If you could have any other SUV besides a 4Runner..

[M1911]

Isn't the 4runner is the "poor man" Land Cruiser? Every vehicle has its purpose.
What's about 4runner and Lexus GX (more bling)?

The H1 has portal axles, which gives it serious ground clearance. The H2 is styled to look the same, but has none of the same properties.

In contrast, the 4Runner and Land Cruiser are actually very similar in many ways.

 

[bronchogg]

OOhh...Devil's advocate time.

They are a bit big and really aren't that well built (rated as one of the most unreliable vehciles in the US by JD & Power)

The biggest complaint - which subsequently leads to a bad JD rating, was poor gas mileage. That doesn't vindicate the poor build quality but JD rates complaints the same, whether or not it has to do with someone whining about the MPGs they put out. In retrospect, shame on anyone who thought a 3-ton brick would be "green". The H1 was no better…probably worse. Notorious HVAC, Engine and general maintenance problems abound with the H1. Plus, they had underpowered diesels that weren't worth tuning for power.

and the stigmatism of having oversized rims thrown on them by most owners in favor of their intended purpose tires which is toward off roading (I've never seen one on the trails)

It’s a rare sight to see a non-military H1 off road. The newer models are the epitome of extravagance. I'm not exactly sure GM intended them to go off road as their warranty would void if taken off pavement. It sounds silly but GM cleaned up when they produced the H2. Seemed like everyone had one.

and they've become a negative symbol of excess in this country which causes them to be targets of vandals/treehuggers so owning one just carries a bit of an image and another perspective of the haters is most owners are attention whores and buy one just to be seen in one or making up for inadequecies.

You could say the same for the JEEP crowd. Living in Utah gives a unique perspective on that one. It snows here so everyone thinks they need an SUV. We have Moab so everyone thinks they need a JEEP, regardless if they even take it off road, let alone cruise to Moab.

It's just a collective of perceptions that hurt the H2 which is mostly the owners and not the truck itself.

Agreed.

The thing I hate is when people do this to an H2 which contributes to the negativity toward them as being a bit of a goof truck and not taken seriously.

Again, agreed. It's funny how we as a society see a vehicle as a status symbol even if its sole purpose is to get from point A to point B. Ferrari is one of the better examples. They are performance-based and nearly every review via magazine, T.V. show, internet buzz will tell you the same. They are at their best on a track of some type yet 99% of them won’t ever see one.

The H1 has portal axles, which gives it serious ground clearance. The H2 is styled to look the same, but has none of the same properties.

True, but the H2 is more comfortable to ride in. It wasn’t intended for military work. Again, GM knew exactly who was going to buy them.

In contrast, the 4Runner and Land Cruiser are actually very similar in many ways.

I think the biggest separation in the 4R and the LC would be their respective owners. The 4R can be had without breaking the bank. Plus, the general adventurousness of the 4R crowd would seem to use their vehicles for more than just cruising around town. Rarely do you see LCs on the trail without them having a bit of age to them and usually by that time, they have changed owners.

As stated above, I’m just playing making argument so no offense should be taken over these comments.

 

[obkook]

Easy - a classic 69 Bronco.

...is that a SUV?

 

[skyak]

My Avatar says it all...and make it a 5-speed Diesel with no rust!!!!!