Improving the ride?

[loonatic]

I'm in the market for a new vehicle and the 3rd gen 4runner is at the top of my list. I've got it narrowed down to the 3rd gen 4runner and a new Saturn VUE. One thing that I like much better about the Saturn is the ride. I go to school 3 hours away from home so I accumulate a lot of long highway drives. Currently my girlfrirend and I are making the trip in her single cab short box F150 and the ride sucks. I've driven the 4runner and can tell the ride is better, but not by much. The Saturn on the other hand rides like a car, which I'm guessing is because it is based on a car platform.

So to get to my question, is there anything that can be done to the 4runner to make it ride better? I'm not expecting it to ride like a Cadillac, just not so much like a truck.

 

[toybox]

I doubt you will be able to change the ride appreciably.

I have heard not so good things about the Vue as far as fit and finish.

Have you considered a used Highlander?

 

[loonatic]

What about some sort of shocks?

I don't really care for the highlander that much. I like the 4runner better, but I've never actually looked at a highlander. What's special about them?

More than likely I'll end up with the 4runner instead of the Saturn. The only reason the Vue is considered is because of the incentives that GM is offering right now on new cars. Used is out of the question because they didn't put the Honda V6 and tranny in the Vue until 04, and I don't want the older Vue without the Honda powertrain. The reasons I do like the Vue better are the ride, the power (250hp vs. 185?), and gas mileage. But the 4runner is more of a safe choice, and is a good all-around vehicle.

 

[TranceKrayz]

How'd the Vue get the Honda V6 and tranny? That's news to me.

 

[loonatic]

Starting in 04 Saturn replaced their V6 and tranny with a Honda V6 and tranny. There is still a Saturn 4 cyl. model, but the V6 got the same 3.5L that is in the pilot (and odyssey I believe, maybe the accord too).

 

[runnergranny]

good thread. I'd also like to get a smoother ride on the runner. It's better than my old JC, but it's still a little stiff and wanders more than my old Jeep in the wind.

Not to hijack your thread, but do anti-sway bars come stock on a 99 4x4? Shock recommendations? I don't rock crawl, but do go offroad in muck and some pretty beat roads.

I don't know anything about the Vue, but I'd go with the runner for resale, crash protection and Toyota reliability. I stepped down from a Sequoia to a runner and although the Sequoia had a better ride, the runner is better on gas, easier to drive and 4x4. I love it and would buy another in a heartbeat.

Forget the highlander if you're tall and looking for a comfort ride. The seats are like minatures. Also, got a loaner of their full size van (stripped) and I wasn't impressed with the ride either.

 

[toybox]

What about some sort of shocks?

I don't really care for the highlander that much. I like the 4runner better, but I've never actually looked at a highlander. What's special about them?

Nothing special about them, just a better riding 4wd Toyota than a 3rd gen 4runner.

New shocks and tires may help a little.

Have you considered a used or new 4th gen 4runner. The ride is a HUGE, HUGE improvement over the 3rd gen!

 

[lee]

huge meaning more carlike, yes.

they dampened the ride a lot in the 4th gen.

all depends on what you wanna do with your runner.... but i would NOT recommend a highlander, only because youve clearly already fallen for the 4runner... and the highlander wont tickle your fancy in that sense!

the highlander is basically the rx300 (not 330).. so its a unibody, raised camry... plush soft ride, weak car-like 4wd.

id say if you want a 3rd gen, get some good quality street tires (michelens always rate well) and maybe change out to softer shocks. beyond that, youre forgetting its a truck!

 

[toybox]

huge meaning more carlike, yes.

they dampened the ride a lot in the 4th gen.

Are you saying they gave something up to get the better ride?

To clarify I would say that they improved the ride tremendously without sacrificing off-road ability.

 

[lee]

no, they just used softer, less heavy duty shocks.. nothing wrong with it, its just more carlike than trucklike.

 

[bradym239]

More than likely I'll end up with the 4runner instead of the Saturn. The only reason the Vue is considered is because of the incentives that GM is offering right now on new cars. Used is out of the question because they didn't put the Honda V6 and tranny in the Vue until 04, and I don't want the older Vue without the Honda powertrain. The reasons I do like the Vue better are the ride, the power (250hp vs. 185?), and gas mileage. But the 4runner is more of a safe choice, and is a good all-around vehicle.

Ironically enough, I own a 2002 4Runner SE and my wife's car is a 2004 Saturn Vue. I can attest to the fact that the Vue has a nice ride. It's a car, but bigger (weirdly enough, I swear that the inside feels like it has more room than my 4Runner) so it rides as such. As for gas mileage being an argument for the Vue vs. the 4Runner---well I haven't seen a big difference. At most, maybe, my wife's car gets 2 or 3 more mpg. The Vue is nice and is great for my wife and son, but I'd very much rather have my 4Runner.

 

[loonatic]

I've looked at used 4th gen 4runner's, they're just too expensive. The cheapest I've been able to find is low 20's, and that's too much of a differnce.

Off-road ability doesn't mean too much to me. The only offroading my vehicle will see is on gravel roads, very rarely any mud. I'm planning on getting a 2wd, because I just don't need 4x4. I'd rather the vehicle ride smooth than be a stud in off-road situations. Know what I mean?

Any specific shock recommendations?

 

[ice2000]

Hello,
I have a 2000 4Runner with 99K on it. I was debating of selling it for a new truck, but I keep changing my mind. I replace the shocks and front struts with Monroe sensa trac; it was a little better than the old OEM shocks. My sister has the '04 4Runner; MAN! The ride is smooth and plush. The biggest difference is the ride and horsepower, but I like the 3rd generation. Now if I can get more power in the 3.4 and smooth shocks and suspension in the 2000 4Runner.:
I test drived the 04 Saturn Vue V6. I was impress with the horsepower, but the ride is just a little under par. The GM incentives are enticing, though.
Thanks,
Leroy