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skategoat

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Hello all, I've been looking for a good 4Runner forum and am glad to have finally found one.

I bought an '04 SR5 w/V8 about a month ago to replace a '99 Audi A6 Avant. Good riddance on the Audi. You would not believe the depreciation on that vehicle.

So far, I'm loving the 4Runner. I ordered it without so much as a test drive. Basically, as soon as I found out the 4Runner was equipped with the iforce V8, I was sold. I love and have always coveted that engine but never wanted the bulk of a Sequoia or Land Cruiser.

My big surprise when I took delivery was the smoothness and quiet of the truck. Not very truck-like! A lot quieter even than my Audi which was supposed to be a luxury vehicle.

No regrets on the truck but a couple of regrets on the equipment package. Basically, I chose the base SR5 with V8 and took no options. Now I'm wishing I had the 3rd row seats and the roof rack. Anyone know if there are aftermarket version of these two items? Anyone want to sell theirs?

Thanks,

HK
 
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Congratulations on the new 4Runner! :) I'm surprised you don't have a roof rack.. I know its an option not to have it, but most that I have seen have had it and if not wanted, then it would have to have been ordered..

There should be aftermarket roof racks, but not sure about aftermarket third row seats..

But Welcome to the forum! and Congrats again.
 
hey welcome to the forum and congrats on your new ride! i was wondering how your audi ran. a friend of mine plans on getting a 99 a4 or s4. i've heard that those vehicles aren't too reliable, and are expensive to fix. i'm glad i can get some input from an audi owner.
 
skategoat said:
Now I'm wishing I had the 3rd row seats and the roof rack. Anyone know if there are aftermarket version of these two items? Anyone want to sell theirs?

Thanks,

HK
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Don't sweat the third row seats they are not that much help, even for small people or kids. IMO the runner wasn't made to be a 3rd row seater extremely uncomfortable, thats what the LC is for. As far as the roof rack you can probably find something on ebay
 
Roof rack and Audi

On the roof rack, basically, I was mis-informed by the salesman. I asked him if the base SR5 came with the rack. He said yes and I did not check the brochure to confirm. When it arrived without the rack, I questioned him and he denied telling me it came with the rack. I thought he might give me a break on an after-market rack but I was wrong about that. $600 for the factory rack (Canadian $).

As for the Audi, where do you want me to start? Tell your friend to go to www.audiworld.com and do some research. I had all kinds of things going wrong with that car. I thought I owned a lemon but then I searched on audiworld and came across multiple posts about the same problems. They are nicely styled and drive beautifully but the manufacturing is where it all falls apart.

Problem after problem after problem:

- fading LCD display
- broken window guides
- stuck sunroof
- squeaky steering wheel
- peeling leather on the steering wheel
- broken cup holders
- airbag light on for no reason

I know I'm forgetting other stuff. All little, naggy crap but it all added up to a lot of aggravation. Also, the drivetrain is very sensitive to wheel inbalance. I was basically getting my wheels re-balanced every 6 months.

My previous vehicle to the Audi was a Camry and I had one thing go wrong in 4 years of ownership - the dome light burned out. That's why I'm back with Toyota.

Tell your friend to be very, very careful.
 
Biff, I appreciate that the 3rd row seats are for legless midgets but I would still like them nonetheless. The kids need to be physically separated occasionally.
 
Hi Skategoat - I have the 3rd row seats and yes they are only kid sized. There are some pretty substantial changes in the back to accommodate them - in particular mounting points in the cargo floor and on the tops of the wheel arches - my guess is they would be difficult to fit as an aftermarket. If it makes you feel better they don't fold into the floor like some but fold up into the sides of the cargo area, and do still take up some room (though you can remove them).

Hope you enjoy the new ride - went round to a friend's house the other day and he was almost green with envy when he saw the new truck!! (He could not believe how quiet the V8 was when it starts as well !):D
 
Oh one other thing - I totally understand the need to keep the kids physically separate on occasions - you might want to check out the cargo tie down hooks in the cargo area:bouncy2:
 
Congratulation on the new ride. I wouldn't get upset about not having the 3rd row or the roofrack. I personally never used to roofrack but like it because it is there. I tried the 3rd row seats at the NY autoshow and I couldn't even fit. My younger brother was also very uncomortable. The thing that surprises me is I thought all 4th gen. 4Runners came with roofracks. I have never seen a 4th generation without it. Just enjoy the beauty of the truck. The seats and roofrack won't make it ride better or worse!!! :D
 
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