Honest advice to new 4Runner buyers who go offroad

Not only haul the 4Runner, but haul its ass over rocks with its swaybar disconnected. Come on guys, don't be such fanboys.

 

If it's any indication, Toyota got rid of mechanical lockers in its flagship offroad models like the Land Cruiser an LX and replaced them with Atrac.

 

I hardly think that's any indication that A-TRAC is better than a locker. It's most likely just to save money.

I agree that A-TRAC is an excellent tool. But, given the choice, I'll take a locker over no locker. Remember, the OR has A-TRAC also.

 

A-Trac is kickass. I have years of experience with Jeep's BLD. BLD is annoying and slow, A-Trac is super quick. I love it, but a real locker is better

 

Funny that somebody has compared the two beasts Check out Ram 2500's mad flex, that's some Wrangler level flex, what the hell. FCA

https://youtu.be/AJmDVKHu__8?si=d6A6BBoOCN5NprVW

 

I'll still take the 4Runner. The power wagon is too big for the trails around here. If ever decide that I just want crazy capability, I'll get a Jeep.

 

You sure? No A-Trac or BLD needed, just need mad flex of a Power Wagon

 

Yup, Offroad has locker and a-trac.

 

Flex doesn't matter if you're not allowed on the trails. And, I'd rather wheel in a Wrangler than a massive full size truck regardless.

 

I don't think they'd get rid of mechanical lockers on their flagship offroad models just to save a few shekels. I think Toyota found that Atrac works as good or better in certain situations.

But I'll circle back to what I said earlier.........Atrac is a locker. It just uses brake power to do the locking instead of a mechanism in the diff.

 

Yes. That is what I said.

 

Power Wagon is missing a cool thing though and that's the 6.7L Cummins.

 

Do you really think A-Trac is as effective as fully locked(Say you locked the front axle too with Eaton or ARB?). Come on, be reasonable!

 

Doesn't it have SFA? It should have better flex

 

It does. Just not configured for long travel I guess This thing has the potential to be modified into a dream truck. A good 4 inch lift, 40s, and long travel.

 

It can be nuts when modified. Just a lil more rear flex needed, the guy probably went back to the 4x4 shop after that

 

The GX Overtrail comes with a locker. So does the Hilux and 70 series. Tacoma is available with a locker.

It may work as well in some situations, but will not work as well in others.

It's an impressive feature, but it is absolutely not a locker.

 

Solid axles have more articulation than independent suspension. That's not a news flash. Like saying jet engines are (generally) faster than prop planes.

It's a shame the JGC went from SFA to full independent suspension in two generations. They're great on road now (when they're not in the shop), but killed the offroad ability

 

The world will be one boring place without FCA.

 

Their first mistake was making them unibody. Nothing like having parts of your suspension snap off the frame under hard wheeling.

 

The news is that FCA is still putting out vehicles that are kickass, that make you smile when you get behind their wheel. Please don't bring the old boring reliability argument, not everyone likes Tacomas and Camrys. Though, Rams and Jeeps are pretty reliable, at least more reliable than the crap Ford and GM are putting out

 

Why does every thread around here lately turn into a Jeep/Chrysler circle jerk?

 

My '04 was unibody with solid axles but I didn't wheel it terribly hard. The 4x4 system was unstoppable (full time 4x4) but it had ground clearance issues. I really miss the smaller size and 4.7 HO v8. That thing was a beast and when I traded it in at 215k miles, I was convinced 300k would have been easy.

The newer ones (I have a 2014) are nothing in comparison except for on road handling and break down issues

 

Because I used to be a jeep fan boy until I wanted something reliable

And I post too much

 

Jeep is asking $75,000 for a 2 door. Stop them if you can. You can't, sorry! Because Jeep is BADASS!

Anyways, let's stop it.

 

I will never own another Jeep unless they make some major changes.

I bought the 4runner new in 2019 because it was the best of the last old school vehicles. In 10-20 years, I hope the LC forums talk about the 4runner.

The '14 JGC will need to be replaced soon because it's a money pit. I've got my eye on the new 4cyl hybrid LC (which is a prado). The Prado in a v8 is what I really wanted but didn't want to pay GX prices years ago. I've got my zombie apocalypse vehicle now and the v8 is practically dead at this stage of the game. Long live the 4runner!

 

Fanboyism can't be reasoned with, my friend! I get it, 4Runner is reliable, Wrangler is junk. Tundra is Uber amazing, Ram 1500 is crap. I get it.

 

Apparently it can be reasoned with. I had an '86 JC, '01 JGC, '04 JGC, and my last '14 JGC. I looked long and hard at wranglers because I always wanted one but with as much time as the '14 spent at the shop I talked to the techs long enough to start looking elsewhere...

Enter my first toyota and I dont plan on looking back

 

KDSS leaking, KDSS leaning, KDSS clamps coming off, X-Reas crapping out, frames rusting, lockers failing, CV axles braking. Toyota fanboys are just loudmouths that never admit Toyotas can break too. Toyota is indeed a great company, and I indeed don't intend to offend anyone. But truth needs to be told

 

All of that stuff falls under preventative maintenance (mx) or modifications:
KDSS leaking - take the shield off and clean the actuator (poor mx)
KDSS leaning - probably a bad lift install, lift too high, or improper opening of valves (self inflicted)
KDSS clamps - another result of lift too high or poor mx (self inflicted)
X-REAS - got nothing, known issue
Frames Rusting - poor mx
Lockers Failing - could be many issues, not a fan of electronics
CV Axles - sounds like an issue for people running oversized tires or heavy wheels in hard situations. Don't hear this much. But a better failure point (from trail repair perspective) than other driveline components