Things to know if you're considering a 4Runner

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BobWheelerJr

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Among the many things I've learned that I'll pass on to people who are considering buying 4Runners:

1) Your build (you will learn this term) will never be "finished". You're always going to want something more.

2) No matter how much research and thought you put into a mod, and no matter how happy you are with it, within 72 hours you'll see one that's slightly better that you'll wish you'd picked instead.

3) No matter how much money you sink into it or how badass it is, there's always a cooler 4Runner somewhere, and you're going to see it, and it's going to ruin your day.

4) Before you make even the smallest modification to your 4Runner, ask yourself if you are okay (emotionally and financially) with being obsessed. Once you start, you won't stop.

5) UPS, FedEx, and your mail carrier will hate you within 4 months of purchasing your 4Runner.

Prepare thyself before purchase... ;-)
 
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:lmao: Great insight. Just like everything else that gets emotional. When I had a Jeep it was "Just Empty Every Pocket". Same with boats and airplanes. But it is fun...........Expensive, but fun........:thumb:
 
this is great! I totally agree with you OP! I learned that the hard way during my teenage years fixing up my little rice rocket. I was never satisfied with the "cheaper" parts i bought, and I always ended up changing them out for something better at a later time. Not only did it cost me more money at the end of it, but i also wasted a lot of time redoing something that was already done! Had I done it right the first time and dished out the money on the parts that I had really wanted, I could have finished my project faster, and for cheaper! LOL
 
BobWheelerJr said:
Among the many things I've learned that I'll pass on to people who are considering buying 4Runners:

1) Your build (you will learn this term) will never be "finished". You're always going to want something more.

2) No matter how much research and thought you put into a mod, and no matter how happy you are with it, within 72 hours you'll see one that's slightly better that you'll wish you'd picked instead.

3) No matter how much money you sink into it or how badass it is, there's always a cooler 4Runner somewhere, and you're going to see it, and it's going to ruin your day.

4) Before you make even the smallest modification to your 4Runner, ask yourself if you are okay (emotionally and financially) with being obsessed. Once you start, you won't stop.

5) UPS, FedEx, and your mail carrier will hate you with 4 months of purchasing your 4Runner.

Prepare thyself before purchase... ;-)
Click to expand...


hahahaah this is great
 
I'll also add that...

It might come from the factory with the tires at 49psi like mine did. :nod:

Just noticed it over the weekend while scrolling thru the info stack. Lol.
 
BobWheelerJr said:
Among the many things I've learned that I'll pass on to people who are considering buying 4Runners:

1) Your build (you will learn this term) will never be "finished". You're always going to want something more.

2) No matter how much research and thought you put into a mod, and no matter how happy you are with it, within 72 hours you'll see one that's slightly better that you'll wish you'd picked instead.

3) No matter how much money you sink into it or how badass it is, there's always a cooler 4Runner somewhere, and you're going to see it, and it's going to ruin your day.

4) Before you make even the smallest modification to your 4Runner, ask yourself if you are okay (emotionally and financially) with being obsessed. Once you start, you won't stop.

5) UPS, FedEx, and your mail carrier will hate you within 4 months of purchasing your 4Runner.

Prepare thyself before purchase... ;-)
Click to expand...
The above applies to any vehicle one might purchase. However, if you are over a certain age, like me, you will just love your 4Runner as it comes out of the factory. The only thing that is needed is some three ply sidewall all terrain tires and you’re good to go.
 
DAW89446 said:
The above applies to any vehicle one might purchase. However, if you are over a certain age, like me, you will just love your 4Runner as it comes out of the factory. The only thing that is needed is some three ply sidewall all terrain tires and you’re good to go.
Click to expand...
What age is that? Because I'm almost 50 and I like tinkering and modifying still. [emoji6][emoji38]
 
6) prepare your spouse/significant other; they are likely to take the silver medal in the Olympic Games of your heart and soul shortly after purchase

7) there is rarely, if ever, an expense too great to achieve the task at hand. This includes maintenance, repairs, and of course modifications. Your mind will find a way to justify it. (See #6)

8) you tolerate Tacomas.

9) you HATE jeeps.

10) despite your true feelings, there is no “4Runner Vagina”. I’ve looked high and low. Sadly, this particular mod has yet to be invented. (Stay away from the tailpipe, the air vents, and the cup holders. You will only be exhausted (pun intended) winded (pun intended) and sticky, in that respective order).
 
