Going from Tacoma to 4Runner for AZ Off Road Overlanding

Hi Guys,

Just recently sold my (shown-below) primo '98 Taco 4X4 w/ the 2.7 Auto (not much power, but nice truck) w/ 178k highway-only miles and looking to buy a 2008 +/- 4Runner for use in my new home in AZ for use in getting in the bush to metal detect for gold (hobby for something to do, not looking to get rich).

I'd settle for the 4 liter V6 or a V8 (nicer to tow a small travel trailer), and not looking to hard core off-road, just gently negotiate the sand/gravel trails that often require a bit extra clearance, but not a rock climber rig by any means.

I will be seeking advice on a modest (mechanically and financially) 2" lift for that purpose I can install in my garage using jack stands. Where I lived before in WA I had a 2000sqft 4 bay commercial shop with a 2 post lift, but sold it all and retired to a basic ticky-tacky house on 1/10 acre with nearly nothing so my wife can be near the grandkids until they "outgrow" her, so I am going absolutely buggy stuck inside with nothing to do (there's only so much Netflix you can stand), and plan to spend a lot of time in the desert when the weather permits (Late Oct-Late April when the temps are below 100 deg), with a rooftop tent.

I know I will be severely limited tool wise compared to my former situation (I operated a mostly import independent repair shop out of my building), where I had every tool known to man, but even at my geezer age of 76 I think I can do basic stuff and do still have a very decent basic toolbox (having sold off everything else).

So my first order of business is to solicit advice on what year Gen 4 to buy, and how many miles is too-many. Given home prices here, there won't be a lot of money available, so that is a huge factor, but want best reliability and capability bang for the buck. The other alternative is getting a 99-2004 Grand Cherokee and equipping it in a similar way. A garaged, like-new (never off road) grandma's Grand Cherokee with 70k original miles can be had for $5k vs 10 grand MORE $$ for a 4Runner with 2X or more that mileage. Apples and oranges, and I would prefer a Toyota of course, but it would have to offer superior everything despite the mileage on it to spend the extra $10k. I've had several Toyotas, including a '75 FJ40 and some Corollas/Coronas so I know they hold up extremely well, and had customers with Gen 4 4Runners and Tacos with 300k+ that were still serviceable.

So, I will wander over to an appropriate forum here and start doing my research on what year/mileage/capability to look for next I guess-

Anyone is welcome to start the advice from this point here or by PM, of course, as well.

Bob

 

not sure if a gx470 is within budget or your taste, but you might be able to find one cheaper than a v8 runner.

I was able to buy mine for just under 8k, but it it needed new front axles and a timing belt. The shop was able to rebuild one of the axles, but I had to buy another one new and was able to have a very mechanically sound truck for under 11k. It had 180k on the clock and managed to put 60k on it a couple years before selling it.

I used to own a 2012 Jeep unlimited rubicon before the gx and thought about going back to a Wrangler when I sold the gx. My wrangler had a bunch of mechanical issues, such as having to replace water pumps every 3 months and oil pumps every month. Needless to say the reliability and dependability I experienced with the gx made me a toyota fan for life.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Welcome

 

Thanks for the welcome!

I lived here (Apache Jct when it was 3 buildings, a Rocket gas station, and the prospector and burro, and in Tempe) in the '50s as a kid and flew out at Williams AFB in Chandler in the 70's and we have had a small town house in Ahwatukee for 10 yrs for my wife to spend time with the grandkids, but now we're full-time Arizonians again, though frankly I am from New England, and spent most of my time in Alaska and W.Washington and am not a fan of AZ Summers (but then few really are).

It's an adjustment for sure, but I am hoping getting out into the desert during winters will maintain my sanity. SO MANY people, and SO MANY houses in the Valley now!

Bisbee is a bit cooler and less crowded-I like it down there.

Bob

 

Welcome to a great forum.

 

Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe.

 

Thanks-
I am not a bourbon drinker but I find the smell of bourbon very pleasing.

 

Welcome