kapp_badbloodz
New member
Hello everyone!
Thank you for visiting my thread. This is my first 4Runner and my second vehicle I will be completely building throughout my ownership. I owned a 2008 Subaru STI for about 4 years and completely built the thing into amonster. This will be a much slower project but nonetheless a fun one. Please check back frequently for updates on both the vehicle and what the paces i've been putting it through.
I was incredibly apprehensive trading my STI for a 4Runner. I had invested a lot of money, time, and effort creating a vehicle I loved and enjoyed to drive. However, the need for a reliable and comfortable family vehicle was a necessity and the STI needed to go. It was a heartache to say the least. But after much research and much deliberation I came to the conclusion that the trade offs were worth the weight in gold. However, my angst and sense of urgency got the best of me... if I had just waited a bit longer I would have gotten a better deal and sold my car privately. **** it. I got what I wanted so I am happy.
BEHOLD IT IN ALL ITS GLORY!
"Out of the Box", the 4Runner is... well... a 4Runner. The Trail Edition is well rounded with plenty of features from factory. I got mine with KDSS, EnTune, NAV, and all the other goodies. The particular dealership I shopped out thought that all TEs come with KDSS which was nice because I caught a little break in the price. It came with shitty pin stripes (which I had removed for free by the stealership), premium all weather mats, a tint all around with a window strip, etc etc etc.
On the road, the Trail seemed pretty fit for the typical soccer mom. But after a couple miles I quickly learned that this wasnt the case. Routine driving was very smooth compared to other clunky new cars out there. While loose feeling; the suspension is actually pretty well rounded. Not a whole lot of body roll and feels tight in and out of turns. This is party due to the KDSS but I have not been able to really test it out. There are always other people on the road. Eventually I would like to get it out and try to break the rear end loose in some turns to see what the vehicle is capable of. The brakes are a bit spongy but are responsive if you give them a good stamping. But they feel as though you're either slowly coming to a stop or coming to an immediate stop like you're about to drop off a cliff! Its annoying. But its not a performance track vehicle. Its a 4Runner. Inside and out the vehicle seemed to be great. So what did we do...?
The girl and I decided we wanted to go to Savannah, GA for a short trip. We needed the break from life and I wanted to test the TE on a long trip. So off we went.
The TE took to the road like a fish takes to water. The aggressive outside styling broke some necks of fellow road warriors while on the 5 hour trip from Florida to Georgia. Climate control was fantastic and kept the inside at a bearable 68-70 degrees during the hellish 98 degree weather.
The inside is fantastic! The styling gives you plenty to look at and the dash is something you may see in a modern art museum.
We stopped for gas once during our several stopping points (pregnancy pee doesnt wait I guess). Surprisingly, we got nowhere near the 21mpg advertising. The gauge read 18.2 so I dont know if it needs to update or what. But it seemed "economical" (or maybe just a large gas tank).
We finally arrived to our B&B at Savannah. We took a minute to recoup and then hit the river to check out the shops and restaurants. We ended up picking a place called "Moon River" where the food was delicious but the local beer was even more palatable.
We stumbled upon this ice cream shop called Leopold's and the line was outrageous.... so we waited anyways and it was soooooo ****ing worth it
We watched the fireworks the next day and I set off my obnoxious color makers at a park down the road from our B&B. The next day we set off on our trip back to Florida.
We found a place that sold all things peaches. But because of some stupid law I couldnt buy peach booze for another hour and a half
We took an alternate route back home and I stumbled across this little spot. I was like "I want to turn around and take some pictures" so Sam (the old lady) said "so go take some pictures then"
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Thank you for visiting my thread. This is my first 4Runner and my second vehicle I will be completely building throughout my ownership. I owned a 2008 Subaru STI for about 4 years and completely built the thing into amonster. This will be a much slower project but nonetheless a fun one. Please check back frequently for updates on both the vehicle and what the paces i've been putting it through.
Prologue
Its not about Miles Per Gallon but Smiles Per Gallon
I was incredibly apprehensive trading my STI for a 4Runner. I had invested a lot of money, time, and effort creating a vehicle I loved and enjoyed to drive. However, the need for a reliable and comfortable family vehicle was a necessity and the STI needed to go. It was a heartache to say the least. But after much research and much deliberation I came to the conclusion that the trade offs were worth the weight in gold. However, my angst and sense of urgency got the best of me... if I had just waited a bit longer I would have gotten a better deal and sold my car privately. **** it. I got what I wanted so I am happy.
BEHOLD IT IN ALL ITS GLORY!
"Out of the Box", the 4Runner is... well... a 4Runner. The Trail Edition is well rounded with plenty of features from factory. I got mine with KDSS, EnTune, NAV, and all the other goodies. The particular dealership I shopped out thought that all TEs come with KDSS which was nice because I caught a little break in the price. It came with shitty pin stripes (which I had removed for free by the stealership), premium all weather mats, a tint all around with a window strip, etc etc etc.
On the road, the Trail seemed pretty fit for the typical soccer mom. But after a couple miles I quickly learned that this wasnt the case. Routine driving was very smooth compared to other clunky new cars out there. While loose feeling; the suspension is actually pretty well rounded. Not a whole lot of body roll and feels tight in and out of turns. This is party due to the KDSS but I have not been able to really test it out. There are always other people on the road. Eventually I would like to get it out and try to break the rear end loose in some turns to see what the vehicle is capable of. The brakes are a bit spongy but are responsive if you give them a good stamping. But they feel as though you're either slowly coming to a stop or coming to an immediate stop like you're about to drop off a cliff! Its annoying. But its not a performance track vehicle. Its a 4Runner. Inside and out the vehicle seemed to be great. So what did we do...?
ROAD TRIP!
The girl and I decided we wanted to go to Savannah, GA for a short trip. We needed the break from life and I wanted to test the TE on a long trip. So off we went.
The TE took to the road like a fish takes to water. The aggressive outside styling broke some necks of fellow road warriors while on the 5 hour trip from Florida to Georgia. Climate control was fantastic and kept the inside at a bearable 68-70 degrees during the hellish 98 degree weather.
The inside is fantastic! The styling gives you plenty to look at and the dash is something you may see in a modern art museum.
We stopped for gas once during our several stopping points (pregnancy pee doesnt wait I guess). Surprisingly, we got nowhere near the 21mpg advertising. The gauge read 18.2 so I dont know if it needs to update or what. But it seemed "economical" (or maybe just a large gas tank).
We finally arrived to our B&B at Savannah. We took a minute to recoup and then hit the river to check out the shops and restaurants. We ended up picking a place called "Moon River" where the food was delicious but the local beer was even more palatable.
We stumbled upon this ice cream shop called Leopold's and the line was outrageous.... so we waited anyways and it was soooooo ****ing worth it
We watched the fireworks the next day and I set off my obnoxious color makers at a park down the road from our B&B. The next day we set off on our trip back to Florida.
We found a place that sold all things peaches. But because of some stupid law I couldnt buy peach booze for another hour and a half
PHOTO OP!
We took an alternate route back home and I stumbled across this little spot. I was like "I want to turn around and take some pictures" so Sam (the old lady) said "so go take some pictures then"
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Oh well. Such a mute fact considering how awesome this truck is. 
op2:
