Honest advice to new 4Runner buyers who go offroad

Looks pretty normal. I see some crazy 4Runners around.

 

I don't find him arrogant, rather I think @Yotaholic was being perfectly rational. If customization is on the horizon, why not get an SR5 that can still be had for under 40k in some cases even with 4wd, when all the tranny, axles, diffs, etc are identical from SR5 all the way up to TRD Pro.

Look at how many people buy a Pro and still lift them, swap out the tires/wheels, talk about the annoying droning exhaust, and fit aftermarket everything including shocks. Suddenly starting with an SR5 and some Pro emblems seem a lot more cost effective. Plus, these days SR5s may be the only way to get 4Rs without unwanted options.

 

Most of them have been in the lot for 100+ days. They are hurting, I can't believe one can't snatch one of these for $40k. For $16k saved up from Trd Pro, you will turn one of these into a monster

 

$16k is more than enough for regear + locker + lift + chopping + 35s. You will still be left with some money to buy crappy steel bumpers like I did.

 

None of those are 40k.

 

My fully loaded one was listed for $52,500. After discount it was $50k. I pushed for $48k and got it for $48,600. Dealerships are hurting!

 

Don't know anything about Jeeps, but that ZF8 is pretty hot on my Supra

 

They are in a gazillion vehicles, including BMWs and Audis. Your Supra is a BMW, right??

 

The thing is even in SRT Hellcats dealing with 700+ hp and torque.

 

Yes, the Supra is connected to BMW, that’s why the rav4 prime is/was the fastest vehicle that yota built or some technicality.

 

I don't think BMW has any hand in the Rav? Plugin hybrids are just fast

 

No, it’s just yota. We own one, it’s feels like a little high powered go cart. When we first got it, I zipped around everywhere, a little too aggressive, really wasn’t good, but being able to punch it and getting that torque was fun.

 

Not exactly hard to bargain down 2k on a last year model still on the lot.

 

Yeah, but Toyota quality means the turn signals work Now the horn is another story...

 

Now do a little more until you lose a bumper

 

Long travel!

 

I generally agree with your takes but I do have to disagree here. Not having to pay to put in a rear locker and potentially void your warranty is nice. I rock crawl here in AZ and have used my locker multiple times. I also really like crawl control for down hill descent as the 4R gearing is absolute crap. Crawl control really does help here.

If money isn't really an issue and you have an extra 10K in cash and don't care much about warranty or you bought used out of warranty I would agree with your take. Get an SR5 put two ARBs in and regear and you are in about as good of shape as you can get with these trucks for off road use.

Should also add I love heated seats, leather and a sunroof. My Rubicon had zero creature comforts lol.

 

I love ATRAC but it is not a locker. It's great for what is but nothing beats lockers.

 

I'd lift my pro, but my wife has taken over the truck. It's no longer mine...

 

I had 2008,2012 FJ Cruiser's Loved them, then when Toyota stopped exporting them to the US I bought a Tacoma AC TRD Sport (Never wanted a true full 4 door no need for me & the wife %99 of the time)it had the electric rotary selector for 4x4 . I like when i want 4x4 to be there i.e. manual shift Xfer case NOT wait for the solenoid to kick in when driving on a road that all of a sudden has a large snow drift crossing the driving lane I'm in. I have no problem with anyone buying what they want, as I always say "It's your $$$ buy what YOU want!" I don't criticize ANYONE's choice & no one should do that to anyone either. I'm not gonna bash an SR5 owner because I had a TRD OR, now a TRD PRO .Why, because those are what I wanted the SR5 owners have what they want.

 

I will NEVER, EVER have to worry about that!! My wife claims it's way too big for her to drive!!! She drive's a BMW 230i (But she wanted a Mini Cooper, I put the Pax seat at it's highest setting so my head hit liner 6'2" ! I didn't want her driving that small vehicle on the highways around here!) She did use my previous FJ's only when she needed to retrieve Xmas wreaths for the front windows cause they laid nice in back.

 

Drivability is a big factor as well as utility. My Rubicon drove like crap. It's just the nature of Jeeps. They have a ton of wind noise, seats are not very comfortable and SFS just doesn't have the best road manners.

With the 4R yes you will have to put some money into them to make them somewhat comparable to a Rubicon but they are also much more reliable, much more comfortable to be in and drive and they have way more room inside even compared to the unlimiteds. I also much prefer the looks of a built 4R to a Jeep

 

This should have been the first reply and then the thread closed.

 

If a pretty normal looking 4Runner has a funnel strapped to it's 2nd spare tire, Mine must be crazy.....

 

Not everyone wants to live with a JL Rubicon. There is significant difference in how it drives versus that of a modified 4Runner especially if the 4Runner is running reasonable sized tires and does not have an extreme lift.

 

So? That is my point, mods

 

You won't get a Rubicon for $55k, 2 door yes. And you would need a lift and 35s on the Rubicon, and steel bumpers. Stock Rubicon is overrated, I don't believe Jeep's 10.8 inch clearance BS. A modified 4 door Rubicon will cost you a good $65k. That $58k 4Runner will have more space than the Rubicon and will be a good compromise.

 

The new Willys is amazing, 4.10, Dana 44s, Rear locker, and BLD from factory. I would buy that and modify the crap out of it. Willys is SR5 of Jeep world

 

If you want to go Toyota, get the sr5, regear and run 35s. If you want to go Jeep, get the Willys, regear and run 37s.
And if you want to go Ford, get a life!