What is something you wish you HADN'T done to your 4Runner?

[Vinsil]

Ecotechne rack. Love the style, it works fine. Quality sucks, but it works. :gossip:

I’d rather be in a prinsu, rhino rack or front runner. Wife loves the looks of it would be down the road.

 

[shrub1]

Ecotechne rack. Love the style, it works fine. Quality sucks, but it works. :gossip:

I’d rather be in a prinsu, rhino rack or front runner. Wife loves the looks of it would be down the road.

I am darn close to pulling the trigger on the FR. Sacking up to drill.

 

[Vinsil]

I am darn close to pulling the trigger on the FR. Sacking up to drill.

Just do it. It’s not a thing.

 

[mrblah]

I’m still not certain what the down side of the leveling kit is?

Does it create a problem if you’re hauling a lot of stuff? I’m just trying to make sure I understand the issue. I just got mine leveled and had some bilsteins added. It rides great and I love the look.

Thanks gents and rucas.

Nothing wrong with leveling, it just creates a sagging butt if you add weight later. I think people regret purchasing a leveling kit bc to fix it u have to spend more money (coil overs or airbags...etc).... it's either spend money up front or spend it later to fix the sag. This is a complaint u don't usually hear about until people who've owned their 4runner for a while. Me included

 

[Kenny Powers]

If you are loaded up with gear in the back and your rig is leveled unloaded, then you will likely end up with your front end higher than the rear. Two things come to mind..headlamps blinding other drivers and that fact you've effectively exhausted much of the rear suspension even before you hit dirt.

A little squat is no big big deal and customary. Starting out level though does put you behind the 8 ball right out of the gate however.

Copy thanks, appreciate the response.

I’m one of those dipshits that bought a 4R to drive to the mall. The first time I needed to drive in 4WD I had to google how to switch in in 4WD. So suffice it to say I have a steep learning curve.


Thanks man!

 

[shrub1]

Copy thanks, appreciate the response.

I’m one of those dipshits that bought a 4R to drive to the mall. The first time I needed to drive in 4WD I had to google how to switch in in 4WD. So suffice it to say I have a steep learning curve.


Thanks man!

All good man.
Just because you don't off road currently, doesn't mean you won't in the future.
Now you have choice.

 

[Kenny Powers]

All good man.
Just because you don't off road currently, doesn't mean you won't in the future.
Now you have choice.

That’s a really good point! I’m in AZ and have a ton of great places to go. Step by step I’ll get it dialed in. Really appreciate all the stuff I learn here from everyone. Thx guys

 

[JSparky]

I heard the mpg sucked and people were complaining about the power, but I also have the same powertrain in a tacoma, so I figured people were just over exaggerating the issues, as the power feels fine in my taco... The 4runner we bought, we found in flagstaff, which is a lot higher in elevation than phoenix (where I live), so while I did notice the power difference, I chalked some of it up to the altitude. I didn't realize it would be THAT much worse in power than the tacoma, and get worse mpg too.

I bought it used, so I missed most of the stuff I'm complaining about on the test drive, because I was kinda preoccupied with listening for odd noises, and making sure everything worked, ect.

It wasn't until I really started driving it, that these became annoying.. I mean, why isn't there a carseat tether on the 3rd row seats?! lol

I was kind of also under a time crunch to buy it, as I had a full price offer on my car I was selling, plus the 4runner was a really good deal.

Other than the GX, the 4runner is basically in a class by itself for its offload capability and reliability, so even if I knew all of this, I would have probably still went with it. It just kinda sucks, that these are even issues with everything else that's out, and the price point the 4runner is at.

I guess I'm just venting. Thanks for listening. haha.

Could be the electronic throttle, maybe check into a Sprint Booster. I’ll be down in Arizona in a few weeks, if it works out I wouldn’t mind letting you take a spin in mine, I’m really happy with how the booster opened up the throttle response.

 

[nglayton]

After reading this whole thread a few times, I have to admit I have a couple of regrets.

First one is not buying 2 of them when I bought my '11 trail model. Coming from a 1st Gen, then to a 3rd Gen, and now to the 5th Gen, man is this a great rig. Wish I had one just like it sitting in the shop waiting to be modded. Not a real fan of all the subtle changes Toyota has made to the 5th Gen line over the last 5-6 years. Starting with the front end look change, the space where the 2nd battery should go, the info panel changes, steering wheel changes. Don't get me wrong I will buy another 4runner, but the first mods I do to it will be way more severe than what I have done to the current one and all in the pursuit of getting back to 2011. Sad but true. Changing shit just to change shit isn't always good. Works both ways I guess.


Second regret is joining t4r.org.......

 

[jahdai42]

I wish I hadn't sold my sweet 3rd Gen to a good friend without putting a clause in the bill of sale stating he wouldn't paint the wheels black and make that classic looking truck look like every other 3rd Gen Bruh-truck.

I wish I hadn't sold my 3rd Gen.... period.

 

[I4CUTigers]

I heard the mpg sucked and people were complaining about the power, but I also have the same powertrain in a tacoma, so I figured people were just over exaggerating the issues, as the power feels fine in my taco... The 4runner we bought, we found in flagstaff, which is a lot higher in elevation than phoenix (where I live), so while I did notice the power difference, I chalked some of it up to the altitude. I didn't realize it would be THAT much worse in power than the tacoma, and get worse mpg too.

I bought it used, so I missed most of the stuff I'm complaining about on the test drive, because I was kinda preoccupied with listening for odd noises, and making sure everything worked, ect.

