When is a vehicle too big for off-roading?

Agreed! But, not completely. The 4th and 5th gen are definitely bigger than the previous generations.

 

Yeah but the 3rd gen 4Runner was smaller. Our 5th gen is almost as big as the 80 series. And the 200 series grew into a behemoth.

 

They do oil changes only. Yes I provided the oil and filter. It is no more than $100 for everything, but I am sure they will use Valvoline oil and some aftermarket filter. I will go to them just for their machine.

 

What's the advantage of their machine?

 

Sucking every drop of oil out, saving me a quart of oil to push everything out lol. Yeah I am a little too much, I always drain out a quart of new oil in my vehicles.

 

Hmm. Sounds like a gimmick. I'll stick with my DIY oil changes.

 

Even though one side of my head sees the 5th gen as a “new” design, going on 14 years is an extremely long time between redesigns. Most other models see two maybe three redesigns in that period of time. If 4runners got a redesign or two since 2010 (like Highlanders for example) no doubt they’d be as big as Yukons are right now lol.

 

I think sucking the oil out through the dipstick is standard practice with the german brands. I think I remember reading that one of them stopped putting oil drain plugs on them. That can’t be real though…

 

According to Car Care Nut, 5th gen was a failure when it come. Slowly sales improved, so I guess Toyota skipped at least one generation. No generation of 4Runner has made it to 14 years other than 5th gen.

 

The early 5th gen was the first time I thought the 4runner didn't look as good as its predecessor. I prefer the post facelift version, but the original 5th gens did grow on me eventually.

I still laugh about it when I think back to my decision to buy a 5th gen. I originally considered waiting for the 6th gen before pulling the trigger. Haha, imagine that!

 

I had to google this. Yeah I think I like the facelift version. Maybe the facift improved sales lol.

 

If you have space, and if you don't need the money, don't get rid of your 5th gen. In 15 years, people will look back and say it was a great truck. TJs, 3rd gen 4Runners, and 80 series Land Cruisers bring a smile to my face every time I see one on the road.

 

I still think the 5th Gen facelift makes the front look out of proportion. It’s like they took a very boxy SUV and stuck just the nose of it in a pencil sharpener to round off the edges, but left the rest just as boxy as before.

 

I know why you like the face lift....

 

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The 5th gen WAS the bloat. You ever see one parked next to a 3rd gen? It's frickin HUGE compared to a 3rd gen.

I'm with you on trucks getting out of hand though. When I was a kid I had a square body Chevy lifted 4" and on 35's, pretty sure a new base Silverado or F150 towers over it.

 

Agree. I sometimes think the OG looks a little TOO blocky, but the update looks like it's trying to hard too be aggressive, like one of those JDM body kits from a decade earlier.

I'm biased, but I DO prefer this look. I just wish there were more bumper options.

 

Actually, the 4th gen was the bloat. They're just not as boxy as the 5th gen.

 

I prefer the current one more even tho it does look like JDM body kit I agree on that lol. I also like the logo with the stripe they added 2020 and on.

One complaint tho, iPhones take awful pix of 4Runners. They make front look huge and unappealing. Looks beautiful in person.

 

Haha, that would have been quite the wait!

Every once in a while when I search 4Runner topics, a post will show up from like 2018 where someone is advising to wait on buying, as the next gen is just around the corner, haha.

 

That's when I started looking, also. I thought they were going to change it for the 2020 model year. I'm glad I decided not to wait!

 

When Jeeps flip, it happens suddenly - you’re fine until you aren’t, and there’s much less feeling of danger compared to IFS.

 

Solid axles keep the Jeep chassis level. Jeeps flip the least offroad. Jeeps flipping offroad is a myth. Disconnect the swaybar and slow dance!

 

That's what happens when your front axle has no life. That would never happen to a Jeep with a live front axle.

https://youtu.be/cj5dhViq3ws?si=uHmeEvKnvwocaEe6

 

Black Bear Pass is terrifying. I wanna do it badly at least once in my lifetime... but not my ORP! If only they allowed ATVs

 

I did it in a two-door jeep, and I had a blast. I would suggest you rent rent one Jeep

 

Or I'll get a beater 2-door JL later on

 

When you do decide to get a used one, stay away from the 2 L turbo, and also the 3.6 e torque mild hybrid. Get the good old simple 3.6. I wouldn't worry about the 8-speed ZF transmission, they are thermonuclear bomb proof

 

Haha! I guess all of the videos of Jeeps rolling over on YouTube must have been staged then.

 

Not staged, but the drivers stupid.

 

Absolutely!

I like the Pentastar, I've experienced it twice and loved it.