New 4R--first 500 mile impressions

[tacobill]

Hello to all. Great forum and learning a lot. Proud owner of a new 2012 blizzard pearl SR5 4WD. I spent the last 2+ years in a 2010 F150 SuperCrew, so the "rolling and bobbing" and "riding like a truck" I've read about, seems kind of normal-after all, it's a truck (my other ride is a 93 Miata LE). That said:

1-I gather Bilsteins all around would help the SR5. Could use a bit firmer handling. I'll look into those. Love the look of the lift, but don't want to lessen the fuel efficiency.

2- 4WD seems a bit touchy. On the first engage, it went in and out of 4H quite effortlessly. A week or so later I couldn't get it to engage, no matter what I did. Light would flash regardless of 4H shifter position. Put it in 2H, turn it off and re start and the light would go out. Tried it again yesterday and it was fine so I cancelled my dealer visit.......for now.

3- Fuel economy is fine -- around 20 average.

4- Seems to be pretty tight overall-no squeaks or rattles and it's easy to find a comfortable driving position. Base stereo better than the Ford.....neither is by any means stellar.....(I miss SYNC).

5- Brakes are strong but a bit touchy, just like my F150. Yeah, it does the "D" word.

6- I like it and I like driving it--turns easily into tight spots. Black was my favorite color, but I have one black car already and that's enough, so I bought the white. Starting to really like it, especially in this southern heat.

7- Look forward to reading and hanging around here. This forum could get expensive. Sorry for the novel.

 

[FatDave]

:welcome:

Just curious... A preference for black? I know, it's subjective, but I had a black Boxster. 10 seconds after I washed it it was dusty again. Plus the clear coat scratches were maddening. Never again.

That said, bliz pearl is awesome.

 

[terra4r]

looks like you got a pretty good head start on ideas or where you want to go with the truck. lots have went with the 5100's, but do your research first. Not saying anything against the 5100s or personal mods, but just that a lot of people "jump on the wagon" so to speak, and some aren't happy with the results that most others like. Most mods on this form are for the better tho.

As for the 4wd, a good yank back sometimes is needed to go from 2H to 4H, and I usually like letting off the gas in the process to take the stress/torque off the components. In my mind, it helps. Just remember to do your monthly engagement if not more.

 

[tacobill]

FatDave---I like the look of the 4R in black, but the Miata is all the black car I want to deal with. Too much effort to keep it perfect. The white doesn't show dust, but bugs are another story. Going to finish off the front with 3M clear.

terra4r--I'll try that with the 4WD, thanks. It's new and everything is tight yet. Hopefully it will be easier as everything loosens up. I'll keep reading on the 5100's. I find the truck quite tolerable now, actually, but a tad more firm would be perfect.

 

[FatDave]

FatDave---I like the look of the 4R in black, but the Miata is all the black car I want to deal with. Too much effort to keep it perfect. The white doesn't show dust, but bugs are another story. Going to finish off the front with 3M clear.

Cool. My (silver) SL 550 has 3M clear on the front. It's worth it.

 

[characterzero]

just a little lift

honestly, as long as you don't change your tires, a little lift or leveling kit should have little effect on efficiency. it is the unsprung rotating mass that kills mpg!
when i lifted my past vehicles, the efficiency never changed much until the tires went on.