Is the 4Runner becoming the new fan boy vehicle?

[2flyfishin]

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

Bro’s beat the crap out of whatever they drive. Serious off roader’s don’t. Serious off roader’s pick smart lines and don’t do stupid sh** which keeps them from beating the crap out of their vehicles. You won’t hear “ Bro! Watch this” with a serious off roader. I will say I do love seeing the bro’s out there on the trail and in the desert though. The last one my friend and I pulled out had three muddy naked chicks running around lol. They had been stuck for over two hours in the only mud puddle for about two miles. Beating the crap out of your vehicle is how you end up stuck, broken, and stranded and saying “ Bro, can you give me a ride to work this week? I broke my “ insert part here” and I need to save up to get one.”

 

[mtnbiker49]

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.

It's not designed to be used primarily off-road. lol. That would be like saying it is a dirt bike, but has modifications to make it road legal dual sport.

Plus the gearing is not low. Low gearing would be 4.10s or 4.56s. And the other guy is right. The lower gearing would make it faster off the line initially.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

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

Everything is new once and why is it not realistic to take it off road? I had mine four wheeling days after it was purchased. A stock 4Runner wont let you down. Yes, some add crap that they will never use and waste their money accomplishing absolutely nothing.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

It's not designed to be used primarily off-road. lol. That would be like saying it is a dirt bike, but has modifications to make it road legal dual sport.

Plus the gearing is not low. Low gearing would be 4.10s or 4.56s. And the other guy is right. The lower gearing would make it faster off the line initially.

You can think what you want, but that is its primary function. What do you think those features between the visors do? It is geared low enough to go anywhere it needs to get me. No it is not a Rubicon with front and rear lockers, but the CRAWL mode is an equivalent.
Yes it has some icing, but remove the icing and its all business.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

For me, I never really cared if other people had my vehicle or not. Part of me gets the allure of having a "not-so-common" item (I'm a Triumph Daytona 675 owner also). On the other hand, most of us have vehicles to get to and from work and whatever else happens outside of business hours. I got the 4Runner because of the combination of functionality, reliability, practicality and utility. No other vehicle comes close in my opinion. People will fan boy/girl over anything they own if it garners attention. Look no further than T4R its most popular threads. Posers will always be in existence as long as popularity matters. I have too much going in my life to care about that stuff haha. Probably helps that I don't really pay attention to social media or spend every weekend at an off-road park. Popularity helps to keep the 4Runner in its lane. The vehicle industry is looking to change the 4Runner. I'll deal with the posers and the current state of the 4Runner than have it become an unibody shadow of its former self.

 

[johnbt]

"For me, I never really cared if other people had my vehicle or not."

I don't spend any time even looking at what they drive. I mean, seriously, do folks go around day in and day out looking at what clothes and shoes other people are wearing?

I'm too busy with my stuff.

Why is it always fan boys? Why isn't it ever fan men? :biggrin2:

 

[TacoRunn0517]

"For me, I never really cared if other people had my vehicle or not."

I don't spend any time even looking at what they drive. I mean, seriously, do folks go around day in and day out looking at what clothes and shoes other people are wearing?

I'm too busy with my stuff.

Why is it always fan boys? Why isn't it ever fan men? :biggrin2:

Because men are too mature haha???:shrug:

 

[90'RedRunner]

Before I get slammed and ripped apart (I know I'm kind of asking for it) just know I absolutely love my 4Runner and have no plans to get rid of it.

Anyway, I feel like the 4Runner has somewhat lost it's unique quality, especially when they're built up with everyone and their wife/sister/mother/brother/grandma/etc. owning a 4Runner. I have seen so many "lifted" or "modded" 5th gens lately and (I'm totally speculating) but they appear to be driven by some sucker who dropped $50k at the dealership for an SR5. If they're happy with their purchase that is great, their prerogative! I'm not here to bash new 4Runner owners, I'm happy that other people find the love and passion in building, toying and adventuring in these fine pieces of machinery. But thats also not everyone who owns one. I just feel lately like the secret is out and now people are buying them because its trendy; like the Subaru WRX a decade or so ago. Again, everyone has a right to own these awesome vehicles for whatever reason they so choose. It just kind of bums me out and I feel like I don't appreciate other "built" 4Runners on the road like I used.

