Which 4Runner and mods should I buy?

[Thunderwink]

So, my beloved 2005 VW Touareg V8, fitted with all offroad goodies and several customizations, is dead - totaled. I've taken this vehicles on some tough trails (i.e. Hell's Revenge in Utah), while I also love its road manners and handling in snow. I need to replace it, and am looking at both the Jeep Grand Cherokee (Overland?) or a Toyota 4Runner.

I do want something less expensive to maintain than the Touareg, and I want some at least as offroad capable. I need to do a bunch of test drives, but going in I am leaning toward the 4Runner. My budget is probably around $30k

My question is this. I do enjoy creature comforts, so I'm not sure I want to buy a stripped down Trail Edition. So, what do people think of a more loaded SR5 with perhaps a 2" lift. I probably don't need a locking diff - never actually used them in my Touareg, but could potentially do an aftermarket locking diff later on. I won't do much true rock crawling, but I tend to go out into very, very remote areas where road conditions are unpredictable, and occasionally something very offroad capable is needed.

Thoughts, in terms of offroad capability, on road manners, options, etc.

Thanks

 

[CAN-03runner]

Everyone's view off "offroading" is different. So offroad capable is subjective.

At first I want to tell you get rock sliders, skid plates, winch, big tires...but that's for my version of offroading.

My 4th gen has been pretty reliable. and the guys I know with a 5th gen have been pretty reliable too. Anything that has broken has been from hard offroading.

Think of where you went with the Toureg. Did you go with it into these remote areas with unpredictable conditions? Did you ever scrape the bumpers, underbelly, rockers, and is that still similar to where you still want to go? Is it less or more? Maybe compare the clearance and tire size between the two. I think a 4runner can go where you took the Toureg.

I might vote you get a limited, it looks really nice, and has the creature comforts. I wouldn't alter the suspension just yet since you want good on road handling. And see where it takes you. I think you are better served with a winch over lockers. And not to totally deface the front end or add so much weight that you have to install HD coils, you can install a hidden winch plate. That would give you some more sense of security when you head into remote areas...eventhough I must say you shouldn't go remote alone just one truck. maybe even just a spacer lift just to fit some 33" AT tires.

 

[Bumbo]

You are on the right track, the 4Runner is and has been an amazing platform. I love body-on-frame trucks and the 4Runner delivers.

I much prefer to have lockers and not need it, than need it, and not have it. I also much rather get a Trail than an SR5 for the locker alone. Aftermarket add of an e-locker or a pneumatic ARB is very costly. Its cheaper getting it from Toyota out of the box.

Everyone off-road needs are different, and the first mods I did was a lift with 2.5" / large diameter shocks. I wanted good better than stock performance on and off road so I ended up with a 32" tire and about a 2" lift.

The larger oil capacity really helps dampening and how plush the ride is both on and off-road.

After that it was sliders and then electrical... I added a 2nd battery for accessories charging, ham radio/communications, starting reliability, and a fridge.

Creature comforts from some of the accessories really make the difference in our "adventure vehical". I've done wheeling trips, road trips, nice long trails, some sand.

Its not the most hard core off-road setup out there, but it works for us.

Every trip you learn something new... there is always something else, or something that can be changed or improved.

The best advise I can give is just start using it, and educating yourself on what is out there. That when you see a need for something you can make informed decisions and get items that impact what YOU are trying to do in a positive and thoughtful way.

Sometimes those items are not even "mods" but support gear to make for a safe journey. Making sure I have the right recovery gear, tools, and saftey items like a radio... being a licenced ham radio operator was one of those items that gave me a huge piece of mind when going off-grid without cellular. I like to venture out, but not if I dont have a good get-home / disaster plan.

 

[wcjeep]

Check Edmunds or NHTSA on Jeep GC reliability. It's not a pretty picture. Can't think of anything more valuable than a locker. Too bad the 4Runner only comes with one factory locker.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Check Edmunds or NHTSA on Jeep GC reliability. It's not a pretty picture. Can't think of anything more valuable than a locker. Too bad the 4Runner only comes with one factory locker.

Having 2 dual locked trucks...my winches have been more valuable. Stuckage does not only occur on hardcore trails. Sometimes it's just on a simple grassy or a dirt road after a rain and maybe covered in autum leaves where there is lack of traction. Exact situation I experienced this past weekend.

That being said, lockers do help with control and results needing less momentum.

 

[RonJR]

Lockers vs. winches - it really depends on what kind of wheeling you do. Here in the west, where most of the trails are pretty rocky and uneven, the lockers help a lot because you often find situations where wheels on opposite corners are unweighted or lifted. With open diffs you have to break out the winch; with a locker you'll go right through without noticing a problem.

Lockers don't help as much in mud or slick conditions where both wheels on an axle have similar traction. They often are a detriment because they increase the propensity to slide sideways.

So, as with any mods, you need to match them to your specific needs.

 

[mnofpeace]

that is the one thing i wish Toyo offered in the SR5...the rear elocker...

i wanted the 3rd row jump seats for kid transport...so an sr5 was just fine. but that locker is the way to go for several situations...

no one has mentioned it yet, maybe its a gimme...but a good set of TA tires should be your first mod...

Bridgestones, Coopers AT3s, and so on...