thinking of trading my 4runner...thoughts please

[gpellis871]

My dad has a 3.5 Raptor. I've driven a ton of sports cars and that thing is one of the most fun vehicles I've driven. It moves for a truck that large.

I'd have no concerns buying one. Fortunately he lives right by me and let's me drive it whenever I want. It's not a great trail vehicle for where we live because there's mostly Jeep trails here, but I love driving it anyways.


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[Jhalko]

People who don't have an issue with lack of power on the runner either live in flat lands or never drove a big block v8.
.

Or we just understand what it can and can’t do and are fine with the trade off given all the other positives.

 

[Teamdonde]

I’m just about to tak possession of my first 4R. I noticed the power during my test drive. Originally was going to buy a 100 series LC but it felt really sluggish. Having spent a lot of time behind the 6.2L Raptor I can say that it’s a world of diff. Have yet to drive the new version but I can say the Raptor is a beast. It’s biggest limitation is the width. If you plan on doing anything narrow then it’s always going to Mak u a bit uncomfortable. If you are going to be a regular roads then it’s great.Lots of room inside. The crew can version is even more spacious. Don’t discount buying a used 6.2L. Many of them never see a dirt road and are in very good condition.

 

[MossJenks]

People who don't have an issue with lack of power on the runner either live in flat lands or never drove a big block v8.

People who do have an issue with "lack" of power have never driven a Toyota with a 22re or 3.slow motor!

I just don't get it. My 5th gen will easily accelerate from 50 to 85 up the west side of Floyd Hill on I-70 and pass everyone. If you hit it with some speed at the bottom and don't get baulked it'll hold 90 no problem. I haven't tested it to see if I could hit 100 but I wouldn't be surprised. This will really date me but when I first started driving that sort of performance would put you nearly in the supercar category. Not many cars would do it (and no truck - not even close). 911 would, M5 too. Ferrari 328? Maybe. M3? No way. I just can't fathom how that equates to a "lack of power" and "can't get out of it's own way".

My 5th gen is the first vehicle I've ever owned that has an automatic transmission. I suspect that's part of the problem: auto drivers don't tend to like to put their foot to the floor and let the motor rev. So if you want o hold 80 up Floyd Hill at half throttle then yeah, you're gonna need a REALLY big motor.

 

[CO_Pro]

People who do have an issue with "lack" of power have never driven a Toyota with a 22re or 3.slow motor!

I just don't get it. My 5th gen will easily accelerate from 50 to 85 up the west side of Floyd Hill on I-70 and pass everyone. If you hit it with some speed at the bottom and don't get baulked it'll hold 90 no problem. I haven't tested it to see if I could hit 100 but I wouldn't be surprised. This will really date me but when I first started driving that sort of performance would put you nearly in the supercar category. Not many cars would do it (and no truck - not even close). 911 would, M5 too. Ferrari 328? Maybe. M3? No way. I just can't fathom how that equates to a "lack of power" and "can't get out of it's own way".

You must have a very special 4runner b/c no way in hell mine will hold 90 up any pass, let alone that stretch of I70. It's also the way the motor and tranny struggles to get up and down the steep inclines.

 

[MossJenks]

Maybe. All I know is that my Runner has no problem at all with any hill on I-70. Floyd is always my "benchmark" but it'll get up out of Georgetown faster than most traffic too.

 

[billnourse]

I came from a 2008 Rubicon so the 4 Runner seems to have plenty of power. It's not a hotrod, but that's not what I got it for.

It has enough power for everyday highway use, and is pretty awesome in the mountains of Southern Colorado and Northern NM.

I have been on some roads/trails around Silverton, Colorado that required two or three approaches to get around corners in the 4 Runner, so I would think a Pickup would be at a definite disadvantage in those circumstances. In 4 low on the trails, the 4 Runner is just a capable as the Rubicon was and that is saying something. On steep grades the 4 runner will spin out before it powers out.

For just highway use the Raptor would be great, but for serious off roading I feel the 4 Runner is a better choice.

Guess it all depends on what it is going to be used for.

Bill

 

[KP Texan]

I traded my 2013 F-150 3.5 Ecoboost in less than a month ago on my new 4Runner. I do miss the power at times but that, and having a bed occasionally, are the only big things I miss.

First of all, the F-150 was a fat pig on the road. I test-drove a 2018 F-150 and there was no change there. Anyone who complains about body roll in a non-kdss 4runner has never driven a full sized truck. The 4Runner feels like a sports car in comparison (some of the curves I drive on a daily basis used to require me to slow down...not anymore with the 4Runner). The F-150 was also a pig when it comes to parking, and bear in mind I'd been a truck owner for almost 10 years so I was pretty well experienced with the process.

Although Ford does know how to build a good truck overall, its quality was no where near what the 4Runner's is. There were always little annoying things going on with it that shouldn't have. The last straw was when Ford recently replaced both front wheel bearings and hubs. I knew if I kept the thing past warranty, it was going to cost me. Then, when I got rid of it, it bit me one last time with the resale...

