Thinkin bout gettin a 4R, Opinions anyone

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06carolinacummins

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I have the opportunity for a pretty good deal on an '84 runner, so i got some questions.

I currently have a Dodge cummins that gets ok fuel mileage at best, but diesel is ridiculously expensive and getting worse. How suitable is a stock(ish) 4r for a daily driver commuting about 60 miles round trip up and down a mountain every day. The road is paved but not in good shape, and power isnt to much of an issue cause you cant go more than 30 mph anyway on the road. I would also like to be able to do some very mild off roading on weekends on hunting property, camping trips etc.

I would like to know what type of mileage i can expect out of the runner, how rough the ride is, how hard it is to keep the inside warm etc.

I also have a 2 month old daughter that gets bounced around pretty good in the dodge, could i expect the 4 runner to be a bit of a softer ride for her. Also is there enough room in the back seat of one to put a car seat. We normally take the wife's car when we all need to go somewhere but if it snowed or was an emergency I would like for her to be able to ride comfortably in the vehicle.

Sorry for the novel, but would a 4 runner fit these needs.
 
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First off... for a off road vehicle, this is a no brainer :)

Ride quality is excellent if you keep it stock, but you'll get a better ride on an IFS 4runner that is an 86 or up. 84 and 85 are solid front axles. There is plenty of room in the back seat for a car seat. The inside will stay as warm as you want it as long as your heater core is good.

If you're able to get a good deal on one then go for it. If you're unhappy with it then there are plenty of people that would love to buy that from you.
 
There is room for a car seat, but there are no anchor points like newer vehicles have, just a basic lap belt.
 
Seat belts are the same way in the dodge so thats no big deal. Whats the mileage like in one of these on say 31s goin up and down a mtn at low speeds
 
That all depends on the condition of the motor. If it's in good shape, stock size tires and not lifted then you should expect somewhere around 20mpg.
 
The axles aren't your limiting factor. The stock height is. You should be able to run 31"x10.5" or 32x10.5"" tires on a stock ride. With a minimal lift you can run 33's.
 
06carolinacummins said:
how big of tires could i run off road on the stock axles
Click to expand...

You can run up to 32's stock with little rubbing, but as you go taller, power and mpg go down because it moves the engine out of the optimal power band.
That can be fixed by regearing the diffs, but that's expensive.
 
I plan on doing a small lift either a 3 inch body or similar size suspension depending on funding. I just wasnt sure on what size tire the stock axles can handle. I also plan on running around on 31s for daily driving and get an extra set of wheels with some 33s or around that size for wheeling
 
the 4runner is a very reliable car with a very high resale value...
the cummins diesel is probably the most reliable car dodge makes, but agian diesel's usually are all reliable.

You will get about 18-19 mgs from the 4runner in mixed driving conditions if you take it somewhat easy... not that bad considering its a body on frame built suv.. and it has a very responsive 4.0L V6 in it


06carolinacummins said:
I have the opportunity for a pretty good deal on an '84 runner, so i got some questions.

I currently have a Dodge cummins that gets ok fuel mileage at best, but diesel is ridiculously expensive and getting worse. How suitable is a stock(ish) 4r for a daily driver commuting about 60 miles round trip up and down a mountain every day. The road is paved but not in good shape, and power isnt to much of an issue cause you cant go more than 30 mph anyway on the road. I would also like to be able to do some very mild off roading on weekends on hunting property, camping trips etc.

I would like to know what type of mileage i can expect out of the runner, how rough the ride is, how hard it is to keep the inside warm etc.

I also have a 2 month old daughter that gets bounced around pretty good in the dodge, could i expect the 4 runner to be a bit of a softer ride for her. Also is there enough room in the back seat of one to put a car seat. We normally take the wife's car when we all need to go somewhere but if it snowed or was an emergency I would like for her to be able to ride comfortably in the vehicle.

Sorry for the novel, but would a 4 runner fit these needs.
Click to expand...
 
Sputnik said:
the 4runner is a very reliable car with a very high resale value...
the cummins diesel is probably the most reliable car dodge makes, but agian diesel's usually are all reliable.

You will get about 18-19 mgs from the 4runner in mixed driving conditions if you take it somewhat easy... not that bad considering its a body on frame built suv.. and it has a very responsive 4.0L V6 in it
Click to expand...

BTW: I did get a few complaints from my sisters that the back seat throws you around a bit... BUT i have 2 kids, 1 18month old and 1 1month old, both in car seats, and they seam fine, and they tend to fall asleep in my suv usually 5 min into the ride, (this NEVER happened in my old mercedes sedan)
 
I dont have kids, but I have had car seats in the back, and getting them in and out of the 2door is kind of a pita, especially if you put it behind the drivers seat. This truck is still going to bounce the little ones 'round a bit, but you can fix that with some softer springs. But for an off road rig, its pretty much the perfect starting point as far as 4runners go.

And even if this was an 88 with a v6, it would be a 3.0, not the 4.0.

But there are a lot up grades available for that little 22r. Got pics of the truck?
 
Trackers are great up to a 31" tire, then they start blowing up front housings. They are aluminum, and just can take the extra torque. You can upgrade but its expensive.

My buddy has a tracker and its a pretty impressive little rig. Hes on his 3rd or 4th front housing and we can swap in a new one in about an hour at this point. Hes got a 3" calimini with a 3" body on some 31"tsls. Its like a street legal side by side. Haha.

EDIT: This is the only shot of his tracker I have right now (on left)

14251_509771583074_157300716_30354392_1895120_n.jpg


and in the middle:

26552_511066158734_157300716_30389324_6691293_n.jpg


It needs Toyota axles under it. So basically, if you want to wheel on the cheap, you should get the runner.
 
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If it comes down to which i would rather have it would definately be the runner. but i also have to think of which is going to be more practical and i think the tracker is going to provide me with much better mileage
 
idk about trekkers but my 84 pickup gets 25 on a good day with tiny bit bigger then stock tires and my 884runner got 18 to 20 on 31s
 
My gas gauge doesn't work so I have been keeping logs for years. Over about 5 years my 22re '86 gets about 19 mpg. I would warn that the rear springs can get pretty shot and the runner will soak up bumps on approach then slam down like a "hard tail." You really can't beat a 4Runner.
 
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