I made a huge mistake...

[aelarson]

Hello Everyone

New poster, long time browser of the T4R Forums. Before I catch any flak for posting pictures of non-5th gen vehicles, let me explain.

I previously owned a 4th-gen 4Runner that I absolutely fell in love with. But as an avid car guy, I got the itch to try something new and go for a car, which I love, but what a mistake selling the truck. I miss my 4Runner like crazy.

With that being said, I have a strong desire for a 5th-gen 4Runner after sitting in a couple at the Minneapolis Auto Show, and heavily browsing the forums. Hopefully in the future I can get myself into a 5th-gen, maybe even a 6th-gen (if they keep it body on frame and want to release it anytime soon). Thank you all for all the glorious builds and ideas...I can feel my wallet getting lighter already!

If I had the bank roll, my 5th gen would look a little like this (small, clean build):
-TRD Pro
-Hefty Fabworks Front Bumper
-Gobi RoofRack
-Black Oak LED Light Bars
-Many small goodies thanks to the forums

Cheers!


Here are a couple shots of the old, and the new. Hopefully I can post some 5th-gen pictures relatively soon....

 

[Capt.Canuck]

I just took my Audi S4 out of winter storage, and it is just sitting in my driveway collecting dust. Still love the car, but when I reach for the keys I go for the 4R instead. Time to sell the Audi...

 

[aelarson]

It just snowed in Minneapolis this week, and I had already put my summer tires on my car (like an idiot) because it has been so warm. Really missed my truck that day...ended up borrowing my dad's Tundra:crybaby:

 

[4RnR Grl]

With a heavy front bumper you may need heftier coil overs up front... but you probably already know that.

:whoo:

 

[aelarson]

With a heavy front bumper you may need heftier coil overs up front... but you probably already know that.

:whoo:

I had my shrockworks on my 4th gen before I lifted it (got into a small accident with a snowplow...), and she sagged pretty heavily in the front until I ended up lifting it.

I would probably pay extra and get the aluminum bumper, as its only 70 pounds and then keep the TRDP suspension as is! I think that it wouldn't sag too badly. If it did, I could put a small leveling kit in the front. :rockon:

 

[1engineer]

No flack. It just does not go in the 5th gen section.
-mod-

 

[4RnR Grl]

I had my shrockworks on my 4th gen before I lifted it (got into a small accident with a snowplow...), and she sagged pretty heavily in the front until I ended up lifting it.

I would probably pay extra and get the aluminum bumper, as its only 70 pounds and then keep the TRDP suspension as is! I think that it wouldn't sag too badly. If it did, I could put a small leveling kit in the front. :rockon:

I have no idea about the aluminum bumper. I added my Schrockworks front bumper, three days before lifting. It was a nightmare trying to drive. Although the Schrockworks I believe is 137#.

 

[aelarson]

No flack. It just does not go in the 5th gen section.
-mod-

Yes and no...they aren't 5th gen related pictures, but I just wanted to share my love for 4Runners and the potential situation of buying a 5th gen. Also wanted to thank everyone in the 5-gen threads for the inspiration. :thumb:

 

[aelarson]

I have no idea about the aluminum bumper. I added my Schrockworks front bumper, three days before lifting. It was a nightmare trying to drive. Although the Schrockworks I believe is 137#.

The aluminum one looks mighty impressive. Just needs some hoops around the headlights!

 

[blakjack23]

It just snowed in Minneapolis this week, and I had already put my summer tires on my car (like an idiot) because it has been so warm. Really missed my truck that day...ended up borrowing my dad's Tundra:crybaby:

1/8 inch of snow barely counts as it snowing around here, c'mon

 

[aelarson]

1/8 inch of snow barely counts as it snowing around here, c'mon

In the western suburbs we got 3-4 inches. Where are you exactly? i'm in the Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata area.

Also, no matter the amount of snow, it is extremely tough driving with summer tires with RWD only. I got stuck on my mostly flat driveway. You NEED winter tires with any amount of snow.

 

[blakjack23]

In the western suburbs we got 3-4 inches. Where are you exactly? i'm in the Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata area.

