What is your 4Runner driving experience like?

[St Runner]

I started on motorcycles until my twenties and then went through an assortment of jeeps and a couple suzuki samurais. My first jeep was a 67!(WW2 design) Then I got my first toyota , a 1986 pickup. I drove that for 10 years until it died and it was pretty beat when I got it. Thats when I knew it was only toyotas for me. I then bought a 99 tacoma and a couple years later a 97 4runner. As absalom says if you want it to drive like a dream rebuild the front end and it will drive just like it came out of the factory. The front ends loosen up after 200,000 miles and it is pretty common on these threads for multiple issues to show. I am not a big fan of the auto transmission. It is very reliable but always seemed sluggish and shifted at too low rpms for my liking . It really is designed for highway use and it works well there but there are no highways where i live. One thing about Ist generation tacomas and third generation 4runners, they are the best built vehicles for the long haul. I have put over 50,000 miles on crappy island roads and still don't have one rattle

 

[Mados]

I got mine at 228k. Well maintained. The shocks were done, but let me tell you, it totally blew away the 98 XJ I traded it in for. Had a 3 inch lift and 31 inch Duratracs on the XJ and the Runner is better in its stock form. My first impression was that it's the best thing I'd ever driven.

 

[W4R123]

Mine is at 347,000 KMS. When I first bought the truck it felt like garbage to drive. Steering wheel was way off center, clunks coming from the front end, stiff throttle with a ton of free play, EXTREMELY under powered...But one thing kept me happy with this truck, it was smooth...

Over time I started to refresh it bit by bit, and now it feels awesome behind the wheel. These trucks are fun to drive, after you put enough money and time into them that is.

 

[amalik]

I got mine at 228k. Well maintained. The shocks were done, but let me tell you, it totally blew away the 98 XJ I traded it in for. Had a 3 inch lift and 31 inch Duratracs on the XJ and the Runner is better in its stock form. My first impression was that it's the best thing I'd ever driven.

XJ was a damn beautiful Jeep, though. A little bit of bias, my dad got me one in Highschool.

 

[LeeMajors]

I bought mine from a wholesaler two states away for low mileage and because it was one-owner according to Carfax. It had been sold at auction after trade-in and had been sitting for a little bit (thinking ~5mo) but it ran well and drove smoothly.

My first impressions were that it drove like older trucks rather than an SUV, which was exactly what I was looking for. Steering felt connected to the road moreso than any of the newer Tacomas I had driven. It felt solid in general with minimal rattles and squeaks. The brakes were/are softer than most vehicles, but it still stopped just fine.

I've replaced lots of suspension parts, fixed several small oil leaks, changed out all fluids, replaced TPS, PCV, spark plugs, brake rotors/pads, sway bar bushings, new tires. I still need to replace steering rack bushings as well, once I get motivated enough.

So I bought her about 20mo ago, put 30k on her and I couldn't be happier. I've run into some small snags but she's paid for and does everything I want in a vehicle. Plus property taxes are only 10$ or so!

Great truck. I've loved 4Runners since I was a little kid and I'm glad I found a workable and affordable model that seems to have been reasonably well taken care of. Bought at 154k, sitting at 185k or so now and I'm hoping to get 100k more out of her.

 

[amalik]

I bought mine from a wholesaler two states away for low mileage and because it was one-owner according to Carfax. It had been sold at auction after trade-in and had been sitting for a little bit (thinking ~5mo) but it ran well and drove smoothly.

My first impressions were that it drove like older trucks rather than an SUV, which was exactly what I was looking for. Steering felt connected to the road moreso than any of the newer Tacomas I had driven. It felt solid in general with minimal rattles and squeaks. The brakes were/are softer than most vehicles, but it still stopped just fine.

I've replaced lots of suspension parts, fixed several small oil leaks, changed out all fluids, replaced TPS, PCV, spark plugs, brake rotors/pads, sway bar bushings, new tires. I still need to replace steering rack bushings as well, once I get motivated enough.

So I bought her about 20mo ago, put 30k on her and I couldn't be happier. I've run into some small snags but she's paid for and does everything I want in a vehicle. Plus property taxes are only 10$ or so!

Great truck. I've loved 4Runners since I was a little kid and I'm glad I found a workable and affordable model that seems to have been reasonably well taken care of. Bought at 154k, sitting at 185k or so now and I'm hoping to get 100k more out of her.

Barring no major injuries or misfortunes, you should get to 300k at least.