New Member, North Valley - AZ

I

IceCold81

New member
:D
(EDIT!!!! JUST PICKED UP THE NEW RIDE! 2011 SR5 Premium, and I'm LOVING IT so far!)
Won't be for a bit still... But first thing I'm doing is getting these windows tinted, and then I have to start researching lift/wheels/tires, cuz at some point, I wanna get her beefed up :-)

Whats up ya'll!

So I've been lurking a bit on the site, checking things out, seems like a solid community around the T4R's.

I'm actually looking to buy a 4runner this coming week give or take... Pretty excited!

Really wanted a Trail, but due to availability and some pricing challenges, looks like I'm gonna probably default to a 5th Gen Premium SR5. Still seems like a great truck, and even though this KDDS system seems to clearly be praised as an awesome 4x4 platform, I can't imagine the base 4x4 platform isn't reasonably capable in it's own right compared to everything else out there???

Any tips, suggestions, remarks, I'm all ears. Looking forward to the purchase!
 

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lofreqjeff said:
Nice! Welcome to the party :)

Check out these threads, the metro-Phx area has a little group that is pretty active even in the summer heat!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/southwest/194324-who-wants-go-wheeling.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading/200906-broken-arrow-sedona-july-19th.html

Looking forward to seeing what you get - and if you need any help with mods, we're here to help!
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Awesome man, yea I'll definitely check that out. Would love to join a bit of the culture behind the runners :-)

Hey... So I'm actually looking at one now, really considering it.... Would you guys know of any reason why it would be less then ideal to have the 4WD Knob selector over the shifter and vice versa? I was completely good with the shifter but this one happens to have the knob shifter...

It's a 2013 SR5 (I really want a trail, but I'm forcing myself to be responsible with my budget boooo ha), and it's in what appears to be GREAT shape, it's the premium with the moonroof just no NAV and the right price. But just really want to make the right choice on this.
 
I have a 4th Gen, but I'll take a shot and please correct me if I am wrong. I have read many posts about the electronic actuators getting stuck, either won't engage or disengage. I could see the manual shifter would possibly be better as there is no electronic actuator under the truck that gets fouled up by mud, water etc. However, it is nice to just turn a knob and go. Hoping a 5th Gen owner can chime in and correct/supply info though.
 
IceCold81 said:
Awesome man, yea I'll definitely check that out. Would love to join a bit of the culture behind the runners :-)

Hey... So I'm actually looking at one now, really considering it.... Would you guys know of any reason why it would be less then ideal to have the 4WD Knob selector over the shifter and vice versa? I was completely good with the shifter but this one happens to have the knob shifter...

It's a 2013 SR5 (I really want a trail, but I'm forcing myself to be responsible with my budget boooo ha), and it's in what appears to be GREAT shape, it's the premium with the moonroof just no NAV and the right price. But just really want to make the right choice on this.
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My experience is that the shifter is mechanical, so it more reliable and less chances of malfunction whereas the turn-knob is electronic and there is always room for failure in that: a fuse, bad actuator, dead battery, etc......

I have an 89 4Runner with manual shift t-case and its flawless, then in my 06 4Runner V8 which is always 4WD, it occasionally doesn't shift into/out of 4low and occasionally it won't disengage the locker. Once a month or so I put it in 4Low and turn on all the features like the locker & hill decent thing to to keep the actuators active so they don't freeze up or anything - they have a reputation of not working properly if they don't get exercised regularly.

I'm not sure if the newer 4Runner even have the option of shifter t-case - i was under the impression all newer models were the turn knob style.

Maybe [MENTION=116114]cf_coder[/MENTION] can chime in with his experience, he has a 2014 4Runner Premium.
 
I haven't had an issue with the electronic actuator for my 4wd. Sometimes there will be a pause between switching to 4Lo and having it engage, but that's completely normal. It can take some movement to get the gears to line up and do their thing. The SR5 version comes with the ATRAC system but no rear locker like the trail or pro. The Trail and Pro also come with the shifter T-case, but I'm sure that under the hood there is some electronic actuation going on there as well.

there are a number of folks on this forum with 5th Gens that have well over 100K miles on them with the electronic dial-a-4wd and they're still running strong. Like Jeff said, it's good to enable all the offroad doo-dads every so often to make sure the actuators actuate and such. I think toyota recommends 10 miles or so per 1000 miles to be done in 4wd (usually 4H to keep the chain and everything else lubed).

