Are you starting to feel like it's not a TJ? Because you know how TJs (and Jeeps in general) are. They just beg for things to be done to them.
Looking for a capable DD with support
- Thread starter Ahoragi
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Are you starting to feel like it's not a TJ? Because you know how TJs (and Jeeps in general) are. They just beg for things to be done to them.
I love driving my '13 Tacoma TRD 4x4, and at times considered lifting it an putting bigger tires, i.e. 33s...The more I read, though, I kept running across vibration issues with the IFS, so I decided to keep it stock, with the exception of 265/75-16 tires. It's great as is, no plans to mod it any further. The TJR, on the other hand, I have to constantly talk my self into leaving alone. It's so easy to work on, and just begs for mods, I really struggle to keep it closer to stock. I hear you about the feeling about a 'car that drives like a truck', though, Toyotas, while being great vehicles, just aren't Jeeps. Since Jeep doesn't have a truck, though, I am thrilled with my Tacoma.
I think this is the way any Jeep is. Even my XJ when I had it just couldn't stay stock, I always, always had to be doing something to it.
It's interesting you say this though, because we're very seriously considering a 98-01 4Runner as our "family" rig.
It's interesting you say this though, because we're very seriously considering a 98-01 4Runner as our "family" rig.
I've often considered a 4Runner, they're just out of my price range. Great for what they are, though.
I can find a super clean one (1998-2001) for around $8000-$10,000 max, and that's a very, very clean one!
So I figure for that price, it would make a good family car. And by that I mean a car that all 4 of us can fit in, throw some gear in, add a winch, some bigger tires, and maybe a 2-3" lift at most, and be able to go "off-roading" with the entire family.
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Nah, more like it's not a XJ. It's way bigger, heavier, and drives like a truck while the XJ was smaller, nimble, and handled like Jeep. It was fun to drive.
The XJ accomplishes the same task as the 4Runner though, right? It's just a little smaller. I wondered why you didn't just use an XJ as your DD.
I mean, in all reality this makes sense. The 4Runner is nothing more than a Tacoma frame / engine with a SUV body on-top of it. So it basically is a truck.
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The XJ was our original DD then came the TJ and they shared DD duties. THEN came the POS Elantra which we use to save gas and the XJ was sold to make room for the 4runner.
The XJ drove awesome with the long arms but could only get around 200 miles on a tank. It was a brick wall with wheels.
Today the 4runner decided to run out of gas on the turnpike 3 miles from home. It was reading between 1/2 and 1/4, dead center, and still ran out. I walked to the nearest house on a side road and this old guy helped me to some gas. Nice man. Then I get home and google gas gauge and find out all 4 runners and tacomas have sucky gas gauges. (sigh)
I'll take note of the sucky gas gauge in my search for a 4Runner, thank you!
It sounds like maybe you're looking for something that gets decent gas mileage, but isn't as boring to drive as an Elantra? You're going to have a tough time with that short of something expensive like a Mazda CX-5 (which is fun to drive and gets great gas mileage).
My XJ would get around 220-240 on a tank with the way I drove it. But I can't imagine a 4Runner would get any better, does it?
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17-21 is the fuel economy of the 4runner. I see most people get gas around 250 and have 3 or 4 gallons left. I'm gonna aim for 250 (with 5 gallon spare tank in back) and see how much I have left.
Do you know how many gallons the 4Runner tank holds total?
Is there some way to improve the accuracy of the fuel gauge on them?
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Keep me updated if you find it. I say that because the 4Runner is pretty much destined to be our next family rig. Ideally I'd like a 2006-2012 Toyota Tacoma TRD, but those things are like minimum 20k for a 2006 model, which is just stupid.
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Be ready to spend some major coin Chris.
Here's my latest part(s) purchase:
2 Upper BJ
2 Lower BJ
2 Inner Tie Rods
2 Outer Tie rods
Toyota Tundra Brake Upgrade
Plugs and Wires
Air Filter
$1104.
They are all genuine Toyota parts. I swear I can get all this plus more for the jeep at half that price. My wallet hurts!
I wanted to share this with ya so you are aware of it when you purchase your 4runner. A few things I've seen a number of times through my research was lower ball joints and brakes. The lower ball joints must be replaced as soon as you can and only with Toyota BJ's. The front brakes are lacking on these rigs. The rotors are too thin and warp very easily causing a shuddering pedal. I am experiencing it right now. You can replace them with stock or upgrade to a bolt-on Toyota Tundra brake system which includes bigger calipers (13WL), rotors, and pads.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMOU64M/?tag=wranglerorg-20
What's cool is literally every Toyota part is on Amazon.