 

[chaosrob]

Life is too short to settle if your heart is not in it. Find what adds to your happiness and drive it. We are blessed with a lot of options and I am sure you will find one that meets your criteria, always go with your gut

 

[philsey]

I'm fortunate enough to be able to get a Raptor or a loaded F150 Fx4 with the 5.0 V8. ...

This says you can afford it, so just do it.

....I previously had an F250 and got the Runner for reliability, ease of driving etc.

That all being said, what causes you guys to keep the ... 4R ...

Seems you answered your own question.

Don't really see the point to this whole thread, other than to complain. You had a PU, ditched the PU, bought a 4R, drove it 9500 mi so you know as much about it as we do, don't like it. What can we tell you you don't already know?

You have 3 choices: live with it, fix it (S/C, gears, etc), replace it.

Anything else?

 

[nglayton]

:iagree:

 

[CGMCPO]

Interesting thread. This is my first post on this site, as I just purchased a 2017 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium, Barcelona Red. I say interesting, because I just got rid of my 2016 Ram 2500, Big Horn, Crew Cab, with 6.4 Hemi. Yes, I loved the power in that engine, and yes, it is a big difference and adjustment going down to a 6cylinder engine. For me, however, weighing the pros and cons of letting that go for the 4 Runner, the pro's far outweigh the cons.

As much as I enjoyed the power, I did not need the 6,700 pound beast, I did not need to struggle to park the beast, and I did not use this beast for all of its intended purposes, i.e., it is a heavy duty work truck. I am retired, I don't work, and this truck would never have seen any work. I had it only because I enjoyed big V-8 power.

So, down-sizing to the 4Runner, was a positive for me, in many ways; reliability, re-sale, fun factor, being able to get around better, having the option to play with the vehicle, and never having to worry about finding the right parking space. I drove my 4Runner home last night; a 120 mile trip in the pouring rain, in some pretty hilly areas, and yes, it is a different beast, takes getting used to the 5 speed/pairing with the 4.0, however, like anything else, it's about living with the decision you make. I have always wanted a 4Runner, and now I think I have my last vehicle.

I wish you much success in your decision making.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

You guys are sooo spoiled! I started out with a 1935 Dodge Panel Delivery - - about 25 hp if I remember right. About 20 vehicles later here I am in the best....

 

[LawnDart]

If you leave the 4runner platform...TAKE ME WITH YOU!

 

[Jhalko]

If you leave the 4runner platform...TAKE ME WITH YOU!

With Dart chiming in that brings us full circle to every other thread that mentions Raptor! :repuke:

By the way LawnDart, have you seen they released a “Classic Lawn Darts” game available at many sporting goods stores. They have a plastic blunt nose tip, apparently their idea of classic lawn darts is different than mine! :juggle:

 

[LawnDart]

With Dart chiming in that brings us full circle to every other thread that mentions Raptor! :repuke:

By the way LawnDart, have you seen they released a “Classic Lawn Darts” game available at many sporting goods stores. They have a plastic blunt nose tip, apparently their idea of classic lawn darts is different than mine! :juggle:

I have a legit set of lawn darts, but I'm kind of afraid to play with them because of the high risk that i might die.

 

[Jhalko]

I have a legit set of lawn darts, but I'm kind of afraid to play with them because of the high risk that i might die.

Nice, had them when I was a kid, no one died. I mean a dart through the foot was probably higher likelihood than actual death.
:bluejump:

:beer: I’m sure you’ll have that Raptor soon enough, I bet for towing the trailer it’ll be awesome.

 

[k0bra]

OP, I think if I were in your boat I'd try and make it another year or two and wait for the new Ranger at least before making a decision. If you can wait 2-3 years the Bronco should be announced/out as well.

 

[hikenbike]

OP, when you test drove the 4Runner (because who would throw down that kind of $$$ without testing it in their regular driving conditions?) did it have enough power back then? It’s simply powered the way it’s powered......it’s no secret. No surprise.


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[hazards280]

I wouldn't say the 4Runner is under powered by any means. I cross shopped the Tacoma to the 4Runner and found the 4.0 V6 torque curve to be much better in comparison to the new 3.5. You really don't have to rev the piss out of the 4.0 to get it to go. In day to day driving, I've yet to feel like I was short on power, but then again, I'm not racing everyone off the line either olice:. If you've found the engine to be short on power, I would say, yes, by all means go get whatever floats your boat.

Side note, this is coming from a guy that just sold his 15' Grand Cherokee Overland with the 5.7 (360 HP/ 390 FT TQ) mated to a 8-Speed ZF transmission to buy my TRD OR. I've owned two WK2 Grand Cherokee's through the years, and I simply wanted something with better resale and a simpler package (i.e no air suspension, radar cruise and a huge a** touchscreen). Both are great vehicles, I just see a diminishing return once your break the 300 HP mark. Is it nice to have...yes, but it's not really needed.