Is the 4Runner becoming the new fan boy vehicle?

[Jetboy]

You don't have to sell as many of an item to be a competitor. The Xterra took a chunk of sales that would have otherwise gone to the 4runner. I never said they would've sold more than the 4runner. They would've sold more Xterras than they had been selling. Just because sales weren't great doesn't mean it wasn't a great vehicle. People bought it because it was offered in a manual trans, was highly off-road capable stock, had lots of front seat room (including headroom), and bare bones. I drove light blue trails when I was stock on highway tires. It was a direct competitor with the FJ at the time.

I guess it is perception of what you use your vehicle for.

I always kinda like the Xterra size and concept. Never owned one though. They were a lot smaller than a 4Runner. Physically they're about the same size as a 3rd generation 4Runner or an FJ Cruiser. About a foot overall shorter in length than a current 4Runner. Biggest problem was quality. Nissan =/= Toyota. Dashlight has the best long term statistical data on vehicle repairs of any source I know of. Model years from 2005-2009 were about the worst vehicles you could buy. But the later years from 2010 on seemed to get closer to industry average.

 

[nb rob]

my wheeling buddy has and xterra, against my nissan warnings.
if you give them enough time, they'll leak "nissan" in various oils in your driveway.

It's like a 4runner except very top heavy, has leaf springs in the back, 4x4 will break if you sneeze at it, the radiator wants to mix your coolant and trans fluid together, ABLS works at about 1/100th of the speed of A-trac, making it worse than useless, and oh- did I mention leaks?

I've pulled it all over the countryside. I wouldn't buy one for my ex wife

 

[johnnythunderr]

At least in Portland (and western OR in general), built Tacomas still reign supreme. I'd guess at least 4-5 built Tacomas per built 4Runner that I've seen.

 

[JeremyB]

Try hiking anywhere within an hour of Seattle and you'll change your mind. Even the strenuous hikes Mailbox Peak (9 miles, 4k elev. gain) have overflowing parking lots

Hiking near Denver seems similar the few times I've been. Seeing somebody on the trail every few minutes kills the mood!

 

[mtnbiker49]

my wheeling buddy has and xterra, against my nissan warnings.
if you give them enough time, they'll leak "nissan" in various oils in your driveway.

It's like a 4runner except very top heavy, has leaf springs in the back, 4x4 will break if you sneeze at it, the radiator wants to mix your coolant and trans fluid together, ABLS works at about 1/100th of the speed of A-trac, making it worse than useless, and oh- did I mention leaks?

I've pulled it all over the countryside. I wouldn't buy one for my ex wife

Except they don’t leak. Occassional incidents of a leak from the m226 aka Dana 44 wheel bearing seals or the transfer case output seal.

It’s not as top heavy as you think. Atleast it has headroom and the drivetrain is tucked up between the frame nicely.

4x4 breaks if you sneeze at it? I’m sure you have had a ton of time around multiple xterras.

Actual common issues that are not just personal opinion:
2005-2009 had the strawberry milkshake ATF issue. (Change rad or bypass cooler to avoid)
2005-2010 had the weak timing chain tensioner plastic. (Expensive)
The c200k rear axles develop a whine above 55mph at higher mileage. Nothing mechanically wrong.

2011+ models are solid and have no known issues.

 

[srpuywa]

I'm a old guy who needed something bigger than a FJ (had a 14) and smaller than a Tundra (had a 16) that my 13 old labrador retriever can still ride in.

Most of the 4Runners I see in WA are driven by women or metro-sexual millennials who never go off road. Let them waste their money on mods and complain about the gas mileage, I'll just drive the crap out of mine with no worries.

We're headed to Glacier NP to do the Going to the sun road pass and then down to Beartooth pass end of August.

 

[kaikaikai]

I fell in love with the 4Runner TRD Pro when it came out back in 2015 and I saw the inferno orange at the DC Auto Show. It had been in the back of my mind pretty much since then, and fast forward three years later I needed a new SUV and decided to get one. I doubt I'll take it off road; I bought one because I like how it looked and I liked the reliability, and that was the end of the discussion for me.

I'm not quite sure what to make of the constant poser/mallcrawler or flavor of the month arguments here, because I've never given it much thought. I'll just continue enjoying my car and leave the judgement to other people.

 

[04rnr]

I think I understand what you’re saying. theres a group of kids at work that have new 5th gens. They’re all lifted, Icon stage 15, and they all do this thing call “waxing”. When I pop the hood on mine, there is a lot of explanation as to what is going on in there. There’s been a few times where I’ve suggested that we all take a day and hit a trail. I don’t get a lot of takers. None, actually.

Its all good though, It’s an awesome truck and car camping is cool these days. So, it’s to be expected. Kinda like peanut butter and chocolate. I wish it was different, but it’s not.

those are what we call "POSERS"
:biggrin1:

 

[CoolMax]

I'm just glad I have one of the pre-fanboy versions.

