Buy a 100 series or keep the 4runner?

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C

CrosbyDog

10 Year
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
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I have an '04 4Runner that I am considering replacing. I love the truck to death (it's an '04 V8 with only 110k on it), but the previous owner was in Vermont and it is very rusty underneath.

Rust has been at the root of some of the issues I've had recently: my trans cooler line rusted through and leaked out all my trans fluid one day while I was at work, the metal sheet that all the fuses in the fuse box sit on was totally rusted and that led to some electrical and ECU issues, my exhaust snapped in half when I drove through deep snow…

Long story short, the truck now needs more work and I'm wondering whether to do it - pretty sure I need a new torque converter so that's going to cost me. The other option I'm considering is to move to a 100 series LC. I love LC's… always have and I could use the extra space. The 100's I can afford have between 110-190k on them. I'll obviously do my best to find one that's been well-maintained and isn't rusty.

BUT I'm talking about buying a truck that's as old or older than my 4runner with potentially many more miles. Am I nuts? Are the LC's that much more robust than 4runners that I could feel confident in doing that?

Primary uses for the truck will be to haul the dogs, the wife, and bikes up our long, steep gravel road in deep snow in the upstate NY winter and make frequent highway trips around 120 miles. Less than 8k a year mileage though.

Any and all advice is appreciated.
 
CrosbyDog said:
BUT I'm talking about buying a truck that's as old or older than my 4runner with potentially many more miles. Am I nuts? Are the LC's that much more robust than 4runners that I could feel confident in doing that?
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Not nuts at all. The only criteria here I would consider are the need for a larger vehicle and the cost of fuel.

Oh, and the transaction costs. If those aren't relevant, and you are insensitive to the fuel costs and can benefit from the extra space, then go for it.
 
Or have the best of both worlds:)
image.webp
 
I'm coming from a '11 Tacoma v6 4x4 with 35k miles to a '99 LC with 155k miles. To me, it's so much nicer. The Tacoma was totaled, but I've been wanting a LC since '98 so here I am.

You'll appreciate the extra room and don't let the age fool you. Drive one and you'll be surprised.
 
At 8k miles per year, fuel costs are negligible.

Don't worry about miles, either. My 04 with 148k, drives like a god**** bank vault.

As much as I love 4runners, they don't have the same feel. Drive a 100, you'll "Get it".
 
I came from an 05' 4Runner V8 and will never look back. The LC rides better, has more room, nor comfortable, better looking, and only takes a modest mpg decrease.
 
CrosbyDog said:
I have an '04 4Runner that I am considering replacing. I love the truck to death (it's an '04 V8 with only 110k on it), but the previous owner was in Vermont and it is very rusty underneath.

...

BUT I'm talking about buying a truck that's as old or older than my 4runner with potentially many more miles. Am I nuts? Are the LC's that much more robust than 4runners that I could feel confident in doing that?

Primary uses for the truck will be to haul the dogs, the wife, and bikes up our long, steep gravel road in deep snow in the upstate NY winter and make frequent highway trips around 120 miles. Less than 8k a year mileage though.

Any and all advice is appreciated.
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I had a 2004 Limited V8 4x4 4runner from new to ~100,000 mi.

I purchased the 4runner to replace the 94 Land Cruiser I'd had for 10 years. Part of the reason I chose the 4runner was sticker shock on a new Land Cruiser and I justified the purchase with "the running gear is just the same for 2/3 the cost". While the 4runner was a nice vehicle, it never quite lived up to it's predecessor as far as I was concerned.

I upgraded to an 06 LX470, but kept the 4runner as an extra car, as my son was approaching driving age, I figured he'd end up with the 4runner as his first car.

Just before my son got his license, I chickened out and traded the 2004 4runner in on a 2000 Land Cruiser w/ ~100,000 mi. For me it was about an even trade (money wise) and I don't regret it for a minute. I feel much better knowing he is running around in a 100 series.

I feel that my 4runner was a little better maintained than the Land Cruiser we ended up with, but it was fairly easy to address the minor issues and get it back into proper shape.

Nuts? Not to me. My 4runner was replaced by a 100 series twice.

If you'd posted this to a 4runner forum, they might think you're "nuts", but there are at least a few on this forum that might share your sickness.

