Whats up dudes and not-dudes. I've been lurking a long time, read through FAQs and followed threads but never really posted (except once a year ago). I had a 3rd Gen 4Runner for several years, and it was one of the best car purchases I've ever made. In the time I owned it, I upgraded the brakes, redid the entire suspension, rebuilt the starter and the alternator, but it's never left me stranded. I recently drove it across the entire country without issues. But I always had a few complaints.
With a kid seat in the back, seating got really tight for four people and impossible if I had 5 or 6. Second, my other cars are German, and the 4Runner, despite being really clean, always felt a little cheap in comparison, and third, that 3.4 was... fine, but somewhat gutless, and when driving across the rockies, at 6K feet, fugghetaboutit.
I do all the wrenching on all my cars. I currently have a 1986 Carrera, and a 2015 GTI, and I recently helped rebuild the engine on a 91 CRX. Before the Porsche I had a Mercedes AMG.
Anyway, I just picked up a black 1999 LC with a rear locker and 170k miles. Pictures to follow. As soon as I got in it, I felt the difference. It doesn't overtake much better than the 4Runner, but at lower speeds the torque really tells. It feels like a block of iron, and despite being 20 years old, has modern car amenities. It feels more grown up.
I've been browsing through threads, and where the 4Runner demanded like 700 upgrades, as a person that is more into road trips and light off-roading vs. heavy off-roading, I find myself sort of bored with the lack of overall mods this car needs
. I don't really need heavy bumpers or a lift. There are a few things with trim pieces and maintenance items I will tackle, (loose passenger side mirror, peeling fake wood trim) but either way, really, other than that, the truck is super clean.
Look forward to learning.
With a kid seat in the back, seating got really tight for four people and impossible if I had 5 or 6. Second, my other cars are German, and the 4Runner, despite being really clean, always felt a little cheap in comparison, and third, that 3.4 was... fine, but somewhat gutless, and when driving across the rockies, at 6K feet, fugghetaboutit.
I do all the wrenching on all my cars. I currently have a 1986 Carrera, and a 2015 GTI, and I recently helped rebuild the engine on a 91 CRX. Before the Porsche I had a Mercedes AMG.
Anyway, I just picked up a black 1999 LC with a rear locker and 170k miles. Pictures to follow. As soon as I got in it, I felt the difference. It doesn't overtake much better than the 4Runner, but at lower speeds the torque really tells. It feels like a block of iron, and despite being 20 years old, has modern car amenities. It feels more grown up.
I've been browsing through threads, and where the 4Runner demanded like 700 upgrades, as a person that is more into road trips and light off-roading vs. heavy off-roading, I find myself sort of bored with the lack of overall mods this car needs
. I don't really need heavy bumpers or a lift. There are a few things with trim pieces and maintenance items I will tackle, (loose passenger side mirror, peeling fake wood trim) but either way, really, other than that, the truck is super clean. Look forward to learning.