_coder
 
Awesome Guys! I really appreciate the feedback. I mean don't get me wrong, IDEALLY I would lean toward the manual Shift lever, but I just didn't want to take a GREAT option of a potential vehicle and rule it out based on an electrical knob ya know. Just needed a little reassurance :bigok:



No joke... if I get my A$$ outta bed tomorrow before work, I just may be officially part of the 4runner family by noon! ;-)
 
Welcome from Chandler! My wife and I have had a 2015 SR5 for a few months now and have had no problems using the dial type of 4WD shifter. I would have liked to get a trail, but didn't want to spend that much either, gotta be able to live with the payment (damn reality). Enjoy your 4runner!
 
lofreqjeff said:
Did you rise and shine on time to get your a$$ out the door to pick up a new rig?? the suspense is killing us! :shocked:
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I did rise lol, I almost missed my window waking up a little late, but I jammed out on the bike and got over there.... Unfortunately I regret to report... No dice! Thing was a pile smh.... Scratches EVERYWHERE, nasty wheel wobble right out of the parking lot, interior was dirty with scratches all over the interior molding and door handles ugh... Super annoying.


BUT!!! There is a But... I found a listing today I'm considering and would love some feedback.

It's not in my Magnetic Grey :mad: but the next best color I suppose being black. It's an SR5 premium with the Nav and it's a 2012 WITH THE LEVER SHIFT 4WD! :-D

Now my question.... I went to look at it today, and it's SUPER clean, drives really nice, undercarriage is spotless etc. Only noticed a TINY Wheel wobble when we got on the highway and right between like 60 and 65. So maybe just a touch out of balance.

Now my concern is whether I should be concerned lol. The truck has a touch over 80k on it, and I really want this to be a long term vehicle. Nature of the beast is having to trust the previous owners miles went well cared for, but no way of knowing for sure obviously. The carfax is on point. and the truck runs seemingly great, so thats about all I can say regarding that.

Should I hesitate at all with this mileage assuming I can get it for the fair market value price. Hate to let some miles make me nervous.


(Apologize for the novel lol, this process has been exhausting so far!)
 
Forest RnR said:
Welcome from Chandler! My wife and I have had a 2015 SR5 for a few months now and have had no problems using the dial type of 4WD shifter. I would have liked to get a trail, but didn't want to spend that much either, gotta be able to live with the payment (damn reality). Enjoy your 4runner!
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Nice RnR! Happy to hear you guys are enjoying it. I also hear ya on the trail, just a little rich for what I'm looking to spend.
 
To bad about the shape of the first one, however the second one does sound promising. 4th Gen here so I can't comment much on the 5th's. Mileage is a little high for 2012, don't think it will be an issue though. 153K on my '03. If its been in phx its whole life, 15-20K mi/yr is pretty easy to achieve, just in city. Most of my co-workers do that just for work alone. Throw in family obligations, a few drives possibly up to Flag, Vegas, San Diego, Rockypoint..etc you get the pic lol. So it might not really be high mileage for a AZ vehicle. If your happy and it feels right, I say go for it. I missed a few good ones when I was looking by waiting to long. In the end, I got what I wanted and 8yrs later I am still happy every time I get in it.
 
Top Shelf Synthetics said:
To bad about the shape of the first one, however the second one does sound promising. 4th Gen here so I can't comment much on the 5th's. Mileage is a little high for 2012, don't think it will be an issue though. 153K on my '03. If its been in phx its whole life, 15-20K mi/yr is pretty easy to achieve, just in city. Most of my co-workers do that just for work alone. Throw in family obligations, a few drives possibly up to Flag, Vegas, San Diego, Rockypoint..etc you get the pic lol. So it might not really be high mileage for a AZ vehicle. If your happy and it feels right, I say go for it. I missed a few good ones when I was looking by waiting to long. In the end, I got what I wanted and 8yrs later I am still happy every time I get in it.
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That is pretty much exactly what I was going to say, almost word for word. About a year ago I got an 06 4Runner with a slight wobble around 60mph and it ended up just being a tire out of balance. It is also an AZ native and had 89k miles which is around 11.5k miles a year so pretty average. I looked on and off for a 06 or newer 4Runner for over 3 years before I finally settled on this one. Its not my favorite color, but I love everything else about it and am very happy I got it.
 
AHHHHHHH!!!!! My anxiety is through the roof lmao. This search is insane

I just had a buddy go look at one out of town for me where he JUST SO HAPPENS to live, and he said the thing is MINT! Price is perfect! Everything about is on point and I was planning on going friday to buy it.

No sooner do I get off the phone I get a hit on another option! Same truck EXACTLY and sounds like it's in very similiar shape... This pans out I'm buying it tomorrow! :zoom: #FingersCrossed
 
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