 

[fourwd1]

Moving to General Discussion so more people can participate.

 

[srpuywa]

I'm just glad I have one of the pre-fanboy versions.

my only claim to fame - Rocky Road Outfitters put my stock T4R on their web site with the kick out sliders --- ha ha :naughty::clap2:

https://www.rocky-road.com/4runner-rock-sliders.html

 

[tacoyota]

I don't know about you guys but I have a hard time getting too crazy offroad in a 45k vehicle. I went too hard on my Tacoma so I am trying to sort of take care of my 4runner lol! Most 4runners here are driven by moms in socal. Most FJ's are modded and they all wave to each other (jealous...)

 

[Vinsil]

More power to em. Was into this stuff before social media made it big(ger) than it is. Things evolve as well as my desposable income. I’m a Toyota fan boy for sure. Four hilux trucks. Built 1st gen Runner. FJ40, 2 FJ80’s both built, now this runner. I’ll have more down the road. Oh and I’m almost 40 and do it for the ‘gram.

Really though. Do your thing. Get out doors. Learn stuff. Live life.

 

[atalarico]

OP, I didn't read the last 6 pages, but I see where you're coming from both literally and figuratively. Literally because I'm also in Denver and we have an abundance of 4Runners and Tacomas here. I'm originally from Michigan, and my dad was the only person I knew who ever owned a 4Runner there, so region has something to do with it.

My 3rd Gen was hardly a pavement princess for the 8 years I had it, and I've been putting my 4th Gen through it's paces. Can I judge people that have TRD Pro models that never touch dirt? Eh...maybe, but there's always someone else that can judge me for not driving more extreme in mine or whatever.

Honestly, I'm glad there are so many 4Runners out there because it means there are tons of parts available and more companies can justify fabricating modifications. Wait, I take that back...it's dangerous that there are so many 4Runners out there because I'm constantly craning my neck and waving like a dork when I should be focused on driving.

But yeah, I can definitely see how some people view them as a status symbol out here, especially the TRD Pro. Whatever, let them have their fun. They'll eventually sell them and there I'll be waiting with cash in hand to buy the one that was well spec'd out but never touched dirt in it's life. I'll put some Colorado pinstripes on it in the first week!

Let's take some ownership here though, we're part of the cause of this. You know that feeling you get when you see another T4R modded out in a way that you want for your own truck? Imagine that feeling but not having a T4R yet, but wanting one. You'd probably say to yourself "I want that too", and do what you can to get it.

I like Toyotas of all varieties, and I fan-boy over nice ones when I see them (and not just trucks). My roommate has an '87 Supra that he's restoring and it makes me all giddy every time I see it.

 

[sn_85]

I think more 4Runners on the road is a good thing. It's more likely to carry over to a 6th gen with the explosion in sales. Had the sales remained where they were prior to 2014, which was about 45k units a year the future of the 4Runner would probably be in question. It could have seen the same fate as the Xterra previously mentioned in this thread or gone the way of the Pathfinder (or new Trail Blazer) into a sissy cuv. As it is right now the 4Runner is selling about 120k+ units a year and the whole off-road/overland craze is popular. You're pretty much guaranteed a 6th gen 4Runner at this point and hopefully it'll retain what has made it great, the BOF and solid rear axle.

 

[CookieRoe]

FanBoy? Jeeze, whatever. I've been into 4Runners since I was 15, so since 1989-90? I knew these things were bulletproof back then (nevermind the HG thing). We've all seen other makes/models come and go, 4R is still here, amazingly enough.

 

[PaulB-2006 T4R]

You're right. The 4Runner and Tacoma owners are trying to give the Jeep crowd some competition. Hopefully we don't start doing some queer wave when driving past each other. I think the FJ crowd tried hard to act like the Jeep alternative years ago and ended up looking like idiots to the Jeep people and owners of every other Toyota truck.

I get other 4runner drivers waving at me all the time. So too late on that one.

Okay I'll stop....:hello:

 

[RUNTHAT]

I don't think so, but I'll leave this here...

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

I don't know about you guys but I have a hard time getting too crazy offroad in a 45k vehicle. I went too hard on my Tacoma so I am trying to sort of take care of my 4runner lol! Most 4runners here are driven by moms in socal. Most FJ's are modded and they all wave to each other (jealous...)

That is the response people give when financially extended to near limit.
The vehicle is primarily designed to be used off road. Hence the low gearing and sluggish off line starts.

 

[srpuywa]

That is the response people give when financially extended to near limit.
The vehicle is primarily designed to be used off road. Hence the low gearing and sluggish off line starts.

No, its a realistic view of a (new) 4Runner - not everyone needs to put $$$ of mods on a poser vehicle to show off and maybe take it off road. Serious off roader's will beat the crap out of whatever they drive.

and sluggish starts are not because of low gearing - low gearing would be the opposite