I'm trying to get into it...

[Mudeprived]

...the whole 4runner awesomeness thing. I drive it to work and, on my rough street and up my destroyed driveway but it just feels like I'm driving a regular vehicle. I usually fight the lady to let me drive the jeeps to work instead of the Elantra but not with the Toyota. I don't feel like I'm having fun while driving it like I do with my other jeeps. I upgraded the tires (bigger) and shocks (bilsteins) and usually stuff like that gets me really excited to drive it the very next day but I had no major desire or rush to get it out on the road afterwards.

I want to order more parts but what I see for the 4runner doesn't interest me.

Am I do something wrong? Is the 4runner not for me? Maybe I'm judging it too early and not giving myself enough time to bond with it.

I just hope it grows on me.

 

[fourwd1]

Sounds like you need that Elantra.

 

[LandCruiser]

Clearly you're doing it wrong.

I'm usually dizzy from the blood diversion from the massive, raging, erection this thing gives me when I drive it.

Girls ask, "who is that man?"

Women want to be with me. Men want to BE me.

I piss excellence.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Yeah, maybe the 4runner just isn't for you, it's not for everybody. I like both of mine and I admit there are probably other vehicles that I'd rather drive (maybe) but this is what I have. We're all different.

I also had some CJ's years ago and I did like driving them but they really beat you up day to day and mine weren't the most reliable either.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Honestly I feel similarly every now and then when I'm just commuting in my 4Runner. It's the smaller things that make me smile when I'm on the road in the 4Runner.

For example, we get snow up here and while I am thankful for my covered parking that means there's a snow drift infront of my spot (was about 1~2ft at it's tallest point) and since I'm at the end, that means there's a drift on my passenger side as well. No biggie, I haven't bothered to shovel that crap out; I just drive over it without a worry. The street-side mailbox got a snowdrift between the sidewalk and the road? Piff, climb up on that snow-drift and hop out to get the mail. Hell, occasionally going to the store is a fun adventure in getting creative with parking (hey that snow drift is taking up a good parking spot!), brings new meaning to mall crawlin'

Hell just this past Sunday (I really wish someone had taken a video) I snatch-recovered a 3 axle semi tractor that had dug itself in the ice on my buddy's street. Not only was I pleasantly surprised that my lil 4th gen could tug that tractor out, I got claps and approvals! A couple months ago the highway was a bit tight after a 2~3ft dump, passed the slowpoke on the left and let half the 4Runner just eat up that snow!

But where I really am happy that I have my 4Runner is when I take her off-road. Its the combination of capability, comfort, and convenience that makes me grin. Being in a no-top, no-door, no-nothin' Wrangler is nice, but not when it's 90+ outside; crawling rocks and runnin' trails in the comfort of my air conditioned and comfy 4Runner is great. No need to wear goggles and a shemgah to off-road, or get whacked by a tree branch (loved riding' in my cousin's Wrangler don't get me wrong, but after the second sapling branch I was not having fun anymore).

 

[T4R2014]

Isn't the advantage of a 4Runner that it isn't a bath tub with 4WD?

 

[Titanpat57]

I've put 155000 miles on both my 5th gens....I can't wait to get in it.

I really, really like it

 

[Ray Dunakin]

Take it off road.

I love mine, on or off the road. On the road it's smooth, even when I intentionally try to hit all the potholes. Off the road it really shines. It's not some stripped-down, rough-riding, noisy, dirty, Baja buggy, but it is fully capable and will get me wherever I want to go -- and get me there in comfort.

 

[Lolrax]

I get a thrill out of driving something so over engineered and reliable and knowing that if things got hectic I am in a car that could take me far, far away from it. I love knowing that I am driving something that was made with great care and quality control.

 

[Beaumont67]

The 4Runners, are so spot-on, as a total package (w/full frame) - their over-Engineered, most 4x4 reliable plus capable.
- iconic simplicity, always hard to improve on
So a few drivers, can truly get complacent - because even challenging road conditions still feel simple enough.
- without must effort or painful feedback

OP ^^ Your not feeling the challenge, in your 4R daily driver !!
- like in a short wheel based Jeep, that always wants to snake down the highway
- stealing your full attention & total concentration, & constantly having to correct the steering wheel task
- nudging vehicle in a half-hazard straight line / until one needs a nap, when they get to their destination

Exhausting drives, are just remembered & felt more...LOL
- your missing the needless workout-fight...that a nice driving T4R, doesn't provide / as Toyota designed out the negative aspects

complacent defined:
adjective UK ​ /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/ US ​ /kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/ disapproving
- feeling so satisfied with your Toyota 4x4, that you feel you do not need to try any harder

 

[5ontheFloor]

I second that you need to take that bad boy off road. I've never had a Jeep but what gets me going is the awesomeness of my rig even with just tires and CAI. Every now and then I drive with all windows down blasting AC/DC Back in Black, hop on toll way and blast this pig doing 85+. Sometimes we get a light rain and I'll practice "recovering" from losing grip on those rear wheels during a turn and that always gets my heart pumping.
Aside from all that, random people always compliment how great the 4runner looks. She really is a dame for all occasions; a night out with the lady, day trip down the road, a blast on the beach and a beast on the trails.

