Pathfinder 4R Ride Comparison

[Landru]

Good evening...

I'm curious about somehting and would love to hear from someone else who has transitioned from an older Pathfinder to a 4Runner.

Old: 2001 Pathfinder LE 4x4
New: 2007 4Runner Sport 4x4

Reviews of both talk about a "truck-like" ride. Both are pretty firm, but the 4Runner's is bit more-so and a lot smoother. Should I attribute this more to a better/newer suspension on the 4Runner or to tire choice (Pathfinder: Michilin ? 255/65-16 & 4Runner: 265/65-17) - or, both?

Thanks!

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

 

[T4RAddict]

Bro, there's no comparison....... The Runner kicks the Dog-S#%T outa the pathfinder..

Once you go 4Runner, the word Nissan wont exit your mouth...

 

[zstampe]

Good evening...

I'm curious about somehting and would love to hear from someone else who has transitioned from an older Pathfinder to a 4Runner.

Old: 2001 Pathfinder LE 4x4
New: 2007 4Runner Sport 4x4

Reviews of both talk about a "truck-like" ride. Both are pretty firm, but the 4Runner's is bit more-so and a lot smoother. Should I attribute this more to a better/newer suspension on the 4Runner or to tire choice (Pathfinder: Michilin ? 255/65-16 & 4Runner: 265/65-17) - or, both?

Thanks!

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

C. Andrew Dunning,

I'm confused on what you're asking here......you bought a 4runner and had a pathfinder and you're asking us the difference in ride? The 4runner is a different generation than a 2001 Pathinfider. The newer pathfinder would be a more accurate comparison I'd say. Apples to oranges.

 

[Landru]

I realize the question sounds quite strange. I also know I'm asking about 2 very different generations of trucks (apples/oranges, like zstampe said).

Yes, I replaced a Pathfinder, just spent 13 straight hours in the 4Runner, and can't get over the difference in ride and comfort. Knowing that I just changed the whole recipe (thre truck) and ingredients (tire size and make), was simply trying to understand the differences a little better - and, to hear if anyone else had a similar experience. That's all...

FWIW, for its particular year/generation, I really liked my Pathfinder. The newer ones, not so much. Pretty disapointing...

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

 

[cabowally]

Should I attribute this more to a better/newer suspension on the 4Runner or to tire choice (Pathfinder: Michilin ? 255/65-16 & 4Runner: 265/65-17) - or, both?
C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

Frankly, C. Andrew, who cares?

If you really do care...oh, forget it. no one "of the body" asks ****ed questions. Why not ask the same question on a 2001 Pathfinder forum?

 

[zstampe]

I realize the question sounds quite strange. I also know I'm asking about 2 very different generations of trucks (apples/oranges, like zstampe said).

Yes, I replaced a Pathfinder, just spent 13 straight hours in the 4Runner, and can't get over the difference in ride and comfort. Knowing that I just changed the whole recipe (thre truck) and ingredients (tire size and make), was simply trying to understand the differences a little better - and, to hear if anyone else had a similar experience. That's all...

FWIW, for its particular year/generation, I really liked my Pathfinder. The newer ones, not so much. Pretty disapointing...

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

I see where you're coming from now. Don't take this wrong but I don't think it has as much to do with pathfinder vs 4runner as it does 6 years of automotive innovation and advancement. As far as technical spec and this vs that I don't think there is a definitive answer as to why the 4r is better other than the fact that its 6 years newer. I think a fair comparison would be to drive a 2001 4runner to compare. But maybe someone can give some better insight than me, wtf do I know? Ha ha

 

[Acidmeld]

Pretty big difference.

Front suspension
Nissan- torsion bar, shock, single wishbone.
Toyota- spring, strut, double wishbone, thicker sway bar

Rear suspension
Nissan- leaf spring, shock
Toyota- four link, shock, coil spring

Completely different ride characteristics.

 

[zstampe]

Pretty big difference.

Front suspension
Nissan- torsion bar, shock, single wishbone.
Toyota- spring, strut, double wishbone, thicker sway bar

Rear suspension
Nissan- leaf spring, shock
Toyota- four link, shock, coil spring

Completely different ride characteristics.

Pretty sure the front is a strut assembly just like our 4r's. Rear is leaf spring though.

 

[Javelin]

Nissan and their leaf Springs.....

 

[Acidmeld]

Pretty sure the front is a strut assembly just like our 4r's. Rear is leaf spring though.

I think you're right. The previous gen had the torsion bars.

 

[talonjade]

chirp

just me adding logs to the fire~
as we are comparing stuff to things

To be honest I just bought a T4R 2003 V8 Sport Edition Stock *mostly(waiting for lift) and my roommate owns a 2006 Pathy LE stock and I like the Pathy better as a round town SUV but because I want to take my SUV off-road i prefer the manly Toyota any day, also the V6 Pathy is loud and windy the V8 is a smoother engine.

