Other SUVs you've owned compared to your 4runner
- Thread starter bigskyeric
- Start date
Cygan1008
New member
Chevy equinox..... Ok so that isn't really any suv but it's the closest thing other than my trucks I have owned.
Also had an 87 wrangler for a short period. Hated driving it on the road but off the asphalt it would go pretty much anywhere. It couldn't take anything with it but it would go though anything by itself.
The 4runner is really the best of both worlds I think
Also had an 87 wrangler for a short period. Hated driving it on the road but off the asphalt it would go pretty much anywhere. It couldn't take anything with it but it would go though anything by itself.
The 4runner is really the best of both worlds I think
LGUMA001
New member
'95 Jeep YJ- Lifted on Q78 Swamper TSLs. Being that it was leaf sprung all the way around, it literally rode like a covered wagon. Add to the fact that it didn't come with AC, this didn't make for the best daily driver.
'89 Jeep XJ- Lifted/Locked on Swamper TSLs. I beat the piss out of this thing on the rocks and it never complained. OK maybe a little, but it was the perfect trail beater for little money.
'94 GMC Yukon- Tow Rig. I miss the sound of dual flowmasters on a 350 SBC. I don't miss the gas mileage.
'95 T4R- 3.0 V6. No power.
'98 Jeex XJ- Lifted/Locked on Goodyear MTRs. Probably the best dual purpose rig I've owned. Comfortable enough to daily drive and capable enough to take onto the rocks/trails.
Current- '04 T4R- Good daily driver. I bought this thing with the intent of never modifying it. The more I look at this forum, the more that changes.
'89 Jeep XJ- Lifted/Locked on Swamper TSLs. I beat the piss out of this thing on the rocks and it never complained. OK maybe a little, but it was the perfect trail beater for little money.
'94 GMC Yukon- Tow Rig. I miss the sound of dual flowmasters on a 350 SBC. I don't miss the gas mileage.
'95 T4R- 3.0 V6. No power.
'98 Jeex XJ- Lifted/Locked on Goodyear MTRs. Probably the best dual purpose rig I've owned. Comfortable enough to daily drive and capable enough to take onto the rocks/trails.
Current- '04 T4R- Good daily driver. I bought this thing with the intent of never modifying it. The more I look at this forum, the more that changes.
coconutpete
New member
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 5.2.
It leaked a little oil, it leaked a little trans. fluid, the rear axle made a funny cartoonish noise at low speeds, the 2 rear spark plugs were a PITA to get to, the heated seats stopped working and had to be repaired twice, the full-time 4wd transfer case is terrible and I used to disconnect the front drive shaft in the summer but ............
OH GOD do I miss it!!!! Some idiot hit it while it was parked and totalled it.
It was nimble, but roomy, the pushrod 5.2 had OOMPFH and with the flowmaster, everyone was always looking for the Camaro or Mustang. When I have time/room to have one as a project I will buy another one. I've had Sedans, couples, SUV's, 3x3-series BMW's which I loved, but oh man, the fondest memories are of that Jeep!
It leaked a little oil, it leaked a little trans. fluid, the rear axle made a funny cartoonish noise at low speeds, the 2 rear spark plugs were a PITA to get to, the heated seats stopped working and had to be repaired twice, the full-time 4wd transfer case is terrible and I used to disconnect the front drive shaft in the summer but ............
OH GOD do I miss it!!!! Some idiot hit it while it was parked and totalled it.
It was nimble, but roomy, the pushrod 5.2 had OOMPFH and with the flowmaster, everyone was always looking for the Camaro or Mustang. When I have time/room to have one as a project I will buy another one. I've had Sedans, couples, SUV's, 3x3-series BMW's which I loved, but oh man, the fondest memories are of that Jeep!
flighht2k5
New member
Because if there is, I think I'm a contender.
My first vehicle:
That's a 1957 International Harvester Travelall. 240ci I-6, 4 speed tranny with granny low and a two-stick T-case. It looked like a forest growing out of the floor! (Transmission lever, two t-case levers and the parking brake.)