 

[mnofpeace]

not that i feel the same, but i agree with what was said. driving it on a daily basis is this or that. its not a porche, its not a lux suv that has you in so much comfort it feels like youre driving a resort hotel.

i bought mine for the true 4WD, because a clutch pack diff doesnt suit well with me. because it is tough, over engineered, and should last me into the 200K range...i didnt initially buy it to go off road.

but you get this thing out into the mud, rocks, dirt, etc, and it will make you smile. get it out into the snow, REAL snow...1ft or more, and it will ease any concerns about getting stuck AND show you the fun in what a purpose built and fully functioning SUV is suppose to look and feel and drive like.

as a daily driver, there are better vehicles to buy that will make you feel more alive...but the T4R is for a specific thing...and you just, sorta kinda, gotta get it there for it to get YOU there.

...and thats how any mag review would say an Acura MDX, BMW X5, and the like are 'better' on road than the 4Rnnr...but you get some real snow, or need to drive on more than a dry dirt road, then my money is ready...

 

[ShizNic9]

Might need to get something different then... I can't wait to get in the 4runner and am jealous at the fact that I use a commuter car most of the time while my wife is home with the 4Runner!

 

[Titanpat57]

Might need to get something different then... I can't wait to get in the 4runner and am jealous at the fact that I use a commuter car most of the time while my wife is home with the 4Runner!

I should use a commuter car...I log about 22k a year going back and forth to work....I just can't imagine being any everyday schlep in a puddle jumper.

 

[Bluesky 07]

Pretty much what BlackWorksInc said...

 

[ShizNic9]

I should use a commuter car...I log about 22k a year going back and forth to work....I just can't imagine being any everyday schlep in a puddle jumper.

One of my bargaining chips to get the 4Runner was that I would use the small car on a daily basis for commuting and the 4Runner is the weekend warrior mobile! Either way, I appreciate it all the more after driving around a Honda Fit all week haha.

 

[iversong]

I usually fight the lady to let me drive the jeeps to work instead of the Elantra but not with the Toyota.

Why not let her drive the Toyota and you drive the Jeep?

 

[shrub1]

I understand what the OP is saying..

Building a Jeep that looks badass isn't too hard, but the ride quality sucks on
the interstate. I considered buying this (before I purchased my 4Runner). In the end I loved the way it looked, but just too impractical for a DD.

 

[Mudeprived]

Why not let her drive the Toyota and you drive the Jeep?

She drove it once and said it was too big and felt like a truck. The TJ is getting some major work done to it but I can't do any of it due to the weather.

Building a Jeep that looks badass isn't too hard, but the ride quality sucks on
the interstate. I considered buying this (before I purchased my 4Runner). In the end I loved the way it looked, but just too impractical for a DD.

View attachment 235275

I disagree. I had a 5" long arm system on my Cherokee with Bilstein 5100's, 50 degree shackle angle, and it was locked full time. That thing was so comfortable to drive. It embarrassed her Elantra.

On the other hand, My TJ is only lifted 1" with Bilstein 5100's and it's a bit bumpy but still better than the Elantra. It's a short wheel base rig so that is expected.

Maybe I just need to drive and wrench on it more and perhaps I'll start getting attached.

It did not help that it ran out of gas though. Left me stranded on the turnpike because that damn gauge was reading between 1/4 and half and I thought I was fine. I had to walk to the nearest house and ask for some gas. Thankfully there are some really nice folks out there who will lend a hand. I gotta pick up a gas gift card for that man.

 

[shrub1]

She drove it once and said it was too big and felt like a truck. The TJ is getting some major work done to it but I can't do any of it due to the weather.




I disagree. I had a 5" long arm system on my Cherokee with Bilstein 5100's, 50 degree shackle angle, and it was locked full time. That thing was so comfortable to drive. It embarrassed her Elantra.

On the other hand, My TJ is only lifted 1" with Bilstein 5100's and it's a bit bumpy but still better than the Elantra. It's a short wheel base rig so that is expected.

Maybe I just need to drive and wrench on it more and perhaps I'll start getting attached.

It did not help that it ran out of gas though. Left me stranded on the turnpike because that damn gauge was reading between 1/4 and half and I thought I was fine. I had to walk to the nearest house and ask for some gas. Thankfully there are some really nice folks out there who will lend a hand. I gotta pick up a gas gift card for that man.

Just my experience with a Jeep on 37 inch tires and in relation to my current 4Runner below. Night and day difference on the interstate. Of course not apples to apples.