Long Road to a 4Runner...

[snakeman]

It's been a long road, but I think I'm about ready to begin my search for a used 4th generation 4Runner.

I sold my 2006 4x4 TRD Off-Road DoubleCab Tacoma a few months ago and bought a Ford Raptor. I had the Taco for just under 4 years and really enjoyed it but was "tempted" by the off-road capabilities of the Raptor.

Well to make a long story short, the Raptor just isn't doing it for me. I'm gonna sell it and look for a 4th generation 4Runner. I've never had one but if it's anything like my Tacoma, I can't go wrong.

I don't know if I want a 2 or 4 wheel drive but will be using it as a daily driver AND an expedition vehicle here in Arizona. I'm a herpetologist with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and spend a good amount of time out camping in the desert.

I hope to find a low mileage 06-09 V6 model, upgrade the suspension with a mild lift and add some 265/75-16 tires. Wish me luck...

 

[eskimochaos]

It's been a long road, but I think I'm about ready to begin my search for a used 4th generation 4Runner.

I sold my 2006 4x4 TRD Off-Road DoubleCab Tacoma a few months ago and bought a Ford Raptor. I had the Taco for just under 4 years and really enjoyed it but was "tempted" by the off-road capabilities of the Raptor.

Well to make a long story short, the Raptor just isn't doing it for me. I'm gonna sell it and look for a 4th generation 4Runner. I've never had one but if it's anything like my Tacoma, I can't go wrong.

I don't know if I want a 2 or 4 wheel drive but will be using it as a daily driver AND an expedition vehicle here in Arizona. I'm a herpetologist with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and spend a good amount of time out camping in the desert.

I hope to find a low mileage 06-09 V6 model, upgrade the suspension with a mild lift and add some 265/75-16 tires. Wish me luck...

Sounds like 4wd would be like a no brainer

 

[CJ3Flyr]

4th gens are sweet, I think you'll enjoy it.


I'm curious, what about the Raptor bothers you? I can relate, I had an '05 Titan, loaded with Off-Road Package, Tow, Nav etc. Great truck, a little thirsty but other than that a great 1/2-ton truck. I just never "bonded" with it. It never felt like mine and I didn't drive it very well... It was the weirdest thing but true. I sold it, got in to my '07 and haven't looked back.
:cheers:

 

[snakeman]

Sounds like 4wd would be like a no brainer

4x4 does sound like the obvious choice but in the 4 years (and 75K miles) I owned my Taco there were VERY few times that I ever used it in 4 wheel drive. But, I have to say that I did use the rear locker quite often.

 

[snakeman]

4th gens are sweet, I think you'll enjoy it.


I'm curious, what about the Raptor bothers you? I can relate, I had an '05 Titan, loaded with Off-Road Package, Tow, Nav etc. Great truck, a little thirsty but other than that a great 1/2-ton truck. I just never "bonded" with it. It never felt like mine and I didn't drive it very well... It was the weirdest thing but true. I sold it, got in to my '07 and haven't looked back.
:cheers:

It's sort of like you describe with the Titan. Something is just not right. It's over-all size is very tough for me to get used to. It handles the back desert roads like a true race truck, but there lies the problem...it's great when your flying down the road at 50-70mph but at "regular" back road exploring speeds, it's just a big heavy lumbering truck. It's just not for me...

 

[CJ3Flyr]

It's sort of like you describe with the Titan. Something is just not right. It's over-all size is very tough for me to get used to. It handles the back desert roads like a true race truck, but there lies the problem...it's great when your flying down the road at 50-70mph but at "regular" back road exploring speeds, it's just a big heavy lumbering truck. It's just not for me...

Gotcha, it does sound similar...

You mentioned using the R Locker frequently but not the 4wd. On the 4th 4Runners only the '09's had a locking rear option but all of them have ATRAC. I think you'll like the 4wd as you can run it in 4wd all of the time if you like due to the t-cases' differential.

