'll get a little tire scrub, but the binding is not going to 'damage' the 4 wheel drive system like I keep reading about here.

Of course you can't just leave it in 4wd for daily driving, but if roads are covered in snow and you come on a dry section with a 90 degree turn, just reach over and engage 2wd. Easy.

What are you supposed to do on rock while off road? run in 2wd?

I can easily pull the xfer case into 4wd when coasting at 45 mph. Then pull back into drive and continue on.

I love my 4Runner. Considered the new JGC, but very happy I got the t4r.

 

[harper7]

I own the 2011 Limited, and feel the handling is not near as good as the 4th gen primarily due to tracking issues in grooved payment.

fraggy .....You think maybe that would be your tires?Mine handles grooved pavement,,ruts ,potholes or whatever like they are not even there and always has since I bought better tires. Has nothing to do with 4th Gen vs 5th Gen handling. I've owned both.

 

[RECDOG]

Well id deff be getting the sr5 not the limited like i said prev didnt want to spend that much on the limited.

id imagine if the truck was very mushy...could always throw in bilstiens and some thicker sway bars that would firm it up a bit i think.

 

[DavidPapke]

I gave some detailed driving impressions in this thread. Interestingly, I just had an alignment done to line-up the steering wheel (Toyota service manager told me Toyota picks up the tab for one first-year alignment and wheel balance), and the truck came back much better than before. Tracking was better and the steering felt tighter - it even seemed to brake better...

DP

 

[453030]

Per other posts if you are interested in the SR5, I would rent one since some rental companies have them so you can experience first hand. I own the 2011 Limited, and feel the handling is not near as good as the 4th gen primarily due to tracking issues in grooved payment. If you can afford it, the Lexus GX460 is far superior with the same frame and KDSS plus a v8 and 6spd transmission. Toyota did not put its best technology in the 5th gen, but did in the Lexus equivalent. This is my 6th new 4-Runner which is ok, but not near the offering pervious versions were at the time of their release.

Words are subjective but "far superior"? I'll disagree. I drive a 2010 GX several times a week, and every time I get back in my 4Runner I'm happier. The nav and audio system interface is identical to the 4Runner, with the same nuances we have. The ride with KDSS is identical to my Trail (the GX I drive does not have the air suspension option). Sure, it has more power, but it also can be very jerky in downshifting or when you take your foot off the gas. Noticeable transmission lag, something I have never experienced in my truck. The driver's seat lumbar is not made for a sub-6 footer like myself. The layout of the knobs and buttons is not as intuitive as the 4Runner, and unless I look I push the wrong buttons. I came from an LR3 before I bought my Trail, and I would choose it or the newer LR4 over that GX any day. I think the hole "body on frame last of a dying breed" works for a Toyota 4Runner. On a Lexus, the whole package just does not come together as successfully.

 

[scanny]

Every opinion is subjective. Once I rented a Mercedes for 10 days and I couldn't wait to get back to my Ford Escape, I liked Escape way better. Pretty much depends on a person. But somebody would say that Ford Escape's handling is crap comparing to Mercedes and probably would be right from his point of view. Same thing about 4Runner - I test drove a few vehicles in a class before buying 4R and found that I like 4R better . Somebody would feel better in Lexus or Jeep or any other vehicle - it's perfectly normal I think.

 

[RECDOG]

Yea its true every person is diffrent and will diff opinions.

I just cant decide between 2011 taco sport or the sr5 .:bash:

 

[fraggy]

Could Be Tires

Harper7, I am trying to find a good recommendation for tires for the 20" limited wheels that do not void the warranty. Mine has the Geolanders which are great except for groved highways. I logged the issue with Toyota, and their regional folks I guess will contact me some day, but it is a month already. I agree that it could likely be tires, but what tires do not have these problem on the 20" wheels. The current tire selection is very limited and I have been monitoring the tire comments in this forum.

 

[Falls]

Not a bad idea at all

but u didnt say if u love your 11 4runner now???

Yes I do . The steering is very light compared to my 06 4R , but that was a V8 and full time 4x4which makes it heavy steering. It pretty much effortless steering with this one 11TE. It took some getting used to but I drive a lot so the transition went pretty well.

 

[gmoney2626]

My two cents.... I just went through the decision of getting a 11 Tacoma or 11 4runner SR5 4x4 to replace my 94 4Runner. I never had a truck, could come up with scenarios I would use it in but it wouldnt be regular. A sales guy told me... If you dont NEED the bed then dont buy the Tacoma go with the 4Runner. The other thing that concerned me was the frame rot issues with the earlier year Tacomas. I never did find an answer as to what they did to correct the issue other then offer a longer corrosion warranty. I am sure something was done internally but never found it. I am happy I got the 4Runner it is a "truck like" vehicle and handles comparably. I did have the opportunity to drive it in the snow a month back and even in two wheel drive it felt solid and well planted. I was also surprised at how well the stock bluetooth radio sounded, in party mode of course.

 

[M1911]

The other thing that concerned me was the frame rot issues with the earlier year Tacomas.

All of the Toyota 120s have very similar frames, and I've got quite a bit of rust on the crossmember of my '03 4Runner.

 

[muddyYota]

get the SR5 and put a Lift on it
Handles like a sports car, no side to side, no lean. Nose dive gone. True thing of beauty

 

[JustLeft]

You can't throw it in high while going over 50mph. Once it is in 4wd you can go any speed you like. Many on this forum prefer full time 4wd. I am not one of them. I prefer rear wheel drive on dry pavement. I just bought a TE and owned the previous generation 4runner with AWD. My complaint with the AWD was that it seemed to idle high when stopped. I had to step on the brakes harder to keep it from creeping forward. This became tougher in the snow. May have just been the one that I owned, though, so YMMV.

I drove 100 miles in near white out conditions last weekend. Six inches of snow was on the ground, all unplowed (not a plow in sight), and kept the TE in 4WD the entire time. Cars were in ditches everywhere, some had collided with the highway divider. The TE did an excellent job, never had an issue. My wife, who was pissed about me buying the TE (whole nother story), said she will never complain about it again. She was sold. BAM!

I have All Terrain tires on my TE. I am finding that it gets great traction in 2wd. So I have no complaints.

ok yea thats what i thoght..that in sloppy wet snowy crap u can always use 4wh regaurdless.

but u said u cant turn it on 4hi on speeds under 50mph?? is that right or did u mean u cant throw it in 4hi while over 50mph .

again srry if it dumb question just making sure n i never owned a toyota truck b4

 

[JustLeft]

I was at a Dealer a couple of weeks ago and they were replacing the frames on a number of trucks. He said that this salt spray that the road crews put down on the roads prior to it snowing is eating the frames.

All of the Toyota 120s have very similar frames, and I've got quite a bit of rust on the crossmember of my '03 4Runner.