New member from VA/NC

Daughter traded in her '22 Barcelona red Tacoma on a '23 4Runner ORP in Lunar Rock, loves that thing. Wife traded in her '18 Ford Escape on a '23 RAV4 XLE in Lunar Rock, loved that color on the 4Runner so she wanted a RAV4. I just recently traded in my '22 Ford Explorer ST (RWD, no moonroof) on a '23 4Runner Limited in magnetic gray with redwood interior (love that color interior). The ST was a beast, with a bunch of Steeda parts, full-size intercooler, 93 octane tune, etc. It had about 200+ more hp than the 4Runner, along with 200+ more ft-lbs of torque, and with the 10-speed automatic, we got over 30 mpg on a recent road trip to TN. But, the build quality of the 4Runner just can't be denied, and with the 5th gen most likely being the last one built in Japan, I figured I'd better get my hands on one.

I did the usual easy first mods, mainly the thin profile vent visors, and after-market splash guards. Swapped out the OEM 245/60-20 all-season tires for 275/55 ATs. Installed an Airaid CAI this week, and replaced the stock muffler with an oval one from Summit Racing. Got the Airaid CAI for $350 thru Summit, and the muffler was $75 plus $75 labor to install. It's definitely louder than stock, had it installed today, so hopefully the increased exhaust sound won't bother me, and it won't drone on the highway. Time will tell...

 

Welcome

 

Welcome and congrats!

You're right, that is a really nice interior color. Looks nice with the gray metallic as well.

Also, I had no idea that one could tune an Explorer like that, that's pretty cool. You're definitely going to miss that power, but you're spot on with the build quality of the 4Runner.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

welcome

 

Welcome from Texas. I have a 2023 TDR off road in Lunar Rock. Great color.

 

Welcome to the forum from North Carolina.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Yeah, the ST has the Ecoboost 3.0 twin turbo V6, factory rated at something like 400 hp and 415 ft-lbs of torque. The 93 octane tune is supposed to be good for another 90 hp and 50 ft-lbs of torque, and the full-size intercooler helps to keep those power gains. The tune was easy to install, the intercooler took me about 5 hours. But doing it myself saved hundreds of dollars in labor for a shop to install it. The ST is like a muscle SUV, and with the Steeda suspension parts (lowering springs, front STB, adjustable rear sway bar) it handled great, hardly any body roll when pushing it around corners.

But the 4Runner has always been a favorite of mine, and I hardly go off road, so the full-time 4wd in the Limited should do the trick for me. I do miss the instant acceleration of the ST every now and then, and the 25+ mpg, but these 5th gen 4Runners are the last of the breed. Have absolutely no interest in the 6th gen's 4-cylinder turbo or hybrid, the 4.0 / 5-speed automatic are tried and true, as is just about everything else in the current and previous generations of 4Runners. Still being made in Japan was a BIG plus for me as well.

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome from the center of the bourbon universe.

 

Welcome