If you were to do this, I'd strongly suggest you try to find a southern truck that hadn't spent the last 8-17 years in the snow and salt to try to avoid/delay a repeat of the 4runner's rust issues. Then again I live in one of those regions that goes decades between "snows" and think rust=bad.
 
Dog said:
^^ Dykk. :flipoff2:;)
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The hood scoop adds 75hp and at least 0.75" of front suspension articulation, didn't you know??:D

In all reality OP, get the Land Cruiser and do all needed maintenance and it will far outlive the 4Runner.
 
2nd the "don't worry about miles or age" I'm running a 99 LC with 255K on the clock and she purrs like a kitten. I may have to put some money into the engine in a few years, or even swap in a newer 4.7, still a hell of a deal for a great truck. Paid $7,000 for her.
 
A couple of years ago I traded my 2010 4Runner in on a 2006 Tundra just to have no payment. Had a lot of equity in 4Runner. The 4Runner was a great vehicle. Now that I have my LC, I realize that the 4Runner is nowhere near the vehicle that the 100 series is. It truly is a luxury vehicle that is highly capable (probably mores than the 4Runner) off-road.

Go for it and don't look back.
 
Thanks for the replies. Fuel is not too much for a concern as this is our second car (our everyday car is a little diesel, so we're covered in the fuel-efficiency department). We need the truck for hauling stuff, towing a boat, and for when the snow is really deep.

Regarding the LC being so much more vehicle… I know it's 2x the price, and much heavier, but can anyone tell me what exactly is it that makes it so much more robust and worth the extra $$? Is the frame beefier? Suspension components beefier? Driveline beefier?
 
Yes, everything is beefier.

The only thing you'll have to worry about, after buying a Landcruiser? You'll NEVER want a 4runner again.
 
Drive one. Since you already like toyota 4wds u wont look back
 
TheForger said:
In all reality OP, get the Land Cruiser and do all needed maintenance and it will far outlive the 4Runner.
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And that's saying something. Possibly the only vehicle I would say could outlive a 4Runner.
 
CrosbyDog said:
Regarding the LC being so much more vehicle… I know it's 2x the price, and much heavier, but can anyone tell me what exactly is it that makes it so much more robust and worth the extra $$? Is the frame beefier? Suspension components beefier? Driveline beefier?
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everything beefier like said already. simply close the door of each vehicle and you'll know just by the sound it makes = LC will sound solid, 4runner past 3rd gen will sound like hollow plastic.

For me, it was actually my wife that decided SHE had to have a used 100-series instead of a new 4th gen 4runner. I didn't even influence the decision other than simply suggesting we at least look at a Cruiser since there was one on the CPO lot next door.

avoid buying one from the north. i see lots of rust-free 100s here in CA all the time for good prices.
 
CrosbyDog said:
Thanks for the replies. Fuel is not too much for a concern as this is our second car (our everyday car is a little diesel, so we're covered in the fuel-efficiency department). We need the truck for hauling stuff, towing a boat, and for when the snow is really deep.

Regarding the LC being so much more vehicle… I know it's 2x the price, and much heavier, but can anyone tell me what exactly is it that makes it so much more robust and worth the extra $$? Is the frame beefier? Suspension components beefier? Driveline beefier?
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My bro-in-law has an '05 4Runner (V6). I think it's a great vehicle. Well-made Toyota quality is apparent when driving it, and it has been very reliable for him, even without very attentive maintenance. He's wheeled it a little bit, and it is quite capable.
While my assessment of it's durability and ruggedness is somewhat subjective, I have crawled around under it and helped him install a lift, and I do think it is a well designed and made truck. However, to my eye Cruisers are more thoughtfully designed for offroad/overland/whatever travel. The gas tank, t-case, tranny and exhaust are all more tucked up and protected on a Cruiser compared to the 4Runner. Suspension links, mounts, and frames are clearly beefier on Cruisers--but it's hard to say that this is meaningful because Cruisers are bigger, heavier trucks. I can't honestly speak to drivetrain strength for the same reason, but I think overall it is easy to argue stronger components in the Cruiser due to it's ability to carry more weight.
I guess I'd say that in general 4Runners seem a little more compromised, leaning toward smaller size, second row seating, and fuel economy compared to Cruisers.
 
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