New here, but not to off road forums. I have been a Jeep guy my whole adult life, lastly being a 05 Unlimited Rubicon I built up pretty well. Problem is, I HATE driving Jeeps anywhere but off road. So, about 2 years ago I sold my Rubicon and bought a Subaru Outback as my daily driver/ Tahoe ride. Best car I have ever owned, BUT, well you know, driving a Subaru is well….? I also like to get into a lot of remote spots for fishing and hunting and can't do that with the Subie. I have a F350 diesel 4x4 which is my main travel rig/tow rig, but I just can't justify driving a beast like that on a daily basis. So, my question is, how is a 2014 4Runner trail as a daily driver? Is the power sufficient on hills? I hate underpowered vehicles running up to Tahoe, and that is a deal breaker for me. Also, how are the road manners, especially in the snow? I am hoping the Trail is going to be the comfortable daily driver I con stack up 24k miles a year on and still build it up a bit to do some moderate off road/crawling stuff to get to high mountain lakes, streams etc. I'm not going to run Fordyce or the Rubicon, I've done it and have no interest to beat a vehicle like that any more. From reading here, I will probably be adding a mild lift, tires, rockers and winch. I also am only looking new, I drive too much and don't like dealing with somebody else's rejects. Thanks, and I hope this was the right forum, being that I am only interested in a new 4 Runner.
Honest opinions PLEASE
- Thread starter sf jakey
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limamike
New member
You're in the right place for opinions about 4Runners, but they may not be completely objective. I think the majority of the population here will tell you that the 4Runner will meet your needs. The power won't compare to what you have with your F350, but it will be sufficient to get up to Tahoe.
Being that you mentioned you're likely to modify your 4Runner once you get it, the on-road manners will change quite a bit once you start changing the suspension. Depending on the components you go with will depend on how well the truck handles on the road. However, I haven't read anyone complaining too much about any of the suspension components you'll find people using on this board.
All-in-all it's going to be a better ride than your Jeep - even with suspension modifications, but probably not as good as your Subaru. However, it will be wholly more offroad capable than both your Subaru and your F350 even in stock form.
Ducmonsta
New member
You're in the right place. However, you're going to get some slightly biased opinions because you are in a 4runner forum.
You obviously understand how to purchase vehicles and use them for their strengths. The 4runner will be no different. Although it sounds like you're trying to get more out of one vehicle than you're up to. I personally believe it will get the job done.
Best advice is to drive one for an extended period of time. Maybe take one overnight, make a trip up some hills in your area and see if the power is satisfying. Comfort is subjective. I logged hours and hours and hours behind the wheel at a time. Sometimes 8-10 at once. There are others that are uncomfortable after 2.
If you learned to expect what your were getting out of your F350, Subie, and Rubi, then youll cetainly appreciate that the 4R can do most tasks very well.
You obviously understand how to purchase vehicles and use them for their strengths. The 4runner will be no different. Although it sounds like you're trying to get more out of one vehicle than you're up to. I personally believe it will get the job done.
Best advice is to drive one for an extended period of time. Maybe take one overnight, make a trip up some hills in your area and see if the power is satisfying. Comfort is subjective. I logged hours and hours and hours behind the wheel at a time. Sometimes 8-10 at once. There are others that are uncomfortable after 2.
If you learned to expect what your were getting out of your F350, Subie, and Rubi, then youll cetainly appreciate that the 4R can do most tasks very well.
limamike
New member
Not only do we dress alike, but we think alike, too. :bigok:
I know I am asking a lot. Really, power to hold 75mph going up the mountains, and some quieter driving experiences than a Jeep, while still giving me 18 mpg highway or so is all that I really desire. I hate the downshifting and high revving associated with an underpowered vehicle, and I hated the nervousness of a Jeep as well as all the noise and rattles. I have looked at the new 4 door Rubicon, and I just fear it will be more of the same. Lots of guys dump Jeeps because they just can't deal with them as a daily driver. I don't seem to find any of that sentiment about 4 runners. I also really like the high mileage reliability of the Toyota. I wouldn't want anything to do with a Jeep beyond 75k. Hopefully somebody who regularly drives SF to Tahoe in a 4 runner can chime in. I nearly bought a 2011 Trail when I got the Subaru, but in the end I hated the dash and knew it would bug me. I rely like the improved 2014 design.
limamike
New member
I haven't driven SF to Tahoe, but I've driven my 4Runner through just about every other mountainous area of the US, and you will have to downshift. Most of the 4Runners power is in the high range, so you're definitely going to be in 4th or 3rd gear to get up any substantial grades.
Ducmonsta
New member
I'm just going to stop posting in this thread. Literally, words taken from my mouth.
[MENTION=102408]sf jakey[/MENTION]
Test drive, test drive, test drive. Then you'll know if it bothers you.
2011T4RLE
New member
The mountains here are not huge like out in Tahoe, but with mine I just put in sport mode and just keep in third or fourth depending on the speed limit. I don't have any issues with it maintaining speed. I mean power wise a 4Runner is right on par with the new Rubicons. I don't know how the 3.7 delivers its power band, but the power is basically the same.
phillyd2
Senior Member
Old CJ driver here and the OP is going in the right direction. You will never beat a Wrangler off road. Period. But the very next best thing off road within a respectable price range would be either the FJ or 4R.
