Is it just me or has Toyota suddenly sold a gazillion new 4Runners?

I feel the same way, coming from a Tahoe...the only other thing that makes me think of a different vehicle is the random ass days my fucking steering wheel wants to shimmy from 60-70 mph for a bit

 

The shimmy is so annoying. On the same stretch of road, some days it does it, other days not. It seemed to not do it during the winter, but now it's back again now that it's warmer.

 

I’m dealing with this since I switched tires. Did not have it on the OEM setup of 20” rims and craptastic Dueler H/T tires, which are literally dangerous in the snow.

My first experience with this was when I switched to Michelin E Loads, which seemed great in every other way. (Note that this switch did NOT result in a signif increase in total weight, as I also went from 20” rims to way lighter 17s, retaining the OEM tire sizing). It got better after Road Force balancing but was still a problem. Vibration and shimmy was worse when running at 36/37 psi, so dropped it to the 32 psi spec for the OEM setup. But while better it was still there. I mention this because you may get improvement by lowering PSI, as you note that it’s gotten worse in warmer temps.

Because of this I returned the tires and went with Pirelli Scorpion ATs, which are specd to be 9 pounds lighter than the E loads and also get very good reviews.

The vibration isn’t too bad — def less than on the E Loads — but the steering wheel is dancing a lot at highway speeds, though not totally consistent. These got just a regular balance so I’m hoping Road Force will fix it.

 

Yep! Mine can go almost a week and then bam back for my ride home from work one day...like am I parking wrong at this point lol being OCD I can’t stand it

 

I want to ditch these shitty dunlops while I can still get a few bucks for the take offs (I am below 2,000 miles) and plan on going with a load range E ko2’s...had 3 sets on my Tahoe and never had a issue best tire I ever had. Hope it doesn’t make my issues worse. If so the things getting traded in when I can afford to do so. All my driving is pretty much 60-70 mph, can’t stand it.

 

The turbos aren't about extra horsepower. The turbos are about extra fuel economy which is bullcrap because you only get extra fuel economy with turbos if you drive like a sedated grandma. If you floor it, you actually get worse fuel economy. So all of those new Tundras? On average, people are going to get worse real fuel economy with the turbo V6 than the V8 that was in it forever.

By every metric other than the sedated grandma metric, the old V8 is the better engine, including fuel economy.

 

I'm 6'7" and have trouble fitting in most vehicles at the best of times. My son's 2020 Tundra Crewmax is like a limo but just a little too big for for my needs. The high step in height of the 4runner is perfect for me getting in and out. Was actually surprised that I fit as well as I do in the 4Runner. Had to do some serious road tests before I bought but if the seat is fully down all the way back and slightly reclined, the steering wheel telescoped all the way in and the sunroof shade left open I'm actually pretty comfortable as well. They say get one without sunroof for more headroom but first off they're almost impossible to get without in Canada and I actually find more headroom in one with and the shade open. I've learned to accept that it's my problem and not the manufacturers and make do as best possible yet the 4Runner surprised me and I'm happy.

 

I’ve never tried to drive with shade open. If that helps maybe I will just black tint like 0% tint the sunroof.

 

Not only that but if you tow, haul heavy loads or 4 wheel a lot you will be in boost mode more often than not. So along with the fuel mileage you also get some really expensive repair bills just out of warranty. Just ask the EcoBoost crowd.

 

The more you hear about the future the more I love my 4 Runner. I would live in it if I had to and there is a chance I might.

 

If I was in your shoes, driving highway almost all the time, I’d seriously consider Michelin Defenders. They get raves and have for years, are even well regarded in snow and serviceable off road according to lots of users. Any E Load or aggressive tread are going to be major risks for shimmy and vibration. Personally I wouldn’t risk it unless I could return the tires if unhappy.

The 4Runner is an awesome vehicle in a million ways, really unbeatable overall for its combination of utility, reliability and durability. But the propensity to vibration and shimmy at highway speeds is definitely a weakness.

 

For me its the smaller door opening that gets me, hit my head about 50% of the time getting out more than in.

I have the seat all the way back, reclined a bit as well.

No sunroof here although I would have liked that option.

 

The Michelins are a good choice.

 

Most is highway, but I do take trips to the more country areas around me. I always liked the ko2s since I never had leaks, punctures, or any problems for that matter & they always seemed to last longer than any tire I ever had. I said I would buy them for as long as they are around. If a off-road vehicle can’t have off-road tires then it might be the push I need to get a pick up truck finally. Love the runner, but it’s been nothing but stress since I got it.