Stupid rant I know. I am just curious if any other people feel the same way? It could very well be my part of the country too, I see them all over in Phoenix and Denver. Please don't take this as a hate post on 4Runners, we are all here because we love our rides!

Respectfully to all 4Runner owners out there![What they should just do is just buy a trd pro and then modify it. (so that way they dont have to spend so much money upgrading them.]

 

[srpuywa]

Bro’s beat the crap out of whatever they drive. Serious off roader’s don’t. Serious off roader’s pick smart lines and don’t do stupid sh** which keeps them from beating the crap out of their vehicles. You won’t hear “ Bro! Watch this” with a serious off roader. I will say I do love seeing the bro’s out there on the trail and in the desert though. The last one my friend and I pulled out had three muddy naked chicks running around lol. They had been stuck for over two hours in the only mud puddle for about two miles. Beating the crap out of your vehicle is how you end up stuck, broken, and stranded and saying “ Bro, can you give me a ride to work this week? I broke my “ insert part here” and I need to save up to get one.”

I grew up in the Mojave Desert in the 70's we beat the crap out of our shit. My first car when I was a teenager was a '51' Willys jeep

We couldn't afford 4X4s so we beat up our mini-trucks on the trails

 

[Snickel Fritz]

There are worse groups to attract...

So earlier in the week I noticed two nice examples parked in the same little plaza that I was visiting. One was a quicksand Pro, which I decided to park diagonal from because I'm such a typical fanboy.
The other was a Limited in black.

The Limited was owned by a man that owns a convenience store in the plaza.
The Pro was owned by someone shopping in one of the stores.

I was sitting in my 4R, eating food from a deli. I watched the reactions of people cutting through the lot, and people walking by during their shopping.
I couldn't help but notice that different "types" of people had different reactions to seeing 3 5th Gen 4Runners of different trims and colors in close proximity.
One of the men associated with the convenience store stepped out for a smoke break, and looked over to see me and the Pro, and smiled. I waved and smiled back.
Several older JGCs with various amounts of mods (and two completely stock it appeared) drove through the lot, and two of those made a point to look displeased at the sight of two Yotas. I've gotten about 50/50 on Jeep owners having positive/negative reactions to my 4R. Yesterday I had a bright orange Wrangler driver actually nod and wave while driving past me- something I haven't experienced since living in West TX.
One serious cutie in a newer Wrangler followed me for quite a few miles the other day, too- I debated pulling over to see if she wanted to chat, but I had business to take care of.
Mouthbreathers on the roads here have no specific reaction to 4Rs, only to having a vehicle larger than their own in front of them- they feel the need tempt fate in their run down Nissans and Kias by riding the bumper, even when I'm going as fast as everyone else. A bright receiver hitch add-on may be in my near future.

There are far worse "types" of people out there that could be lending their image to the 4Runner crowd. The people that don't like them tend to be people that I do not like for reasons unrelated to my vehicle choice at all.
If "fanboys" are the worst we get, then we are fortunate! I won't call out any stereotypes about the "typical" owners of several other vehicles because that would be pointless flaming for such a diverse crowd as our own, but I am very pleased to have a large group of people that value sensibility, reliability, utility, and humility to reach out to if I need to ask something.

Besides, our group isn't so much a "club" as it is a result of various markets and the outcomes of their voodoo.

 

[westtex]

99% of the 4runners in my city are female owned. The guys at work tease me and say I drive a sorority car. But I faith that my 4Runner will out do any of their jeeps. Or their $70,000 diesel pickups couldn’t drive where my 4Runner can go.

 

[Hepar]

I had to google "fanboy." I'm old.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

I had to google "fanboy." I'm old.

Yeah, it’s been a few years since I defined myself by a car. I drive a 2005 Honda Accord and a ‘99 K2500 Suburban diesel. My wife drives the 4Runner.

I’m here on this forum for maintenance posts. Compared to the diesel forum for my Suburban, this forum is light on the maintenance and repair posts. Granted, these are newer cars and they have few mechanical issues, but this place is filled with posters worried about shocks, plastic dipping, rims, badges, skid plates etc.