Purchased in 1979 when I was 17.
Next vehicle, also a 4x4, also an IHC Travelall, this was a '67. 345 V8 with no smog controls, 4 speed and, somewhat inexplicably, manual steering (which made it a PITA to park.)
Next vehicle was a 71 Blazer with a 350 and a 4 speed. Looked great but had a lot of problems: Clutch, rear axle, T-case, etc.
Sold it to buy my first Toyota, an 85 4x4 truck. My first new vehicle, ever.
My next 4x4 and the first "modern" SUV I've owned was a 1990 Montero:
Then a 2wd truck, an AWD wagon, a 4wd Tacoma and finally in 2009 I got back into the SUV game with my first 4runner, a 1999 with the 3.4, auto and e-locker.
As far as comparisons, seems to me it's not really logical to compare a 4th gen 4runner to something that was designed and built more than a decade before. There has been a generational improvement in both power and features since then. For example, my Montero had a 3.0l V6, which felt pretty powerful to me coming from a very slow Mazda pickup.
Yet, that 3.0 put out a little under 150hp, which by today's standards would be considered pathetic if it came from a 4 cyl! It also had no air bags, no AC, manual windows and doors and no keyless entry. All those things have become more or less standard on all vehicles by now, even entry level.
So, in a sense, comparing a 4th gen 4runner to an early 90's Pathy or Explorer is a little unfair. :shrug:
You want to see a forest, you should look at my Unimog. It has the 4wd-locker lever, parking brake, tranny, forward/reverse lever and crawler gear lever
'02 Nissan Pathfinder 4WD - Loved it, but it was seriously underpowered.
'06 Nissan Xterra 2WD - Cheapest interior ever. Ever.
I prefer my 4Runner to either Nissan in pretty much every category. I really did love the Pathfinder, but my then-wife rolled it. She's my ex-wife now.
'06 Nissan Xterra 2WD - Cheapest interior ever. Ever.
I prefer my 4Runner to either Nissan in pretty much every category. I really did love the Pathfinder, but my then-wife rolled it. She's my ex-wife now.
BillBoost37
New member
I've always had a truck except a short few years of apartment living. And missed one even then.
All Chevy's and none with any damn room in the cab until the 00 extended cab that I still have. Never had to work on much with them, heck neglect almost seems to make them indestructible.
The wifes 05 Runner is the first I've driven/touched, must say... I do like it until you consider a turn. Then it's all I would expect from a stock SUV. That and Yota made a mistake with it's stability system, thats a rant for another day. Been reading up and doing some small work on it (only has 90K), yet not getting too attached because she keeps threatening to get something new. She's always had low mileage and this I believe to be the first to hit 90K. So maybe I will be working on it more often. So far this puppy has only needed tires/brakes/steering shaft and ps pump beyond a couple of bulbs. Who can't like that for 90K of driving?
All Chevy's and none with any damn room in the cab until the 00 extended cab that I still have. Never had to work on much with them, heck neglect almost seems to make them indestructible.
The wifes 05 Runner is the first I've driven/touched, must say... I do like it until you consider a turn. Then it's all I would expect from a stock SUV. That and Yota made a mistake with it's stability system, thats a rant for another day. Been reading up and doing some small work on it (only has 90K), yet not getting too attached because she keeps threatening to get something new. She's always had low mileage and this I believe to be the first to hit 90K. So maybe I will be working on it more often. So far this puppy has only needed tires/brakes/steering shaft and ps pump beyond a couple of bulbs. Who can't like that for 90K of driving?
I don't get it, why drive each for only 29 days?
97 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
01 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
2001 Honda Prelude Base
2001 Toyota Camry
1994 Toyota Tercel
2000 Honda S2000
2004 Toyota Taco ext cab (Excellent truck)
2006 T4R V8 (The best of the lot.
Yes I have always stuck to Japanese vehicles
Those are some interesting SUVs you have there
28.
New member
Had an 03 Yukon XL.. Raised my 3 kids in this thing and loved it. Hated selling it..
This replaced the Yukon.... Still own it and is usually what me and the misses travel in..
