How my 4runner addiction started

[Last1out]

I the 80s and 90s I was a Jeep Cj guy, after I decided to stop riding my Triumph after a couple of "I almost just died" moments .My thinking was "Wind in the face with the windshield folded with a seatbelt and a roll bar to keep my head on my shoulders." This led to joining an offload club (Jeeps, Chevies, Broncos and one guy with Gen 2 4 Runner) and doing some serious 4 wheeling in Colorado and Utah. I noticed while out in Canyonlands that all of us with "Merican Truks" were adjusting and repairing stuff almost every day, while the 4 Runner guy was in a lawn chair, drinking something cold and offering advice, in spite of the "Jap truck" jokes. I asked him if I could try driving his truck, which I really liked except that the 3 liter V6 didn't seem to go much faster when you stomped on the gas. Collecting my pennies, I proceeded to buy a new 91 Nissan Pathfinder, body on frame back then, which did move enthusiastically when you got on it. Years later, at 204,000 miles, it still ran great but the frame was so rusted that axle departure from the vehicle seemed a good possibility. So more saved pennies led to buying a new 98, white SR5 4wd V6 auto that I dubbed "The Fridge". It moved a lot faster with the 3.4. But a head on accident sent the repaired 98 to be traded for the 2001 SR5 that I drove through a snowstorm last night and today. 285,000 and counting. Can't fold the windshield, but on a nice summer day, you can open all the windows and the sunroof and it's pretty close. Great trucks!

 

[techno]

I grew up Down Under and was always a Nissan Patrol guy. Awesome trucks, great engines, solid front axles, reliable and tough. But a buddy bought a 95 Hilux Surf and the dude just wouldn't stop following me. No matter how tough the trail he just plodded along behind me apparently unaware that his IFS was supposed to be inferior to me. So when I moved to the States and found no Patrols, I made the switch to Toyota and have no regrets whatsoever. (I did drive a Blazer and an Avalanche for a week... that destroyed any desire to buy a local brand)
And I agree... all 5 windows down and sunroof open, feels great.