Got rid of my 2004 4runner 4.0 due to oil leaking/ burning issues back in December. It had 107k on it. It was my wifes and maintenance was not one of her priorities. I would not take that engine too far between oil changes. The 4.7 in my tundra is rock solid. Never a drip!
5th gen 4Runner vs LC 100 size/questions
- Thread starter DirtyRunner
- Start date
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Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
No experience w/ the 5th gen 4runner (only the 1st, 4th gen), but the 100 is far roomier inside than the 4th gen. When my son was a baby, we'd pull the 3rd row seats and put a 36" wire kennel (long way in), plus a folding BoB ironman jogging stroller on one side, plus our gear, a small bathtub, etc. The car was packed to the rear, but diaper changes on the road were a snap since the tailgate on the 100's acts as a perfect diaper changing table, and it has a tinted hatch to keep it dry when raining! I don't see why the GX's or other Toyota/Lexus SUV's haven't adopted the split clam shell rear hatch. With a conventional one-piece hatch, you have to change the baby in the 2nd row..not so easy as standing behind the vehicle. The clam shell is a far superior design to the one-piece and side opening designs. The 100 is also wide enough for 3 britax seats. Right now, we have a Recaro convertible seat in the center, plus there's still ample room for me to sit beside the child seat in the rear (and I'm 6'1").
x2 on what Matt said..
I came from a FJC and then a 4th gen (which I loved). The 5th gens are super nice but have similar visibility feel to the FJC (imo), and from a component stand point the 4th gen and FJC share suspension, control arm configs and frame sizing.
The 5ht Gen seems more similar to the 4 runner platform than the LC platform.
I also used to hate to hear the phrase "it is not a LC" but after owning all 3 of these vehicles, I have to agree. When you crawl under a LC vs. a 4runner or FJC, the parts used are just not as bomber or beefy as they are in the LC. Bolts are bigger, etc..
It is kind of like how wildlife in Alaska is just bigger than similar wildlife elsewhere.. A bear in Alaska vs a bear in Colorado.. They are both big and tough but the Alaska Bear is just a bit bigger and stronger...
How's that for an analogy.
Also the Atrac works great on the 100 series. IMO, just like the FJC and 4runner-no matter what year 100 series you get from 2000 forward.
The later 100 series models do not have a rear locker, like the 5th gen can have with a 4x4 package. But
with what you save buying a used 100 series you can easily drop in a locker.
I am amazed at the storage space in the 100 series. With 2 full kids car seats, you can still squeeze a small adult between the kids.
Gas mileage, I am not sure the v6 is that much better then the v8. One you load all your crap in the truck, it almost seems like the v8 doesn't have to work as hard as the v6.
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FWIW on car seats and the 100: I put the two kids car seats next to each other in the second row left (behind the driver and middle). That way they both snap into LATCH (2004+) so it's easy to take them in and out. Plus it leaves the single seat behind the front passenger either for my wife (if the kids are acting up) or to be folded and tumbled if you need to stuff in something long (e.g. Home Depot run).
The second and third row also recline which is fantastic for long trips...I recline the kids bench, we leave in the evening and they watch one show on the dvd player, then they fall asleep, wife puts her seat back and sleeps also. I drive straight through the night (8-10 hours total). Since everyone is reclined they sleep pretty well. When we roll in to the destination I can turn in for a nap while my rested wife handles the kids. After we clear the gear I can drive out to and across the farm with my old man.
The 100 is a beautiful system.
The second and third row also recline which is fantastic for long trips...I recline the kids bench, we leave in the evening and they watch one show on the dvd player, then they fall asleep, wife puts her seat back and sleeps also. I drive straight through the night (8-10 hours total). Since everyone is reclined they sleep pretty well. When we roll in to the destination I can turn in for a nap while my rested wife handles the kids. After we clear the gear I can drive out to and across the farm with my old man.
The 100 is a beautiful system.
Shut the doors on a 5G Runner and on an LC100 and your mind will be made up. 5G4R is a good vehicle. LC100 is a great vehicle.
And while I hate the MPG in the 100, it's not because it's inefficient. As a DD and with 31's it would probably tip the scale toward the 4R. For a primarily OR vehicle, it's the LC every day.
And while I hate the MPG in the 100, it's not because it's inefficient. As a DD and with 31's it would probably tip the scale toward the 4R. For a primarily OR vehicle, it's the LC every day.
I checked out the new 4Runners at a car show and was surprised to see that the major shift was pretty much in exterior style. The interior spaces were just as tight as my '05. Honestly, the 4Runner is not a big vehicle and our little '05 Highlander is more comfortable for passengers and cargo. Compare the leg room, hip room and shoulder room numbers of the LC vs the 4R - no comparison. For car seats go with the LC.
On build quality, the LC is great but I think the 4R is too. I have the V-8 4R, so it has the same drive line as the LC (with 5 speed) and the mileage is about 18 on the highway and 16 around town on street tires. We love this vehicle and would even consider another.
On build quality, the LC is great but I think the 4R is too. I have the V-8 4R, so it has the same drive line as the LC (with 5 speed) and the mileage is about 18 on the highway and 16 around town on street tires. We love this vehicle and would even consider another.
