Is T4R right for me, and if so which one?

[Thunderwink]

I have enjoyed pushing my VW Touareg V8 (with air suspension, center and rear locking diffs, and Nitto Terra Grapplers) to the limits of its off-road capabilities. Unfortunately, after pouring a ton of money into over the last few months with the intent of driving it into the ground (mileage wise), due to a momentary lapse of judgement, I drove my Reg into 4 foot deep pool of water instead. The engine is dead. Replacement is feasible, but I'd end up with a salvage title with virtually no residual value. It would have an essentially new rig, but it would still be a money pit. Always has been, always will.

So now I'm looking for a replacement, and I am willing to trade a fair amount silkiness (of the Audi 4.2L V8) and typically phenomenal German road handling (even with the Terra Grapplers) for something with greater off-road capabilities, and offers better reliablility with a lower cost of ownership. But, I would like the all leather, power everything, and electronics of a luxury SUV. The 4Runner was my first stop on this path. (I've already determined that used Land Cruisers are out of my reach).

However, because TR4's hold their value so well, even a used Limited with <100,000 miles on the odometer ain't cheap! But worse, when I began researching off-road capabilities for stock vehicles, the T4R ranked MUCH lower than I expected. For example, in all the reviews I've read, the Nissan XTerra typically ranks a lot higher in off-road capabilities than a TR4, and similar mileage can be had for about $15k less - with the caveat you will never find an ounce of luxury in XTerra.

So my roundabout questions are these: if my budget is $25k-$30k, what year and model (preferably Limited for luxury) of T4R should I get to get the best off road capability and some semblance of luxury? The first thing I would probably due is install a lift kit...so how much would that improve the T4R not outstanding off-road capability? The other thing that has been confusing in my research is that it seems like like 4WD transfer case (high/low) and locking differentials are only standard on some trims, and they seem to differ from year to year. Obviously a transfer case is mandatory, but unless someone tells me that a jacked T4R is so good you really don't need locking diffs, I'd also consider locking diffs a requirement.

I apologize for my long-windedness, but I look forward to your opinions and guidance. I haven't set foot in any of these vehicles, so I'm hoping that your opinions will help me with vehicles, years, and trim packages I will go test drive.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[AZrunner11]

Someone posted that Carmax LAX had a 2012/13 trail edition with Forty something thousand miles for less than $30,000. Hood Scoop and the black bodyside flares and roof rack are the tell tell indicators of the TE. That is what I would go with. The pre-14 TE......just saying. Good Luck with your search

 

[m85476585]

The 4th gen has a lockable center differential, so it has all the benefits of AWD when you want it and all the benefits of a transfer case when you want it. Some of them don't have 2wd mode, but that doesn't matter because you can leave it in 4wd all the time with almost no downside. Only the very rare 2009 trail edition had a factory rear locker as far as I know, but you are probably better off with an aftermarket one anyway (stronger). There was an optional V8 available for the 4th gen that you might like. I don't really notice much difference between the V8 and V6.

5th gens have a traditional transfer case (center always locked), unless you get the limited in which case you basically have what the 4th gen had. They all have a low range. The drivetrains are all equally capable. The V6 is now more powerful than the old V8. The 5th has a bit more ground clearance and bigger tires stock, so a bit more off road capability than the 4th. The xterra might be better (I don't know), but the ride is horrible and apparently they need lots of maintenance? All the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) sites showed the x-terra as being significantly more expensive than the 4runner to own over 5 years, last time I looked (base trim level for both). I don't know what's wrong with it because it's an inexpensive vehicle up front.

If you must have a V8 and you don't want to get a 4th gen, you could get a GX460/470. It's the same platform, but more luxury.

I got a 2007 limited with 80k miles for $16k. If I could have gotten a similar xterra for $15k less I would have bought that! I really didn't want a luxury trim, but it was a good price for any 4runner around here. I'd rather have manual everything for a more reliable vehicle.

 

[drewm]

I wouldn't say a land cruiser is out of your reach. You can easily score a 100 series land cruiser for that, and they are plenty capable with a lot of luxury, although that exact same V8 engine/tranny/full time awd system is available in the 4th gen which is also in your budget. Depends what size of truck you need. But in the end, both modded out, the 4th gen will generally trump the land cruiser because of the smaller and lighter chassis.

Your big decision is 4th gen or 5th gen. NVH and low end torque is definitely better with the V8 of the 4th gen, but is only available in the 4th gen. The 5th gen is newer of course and will have more luxuries, but are a bit more limited in terms of mods, but you can still put a Radflo/Fox/King/Icon coilover lift on it with 34" tires and do quite a lot.

But 4runners built up can easily keep up with the most modded of jeeps, just depends how much you want to spend. Here's a few build threads for example:
Croz's 06' 4Runner SAC - Page 14 - Toyota 120 Platforms Forum
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/55441-joshs-build-thread.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/71616-adio3xs-build-pic-thread-24.html
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/143951-intruders-build-off-road-pics-thread-30.html

Google image search "5th gen 4runner build thread" and "4th gen 4runner build thread" to find more built trucks.

 

[Vwright14]

Just last week I paid 30,895 for my 2012 TR4 Trail with 23k miles. Maybe consider traveling and saving some money and just driving it back. I thought about the Xterra for a bit but given its weak axles....i dont care what anyone says!..smaller interior, rougher ride and its not built nearly as well as the 4Runner...it STOPPED thinking about it.

 

[Thunderwink]

Thanks for all the great information, everyone - please keep it coming.

I am interested being able to add mods eventually as budget permits, including a lift kit (probably immediately) and a bumper/brush guard and winch, and slider bars as budget permits.

I'm glad to hear you can buy after-market lockers. The lack of lockers on many models was one of the things that really surprised me when I started researching.

Land Cruisers are really much bigger than I need. I'm single, no children, and often venture out alone (although I look forward to getting connected to other T4R owners in the area if I go that direction).

 

[NoDak]

another option is a gx470/gx460.

just a little more upscale version of the 4runner but a lot less than a land cruiser.

v8, more luxury, kdss, crawl control and ft4wd combo if you can find one, where the 4runner can never have that combo from the factory.

only bad point is that you would have to go to even an older year than a 4runner say 09-10 vs maybe 11-12 4runner.

 

[Vwright14]

I never understood why the lexus version of the LC that was more money new, was cheaper used lol.

 

[Kayden]

I never understood why the lexus version of the LC that was more money new, was cheaper used lol.

I always have wondered this as well when looking at Land Cruisers. Does anyone have an answer?

 

[SavageRunner]

I know you said around 30k budget but these things hold their value so well the used ones are still pretty high. I bought a trail edition with full entune and navi and added leather for 37k out the door. The leather makes it seam luxurious along with the entune system. I normally don't care about luxury items like sunroof and power seats and stuff along those lines. I opted not to get the KDSS in case I decided to do a bigger lift in the future plus didn't want to deal with it if something went wrong with it. It sounds like it'd be something you want tho. Not sure if my post helped in any way just thought I would share. I went with new instead of paying premium for used was my contribution I suppose.