 

We were going to have a baby in 1990 and needed a family vehicle so I had to sell my beloved 86 Xtra Cab and by luck the local dealer had 4 leftover 1990 (October) stripped 22re 4dr runners for a bargain price of $12,999. It was our primary family vehicle for 14yrs. My wife and I brought both my boys home from the hospital in it, to day care, to school, vacations, to sports practice, shopping….etc…my youngest used it for 6yrs to get his engineering masters, my oldest son buried it to the rockers in mud in HS, It is chock full of memories. It is a adopted member of the family now in retirement it is my around town errand runner and air conditioned SxS on BLM. I will NEVER sell it, 32 yrs and counting. 0-60mph is ‘eventually’ but it has always got us there and back, plus mere mortals can repair it. I put a deposit on a LR 22 ORP in January for a treat for myself and wife, but Goldie will always be in my family.

 

What prompted you to get the 4Runner instead of a pick up?

Hear you on wanting AT tires given the 4Runner's off road ability...

For me, I was looking for a good performing street-friendly year round tire that is more than ok in snow and hopefully has some other positive attribute too. The 3Peak Michelin Agilis Cross Climate seemed to check all those boxes, with the added attribute being E Load puncture resistance and general toughness. But when that didn't work out I settled on the 3Peak Scorpion AT, where the added attribute should be better than ok off road ability. I won't use that often, but it's nice to have.

 

Love this story! Cheers!

 

Great story !! But at $12,999.00 do you feel you got your money's worth ? LOL

 

The only thing wrong with it right now is the fan speed switch, sometimes the 3rd speed drops to the 2nd randomly……POS…..lol.

 

Always was a suv guy, but the 4 runner is the last new suv that I would like to have look, function, and reliability wise. If I went for another new vehicle would probably go tundra once it has been out for a bit to get any kinks out if any.

 

You don't want to do that. It will attract heat and explode (look it up its a real and more common than you think thing)

 

Correct me if i'm wrong but I think Toyota has sold more runners year over year since the 5th gen's debut. Very strange for such an aging platform.

 

Yeah, I just looked it up and you're basically correct. Interestingly, from 2010 to 2015 they didn't break 100,000 units in a year, and then from 2016 to present they've sold over 100,000, 2021 being the best calendar year so far with 144k units.

 

Because people are not liking the future of autos. Myself included.

 

Lots of wealthy people in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most of the 4Runners I see are TRD Pros

 

I think this is a great point, and explains part of my motivation in getting the 4R. There are very few vehicles these days that are as simple and straightforward and rugged. Not that a 4R isn't chock full of electronics (brake by wire, and now all the active safety tech) but lord knows it's hard to find something with no turbo, or direct injection, or electric-powered steering etc. Let alone something with such a proven engine, transmission and suspension.

I will say though that the future is not all bleak. There's a lot to like about electric propulsion. In principle it should be more reliable, with far less maintenance, while also being more flexible for different use cases. It's really a superior platform in many ways for off roading, allowing more ground clearance, fewer exposed mechanicals, better approach and departure angles, awesome torque, and a variety of new techniques for applying that torque to the wheels that need it. Plus more flexibility in packaging / storage. Also innovations like the Hummer crab walk. And the F150 Lightning's ability to power your home or worksite or other EVs.

The range and charging issues are well on their way to being resolved. We just need options that aren't controlled by internet-connected computers, and not loaded with ridiculous and vulnerable "features" such as motorized door handles. Not that I'm optimistic the manufacturers will eschew such things, but there's still hope that some of them will see people like us as a worthwhile market. People who want more simplicity and reliability, not less. It is doable.

 

I live in Seattle and I see 4Runners everywhere. My 2021 is my first Toyota and with 17K miles so far I've yet to have a problem. (my 2019 Wrangler had been towed to the dealer twice with similar mileage). Certainly not the most dynamic automobile I've owned, but it's reputation for long term reliability is legendary. I get why people buy them and keep them.

 

To be fair, you don't absolutely need to go EV to get a crab walk, but you know they like to put in all this expensive tech crap into EVs and drive up the cost even though EVs don't need to cost so much because ideally they should be waaaaaaaaaaaaay simpler than any ICE vehicle. Also, I'd hesitate to call the Lightning's ability to act as a battery innovative. I mean, a large part of it is simply a battery.

 

Wow, sold for 31K, still worth it though.

 

I had a 2004 Suburban and boy was she a great interstate 95 queen driving from NJ to FL. She went 258k miles before wearing the transmission out. I power washed the frame at least 3 time during each winter, so never had any issue with rust on the frame. I did have the notorious rusting brake line issue. After towing my boat back to NJ from FL I came out the next morning to find a puddle of break fluid under the middle of the passenger side of the the truck at the brake line junction box... that would have been "interesting" if the lines blew out while towing my boat home. Eventually sold it to a guy that owned a funeral home to move coffins around.

Today I have a 2019 Limited in FL and a 2021 TRD ORP in NJ. I do find it interesting that I see way more 4Runners in FL then in New Jersey. Based on checking FL Toyota dealers inventories it does seem very heavily weighted to 2WD versions.