Also, no matter the amount of snow, it is extremely tough driving with summer tires with RWD only. I got stuck on my mostly flat driveway. You NEED winter tires with any amount of snow.

I'm in the Shoreview/Vadnais heights area. From what I saw, nobody in the metro had over a half inch. If you indeed had 3-4 inches I can see not wanting to go out in summer tires!

 

[volkinator]

In the western suburbs we got 3-4 inches. Where are you exactly? i'm in the Hopkins, Minnetonka, Wayzata area.

Also, no matter the amount of snow, it is extremely tough driving with summer tires with RWD only. I got stuck on my mostly flat driveway. You NEED winter tires with any amount of snow.

I'm in the west side too. We got 4 inches of slush. Thankfully nothing stuck or froze though. It was super sticky and the runner went on a slush binge in the driveway with about 100#'s of it that fell off...

 

[Srt4runner]

The correct answer is get both. I'm keeping my 5th gen mostly stock since it will handle any off roading I do around here with ease, plus I still have my 3rd gen. My other car is going to transition to a track toy that is still streetable. As much as I love my 4runners, it's nice to drive something that can handle corners fast and push you back into your seat once in a while.

 

[aelarson]

I'm in the Shoreview/Vadnais heights area. From what I saw, nobody in the metro had over a half inch. If you indeed had 3-4 inches I can see not wanting to go out in summer tires!

I'm in the west side too. We got 4 inches of slush. Thankfully nothing stuck or froze though. It was super sticky and the runner went on a slush binge in the driveway with about 100#'s of it that fell off...

Yeah, it was pretty sloppy for a few hours! Made me feel pretty dumb about not having my 4Runner

 

[aelarson]

The correct answer is get both. I'm keeping my 5th gen mostly stock since it will handle any off roading I do around here with ease, plus I still have my 3rd gen. My other car is going to transition to a track toy that is still streetable. As much as I love my 4runners, it's nice to drive something that can handle corners fast and push you back into your seat once in a while.

That was my original plan...and then I decided that I could live without it. Which I can, but its not as convenient or fun. The 4Runner is missed greatly to say the least.

Once you've bought a 4Runner, you'll always want one in your garage. Most people don't understand, but it's true!

 

[PaulsTrail]

as an avid car guy, I got the itch to try something new and go for a car

Nice M235! I bet that’s a blast to drive, especially on some of those windy roads along the river (my parents live near Afton, and I’d love to take a car like that on the roads around there).

Good to see a lot of Minnesota people on the site. I was in the cities for a week last fall, and was surprised by how few 4Runners I saw (relative to Colorado, that is).

Someone recently sent me this. No offense intended, but I thought it was funny. We have an Audi, so it probably applies equally to us. :hiding:

 

[aelarson]

Nice M235!

Good to see a lot of Minnesota people on the site. I was in the cities for a week last fall, and was surprised by how few 4Runners I saw (relative to Colorado, that is).

Thank you, much appreciated!

Yeah, you hardly see 4Runners around here. I got a lot of compliments on my 4Runner because nobody modifies them! Colorado is Tacoma/4Runner heaven...

 

[wadle5]

Thank you, much appreciated!

Yeah, you hardly see 4Runners around here. I got a lot of compliments on my 4Runner because nobody modifies them! Colorado is Tacoma/4Runner heaven...

Funny you mention that, because I bought my 4runner from good ol' Morries in Minnetonka. Looked for almost a year and couldn't find one I liked in my surrounding states until I stumbled across the one there. Been smooth sailing ever since. We get up to MN a few times a year since we have family in Owatana and around the White Bear Lake area...now I will have to keep an eye out next time up there!

 

[cw360]

After years of driving a 350z and then a BMW 528i, I switched to the 4Runner and could not be happier. There are small things I miss about the BMW (mostly interior features) but they are massively outweighed by everything else the 4Runner has going.

Example from this week. Mon-Wed I was driving around Houston. And it rained (Texas style) the entire time. For the uninitiated, Houston floods in the rain and the roads are under constant construction. So when you plow into that puddle on 290 you don't know if you have smooth flat tarmac or a giant pothole. In the BMW I was a paranoid driver in Houston. In the 4Runner, I was having fun.

Ok rambling over.