05 Lexus LX470 Land Cruiser
Got this litle Honda for getting to and from work. My oldest son loved it. So he sold his 2000 GTP and bought this little CRV from me.. Still has it and already over 200K miles..
99 Honda CRV 4WD..
Really did and do love all of them. But the 4runner is just my baby..
Have always had at least one Toyota since old enough to drive..
At least 3 Corollas, a Taco, a Cresseda, and a Tundra with whatever else we've had at the time..
This replaced the Yukon.... Still own it and is usually what me and the misses travel in..
05 Lexus LX470 Land Cruiser
Got this litle Honda for getting to and from work. My oldest son loved it. So he sold his 2000 GTP and bought this little CRV from me.. Still has it and already over 200K miles..
99 Honda CRV 4WD..
Really did and do love all of them. But the 4runner is just my baby..
Have always had at least one Toyota since old enough to drive..
At least 3 Corollas, a Taco, a Cresseda, and a Tundra with whatever else we've had at the time..
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NWSKIUrbanRunner
New member
Owned a 1999 Ford Explorer Sport from 2002 to 2011. Finally after 288,000 miles and with the other little components failing left and right I sold it to some kid down in Vancouver, WA for $1300.
Was a great little car that got me through college, out of college and through several trips up to the mountains to go skiing. But no doubt the performance, towing, power and everything else my 4Runner gives me goes beyond what the Explorer could do for me back in those days.
Was a great little car that got me through college, out of college and through several trips up to the mountains to go skiing. But no doubt the performance, towing, power and everything else my 4Runner gives me goes beyond what the Explorer could do for me back in those days.
My Hall of Fame
My first (you never forget your first) was a 1969 International Scout with a 196 four. Bought and sold for $900. Came with 1966 parts vehicle.
Next, a 1972 Scout with the AMC 258 six. Luxurious compared to the '69. Easy 20mpg, three speed manual with no synchro in first. Car accident took it (and demolished a Chrysler Cordoba with rich Corinthian leather!)
Picked up a '74 Scout with a 304 V8 and three speed manual (all synchro) averaged about 15mpg. Still somewhere on Martha's Vineyard.
Next was a '78 Scout with the 196 four and close ratio 4 speed tranny. Slow but never gave me less than 20 mpg. Took it up to 295K.
You may have noticed a trend: I loved my scouts, but the tinworm made short work of them. I replace the entire rear of the body, front seats back, on the 78 and learned welding at the same time! Scouts were dead reliable, and fixable with basic tools (all standard; no metric here!). You could literally stand on the frame rails and work on that engine under the hood. Still have innumerable manuals for when I snag another!
With the demise of the IH Scout division in 1981, I moved to a GMC Jimmy full size with the 6.2L Diesel engine and 700R4 overdrive automatic trans. That sucker would give me 26mpg on the highway, and rarely less than 20mpg in the city. Bog slow, although I pulled an enormous sailboat out of the water after a hurricane with it (it was so heavy, they couldn't winch it out on the boat dock. 329K and tinworm issues made me give it up for....
(Wife bought a '97 Suzuki Sidekick JLX. A beast in the snow due to gearing, but would "cruise" at 3500rpm on the highway WITH the overdrive automatic!! My motorcycle revs lower! I felt like I zipped that car on. She replaced it with a more powerful 2000 GMC Jimmy with the 4.3. Glad it is gone.)
1999 GMC K1500 Suburban SLT with 6.5 TurboDiesel. Currently at 348K (yes, I still have it). Quite luxurious with all the toys and room galore. A bit of a pain to park though. Still has tons of power, but I blew the tranny at 345K. Had it rebuilt and it is still my backup ride. I did tons of mods on it for reliability, and rust is minimal, so it stays.
Finally, the 2014 4Runner SR5. Nice ride, but seems small after the 'burb. Getting used to it. The only real SUV left (frame and 2spd transfer case, although I lament the loss of the transfer case shift lever. The 'burb didn't have one either though). I only have 5400 mile on it. Nice ride, particularly on the highway, but feels underpowered compared to the Diesel. But what wouldn't? It is definitely a keeper though. May consider an AMSOIL bypass filter for it if one is applicable. I have that on the 'burb.