I like working on the Pathy more because it seems easier but I wouldn't trade my V8 03' to the Pathy, it is a fine car choice and dependable enough if not a-little maintenance hungry.

:roadkill:also after the lift i expect the comparison to drop off completely!

 

[Landru]

Zstampe, I appreciate your "newer innovation" reminder and fully expect that to be a huge variable in answering my curiousity. (A great point.) That being said, I'm enough of a technical person to be interested in the mechanics behind the advancements. It's one thing to read an on-line review that says "new and better ride" or "more stable suspension than XXXX." It's another to experience it and then understand (even at a simple level) why. Thanks, Acidmeld & Javelin, for some of that mechanical info.

FWIW, as a new owner, one of my big questions was how the 4R was going to handle a 3200-lb boat/trailer in a hilly neighborhood and on wet/oily boat ramps. ZERO concerns about that, now...

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

 

[Roadtripr]

Apples to apples?: Going from a 99 3rd gen 4runner to the a 07 4th gen gave me the same change. The old was not only older but always a less comfortable ride. Width and length of wheel base, suspension components, body isolation from impacts, handling and seats. All changed for the better. 4th gen is better for long trips.

 

[Natey]

I just bought my 5th gen 4runner. Here's something I noticed while price and comparison shopping.
Every Nissan dealer I talked to compared the Pathfinder to the 4runner. "Look how it's more powerful!" "Our warranty is great!" "Check out the rear entertainment system!" etc.

Not ONE Toyota dealer even brought up the Nissan.
I know this thread is about ride only, but it was noticeable how the Nissan guys worry about the Toyota, but not vice-versa.

 

[JeepWinch]

Zstampe, I appreciate your "newer innovation" reminder and fully expect that to be a huge variable in answering my curiousity. *(A great point.) *That being said, I'm enough of a technical person to be interested in the mechanics behind the advancements. *It's one thing to read an on-line review that says "new and better ride" or "more stable suspension than XXXX." *It's another to experience it and then understand (even at a simple level) why. *Thanks, Acidmeld & Javelin, for some of that mechanical info.

FWIW, as a new owner, one of my big questions was how the 4R was going to handle a 3200-lb boat/trailer in a hilly neighborhood and on wet/oily boat ramps. *ZERO concerns about that, now...

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

I had a 2002 LE and now own a 08 sport V8.

I like the ride in the T4R and smoothness of the V8. *The interior was nice in the PF. *Overall I like the 4run er better because I think it meets intended use much better(family/weekend fun vehicle).
I had 32s on the PF and it was pretty capable. I didn't like the gas mileage (14 mpg premium only) of the PF. *I'm getting 19 combined on 87 with the 4runner and have 7k towing. *Overall I think the 4runner is better made and has a superior truck-like ride. *My 2 cents

 

[borgzman]

how the 4R was going to handle a 3200-lb boat/trailer in a hilly neighborhood and on wet/oily boat ramps. ZERO concerns about that, now...

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

I've seen many V6 4Runner and Tacos towing close to 3000 lb boats. The max towing for V6 is 5000lbs(payload, passengers and stuff). It can even tow up to 6700 if you have the weight-distributing hitch. Tranny cooler is a good investment in frequent longer trips.

Good tires will take care of the wet/oily ramps.:

V8? ...were not talking about 3200lbs in clubV8.

 

[Acidmeld]

I just bought my 5th gen 4runner. Here's something I noticed while price and comparison shopping.
Every Nissan dealer I talked to compared the Pathfinder to the 4runner. "Look how it's more powerful!" "Our warranty is great!" "Check out the rear entertainment system!" etc.

Not ONE Toyota dealer even brought up the Nissan.
I know this thread is about ride only, but it was noticeable how the Nissan guys worry about the Toyota, but not vice-versa.

I remember the old Toyota commercial where they're saying "accord is as powerful as a Camry, maxima is as roomy as a Camry, Taurus has the amenities of a Camry. Why not just buy a Camry?"
I say to buy the car everyone is comparing themselves to.

 

[talonjade]

Holy **** you guys! this is making a lot of sense here... seems we can all agree the T4R is a better SUV for tasks a truck based SUV was built to handle.imp:

 

[Landru]

V8?

Nope. V6. The 8 would have been nice, but I have zero complaints...

C. Andrew Dunning
Nashville, TN

 

[MikeInNH]

I've owned an 98 Pathfinder and now an 05 4runner. They are both very capable vehicles. And I found the ride in both pretty much equal. But ride comfort is very personal. What I find comfortable you may find uncomfortable.

To say that the Pathfinder is JUNK really diminishes how well the 4runner is. If competitors only make junk then Toyota doesn't have to do much to make a vehicle that is better..do they??? Last I knew my 98 4runner was approaching 450k miles and still going strong.