Good research site here, you can select model years across the top. Toyota 4Runner History 2003

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

It's been a long road, but I think I'm about ready to begin my search for a used 4th generation 4Runner.

I sold my 2006 4x4 TRD Off-Road DoubleCab Tacoma a few months ago and bought a Ford Raptor. I had the Taco for just under 4 years and really enjoyed it but was "tempted" by the off-road capabilities of the Raptor.

Well to make a long story short, the Raptor just isn't doing it for me. I'm gonna sell it and look for a 4th generation 4Runner. I've never had one but if it's anything like my Tacoma, I can't go wrong.

I don't know if I want a 2 or 4 wheel drive but will be using it as a daily driver AND an expedition vehicle here in Arizona. I'm a herpetologist with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and spend a good amount of time out camping in the desert.

I hope to find a low mileage 06-09 V6 model, upgrade the suspension with a mild lift and add some 265/75-16 tires. Wish me luck...

Can I have the Raptor?! lol. the 1grfe V-6 is a great engine and highly tunable if thats what you want. I own a 2wd and its great off road and can hang on the rear bumpers on z's and evo's having just recently driven a 4x4 4th gen they seem great off road but on pavement the steering seem slower to me. and dont worry the tacoma and 4runner are almost exactly the same besides the taco had rear drums.

 

[Uneek]

I have an '05 Tacoma just like yours, except it's a PreRunner. The good thing is the 4Runner has full time 4WD. The 4Runner is quieter and smoother than the Tacoma. Even though the two share similar platforms and suspension geometry, they have their own character. You won't regret getting a 4Runner unless you need the bed of the Tacoma.

 

[BlairB]

I am jealous of the Raptor!

What did you not like about it?

 

[eskimochaos]

Can I have the Raptor?! lol. the 1grfe V-6 is a great engine and highly tunable if thats what you want. I own a 2wd and its great off road and can hang on the rear bumpers on z's and evo's having just recently driven a 4x4 4th gen they seem great off road but on pavement the steering seem slower to me. and dont worry the tacoma and 4runner are almost exactly the same besides the taco had rear drums.

How is the V6 Highly Tunable?

Ill trade you my 07 V8 for your Raptor.

 

[scottm]

The 4R is a great truck, certainly capable of meeting your needs, but I'd feel safer in your situation in something a little more heavily built. I think if I were camping in the desert a lot, I'd be choosing between a Land Cruiser 100-series, and a Land Cruiser 80-series. I've moved to this 4R because I'm mostly on the highway and rarely off-road, and I already have a 100 for vacations.

The 80 comes with: solid axles; locking diffs front, center, and rear; 31" tires and room for more; decent interior space; sliding rear-quarter windows (great for camping, screens available); and limitless mods available. And with basic tools you can fix almost anything, it's truly a 3rd-world vehicle. They stopped selling them in the US in '97, and a good one is reasonably priced.

Things you will want for extended desert living are readily available and pretty much bolt-on. I know of many guys using them for expeditions and extended desert trips.

 

[snakeman]

The 4R is a great truck, certainly capable of meeting your needs, but I'd feel safer in your situation in something a little more heavily built. I think if I were camping in the desert a lot, I'd be choosing between a Land Cruiser 100-series, and a Land Cruiser 80-series. I've moved to this 4R because I'm mostly on the highway and rarely off-road, and I already have a 100 for vacations.

The 80 comes with: solid axles; locking diffs front, center, and rear; 31" tires and room for more; decent interior space; sliding rear-quarter windows (great for camping, screens available); and limitless mods available. And with basic tools you can fix almost anything, it's truly a 3rd-world vehicle. They stopped selling them in the US in '97, and a good one is reasonably priced.

Things you will want for extended desert living are readily available and pretty much bolt-on. I know of many guys using them for expeditions and extended desert trips.