:girl: Just because.
My first (you never forget your first) was a 1969 International Scout with a 196 four. Bought and sold for $900. Came with 1966 parts vehicle.
Next, a 1972 Scout with the AMC 258 six. Luxurious compared to the '69. Easy 20mpg, three speed manual with no synchro in first. Car accident took it (and demolished a Chrysler Cordoba with rich Corinthian leather!)
Picked up a '74 Scout with a 304 V8 and three speed manual (all synchro) averaged about 15mpg. Still somewhere on Martha's Vineyard.
Next was a '78 Scout with the 196 four and close ratio 4 speed tranny. Slow but never gave me less than 20 mpg. Took it up to 295K.
You may have noticed a trend: I loved my scouts, but the tinworm made short work of them. I replace the entire rear of the body, front seats back, on the 78 and learned welding at the same time! Scouts were dead reliable, and fixable with basic tools (all standard; no metric here!). You could literally stand on the frame rails and work on that engine under the hood. Still have innumerable manuals for when I snag another!
With the demise of the IH Scout division in 1981, I moved to a GMC Jimmy full size with the 6.2L Diesel engine and 700R4 overdrive automatic trans. That sucker would give me 26mpg on the highway, and rarely less than 20mpg in the city. Bog slow, although I pulled an enormous sailboat out of the water after a hurricane with it (it was so heavy, they couldn't winch it out on the boat dock. 329K and tinworm issues made me give it up for....
(Wife bought a '97 Suzuki Sidekick JLX. A beast in the snow due to gearing, but would "cruise" at 3500rpm on the highway WITH the overdrive automatic!! My motorcycle revs lower! I felt like I zipped that car on. She replaced it with a more powerful 2000 GMC Jimmy with the 4.3. Glad it is gone.)
1999 GMC K1500 Suburban SLT with 6.5 TurboDiesel. Currently at 348K (yes, I still have it). Quite luxurious with all the toys and room galore. A bit of a pain to park though. Still has tons of power, but I blew the tranny at 345K. Had it rebuilt and it is still my backup ride. I did tons of mods on it for reliability, and rust is minimal, so it stays.
Finally, the 2014 4Runner SR5. Nice ride, but seems small after the 'burb. Getting used to it. The only real SUV left (frame and 2spd transfer case, although I lament the loss of the transfer case shift lever. The 'burb didn't have one either though). I only have 5400 mile on it. Nice ride, particularly on the highway, but feels underpowered compared to the Diesel. But what wouldn't? It is definitely a keeper though. May consider an AMSOIL bypass filter for it if one is applicable. I have that on the 'burb.
:girl: Just because.
Sporin
New member
I've had so many, most in the montage below, but also an 89 Isuzu Trooper, and my current '05 V6 4R Sport.
They all had something I loved about them. With the 1st Gen 4R's (I've owned 2 of them) it was their simplicity and the removable top. With the FJ55 it was it's uniqueness. The RRC was the "look" which I just loved. The FZJ80 on 35's was awesome offroad, and with over 240k miles still ran great, it was just too big for all the 'wheeling I was never doing.
Ultimately, the 4th gens have been my favorite (I'm on y 2nd). They are wonderful road travelers (from highways to dirt roads). They are wonderful winter vehicles. They are built incredibly well. And once you do a few mods, they are more than ready for 'wheeling.
sporin-trucks-all by Sporin, on Flickr
They all had something I loved about them. With the 1st Gen 4R's (I've owned 2 of them) it was their simplicity and the removable top. With the FJ55 it was it's uniqueness. The RRC was the "look" which I just loved. The FZJ80 on 35's was awesome offroad, and with over 240k miles still ran great, it was just too big for all the 'wheeling I was never doing.
