Opinions wanted from 5th gen owners, vs lc 4 play?

[davidbreit]

Hi, have had a few 4runners in my past, have a 4th gen 2 wd now, and miss the off roading.

Thinking of getting a new Trail edition, but i drive 30,000 a year street. I am ready to do more wheeling again, as kids are now old enough, and I take them on adventures quite often.

I am thinking that a new trail would fit the bill well, MAYBE lift 3 inches, baja rack on top, onboard air (like I had in my other runners) will have me all set up for whatever I want to do.


One option is to keep my current 4runner as a commuter, and maybe get a well used LC, and play with that (about the same $$, getting a LC with close to 80-100k miles on it, without selling my current 4runner).

Back to the 4runner--i would keep it for 5 or so years, rack up the miles, and be very happy with it. The gas milage is not an issue, as I get 18 now in my 2008 4runner.

Are there any 5th gen 4runner owners that have any input as to what I am considering, going all in, driving and wheeling in 5th gen, vs getting older LC to "play" in?

Tx all for your valuable feedback!

 

[homeyclaus]

That's a tough call, since I am a fan of just about all of the landcruiser series. The pre-IFS landcruisers with the I6 are just now coming into the under 10k price range, and this is what I would buy if I wanted to buy one as a plaything. Figure in a new head and head gasket into that price, those engines have the reputation of not liking the ones they came from the factory with.

This being said, no Toyota does well when parked, so there is nothing wrong with running a 5th gen full time for everything. We do that, and rack up > 20k miles per year and it's not something I regularly commute with (but I would not mind if I did) - the wife drives it for almost everything, and the miles are the long trips. Every weekend. Almost.

 

[davidbreit]

Thanks Homey

Or is it mr. clause?

is yours lifted?

 

[brockeverly]

Here is what it really comes down to, are you really going to do the same type of wheeling in the Trail as you will in the LC? A lot of us have built our 5th gens to handle the trails, but the odds of you doing the same wheeling in a 10k truck vs a 35-40k truck are slim. If you want a dedicated trail rig, get the LC. If you want the best of both worlds, get the 5th gen.

 

[jca21]

get a clean 80 series thats fully locked. sell your 2wd 4runner for something like a corolla as a daily driver/commuter.

 

[brockeverly]

 

[Okki]

I'll play the devils advocate today...

Keep your current 4runner for daily commute... and get a $2500 Jeep wrangler and a trailer... next have fun with a plethora of low cost dedicated wheeling options for modding and with a trailer you never have to worry about scraping paint or blowing something up.

Just something to consider.

Now if you are going to be building an overland vehicle... get the LC.

Okki

 

[TOPDECK]

I also cross shopped a used LC to Trail and got the Trail instead. Land Cruisers are a part of my family and the brand itself reminds me of all the good things in my childhood. And I still chose a 4Runner Trail, and this is why:

You are correct, for the price of a TE you will get a LC with 80k+ miles. People that invest in these vehicles, like my family, keep them. LC or not, it is still a vehicle with almost 100k miles on it. A lot can happen in 100k miles, and I didn't want to have one of things pop up when I am out in the middle of no where.

Even through the cost of the vehicle is almost the same, you will spend more on the LC in the long run. You will have to get it checked out, and replace parts in a just in case kind of way. For example, 2005+ LC, I would change the head gasket. On the other hand, we got 2 Years of free maintenance from Toyota for the TE. That takes a whole lot more money, and convenience on the table. Plus, you will have to replace other smaller things sooner like factory switches and little things that break.

As stated in my review located here, the TE actually reminds me more of a 60 series LC than a new one (100 or 200 series). The reason is that it is more capable, nimble, and utilitarian in a lot of ways. It feels less like a gray whale, and more like an orca.

The LC does have pluses, it has load leveling, ride height control, a bigger more powerful engine capable of towing, and there are a little more options for aftermarket customization (we need a 5th gen snorkel!). They are also built like a tank.

But it does have its down sides too. Less fuel mileage. I am not one to worry about commuting miles too much, after all I knew what I was getting into when I bought the truck, however you will use less gas getting to the place where you plan on having fun, and can do more there without having to refuel.

Anyway, didn't want to post a novel here. If you want, read my review. I think it will help you. Thats why I wrote it.

 

[jca21]

TOPDECK makes excellent points

 

[brockeverly]

I am a little lost here I guess. I took the OP as a TE and get rid of the 4th gen or an LC and keep the current 4th gen, meaning an older LC in a much lower price range than what the TE falls into. Reading back over the OP I am not sure.

 

[davidbreit]

You have it right. TE to replace what I have now, and commute in it, or get old LC for play. Leaning towards the trail.

 

[Lexus LX]

A 4Runner is a 4Runner and a Land Cruiser is a Land Cruiser. The LC surpasses the 4R in quality, durability, reliability, and robustness. One look underneath proves this point.

Toyota rates the LC as a heavy duty vehicle and the 4R as a light duty one.

 

[brockeverly]

You have it right. TE to replace what I have now, and commute in it, or get old LC for play. Leaning towards the trail.

Ah, then I stand by my post #4 :lmao:

Another idea would be to grab an SR5 and use the extra money saved for a lift, sliders, 285s, etc. You would not have crawl control or KDSS though. I went with the SR5 because I needed a 3rd row, and the TE did not have that option. Hindsight, I am still happy with the SR5.

 

[homeyclaus]

Or is it mr. clause?

is yours lifted?

Nah, just homey.

Mine isn't lifted. For one, the wife has a hard enough time getting in and out of it, and we haven't seen the need. If you want to lift it, obviously lift it

 

[TreeFarmer]

I commute 50k plus a year in my lifted SR5 and love it! Always muddy from wheelin it on the weekend with my two boys.