What makes people drive 4Runners?

[Bishard]

1) Because the only complaint I have is cup holder placement.
2) In the rare occasion that something does go wrong you can usually drive it until repair is convenient. (They are truly overbuilt)
3) It's more of a truck than so called "real trucks".
4) In sand that big trucks from detroit get stuck in I don't adjust tire pressure.
5) You can put truck in neutral with a rock on accelerator then go for a 10 minute jog and return with no engine problems (Did that to piss of Chevy buddy).
6) The motor can overheat to point of sounding like boiling water on stove top and only need a 15 minute rest to rehydrate.
7) You get a warm feeling every time you see another 4runner.
8) If water is sucked in through intake chances are you'll be ok.
9) Finding shells and small rocks in intake box initiate only a shoulder shrug
10) Changing 17 year old ball joints have been the most costly maintenance issue.

 

[willtell]

I agree with all of the previous comments. Primarily it's rugged, reliable, and sexy. It's the first vehicle I've owned but I've driven several others. I knew I wanted a truck, specifically a Tacoma. I've driven cars in the past and like the driving position of a truck. You can't beat toyota reliability. I bought mine with 170k on the odometer and there are very few others I would consider buying with such high mileage. But it keeps going.

 

[The4kbeast]

- always wanted one growing up, even had a posted made from an old sales brochure
- needed something that could haul my wife and kid around, but still tow my race cars
- wife always wanted something more truck-like, so it was a clear choice (I already had three cars, so I had to buy it under the guise that it is her car... Shhh, don't tell her it's just another toy!)
- wanted to go off road, but not fond of leaf springs
- it is one of Toyotas cooler niche vehicles - all other manufacturers are turning their back on the segment
- it was this or a Taco with bed cover/ shell, but Tacos hold their value too well
- 4Runners are severly underpriced on the market, meaning they are a steal. Back in the late 90's there was a huge market for these body on frame SUVs, and now segment demand has shrunk. So there is a huge supply used and not a lot of demand. (they were more expensive than Tacomas, etc back in the day, and now they are half of the price - funny thing is they have the same power train, etc)
- wouldn't consider a Jeep. My buddies have had them and they ALWAYS had one issue or another

 

[KHoffRunner]

I was born into them my parents had a '95, '97, '98 (elocker, it kills me they sold this one), the '00 they passed down to me, and my dad has a '92 xcab. I remember when i was little riding in the back of the '92 going hunting and always telling my dad I was scared that we wouldnt make it through the up coming mud hole or whatever came, and we always did. My dad always told me Toyota's would climb a tree, I just love em and they're just bad ass.

 

[brunodut]

I was living in Brazil when I first drove a 4Runner. My BIL bought one and it was the perfect machine for brutal Brazilian roads and wonderful off-road destinations. Small enough to maneuver but big enough to intimidate crazy Brazilian drivers in tiny cars. Holds a few kids plus a maid and a dog and groceries on weekend trips.

I bought one myself in 1997 and loved it (HiLux sw3, almost the same as a 4Runner.)

I bought mine because as you said it's better on the roads of Brazil and I like to go off-road on weekends. and really intimidate some crazy drivers, remembering that we are not all like that. but my main reason for buying it was that my dad had one and I loved that hilux. My father still has a 99 and i have a 97 Hilux SW4 diesel.

 

[TheDurk]

I bought mine because as you said it's better on the roads of Brazil and I like to go off-road on weekends. and really intimidate some crazy drivers, remembering that we are not all like that. but my main reason for buying it was that my dad had one and I loved that hilux. My father still has a 99 and i have a 97 Hilux SW4 diesel.

Bem-vindo ao nosso site, Bruno. Deve ter muitos lugares legais lá perto de Flori para fazer 4x4!

I didn't say you were ALL crazy. ALL Rio taxi and bus drivers are crazy, however.

 

[IanB]

Roll down rear window, I was hooked when I saw that! My little brother had a nice '03 V8 Sport and I really liked it. I started looking into them more and found out about the Hilux Surf with the 1KZ-TE turbo diesel, and I had to have one. I was originally looking at 2nd gens, but then I saw a 3rd gen and how much nicer it was than the 2nd gens, specifically the rear hatch vs. tailgate setup, as I knew I would be opening the rear to let the dog in and out constantly, so I bought and imported one of the 1st 3rd gen Surf's into Canada as they had just turned 15 years old and became eligible for import.

Amazing truck, I still miss it, and it made such an impression there was no choice other than another Toyota when I had to replace it.

 

[brunodut]

Bem-vindo ao nosso site, Bruno. Deve ter muitos lugares legais lá perto de Flori para fazer 4x4!

I didn't say you were ALL crazy. ALL Rio taxi and bus drivers are crazy, however.

yes the bus and taxi drivers are crazy. you still come to Brazil? Floripa not have so many trails but it is a beautiful place to meet

 

[Kalva]

1. Not bad to maintain, parts available, Starts every time.
2. Looks hold up.
3. Cup holders
4. Know to go 200,000 plus miles with ease.
5. Good 4x4
6. Resale value.