Ultimately, the 4th gens have been my favorite (I'm on y 2nd). They are wonderful road travelers (from highways to dirt roads). They are wonderful winter vehicles. They are built incredibly well. And once you do a few mods, they are more than ready for 'wheeling.
sporin-trucks-all by Sporin, on Flickr
derekdevasia
New member
Bought a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x2 Laredo with the 5.2. Body and interior were in flawless shape, other than that, the Jeeps motor ate about a quart of oil every week or so which I didn't know until after, parents ended up trading it in with Cash for Clunkers to buy their car, gave me the 4500 and I bought the 4runner with it.
deodra
New member
1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4x4 with Bose radio, leather
Radio sucked. Lots of lows, not much else, 4x4 was strong and went to some pretty intense places just fine, build quality was great. Very little get up and go. Still, she was a great little 4x4. I felt like that little 3.3 would do whatever you wanted it to. I'd be happy to buy one for my oldest gets when she's old enough to drive.
1996 Jeep Cherokee SE 5-speed
Ehhh...it was a PoS. Poor interior build quality, crap radio. It was a decent vehicle overall, but the previous owner ran it without oil for a while and destroyed the engine. I got it for a steal, fixed it. Drove it for a bit and sold it. She'd go where you wanted her to, but you always had to turn a wrench on it. I'd not buy another unless I was building a man-car. LOL.
Old GMC Jimmy
It was a piece of crap. I was not even sure it was at home even on the pavement. It just ate gas and started yelling at you for driving over a pebble.
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SnowLizard
New member
SUV's
1966 bronco - rust bucket, sold
2006 hyundai Tucson - wife had before married - still drive
1975 Bronco - sold
1995 4Runner 2wd- totaled
1997 4runner 4wd sr5 - 4 sale
1999 4runner 4wd ltd - my rig for now
my first SUV was a 1966 bronco, thought I got such a great deal that I started attacking rust, after 3 months I decided to sell it...
got married and wife came with a 2006 Hyundai Tucson, fwd but still convenient.
after being married for 1 month, we saw a perfect 1975 bronco that needed some TLC and less lift (5.5 SL with 2 BL on 35's, with a 96inch wheel base!!) it was scary, once lowered to 2.5 SL and 33's it was much better and a BEAST off road with front and rear lockers. we loved it until we got pregnant and realized it wouldn't tote 4 dogs and a baby, not to mention no AC in AZ. that after 1yr we decided it needed to be sold, some day I'll get another one and have fun again, just didn't want it to sit.
then we needed a vehicle with 4 doors for kid, and room for dogs. we found a grandpa 95 4runner 2wd with 155k miles, it was amazing condition, and sporty, think it had a LSD cause that thing never got stuck. simple and wonderful. till some lady ran a red and t-boned my wife/daughter.
We knew we needed to replace it, but I was adamant that we needed 4wd. I wanted a ltd, but settled for 97 4runner sr5 in our budget, it came from a snowy climate, rust ON the ROOF!! dogs got a shower in the rain inside the truck. it had enough issues that we decided to not fix it, and look for something else with the possible repair money and we sold the bronco at this time.
we decided to get what I wanted, with the fact that I sold my 75 bronco, a 99 4runner ltd and found one with the e locker, which I mostly wanted cause it came with 4.30 gears for bigger tires, less likely I'll want to re-gear when I go 33's.
for ride, 99 4runner
for MPG, tucson
offroad, 75 bronco
comfort, 99 4runner
1966 bronco - rust bucket, sold
2006 hyundai Tucson - wife had before married - still drive
1975 Bronco - sold
1995 4Runner 2wd- totaled
1997 4runner 4wd sr5 - 4 sale
1999 4runner 4wd ltd - my rig for now
my first SUV was a 1966 bronco, thought I got such a great deal that I started attacking rust, after 3 months I decided to sell it...
got married and wife came with a 2006 Hyundai Tucson, fwd but still convenient.
after being married for 1 month, we saw a perfect 1975 bronco that needed some TLC and less lift (5.5 SL with 2 BL on 35's, with a 96inch wheel base!!) it was scary, once lowered to 2.5 SL and 33's it was much better and a BEAST off road with front and rear lockers. we loved it until we got pregnant and realized it wouldn't tote 4 dogs and a baby, not to mention no AC in AZ. that after 1yr we decided it needed to be sold, some day I'll get another one and have fun again, just didn't want it to sit.
then we needed a vehicle with 4 doors for kid, and room for dogs. we found a grandpa 95 4runner 2wd with 155k miles, it was amazing condition, and sporty, think it had a LSD cause that thing never got stuck. simple and wonderful. till some lady ran a red and t-boned my wife/daughter.
