I think there is a lot of truth to this, While I am not part of the original guard, I have been around long enough to see a major swing in the forum content and topics.
Nothing against the OP, I choose to click but it is this shift that has me reading less and less of the threads. I think 4runner popularity has soared (sales data reflects this yes?) and as such we have a much bigger % of folks who are more the IG type folks then the DIY - nothing wrong with that and there is a huge crowd that loves living through others by browsing IG, I am just not one of them. I love the good DIY threads or unique mod threads, can even live with the random answered 100x times threads but its the "hey look at me I have two AR-15's and a 4runner" photos that are a drag.
A 4runner drives like a lumbering beast coupled with the fact that 99% of my driving is on the road 1/2 the enjoyment of ownership is the community forum - for me. Even considered a Disco II for a bit a few months ago but figured I like wrenching when I want to, not when I have to. #If it doesn't leak its empty.
yeah... I saw this thread the other day, but haven’t had time to respond. Pretty much sums it up. I see 4Runners galore these days in DFW. They still don’t out number the lifted/monster Jeeps... but there’s waaaaay more than there used to be. And a decent % of them are actually lifted with some mods. Not that I care, I don’t... love that it has become a popular vehicle again. The side-effect tho, is that I slowly lose my luster for mine.
Remember, I’m in a concrete jungle, not the Alaskan outback... I don’t NEED a 4Runner Trail, I just liked it when I saw it. A 2WD SR5 (oh the blasphemy!) would suffice just fine here in DFW 99.8% of the time. And as much as I enjoyed specifically taking the Runner off-roading, that’s not my cup of tea. A. I know myself, I’ll keep pushing until I break something (and then I’ve broken my DD)... And B. That’s not what I imagine when trying to “use” the 4runner.... I (personally) think of JakeB and his life... THAT’S what owning a 4Runner is all about. Camping, Hiking, Fishing, skiing, getting to remote areas, etc., etc. Yeah, umm, I do almost none of that (except on vacation, and we usually don’t drive). I wish I had the time to do these things, but alas, I have chosen a career that doesn’t allow for much time off. And that is my choice. Perhaps, soon, I’ll change that...
Where I’m going with this is what’s already been mentioned... I find myself less and less on the forum these days. I’ve also been looking at other cars/trucks lately (and hell no I’m not mentioning which ones.. my flame retardant suit is at home). It’s just that, after 3 different Runners, I’m getting the itch for something different. I’m sure I’d just end up coming back later.... assuming they keep building them.
:shrug: