One year of 4Runner

"Nothing" (nothingatalluseful)
12/06/2019 at 14:45 • Filed to: None

I’ve had this thing for exactly one year, and I’m 70 miles short of hitting 13k. That’s a lot of miles, considering I don’t have a work commute.

My thoughts from my initial 600 mile review haven’t changed. It’s a comfortable family hauler with some off road chops. I only managed to venture onto trails a couple of times last summer, but hopefully I can get out more next year, I just have to make the effort.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

My annual average fuel consumption over the course of 12930 miles comes out to 17.48 MPG, about 5k of that with E load BFGs and the lift. My mileage hit from the lift is a paltry 0.07MPG, which surprised me that it wasn’t more.

First year of ownership included the following aftermarket purchases:

Husky Weatherbeaters

Bilstein 6112/5160 shocks

Wheelers Off-road T13 Eibach Springs

BFG K02 275/70/17

TRD Pro wheels

OEM LED foglights

GE Megalight Ultra+ H11 headlight bulbs

Solex center console organizer.

I DIYed the lift install. I also wrapped the roof rails black. Overall, modifications in year one cost a total of $2,697.99. For me, it was money well spent as I enjoyed installing the lift, and I like how all of the small changes have added up. I would like to add a flat utility type roof rack next year. If I get more adventurous, sliders could be in the future, too, but I’m leery of adding too much extra weight.

So, after a year, would I do it again? I would buy another 4Runner again if there was still an occasional need to the third row. We’ve used it 4 or 5 times this year, and it’s been nice to have. Not needing a third row, I may very well have gone with a 4Runner Pro (or at least the Off Road). However, the Wrangler Unlimited would’ve come back into play, as I really liked it, and enjoyed the manual transmission. I purposely opted out of the JLUR to have budget left for a project car, which has yet to materialize. I added up some wish list mods for the 4Runner in case it were to become the project, and the total came to just over $11k, but a huge portion of that cost is a supercharger. That would put my total cost of the 4Runner near the MSRP of the JLUR I was considering.

Here it is on day 1 of my ownership...

My only complaint is the lack of interior storage cubbies for things such as jumper cables, trailer ball, tie downs, etc. The list of likes is much longer, which is why I’ll be in this for years to come. It’s comfy, has loads of cargo room (you can fit 4’ wide loads through the hatch...it’d just a tick too short for a 4x8 sheet of plywood though) , is a great off road platform, a usable third row, and I expect it to be extremely reliable.

DISCUSSION (25)

slipperysallylikespenguins > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 15:03

Those Pro wheels look soooo much better than than the stocks you had

Nothing > slipperysallylikespenguins
12/06/2019 at 15:08

I disliked the stockers from day 1, and had other wheels in mind before these went on sale for 40% off last April. At the price, if I want to change to different wheels, I’ll be able to recoup my initial cost.

CompactLuxuryFan > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 15:08

Wow, feels like just yesterday you got it! Awesome rig! I think that’s exactly how I would get my 4Runner. I love blue and I can’t see myself using more off-road capabili ty than the SR5 has.

The only negative (shared amongst all Toyota SUVs) is t hat’s some pretty bad mileage unless you’re doing mostly city driving. Maybe CUVs have a point after all.

Nothing > CompactLuxuryFan
12/06/2019 at 15:15

The first 8k or so was closer to a 50/50 mix, but that highway 50 would be at about 80mph or so (75MPH speed limit). The past 5k is closer to a 80/20 city mix. I’d guess for a road trip, I’d be happy to see, say 21MPG.

I love the blue, too. I was going to get Barcelona Red, like my Taco, but the blue looked so good!

Captain of the Enterprise > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 15:26

What do you think about the power train after a year of ownership? I test drove one early this year and felt underwhelmed by the performance but liked most of the rest of it.

fintail > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 15:30

I second the opini on on the wheels, big difference and worth it, the stock are so generic.

I wish they made an “amateur” or “hobbyist” or “cosplayer” to go with the “pro” trim.

Nothing > Captain of the Enterprise
12/06/2019 at 15:46

I am so used to the drivetrain due to the similarities with the 2nd gen Taco I had for 4 years. Much like anything, I wish it had more oomph. But around town, highway passing, even with slightly larger tires, I’d say it’s fine. It struggles (like a lot of vehicles) on the mountain passes here, especially when it’s loaded down. It definitely isn’t quick, it’s not efficient, but I expect it will be reliable for a good long time.

When I drive the wife’s Grand Cherokee, it feels like I dropped into a sports car, though. Which is kind of sad.

Nothing > fintail
12/06/2019 at 15:58

Thanks, I’m glad I got them, glad I got the grey over the black, too. Maybe I’ll rock a TRD Faux badge.

wcjeep > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 19:03

I went with the Offroad Model for rear locker and Kdss which also helps the road manners

Nothing > wcjeep
12/06/2019 at 19:07

I really with they offered the third row with the Off Road.

Cletus3 > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 21:25

You just voided your warranty by lifting it, I hope you were aware of that.

Cletus3 > Cletus3
12/06/2019 at 21:30

I have a 95 4RUNNER 4x4 and love it. My brother n law owns a business that does all kinds of stuff on vehicles, RVs, motor homes, trucks etc. B & M Auto Sound and 4x4. Bilstein shocks are the best!

Cletus3 > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 21:35

Is yours 4 wheel drive.

Matt > Nothing
12/06/2019 at 21:53

Glad I happened upon this write up. I also have a ‘19 SR5 and the dealer prepped it with the TRD wheels so its similar. Regadring the lift, how has that impacted road manners in daily driving? I’ve thought about it but worry about screwing around with the center of gravity and getting too tippy in turns. That it didn’t really ding MPG’s is great but my concern is flipping when Mr Murphy shows up and I find myself doing evasive manuvers. I always see 3" lifts but wonder if one or two might make more sense. What are your thoughts?

Toyota sales > CompactLuxuryFan
12/06/2019 at 22:00

Hybrid highlander and rav4's have good mileage

Nothing > Matt
12/06/2019 at 22:32

It’s actually more stable, less floaty than the stock suspension. I’m picky about ride and I’m really happy. Even though it is a higher ride, it handles better, and it has helped with the brake dive. I know it can come across as cost justification, but it’s a no brainer mod for me. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

some dude > Nothing
12/07/2019 at 18:13

Is it feasible (and cost effective) to install a third row after the fact I’m an off-road to get the factory locker? Or better to get the lower model and 3rd row, and install a locker later ?

Sixty > Nothing
12/07/2019 at 20:18

I have a 2014 and its paid for. The dealership continues to try to purchase it from me. I dont have 25, 000 miles yet. But I’ve driven to Chicago and other places. I love my 4runner and will not trade it in. I’ve since then bought a 2019 Yaris. Its totally different from my 4runner. It’s small and very powerful. Gotta luv Toyota!

Nothing > some dude
12/07/2019 at 21:00

Add a locker is probably cheaper/easier. Adding crawl control that’s on the TRDOR probably wouldn’t be, though. I guess if you could find a junkyard SR5 or limited and get the third row out of that, it would be pretty cheap.

4runnerTech > Nothing
12/08/2019 at 10:11

I put 40,000 miles on my 4runner during my first year of ownership and I’m completely in love with it! Took it off- roading a few months back and this beast conquered anything I threw at it, mud pits steep inclines/declines and all! Can’t say the same for several Jeeps on the course that I had to watch get pulled out multiple different hazzards...

Nothing > 4runnerTech
12/08/2019 at 11:48

I’m quite happy with it, the first year went by quickly!

Nothing > Sixty
12/08/2019 at 11:49

My Tacoma was low mileage when I traded it in. We drive the 4Runner a lot more! My wife’s 2014 Grand Cherokee only has 30k on it, we don’t get dealership offers to buy her car.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nothing
12/09/2019 at 10:05

Dude... 35,000 views.

Nothing > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/09/2019 at 11:19

I would say my unremarkable little post has popped up on some google news feeds for people. I’ve noticed that if you put a make/model in the title, a ton of views are nearly guaranteed.

My sister called me when my “I met Geddy Lee tonight” post showed up in her google feed.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Nothing
12/09/2019 at 11:50

LOL - that’s hilarious.