We knew we needed to replace it, but I was adamant that we needed 4wd. I wanted a ltd, but settled for 97 4runner sr5 in our budget, it came from a snowy climate, rust ON the ROOF!! dogs got a shower in the rain inside the truck. it had enough issues that we decided to not fix it, and look for something else with the possible repair money and we sold the bronco at this time.
we decided to get what I wanted, with the fact that I sold my 75 bronco, a 99 4runner ltd and found one with the e locker, which I mostly wanted cause it came with 4.30 gears for bigger tires, less likely I'll want to re-gear when I go 33's.
for ride, 99 4runner
for MPG, tucson
offroad, 75 bronco
comfort, 99 4runner
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97BlackAckCL
Elite Member
Been driving a brand new 2015 Jeep Cherokee rental car while my Runner is in the body shop. It's a nice vehicle, but it's tiny and has no balls. Great on gas though
mavrick1903
New member
First SUV was a '99 Explorer. Bought in 2004 with 77k. Traded in at 214k miles 1 year ago and got more on trade than Craigslist was going for so I traded and skipped the hassle. Traded for my '07 T4R limited V8.
Ford: loved it. Was the v6 4.0L. Only general maintenance plus shocks (stock) front and rear, and an Alternator.
My wife still has her first SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe. 2001 3.2 V6. Lots of maintenance issues here. A transmission, alternator (that had to be replaced by a shop, beyond my driveway skills). Ignition issues. Would not own another Hyundai again.
My T4R has a little less space in the way back vs the Ford. Ford didn't have a sunroof so had more head room for me, I like the ford pin pad for entry, and that I had a little below the rear seat storage even when folded.
The 4R is stronger. The grand feels more durable, the creature comforts are better and it tows with less effort than the Ford. Getting ready to replace the suspension shocks and springs for a lift. At 105k the stock shocks are tired. Looking forward to a long relationship with this one.
Also learned I won't buy a V6 again. Love the 8.
Ford: loved it. Was the v6 4.0L. Only general maintenance plus shocks (stock) front and rear, and an Alternator.
My wife still has her first SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe. 2001 3.2 V6. Lots of maintenance issues here. A transmission, alternator (that had to be replaced by a shop, beyond my driveway skills). Ignition issues. Would not own another Hyundai again.
My T4R has a little less space in the way back vs the Ford. Ford didn't have a sunroof so had more head room for me, I like the ford pin pad for entry, and that I had a little below the rear seat storage even when folded.
The 4R is stronger. The grand feels more durable, the creature comforts are better and it tows with less effort than the Ford. Getting ready to replace the suspension shocks and springs for a lift. At 105k the stock shocks are tired. Looking forward to a long relationship with this one.
Also learned I won't buy a V6 again. Love the 8.
K_Labs
Member
87 Honda civic si hatch. My rally car! She was great and climbed any steep hill on BLM.
92 Honda civic hatch a joke compared to my 87
90 4runner a beast of a suv and a tank took out a few freeway barricades (not my fault! I took out a few freeway barricade barrels due to a sideswipe from a metro worker) It was killed by a new owner who went on it's final voyage offroad. Only pick I have of my 1st 4runner
2003 V8 4runner current rig and still working on it before she's road worthy.
92 Honda civic hatch a joke compared to my 87
90 4runner a beast of a suv and a tank took out a few freeway barricades (not my fault! I took out a few freeway barricade barrels due to a sideswipe from a metro worker) It was killed by a new owner who went on it's final voyage offroad. Only pick I have of my 1st 4runner
2003 V8 4runner current rig and still working on it before she's road worthy.
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