CajunMikeR said:
What age is that? Because I'm almost 50 and I like tinkering and modifying still. [emoji6][emoji38]
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I’m 65. However, I was always tinkering with and doing simple modifications to my 2002 Tacoma TRD until I gave it to a family member when I got my ‘18 4Runner.
 
DAW89446 said:
The above applies to any vehicle one might purchase. However, if you are over a certain age, like me, you will just love your 4Runner as it comes out of the factory. The only thing that is needed is some three ply sidewall all terrain tires and you’re good to go.
Click to expand...

I've actually never modified a vehicle other than a 1997 extended bed crew cab 7.3 liter diesel F350, and that was just for ranch work. All the other cars and SUVs I've bought (since I bought my first at 16, in 1983) just stayed the way they came.

Until this... ;-)
 
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At my age, arthritic white knuckles just aren’t fun anymore. My Tacoma TRD remained stock, but had some small modifications that I created for my needs. Radios, scanner, video camera mounts, camping, and such. I was always tinkering with things and had a lot of fun. The Tacoma was quite capable off road and I put it through it’s paces regularly.

But the time came when old injuries and age conspired to create the need for an automatic transmission, no need to crawl around in an increasingly and perpetually empty bed (camper shell didn’t help matters for accessiblity). And I wanted more interior space in the cab and a half. I still needed and wanted a body on frame SUV and the ability to tow my utility trailer when needed, hauling heating pellets by the ton and other duties. And I really wanted another Toyota as my Tacoma was as reliable as the sun coming up daily.

After two years of thinking it over, I bought my 4Runner and am very happy with it as is. It is quite capable, I do take it off road on my favorite hunting routes, which require steep and rocky hillclimbs, axle articulation, ground clearance, a relatively compact footprint in tight watercourses. And it’s roomy enough that when my buddy and I are upland game hunting, there’s plenty of room for our shotguns flanking the center console without the gun pressing into my hip and thigh like it did on the Tacoma. Even though it is a SR5, it has impressed me even though it doesn’t have a rear locker. And on road, it’s quiet, comfortable, roomy, and everything has a quality feel.

For me value, reliability and real world capability is my priority. I don’t need or want a Moab crawler. It is not a value to me to purchase a new rig for $$$$, then dump $$$$$ in modifications that will be of no real world use to me, create a more difficult vehicle to live with on a daily basis, and create costly compromises down the road. I don’t do bling. I have better things to spend my money on.

In my opinion and experience with two Toyota trucks, they provide all the fun, value and real world practicality I want and need. Especially nice as I age.
 
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I can’t wait to start nodding my new to me 5th 4Runner but I can’t even figure out what is wrong with the lift gate, the latch/window/wiper has no power and I receive an error code letting me know that the rear ecu is not communicating with the main body ecu. But as soon as I figure that out I will be able to happily mod!


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if you're gonna buy a 4runner take comfort in knowing there are so many mods that can be done AND so much internet resources available for researching/help. you will spend hours researching and reading because you will be intrigued

make sure you know the differences in trim levels. there are lots of "how do I know if I have this" questions. the following link might be helpful. seems to have 20 years worth of 4runner brochures Auto-Brochures.com|Toyota Car PDF Sales Brochure/Catalog/Flyer/Info 4Runner 86 Avalon Camry Celica, CH-R, Corolla Corona Echo FJ Cruiser Highlander Land Cruiser Mark II
Matrix Mirai MR2 Prius RAV4 Sequoia Sienna Solara Supra Tacoma Tundra Venza Yaris

never rush a purchase before you're comfortable but just know these vehicles can go FAST depending on where you live. I purchased mine 2 days after it was posted online from a dealer. I was actually the second person to purchase the vehicle, the first person couldn't get financing so I scooped it. test drive before you're ready to buy and then when you're ready be prepared to act fast when the right rig comes up. less of an issue if you buy new

price negotiations will be hard (or I just suck at them). dealers and savvy sellers know there's high demand. Instead of negotiating on price try and negotiate add ons (floor mats, cargo covers, touch up paint supplies, cargo equipment, roof racks, etc.). see what you can get thrown in. my dealer wouldn't budge on price but I got a bunch of accessories for a very low price with only a little off the sticker price

this is just a rule I follow because I'm no mechanic: always have full service history for the vehicle. 4runners are tanks, they last. but don't overlook the importance of a complete service history, especially if mileage is higher. I've called toyota dealers with a VIN and asked them to walk me through the complete service history and send it to me via email. they've never had an issue doing so
 
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