 

[amalik]

Yeah, it’s been a few years since I defined myself by a car. I drive a 2005 Honda Accord and a ‘99 K2500 Suburban diesel. My wife drives the 4Runner.



I’m here on this forum for maintenance posts. Compared to the diesel forum for my Suburban, this forum is light on the maintenance and repair posts. Granted, these are newer cars and they have few mechanical issues, but this place is filled with posters worried about shocks, plastic dipping, rims, badges, skid plates etc.

That might just be the 5th gen section. 3rd and 4th are fairly technical and repair oriented.


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[SilverTEP]

99% of the 4runners in my city are female owned. The guys at work tease me and say I drive a sorority car. But I faith that my 4Runner will out do any of their jeeps. Or their $70,000 diesel pickups couldn’t drive where my 4Runner can go.

Almost the same around my town. There are even soccer moms with a lift, AT tires, and blacked out badges. I make sure to leave a bit of dirt on mine and some pinstripping. Pretty much need metal bumpers to take it to another level.

You will never outdo the Jeep Rubicons, they're ready for 35's, have electric sway disconnect, much better approach/departure angles, metal bumper options, solid axle, dual lockers, and much more tucked in under the car... that being said those things break down all the time, and have rough on-road manners, I wouldn't want to go on a 1000+ mile road trip in those.

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

How many see the irony in someone on a 4Runner fanboy site populated by bona fide fanboys being curious if 4Runners are becoming a "fanboy" vehicle..?

 

[tacoyota]

Everything is new once and why is it not realistic to take it off road? I had mine four wheeling days after it was purchased. A stock 4Runner wont let you down. Yes, some add crap that they will never use and waste their money accomplishing absolutely nothing.

Make no mistake, I had mine wheeling in Moab the same day I purchased it from the dealership in Denver. Jeeps guys on 33s were giving us thumbs up all day. A stock 4runner is capable but slower than modified especially out in Utah.

If I was rich and can afford a 40k 3rd toy vehicle, I would bash it all day like my long travel tacoma. But having broken on the trail or having to deal with dirt and mud months after gets old. Just speaking from my experience since my 4runner doubles as my daily driver :cowboy:

 

[westtex]

Almost the same around my town. There are even soccer moms with a lift, AT tires, and blacked out badges. I make sure to leave a bit of dirt on mine and some pinstripping. Pretty much need metal bumpers to take it to another level.

You will never outdo the Jeep Rubicons, they're ready for 35's, have electric sway disconnect, much better approach/departure angles, metal bumper options, solid axle, dual lockers, and much more tucked in under the car... that being said those things break down all the time, and have rough on-road manners, I wouldn't want to go on a 1000+ mile road trip in those.

You couldn’t let me dream! Joking. Maybe I’m just not a Jeep fan. I’ll never own another Chrysler vehicle. I bought 2014 SRT Charger. That was a piece of junk. Sold it it with 28,xxx miles. That’s when I got my 4Runner.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

That might just be the 5th gen section. 3rd and 4th are fairly technical and repair oriented.


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Given that your dealing with older vehicles in those sections, that would make sense.

 

[Jernik]

You will never outdo the Jeep Rubicons, they're ready for 35's, have electric sway disconnect, much better approach/departure angles, metal bumper options, solid axle, dual lockers, and much more tucked in under the car... that being said those things break down all the time, and have rough on-road manners, I wouldn't want to go on a 1000+ mile road trip in those.

You should do it once, it's definitely an experience you'll never forget! When we moved from Indy to Houston area, I drove my 99 Wrangler (very mild, just 2" lift and 31x10.5 MT's, soft top) loaded with stuff that wouldn't fit in the moving truck.

I remember putting in ear buds to listen to music because the stock radio just added more noise... then just turned the music off and left the buds in as a weak form of hearing protection. My ears actually got tired of hearing sound if that makes any sense. I'd have put in the foam plugs if I had any handy. There was a concrete stretch of I-55 south of Memphis that was like driving a "whoops" section for a couple hours straight. I remember sleeping very well after we got to our destination both nights (we split the drive into 2 days).

So yeah, there are few things in life that compare to driving a Wrangler cross country. If you're into masochism, I highly recommend it. :laugh: :cheers: