What's your favorite thing about your 4Runner?

[Jon]

Reliability, completely functional for a huge range of lifestyles, good looks.

I love the fact that I can literally go anywhere I want in this thing (here in the midwest anyway, lol). I can get it filthy dirty, haul the dog, pull a trailer, drive through fields to get to the fishing pond, etc......and then the next day I can wash it, put the wife and kid in it, and drive it to the Plaza in downtown K.C. for dinner and shopping. And it fits into both situations perfectly!

Couldn't have said it better. I just love everything. My first truck in highschool was a 91' P/U 22RE I couldn't get that thing stuck and it took the beating of a 16 kid! Now I have the same versatility but enough room for the family and dogs. I've wanted one since first sight all those years ago.

 

[dave_mcmillan]

I love the fact that it has almost 204,000 miles and is just as dependable as the day I bought it 12 years ago. This is a real testiment to the quality that is Toyota...I will most likely own this vehicle for the next 12 years...at least try to anyways.

 

[Hepar]

Favorite thing? EVERYTHING!

 

[kman55]

The absolute reliability of this truck! It's solid in every way possible! I haven't had one thing break on it and I'm at 134k!:trophy:

 

[auxiliary]

I enjoy the fact that it's a truck and not a "sports car". Which changes the way I view it. I came from having a wrx/240/rx8/mr2...and was use to driving slow over speed bumps, not wanting scratches or dings...taking everything so careful.

Now I go off roading, don't care if it gets a scratch or a ding and love every second of it.

 

[WrexHAmm]

The huge laundry bag full of money that was under the cargo cover when I bought it. What?!? You say yours didn't come with one.... better talk to the dealer about that one. Lol

I'd say the reliability of the Yota, sexy looks and not feeling like you are driving a tank around town. Oh yeah, love the rear window that rolls down.

 

[piperoo]

A few things

1. Rear window goes down (great for the dogs and letting in cool breezes in the fall!) Also, the rear passenger windows go ALL THE WAY down, not 2/3 or 3/4.

2. Tons of accessories you can put on them

3. Looks

I also like that mine has 142k on it and I am not even worried. My VW Golf that I had before my 4Runner had around 100k on it and I was scared every time I got in it b/c they are money pits.
SO.......

4. Peace of Mind

5. Plenty of space (cargo bed!)

 

[4-Ripcord]

You sold your taco because of the clock position? Dude.

and the lack of a transfer case, yes.

 

[Maxil]

I enjoy the fact that it's a truck and not a "sports car". Which changes the way I view it. I came from having a wrx/240/rx8/mr2...and was use to driving slow over speed bumps, not wanting scratches or dings...taking everything so careful.

Now I go off roading, don't care if it gets a scratch or a ding and love every second of it.

I was thinking something similar before I read this. I had a corolla for 6 years and loved it's reliability, great car. Horrible ground clearance though, I still find myself worrying about smacking into a speedbump going more than .5 mph, but haven't hit one yet! Great on the road and off.

Maxil

 

[auxiliary]

OH! Also, the fact that mine is a 5-speed.

I really wanted a 5-speed and was looking at FJ cruisers...but they seem smaller and cramped compared to the 4runner. I like jeeps, but didn't seem as "daily driver" reliable that I was looking for.

Glad I was able to find a 5-speed!

 

[auxiliary]

OH! Also, the fact that mine is a 5-speed.

I really wanted a 5-speed and was looking at FJ cruisers...but they seem smaller and cramped compared to the 4runner. I like jeeps, but didn't seem as "daily driver" reliable that I was looking for.

Glad I was able to find a 5-speed!

 

[kman55]

The only thing I might change was 4wd. I can still get around great though without. It's just a nice peace of mind when you decide to go play around wheelin. Still great ride though!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Although I have to say the 2nd gen has the 3rd totally beat on that and only that feature. Their back windows roll into the tailgate and then the tailgate flips down. I have no idea why Toyota changed that awesome feature along with no more factory tire swing-aways for the 3rd gen. I miss being able to put mattresses or long boards in the back without having the leave the hatch 1/2 open and bungied-tied down. Everything else about my old 2nd gen pales in comparison to the 3rd gen tho.