It wasn't until I really started driving it, that these became annoying.. I mean, why isn't there a carseat tether on the 3rd row seats?! lol

I was kind of also under a time crunch to buy it, as I had a full price offer on my car I was selling, plus the 4runner was a really good deal.

Other than the GX, the 4runner is basically in a class by itself for its offload capability and reliability, so even if I knew all of this, I would have probably still went with it. It just kinda sucks, that these are even issues with everything else that's out, and the price point the 4runner is at.

I guess I'm just venting. Thanks for listening. haha.

No worries. There’s not much we can do about MPG. Just rest easy knowing you have a motor that will likely save you a lot of future depreciation cost because you will be able operate the truck longer than most of its counterparts. It doesn’t feel like the practical choice now, but if you aren’t the type that has to have the latest and greatest, a 4 runner will protect your wallet in the long run.

As far as the power, you can always drop a Magnuson SC on it. If you don’t drive it like a scalded dog, it *shouldnt* have a significant effect on the long term viability of the truck (but it will on your wallet, at nearly 6k if you do the install yourself). This would probably make more sense if you where at high altitude. Comparing it to a Taco is a little unfair, as the Taco can be as much as 900 lbs lighter.

A 3rd seat tether sounds nice, but would you really want the obstacle of getting to the 3rd row in the event of a crash? Personally I wouldn’t.

The good news is you can probably get close to what you paid for it, if you do eventually sell it (within a reasonable timeframe).

 

[dot_tom]

 

[Kamil]

Yes, you're right. I think they should have moved the rear seat back a bit in the two row-models.

Perhaps they should have just left two 3-row rear seat in the 2-row models?

2-row: the second row is fixed. It does not slide, rear leg room is what it is, as is the cargo area.

3-row: the second row is on sliders. The sliders allow access to the third row seat. The added bonus is the middle row can be moved forward or backward. When the middle row is all the way forward (3rd is folded) you get more cargo space but like no 2nd row leg room. When the middle row is slid all the way to back, you get more legroom... but less cargo room.
When the third row is up, you can adjust the middle row for more less legroom in the two rows.

So are the sliders for the 1st row seats different also? Just curious. I assumed the poster I quoted was the driver not the passenger of any kind

I'm still not sure how the same length vehicle with two rows of seats has less leg room than a model with three rows. It seems all relative to me and totally depends on how many people and who is riding where.

 

[PhotogEric]

Could be the electronic throttle, maybe check into a Sprint Booster. I’ll be down in Arizona in a few weeks, if it works out I wouldn’t mind letting you take a spin in mine, I’m really happy with how the booster opened up the throttle response.

Thanks for the offer!

I’ve been looking at those. How’s the hit on gas mileage?

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Yes, you're right. I think they should have moved the rear seat back a bit in the two row-models.

Perhaps they should have just left two 3-row rear seat in the 2-row models?

2-row: the second row is fixed. It does not slide, rear leg room is what it is, as is the cargo area.

3-row: the second row is on sliders. The sliders allow access to the third row seat. The added bonus is the middle row can be moved forward or backward. When the middle row is all the way forward (3rd is folded) you get more cargo space but like no 2nd row leg room. When the middle row is slid all the way to back, you get more legroom... but less cargo room.
When the third row is up, you can adjust the middle row for more less legroom in the two rows.

I definitely don't like how there's 2 different 2nd row options. Honestly I preferred the non 3rd row option in my 2 fourth gens. I know this may not have worked as well in the third row model but having everything so tall and on a slant is just annoying to me in the third row

 

[cjdewese]

All in all I am extremely happy with everything I have done to my rig. I use it for everything and it has handled everything I have thrown at it with ease.

I have towed my boat, utility trailers loaded with home improvement materials and have put tons of lumber or other home improvement materials on my gobi and everything has been great.

I would say that everyone should drive it completely stock with some upgraded tires and do mods as you run into issues where you feel there is a need for improvement.

For some, who know right away that they will wheel their rigs often it makes sense to start with some mods right away but most people aren't in that category from my experience.

As others have stated, especially if it's your first 4x4, in stock form it will get you places that will overreach your comfort level anyway and you will need to build your confidence to a place where you might need more.

For me and my family there was no other vehicle that provides the reliability and function that the 4R does.

 

[JSparky]

Thanks for the offer!

I’ve been looking at those. How’s the hit on gas mileage?

Hard to say. I’ve done a lot of things on the truck back to back and fuel economy ranges from 13-15 avg depending on how I’m loaded down. Technically it should only effect it as much as you allow it, in the sense that it’s just amplifying the throttle signal, it’s not an actual tuner or anything. It does make it easier to go faster.. ie use more fuel.

 

[sLADe781]

PrecisionLED Premium bulb kit (plate lights, puddlemlights, door panels, dome lights, hatch lights, vanity mirrors, etc). Very expensive while being terribly quality. The bulbs were dieing left and right, they didn’t want to stand by their warranty because they were sending me so many replacements. They claimed my 4Runner had an electrical problem that was killing their bulbs, etc. I switched to Phillips Vision and have had zero issues since.

Thank you for sharing! I was highly considering the PrecisionLED kit but will probably go with a different company after reading this. I've had good results with Diode Dynamics LED bulbs in my other cars so will probably stick to them after reading about your experience!

 

[tristero]

Regrets:
1. LR UCA - junk
2. Bilsteins - junk
3. Not going larger than 285/70 on the first go

 

[CalicoSR5]

Thank you for sharing! I was highly considering the PrecisionLED kit but will probably go with a different company after reading this. I've had good results with Diode Dynamics LED bulbs in my other cars so will probably stick to them after reading about your experience!

Buy once, cry once. Get the Sylvania zevo LED lights, life time warranty replacement.