Luciendar21
New member
Voted with my dollars. Held out for 4 years passing by a 1998 Limited with Locker in a beautiful Steel Grey and a whole lot of other options to finally end up with my:
Group1 - Trim: Limited
1999 and 2000 Limiteds were the only 4Runners to come both with multimode auto for snow season AWD traction at highway speeds and the rear locker for the ultimate get-out-of-stuck power. The only thing comparable in my opinion is an FJ80 with front and rear lockers.
Group2 - Engine: 6Cyl
Where the 4Runner beats the FJ80 is in road drivability. The goal of my 4Runner was to have a comfortable vehicle for taking trips that I could also wheel. It needed to be good on the highway as well as offroad and the 4cyl is just too slow getting up to speed when your merging onto the highway or going to pass someone.
Group3 - Transmission: Auto
Again, the goal of the 4Runner for me was to be comfortable on trips, this includes trips into the city, in traffic, and parking in parking garages. I have a sports car for when I want that feeling of being one with the car that a standard gives.
Group4 - Drivetrain Mode: RR Diff Lock
As much as some people give electronic control credit, nothing beats diff lock for when you're really stuck or articulating. The issue is that no matter how well you know your electronic system, it still makes the decision for you when to control power to each wheel. When you're balancing on 2 wheels, you need to have the confidence that your input is going to be translated directly to the wheels to avoid tipping. When you're in deep mud you need to know that momentum isn't going to be cut halfway through the pit.
Group5 - Year: 2000
Again, multimode and locker were only offered in 1999 and 2000 Limiteds, but boy I would love some heated seats too.
Group6 - SuperCharger: No
For a road trip vehicle, the loss in reliability and increased fuel consumption just aren't worth it.
Group1 - Trim: Limited
1999 and 2000 Limiteds were the only 4Runners to come both with multimode auto for snow season AWD traction at highway speeds and the rear locker for the ultimate get-out-of-stuck power. The only thing comparable in my opinion is an FJ80 with front and rear lockers.
Group2 - Engine: 6Cyl
Where the 4Runner beats the FJ80 is in road drivability. The goal of my 4Runner was to have a comfortable vehicle for taking trips that I could also wheel. It needed to be good on the highway as well as offroad and the 4cyl is just too slow getting up to speed when your merging onto the highway or going to pass someone.
Group3 - Transmission: Auto
Again, the goal of the 4Runner for me was to be comfortable on trips, this includes trips into the city, in traffic, and parking in parking garages. I have a sports car for when I want that feeling of being one with the car that a standard gives.
Group4 - Drivetrain Mode: RR Diff Lock
As much as some people give electronic control credit, nothing beats diff lock for when you're really stuck or articulating. The issue is that no matter how well you know your electronic system, it still makes the decision for you when to control power to each wheel. When you're balancing on 2 wheels, you need to have the confidence that your input is going to be translated directly to the wheels to avoid tipping. When you're in deep mud you need to know that momentum isn't going to be cut halfway through the pit.
Group5 - Year: 2000
Again, multimode and locker were only offered in 1999 and 2000 Limiteds, but boy I would love some heated seats too.
Group6 - SuperCharger: No
For a road trip vehicle, the loss in reliability and increased fuel consumption just aren't worth it.