Re: Tailgate vs. Liftgate:

I used to be of the same mind as you. In fact, one thing I've loved about my pickups has been the tailgate - it's very useful when camping, hunting, just hanging around.

HOWEVER, there is a huge flaw in the roll down window/tailgate setup: If the window fails in the up position, you cannot open the tailgate! We had this problem on our M1009 CUCVs (i.e., mid-1980's Chevy Blazer with a diesel engine) in the Army. The tailgate was a maintenance nightmare and if it failed in the field you had a truck that you couldn't put gear into the back of - MAJOR PITA!

And failures were not unheard of in other vehicles. My 2nd vehicle was a 1967 International Harvester Travelall with the rear window/drop gate. I had the same problem - the rear gate regulator was broken so if I wanted to lower the tailgate I had to unscrew the cover to the tailgate, manually lower the window, and then open the gate. I was too broke to get the regulator fixed and ended up selling it with the broken rear window.

At least with the liftgate setup on the 3rd gen, a broken rear window (in the up position) only means you have a liftgate like every other SUV or minivan out there - you can still open and close it like normal.

As for why SUV manufacturers got away from drop tailgates, my understanding is that it was because the suburban mom's who were using SUVs for shopping didn't like reaching all the way across the tailgate to put grocery sacks in the back or take them out. I think the liftgate is also easier to manufacture and seals up the back end a little tighter for better noise control.

I've actually been considering making an interior "tailgate" for my 4runner. When I do I'll post the build here!

 

[NickF]

Absolutely hands down is the motorized hatch window and the lack of "saftey" rear windows.

 

[Stone5_T4R]

I'd have to say reliability and looks. I had one years ago and sold it. Regretted it soon after the new owner drove off with it. Tried to replace it later with a toyota pickup, but it just wasn't the same. Years later I'm back and won't ever be without one. I love all the mod possibilities and being able to carry the fam and the dog. The wife has a minivan and absolutely HATE driving that thing! I immediately feel like I'm in that category of "fat dads and soccer moms" when I drive it. My kids love riding in the Runner and my wife will take it if I take the other car. I've always felt safe in it and never worried about it putting me down or disappointing me. I also have a BMW M5 and everytime I get in that thing I hold my breath. Even with only 70k miles on the clock....things on it break right on schedule and it's usually costly. Its a great car but the joy of owning it leaves whenever I get that infamous "ding" from the onboard computer telling you something is wrong or the pain in my back pocket whenever the Service Engine Soon light comes on. Probably why I'm considering selling it! HA! My Runner has 148k and running like a champ! It's my DD but I still drive it on weekends and it is the vehicle of choice when we need to travel. It will always be a permanent fixture in the garage.

 

[drinknmolson]

I think it's one of the best vehicles ever made. In quality, reliability, function, and style.

AGREED!!!!!!!!!

And it's so easy to make it your own!! By that I mean this site is dedicated to the 4r, I don't think I have seen 2 the same, close but not the same!!!

 

[Benski]

I'm off the fence about having it clean and shiny and treating it like a truck. I get it dirty and muddy, drive on snow and sand, and pull a boat and work trailer. It's got scratches and dings, it's plastic is faded and some paint is peeling, but I smile everytime I look at it! My favorite thing about my truck is the feeling it gives me.
:driving:

 

[3rd gen king]

Why do I like 4runners??? Hmmm because if Jesus had a ride back then, It would be a jacked up armored 4RUNNER!

 

[1985taylor1925]

uhh . . . i like my steering wheel alot

 

[masphx]

I love my tape deck! Also love the fact it can do everything my 350z can't but still look just as good.