 

[hrt4me]

Checked all the right boxes for me. I needed something that would .... get me to my favorite shooting spots

+1

we sold the '91 YJ because it just wasn't secure enough when stopping at convenience stores, eateries and hotels on the way to/from shooting events

 

[gornish_hick]

For Me it was how tough they are. Here is why.
My First 4runner bought in 2008
2008

Abused

2009

Abused

2010

Still being abused

2012

Still Runs like a charm even after sitting for 2 years!
You really got to work at it too kill em!

 

[Moves2Music]

snow

 

[farmerjon]

This has fast turned into one of my all time threads on T4R.org because I love reading the stories behind why everyone has their 4Runner... Why they picked it and such...

Any haters, just point them here!

Thanks everyone for contributing! Feel free to add more stories and reasons why you drive a T4R!

 

[Matt's 97 runner]

I have mine because my mom wouldn't sell me hers. I was looking for a car to replace my '05 v70 r that was eating me alive with maintenance. I ended up swapping cars with her for a weekend and saw the 250,000 miles on the odometer and I realized I had to have one! I am now looking at how I can flip this one to get to a 99+ 4wd limited! Soon enough!!

 

[smallfry]

Cause I can't afford a FJ45 Troopie or FJ45LV


Truthfully, I just like them. Can't really place a reason on it I just like them.

 

[4Running Daily]

Why do I personally drive 4Runner?
Because parts for this thing were getting too expensive.

Why do people in general drive 4Runners?
-Reliability, durability, the thing has lots of abilities.

 

[farmerjon]

Why I drive a 4Runner...

I drive a 4Runner because:

• I know I can drive it across the country tomorrow if I need or wanted to...
• Classic style, looks like it could have been manufactured 7 years ago instead of 15...
• Reliable, a Toyota, known for being solid...
• AWESOME capability - both on and off road
• Simple, doesn't have all kinds of complex electronics and computers and doesn't try to do too much for me.
• I can sleep in it, haul stuff, tow...
• has a short wheelbase, so I can fit over stuff, in between stuff, and navigate tightly if need be.

I'll have to come back and update when I think of others...A lot of this stuff I've discovered after owning it, ironically, since I got the 4Runner because it was a Toyota and I loved how it looked...

 

[madbomber08]

I bought one because of this website. I don't remember when I found it but I'm positive I latched onto 4runners when I found out what kind of mean machines they can be turned into. I also went to a "farmboy" high school which turned me onto full size trucks with v8s and big tires. While not a massive full size truck which I have no use for, the 4runner had room, a v6, it fit the bill, and looks freakin badass.

In fact, when I was looking at getting a new vehicle (to replace a camry), I was looking at Wrangler too. The only thing that turned me off from the Wrangler at the time was the fact that many do not have stock A/C. After a while in the 4runner I am 100% glad that I went with it instead of the Jeep.

 

[Drcoffee]

Why a 4runner?
When I almost lost my 16 year old daughter last February in a budget based (high mpg) car choice in a minor broadside accident where the matter of a fraction of a second would have put a full size pick-up truck's bumper on my baby's head. That shook me up especially after my mechanic had just lost his daughter in a T-bone accident driving in a CJ just months before.

That's when I decided to wrap my children in a reliable, steel cage with a "real" frame. Is there a better reason than that? Maybe there is but I can't think of one.

 

[fightman80]

I bought my 4Runner 8 years ago, after spending 6 months shopping for a vehicle. I test drove a TJ, Dodge Dakota Sport, 2002 Monte Carlo SS, 95 Chevy z71, Mazda B Series, a 2002 Mustang Convertable, and finally my 98 4Runner. I really didn't know what I wanted to buy, and had done a ton of reading online, as well as bought a Lemonade for Trucks, Van's and SUV's. Finally, after reading all the good, the bad, and the ugly about every truck and car out there, I decided to buy a Toyota truck.

After doing my research, I went on the hunt for a Toyota pickup or 4Runner. After what seemed to be months, I was driving down a main road in my town, and found Mean Green sitting in the used lot of the Toyota Dealership. After 2 test drives, and 2 failed attempts at getting the sales people to lower the price, I paid the full window sticker price for it, and drove it off the lot.

I've had this truck since, I take care of it, but have also used it. I often start that truck in -30 degree Celsius weather with no issues. I've taken it off roading, forded water with it, towed a tent trailer, and utility Trailer, and made it my baby hauler for the past 4 years.

After owning this truck for 4 years, I decided to put a 3" lift on it, and run 33" tires. AFter doing so, I fell in love with the truck all over again! This thing looks great lifted, and I don't regret one thing about the lift. I never reallly put any money into it for maintenance items, other than brakes and oil changes. I only recently changed the ball joints, and tie rods, and only did so when the truck had nearly 190 000kms on the odo!

The truck is beauty, and it never fails to get attention from people on a regular basis. There is not a day that goes by, that I don't get a compliment about my truck, while it's parked at work! I often get guys stopping me at Stop lights, just to tell me that my truck looks great! It's a 14 year old 4Runner with nearly 200 000kms on it, I tell them... and they are always in disbelief.

Toyota hit the nail on the head when them made this truck, and I truly enjoy driving it! I enjoy it so much, I rather drive it, over my 2005 Speedway Blue Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB!

This thread needs some pics....

My 3rd Gen:

My new project:

I like my Taco..... but LOVE my 3rd Gen!