I also have a "built" Jeep wrangler for the heavy duty expedition type travel. I'm looking for a more "daily driver friendly" type of SUV that I can drive to work each day (75 mile round trip) and also take on lower difficulty dirt roads and camping destinations.

 

[scottm]

I also have a "built" Jeep wrangler for the heavy duty expedition type travel. I'm looking for a more "daily driver friendly" type of SUV that I can drive to work each day (75 mile round trip) and also take on lower difficulty dirt roads and camping destinations.

Ah, I read "expedition vehicle" and thought of the guys with fridges, showers, roof-top tents. There's a guy trying to take his 80 around the world, but he's a newb, should've learned a bit about vehicle maintenance and repairs first.

I think you've come to the right place.

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

How is the V6 Highly Tunable?

Ill trade you my 07 V8 for your Raptor.

there are tons of aftermarket performance parts for the V-6 and the V-8 as fas as I am aware are a cat back, headers, and an intake. however I have seen a 4.7L twin turbo in a supra but it cost six digits to build. the APR X-1 is a great tuning tool and ttc performance has pistons, rods, cams, valves, and a intake manifold.

 

[JB.]

It's been a long road, but I think I'm about ready to begin my search for a used 4th generation 4Runner.

....will be using it as a daily driver AND an expedition vehicle here in Arizona. I'm a herpetologist with the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and spend a good amount of time out camping in the desert.

I hope to find a low mileage 06-09 V6 model, upgrade the suspension with a mild lift and add some 265/75-16 tires. Wish me luck...

I think you'll be pleased. I have over 2k dirt miles logged, mostly on just such roads in multi-overnighters. I recently replaced my original LT tires and happily found that my truck tracks perfectly straight even though I've never had an alignment. (I always air down).

I've discovered many lucky fit arrangements that make living in the truck more enjoyable. For instance, the space created by the one piece door handles for the back seats holds Petzl Zipka headlamps perfectly. A sunroof is a mixed bag. You'll enjoy the headroom (assuming you'll sleep in the back) of no sunroof, but it comes in very handy as warm weather ventilation that can be covered by mosquito netting and left in place while driving. The covered storage compartments over the rear wheel wells are very handy, as well.

I think the truck will work well for you. Good luck.

 

[gm350reratliff]

there are tons of aftermarket performance parts for the V-6 and the V-8 as fas as I am aware are a cat back, headers, and an intake. however I have seen a 4.7L twin turbo in a supra but it cost six digits to build. the APR X-1 is a great tuning tool and ttc performance has pistons, rods, cams, valves, and a intake manifold.

And you would need all of this for exporing the desert because.....

 

[snakeman]

"Fly in the ointment"... Headroom

I just got back from driving an '07 SR5 2WD. I was very impressed with the ride except for one major complaint, headroom. The one I drove had a sunroof and even with the seat in the lowest height position, the top of my head was about 1/2" from the headliner (I'm 6'3"). Does the headroom increase with a non-sunroof model?

 

[BlairB]

I just got back from driving an '07 SR5 2WD. I was very impressed with the ride except for one major complaint, headroom. The one I drove had a sunroof and even with the seat in the lowest height position, the top of my head was about 1/2" from the headliner (I'm 6'3"). Does the headroom increase with a non-sunroof model?

Yes it does, I have a Sport w/ no sunroof and there is quite a bit more headroom without it. Even at 6'2" the sunroof really bothered me. Also, some 4Runners with sunroofs (well any vehicle with a sunroof for that matter) have experienced some leaks.

 

[gptoy96]

Also, some 4Runners with sunroofs (well any vehicle with a sunroof for that matter) have experienced some leaks.

I wouldn't be too worried about leaks. I can't recall any leaking issues with runners. I think there were more issues regarding rattling in the early 4th gens but no leaks. My 96 I had for 6.5 years never gave me any issue with the sunroof, and 1.5 years now with my 04 and again zero issues.

But may be besides the point as it's headroom that seems to be the issue here.