that advantage of having an suv over trucks?

[iLLWiLL]

thanks for the replies, fellas. Just wanted to make sure i won't be damaging my new 4Runner by upgrading from 16" wheels to 18"...

 

[Ghostface80]

The 03 4runner was bought originally by my uncle who used it for his restaurant. He bought it over a tacoma because he buys alot of merchandise from various wholesale locations and can't keep the merchandise in plain view like in the bed of a truck. I know you can put a camper on a taco, but the 4runner actually holds more stuff than a truck with a camper and it's easier to get the the stuff out because of the side doors. I'm not sure what kind of shocks the taco uses, but he says nothing but good things about the shocks on the sport edition and the V8, which comes in handly when you have dozens of cases of canned goods and glass bottled drinks in the rear.

Definitely a different reason why someone would buy a 4runner than most folks but it works for him. So well in fact, he decided to get a new 4WD '06 SE runner and I took the '03 off his hands by selling my mustang.

 

[Uneek]

The SE also have heated outside mirrors, which for me are very important since my truck sits outside every night in the Upstate NY winters. I also think the SE is the better choice. I will be getting a new one next year but I can't see spending the extra for the Limited. It seems that its only 4-5K more for just leather.

At a first glance it's just leather. But the Limited adds, dual zone climate control, auto on/off headlights, leather shift knob, unique gauge cluster, anti-theft alarm, memory seats (2006+), 18" rims, along with a few options that are standard. Certainly, not every unique/exclusive feature may not be worth it and there are some standard options that are optional on the other trims are not worth it, i.e. double decker. I chose the Limited cause I wanted it to be closer to a luxury vehicle with the creature comforts.

But IMO, the SE is definately a good value since it steps up considerably. With that said, the SR5 is far from a strip down vehicle offering a host of standard features normally not found on the entry level trim.

 

[Uneek]

A 5.7 V8 4x4 CrewMax Limited with nav stickers at over $48k here, a bit higher than a fully loaded V8 4WD 4Runner Limited.

Certainly it has a bigger and more powerful engine and an extra cog for the transmission, but the 4Runner has a better 4WD drive system, coil-springs for the rear axle, fully boxed frame, and enclosed/weatherproof cargo area. The enclosed cargo area gives a SUV some extra weight over the rear axle for improved traction.

An advantage with a truck here is commercial plates by default which allows for parking in truck spaces. SUVs and minivans cannot readily request for commercial plates unless you can prove it's for business use.

 

[RamThis]

I didnt read all through to see if this was mentioned, but here is another idea why it costs less to build a truck vs an SUV.

The cabin on an SUV is a huge single piece to have to move around the assembly line, has a ton of parts that have to attach to it, and is probably a pain to get all the interior pieces into.

Whereas a truck, the cab is going to be alot smaller, easier to manipulate on the assembly line, and not as much interior embellisments to contend with. Then you just literally set the bed on the frame, slap in a few bolts, tail light wires, and a fuel hose to the tank, and you're done.




And like said before, another part of it may just be the "luxury" part of it, as they know it may not cost them much more to produce the SUV from a manufacturing standpoint, but market wise it's demand can fetch a higher price.




All hypothetical though.....

 

[Mtneer001]

the reason SUVs are better than pick-ups is because of tailgating.

you can lift the tailgate and sit inside when it rains. And tie on an awning for your cook out.

And when you're loading groceries in the parking lot, you can stand under the tailgate and not get wet.

 

[Uneek]

the reason SUVs are better than pick-ups is because of tailgating.

you can lift the tailgate and sit inside when it rains. And tie on an awning for your cook out.

And when you're loading groceries in the parking lot, you can stand under the tailgate and not get wet.

Well for the 4Runner and some other SUVs that's true. But barn door SUVs like the GX, RAV4 and old CRV.

The 4Runner even ups one with the drop down rear window making it a moonroof. :bigok:

 

[Koz]

That's only true of the '06 & '07 models. Prior to that, the 4th generation Limited wheels were available on the SR5. Only the Sport Edition had distinctive wheels that couldn't be optioned on any other trim level.

My 05 Limited has the larger brakes.

Also the SE has different interior cloth material and color.

Koz