Here's my latest part(s) purchase:
2 Upper BJ
2 Lower BJ
2 Inner Tie Rods
2 Outer Tie rods
Toyota Tundra Brake Upgrade
Plugs and Wires
Air Filter
$1104.
They are all genuine Toyota parts. I swear I can get all this plus more for the jeep at half that price. My wallet hurts!
I wanted to share this with ya so you are aware of it when you purchase your 4runner. A few things I've seen a number of times through my research was lower ball joints and brakes. The lower ball joints must be replaced as soon as you can and only with Toyota BJ's. The front brakes are lacking on these rigs. The rotors are too thin and warp very easily causing a shuddering pedal. I am experiencing it right now. You can replace them with stock or upgrade to a bolt-on Toyota Tundra brake system which includes bigger calipers (13WL), rotors, and pads.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CMOU64M/?tag=wranglerorg-20
What's cool is literally every Toyota part is on Amazon.
I'll keep this in mind! Does that brake kit just bolt right on without any issues? Have you noticed an increase in braking power with it?
I think a good chunk of the change you spent was the brake kit (which I bookmarked, so thank you BTW). If you could have avoided that, it wouldn't have cost as much.
Ideally we'd just have an XJ, but I think the 4Runner has much more room inside than the XJ, right?
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Yes the brake kit bolts right in. I just ordered it so I'll letcha know how it works out. You don't have to get that one and could just source Tundra calipers, rotors, and pads from anywhere.
I was originally going to go with OEM but I was warned that the OEM rotors are too thin and warp easily. I went through the maintenance records from the PO and he had the rotors serviced four times (two replaced, two resurfaced) and they need replaced now. So that's five rotors issues in 153k miles. It's a 4000 lb vehicle riding on small rotors so I can see the problem.
The 4-runner has a bit more room but functions the same as the XJ. The bottom of the rear seats fold up and forward and the backs fold down to give full cargo space. You can fit a bed back there. The spare is underneath the vehicle so that frees up more room.
What I like on the 4runner is that the rear passengers have their own climate control which is on the backside of the center console. It also has a pop out cup holder to hold two. The XJ had none of that. The sun roof and power rear window are nice.
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Just discovered this place through my research:
https://www.amayama.com/en
You can order factory Toyota parts from them (Japan) and they ship internationally. Inner Tie Rods for my 4runner are $133 EACH in the US and I need two. They are $63 from Amayama. $126 for two plus $32 shipping. Saves some bucks.
This site is big with the 4runner owners.
https://www.amayama.com/en
You can order factory Toyota parts from them (Japan) and they ship internationally. Inner Tie Rods for my 4runner are $133 EACH in the US and I need two. They are $63 from Amayama. $126 for two plus $32 shipping. Saves some bucks.
This site is big with the 4runner owners.
Totally going to bookmark this! I'm getting a great amount of resources just from your discoveries, so thank you!
We had an XJ once and it was just way too small in the back. The 4Runner might not be much bigger, but it's a bit bigger, which works. Like you said, I also like the sunroof and power rear window, those are two cool features if you ask me.
I'll definitely add this brake kit to my must have list. I wasn't planning on doing much other than maybe a 2" OME lift, 32" Duratrac tires, and a Warn winch and winch bumper. Oh, and then the brake kit as well.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
These also seem like a cool idea as well:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O83IMM8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
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Just make sure you replace the lower ball joints before lifting it as every 4runner owner will tell you.
I like those lights. I'm looking for front replacements since they are lacking in brightness. High beam's good but low is like a $5 flashlight.
I got plans for ARB bull bar, winch, and Tundra steel wheels but not until I service all the important stuff first.
I'm aiming for this look with the wheels:
Are those the factory fender flares? They look good!
All the ones I am looking at are sport models, so they have the hood scoop.
Good info about the ball joints. I don't want to go crazy, but I read that a 2" OME lift would be a nice lift without having to worry much about anything else. I'd also add a 1" body lift to it as well, which would probably clear 32" tires just fine.
These are the best headlights you can get from what I've read:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=162353461134
They have a real HID projector retrofitted to them, so they'll be bright as hell, and have a very nice cutoff pattern. The only issue is that they're pretty spendy!
All the ones I am looking at are sport models, so they have the hood scoop.
Good info about the ball joints. I don't want to go crazy, but I read that a 2" OME lift would be a nice lift without having to worry much about anything else. I'd also add a 1" body lift to it as well, which would probably clear 32" tires just fine.
These are the best headlights you can get from what I've read:
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=162353461134
They have a real HID projector retrofitted to them, so they'll be bright as hell, and have a very nice cutoff pattern. The only issue is that they're pretty spendy!
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