Ghost Runner
New member
Greetings from the frigid Canadian Rockies (at least its cold today with an ensuing blizzard)! First off let me say sorry to Ghost_Runner for choosing the name Ghost Runner...totally a coincidence! We frequent an area called "The Ghost" so it was a natural name for us on the form.
We recently took possession of our new Salsa Red 2010 trail edition and we are eager to prepare it for next winter, which is when we do our hard off roading (in order to access various ice climbs).
Thanks for all the awesome information on the form!! The good and even the bad reviews of the 2010+ helped us in our descision making - I have considered a new vehicle for more than a year. WHY DID WE BUY A NEW 4runner? We had considered a tacoma or FJ but we got a fantastic deal on our Salsa red 2010 trail edition and absolutely adored it every time we test drove it. We were particularly impressed with the performance on sketchy, icy streets (even in 2wd with the crap stock tires) directly comparing a subaru with winter tires. In 4wd the rig is actually pretty impressive. In Canada toyota doesn't sell an off road, double cab tacoma anymore (so no rear locking diff), the FJ's back seat is pretty small - and cargo space is smaller than the forester - so overall the 4runner chose us. I personally love how my old 91 pickup is practically the same truck. I also have to admit I like how the 4runner is put together in Japan - for quality reasons.
Our previous trail rig was a 91 toyota pickup and we also drove a subaru forester. The new 4runner replaces both vehicles.
PLANS AND MODS:
-We sold the stock tires right away and put on stock sized toyo open country AT's
-Removed the running boards before driving the vehicle - these are for sale
-We will add sliders and beefier skid plates before next winter
-Interested in Icon, overlandwarehouse or Old Man EMU suspension upgrade; still not sure about all this - what stage of icon I would get, etc
-Would also like a new off road bumper and yes I've followed much of the 5th gen bumper stuff on the net
- Need to fit aggressive tire chains so might need a different wheel - still learning about this - I would consider a 275 or 285 tire if I could find one studded
FIRST DRIVES:
On our first drive, we drove a 600 +KM (370+ miles) road trip to a ski resort and back, which includes dozens of big hill climbs over passes. I'm proud to say we drove off the beaten track on a muddy logging road and got the rig dirty on its very first drive!! With the thule box on top, some moderate 4X4'n we still got 21.7 MPG on our drive! I was very happy with this mileage.
We love our new runner!
We recently took possession of our new Salsa Red 2010 trail edition and we are eager to prepare it for next winter, which is when we do our hard off roading (in order to access various ice climbs).
Thanks for all the awesome information on the form!! The good and even the bad reviews of the 2010+ helped us in our descision making - I have considered a new vehicle for more than a year. WHY DID WE BUY A NEW 4runner? We had considered a tacoma or FJ but we got a fantastic deal on our Salsa red 2010 trail edition and absolutely adored it every time we test drove it. We were particularly impressed with the performance on sketchy, icy streets (even in 2wd with the crap stock tires) directly comparing a subaru with winter tires. In 4wd the rig is actually pretty impressive. In Canada toyota doesn't sell an off road, double cab tacoma anymore (so no rear locking diff), the FJ's back seat is pretty small - and cargo space is smaller than the forester - so overall the 4runner chose us. I personally love how my old 91 pickup is practically the same truck. I also have to admit I like how the 4runner is put together in Japan - for quality reasons.
Our previous trail rig was a 91 toyota pickup and we also drove a subaru forester. The new 4runner replaces both vehicles.
PLANS AND MODS:
-We sold the stock tires right away and put on stock sized toyo open country AT's
-Removed the running boards before driving the vehicle - these are for sale
-We will add sliders and beefier skid plates before next winter
-Interested in Icon, overlandwarehouse or Old Man EMU suspension upgrade; still not sure about all this - what stage of icon I would get, etc
-Would also like a new off road bumper and yes I've followed much of the 5th gen bumper stuff on the net
- Need to fit aggressive tire chains so might need a different wheel - still learning about this - I would consider a 275 or 285 tire if I could find one studded
FIRST DRIVES:
On our first drive, we drove a 600 +KM (370+ miles) road trip to a ski resort and back, which includes dozens of big hill climbs over passes. I'm proud to say we drove off the beaten track on a muddy logging road and got the rig dirty on its very first drive!! With the thule box on top, some moderate 4X4'n we still got 21.7 MPG on our drive! I was very happy with this mileage.
We love our new runner!
