I rolled my 4Runner! (Total write off) *pics*

[Tempsho]

Hey guys, just stopping in to say that this will probably be my last post. I rolled my 2004 4Runner a couple nights ago and wrote it off. It was a high speed rollover on a gravel road. I hit the ditch doing about 70mph just as I pulled out to pass somebody. The initial impact caused the 4Runner to flip end-over-end, landing on the passenger side and it continued to roll another 1.5 times, coming to a rest on it's roof. I was driving, my pregant wife with our 2 year old son were in the back seat. We all had our seat belts on, and that is what saved our lives. Everybody walked away from the accident with only minor cuts and bruises. Considering how violent the rollover was, it could have been a lot worse.

For those who are wondering how stong the frame and body of the 4Runner is, just look at the pictures. It held up considerably well. If we were driving any lesser of a SUV, it would have been way more devastating. The 4Runner may be more acceptable to a rollever situation, but it's good to know it won't fold in like a cheap lawn chair.

I've only been a member on this site for a short time, but I have learned lots, and there is a great bunch of people here. I am sad to loose it, as it was a great dependable vehicle for us, but it is time to move on.

The vehicle that has replaced the 4Runner is a 2002 Ford Excursion Limited diesel with the 7.3L Powerstroke. It's a huge SUV, and will be plenty big for our expanding family. It doesn't have the 4Runner feel (Which I loved) but I hope it serves us well.

Take care everybody, and keep all 4 wheels on the ground!

 

[hyperthread]

I'm glad that you and your family are all okay. Thansk for sharing the pictures as well. Question though, why Ford Excursion?

 

[Mark86]

Wow, I am glad to hear that you and your family weren't hurt. That is the most important thing. I am just curious why the airbags didn't deploy? Also, did you have side impact airbags?

 

[A10MileHusker]

Wow! I am so glad you and your family are okay! As a teenager, my dream car was a Ford Excursion with a 6" Lift :lmao: You sure can pack a lot of people into one of those!

Sorry to see you leave! Again, Glad everyone is okay!

Doug

 

[Tempsho]

We needed somethig with 3 rows of seating. Something big to haul our expanding family and all of our gear around on our long road trips. Diesels get better mpg than gassers, (The Excursion got 21mpg hand calculated from Winnipeg to Edmonton) so I figured I would give it a try.

And no, the front air bags didn't go off. The initial impact was at a slight angle, so I take it that's the reason why. It doesn't have side air bags. Were side air bags even on option on 04 4Runners? If it did have them, I'm sure they would have deployed.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

Glad to hear the whole fam is ok.

But 70 MPH on a gravel road?

:lookout::jaw drop:

 

[Elton H]

ya really 70 on a gravel road that was askin for something bad to happen

 

[adkinsadam1]

My only question: Why were you going 70mph on a dirt road?

 

[PWGUNNY]

wow! Same 4runner as mine. Glad everyone is ok. Good luck with the new baby.

 

[Maritimer]

Well, I've done 70 on a gravel road (the VSC kicked in when washboard threw me into a gravel ridge) but after seeing this, never again. It's not the going 70 that shocks me, it's that you were passing somebody on gravel. I tried that once in my CR-V, and I was only doing 40, and it was not pleasant.

Glad you were OK, and I'm glad to see what the 4Runner protects against.

I'd like to see a 4Runner/tractor trailer survivor story.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Did you get a ticket? What's the speed limit on this gravel road?

I'm glad you and your family are ok but I hope you slow it down with the Ford.

 

[CookieRoe]

Did you get a ticket? What's the speed limit on this gravel road?

I'm glad you and your family are ok but I hope you slow it down with the Ford.

Great to see you and your family are ok. No doubt the 4Runner is one strong truck. But honestly, doing 70 on a gravel road with your pregnant wife and 2 year in the back?????? Dude, you have someone "upstairs" who really likes ya.

BUT YEAH, slow it down (especially w/ your fam in the truck) man.

Stay safe, good luck with the Expy.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I too am extremely happy the family is a-okay, but I have to side with the majority here and ask 70MPH on a gravel road, PASSING someone?? Uh, glad Darwin was sleeping when this happened. Dude, get some liposuction on that right foot! We all want your family around for a long time to come!

 

[Tempsho]

I guess I should explain this "road" a bit to clear some confusion. It's actually a highway, and it is all gravel. It is 180 miles (300 km's) long connecting 2 towns in Northern Manitoba. The speed limit is 60mph (100 km/h) and it is very common to pass people on it. Who wants to be stuck behind somebody going under the speed limit for hours at a time sucking in all their dust? Not to mention is it dangerous to do that too. So to pass somebody on it, just like on a regular highway, you do increase your speed temporarily to make a clean pass.

I have lived in Northern Canada my whole life, and I am no stranger to gravel highways. This is the only time (and hopefully last time) that I have ever had a rollover or accident on one. I just hit a bit of loose gravel because the roads were just gradded, and it threw me around so quickly I didn't have time to react.

Doing those kind of speeds is not uncommon on that road. Others still do it, but I will be slowing down that's for sure. We had angels watching over us that day.

Hopefully you can see things from my perspective, and that I wasn't fooling around or driving dangerously. Thanks for your support guys.

 

[Uneek]

Glad you're ok and everyone walked away.

Side and curtain airbags were optional for US models, until 2007 or 2008. It was an option on my '06 that was a "must have" for me.

 

[XJeepguy]

Check out www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php , I have been a member there for many years , its a good Ford forum.

Glad to see your all ok , a lesser quality SUV and it could have been a different story here.

 

[Maritimer]

It is 180 miles (300 km's) long connecting 2 towns in Northern Manitoba. The speed limit is 60mph (100 km/h) and it is very common to pass people on it.

I guess the better thing then is that you didn't hit a moose. Yet more reasons why big cars are better. Stay safe.

 

[riverider]

WoW!!!! that is really sad. I highly recommend slowing down some with your family along. Next time in that FORD product you might not be so well protected as in the 4Runner.

 

[illzoni]

I have lived in Northern Canada my whole life, and I am no stranger to gravel highways.

I suppose most of us have not used gravel roads as primary transportation routes and really can't understand things from your perspective. Glad you're all okay.

 

[Burt]

Gesh.. Going 70mph on gravel road, passing, pregnant wife and son. YOU CRAZY! Oh, the "larger SUV" or any vehichle for that matter, won't help any.... Doh.