On the pavement its not even a fair comparison.
Life is full of compromises but sounds like the 4R would fit nicely with how you would use it.
On the pavement its not even a fair comparison.
Life is full of compromises but sounds like the 4R would fit nicely with how you would use it.
JayceeP
New member
I think I can chime in here. I came from a 2010 4dr Sahara. I can assure you the power is night and day. Some on here will say the 4Runner is gutless but I don't don't consider 270hp/lb-ft gutless at all. Mind you I came from a 200+hp/230lb-ft Wrangler.
I found the Jeep downshifted a lot. Headwinds and hills were an annoyance. Constant downshifting. The 4Runner cruises effortlessly on the highway. Headwinds are not an issue and minimal down shifting on hills- and it's usually only one gear. Now, the new pentastar puts it near par with the 4Runner but it is still a lot less aerodynamic with lots of odd shapes and crevices creating drag. The new interior really jazzes it up too but, again, the 4Runner has a nicer interior. At the end of the day, I bought my 4Runner because it had all the bells and whistles my Jeep didn't have. It's more comfortable and what I want in an SUV. We all know it has plenty of off-road capability too. Given it's size and capability, it's fuel economy is quite decent IMO.
One other thing to consider is the leaky hardtop. It was a common problem and until they offer a 1-piece hard-top it will always be an issue IMO. Too many seams and places for water to get in. Regardless, you're paying upwards of 40-grand. Mopping up water off the floors doesn't seem appealing unless the top and doors are off.
I think the Jeep is more of a local vehicle. You do a lot of driving- the 4Runner is more road friendly. Bottom line: the 4Runner has more than enough power and 18mpg is very realistic. On flat road-trips you'll easily get 20mpg and better. Good luck.
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FrontRange4Runner
New member
I feel like the OP's situation is exactly why the 4Runner was made. Gets you most places off road while being much better on road than a Jeep. I can tell you from experience that you will be shifting in the mountains, which is to be expected. There are very few vehicles that are this heavy and also come with enough power to pull up mountain grades without shifting. None of them will have millage that most would consider acceptable. On the very larges hills here in CO my 4Runner stays in 4th on bigger hills and will occasionally shift to 3rd on extremely steep grades. Its not constantly hunting for gears, but it will occasionally be driving at 3500+ RPM for short periods. This is while keeping up with traffic flows between 60-75 MPH.
Just FYI, my trips to the mountains consistently return almost exactly 20MPG, however my only mod that would effect this is E rated AT tires. Lifts and bigger tires will impact this.
Just FYI, my trips to the mountains consistently return almost exactly 20MPG, however my only mod that would effect this is E rated AT tires. Lifts and bigger tires will impact this.
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bimrunner
New member
Just got back from Tahoe. I don't have the trail but a LE. Works fine for me. Modified and loaded you may need to be in 4th to drive up the hill 75 the whole way, but it is doable. I usually am going 70 on 80 but you know how it goes on 50 with the people frightened of the curves and all the single lane places. Other than that it sounds like a great fit.
LightRanger
New member
The power is fine, but 5th gear is out there so you'll be downshifting going up 80 or 50 at speed, as others have noted. But you're not going to be passed regularly if you don't want to be.
I bought mine for exactly what you describe. Coming from a lifted Jeep, live in the East Bay and get 30-50 days on the hill out of Truckee on a lot of winter weekends.
I bought mine for exactly what you describe. Coming from a lifted Jeep, live in the East Bay and get 30-50 days on the hill out of Truckee on a lot of winter weekends.
Thanks for all the replies and honest feedback. Sounds like my only gripe might be with the power. I'll have to look and see where I can arrange to rent for a weekend trip to Tahoe and truly evaluate if the 4 Runner will work. Any rumors of a more powerful motor in the near future?
bimrunner
New member
Rent if you can and try it out. I don’t find the power lacking but I have geared down to 4.56 so I run higher rpms. The power curve is a bit up there so you have to mash it more than some people like. However, whenever I have asked it to go, it does. This is one of those things that is so subjective. I doubt you will get a more powerful motor in this thing and honestly, it doesn’t need it. The supercharger would be awesome and I’ll do it if/when it comes out (because more is always good!), but I am happy to drive it like it is if it is never an option.
1engineer
Moderator
No. The current engine has more than enough power, it's the gearing that causes some to not like it. It is geared and programmed for maximum fuel efficiency. Tip: If you do test drive or rent one, put it in Sport mode right off the bat. This option lets you emulate a manual transmission without the clutch. You decide when to change gears and it won't change without your input. When I pull a trailer I use this mode and again, has more than enough power for 7% interstate grades.
NoDak
Senior Member
lol that sounds like me
oooo, shiny......but then again, i only require 2 things from the 4runner, clearance and FT 4wd. everything else i understand what i am getting into and what to expect.
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