Talk me out of a 4Runner TRD Pro

[300blk]

Overpriced. No KDSS. Can build a much better truck yourself for less.

 

[goodnightnyc]

Thanks for all the replies! Didn’t expect such a long discussion, but it’s been very informative. There’s no question the 4R doesn’t compare to the LC. And there’s also the “bro factor” of the 4R which I don’t care for.

Maybe I should just buy a second LC 200 and build it. Lift, bigger tires, aux fuel tank, armor, the works. Then my wife would probably leave me. At least I’d be left with two LC’s though. A man can dream.

 

[goodnightnyc]

Read the whole thread.

Dude the answer is 80 series land cruiser. Cooler than 4Runner and might hold value better. Same size. Actually looks better (IMO). You can get a fully built 97 one for $25k. Stick aftermarket CarPlay in there. Be different than all the bros on the road and might even flip for a profit.

Your land cruiser will be more modern and safe for family hauling but it sounds like the use case is just to have something different to complement it.

I too wanted something fun to complement my land cruiser but went w different direction and ended up with a BMW M2 6MT

The 80 series is definitely a sweet truck. And I don’t see many on the road at all. Great choice on the M2 in manual. Very cool car.

 

[Madtiger]

The 80 series is definitely a sweet truck. And I don’t see many on the road at all. Great choice on the M2 in manual. Very cool car.

Hmmm: 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD Diff Lock Locker Super low 146K mi CARFAX | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-4WD-Diff-Lock-Locker-Super-low-146K-mi-CARFAX-/194259354006?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Can i live vicariously thru you?

 

[goodnightnyc]

Hmmm: 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD Diff Lock Locker Super low 146K mi CARFAX | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/1997-Toyota-Land-Cruiser-4WD-Diff-Lock-Locker-Super-low-146K-mi-CARFAX-/194259354006?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Can i live vicariously thru you?

She’s a beauty!

 

[goodnightnyc]

I’m about to go through this whole thread simply because it grew to 7 pages in 14 hours! Want to see what the fuss is about.

but to the OP, could you Turo one? Seen a few in the NYC area. Failing that go to a 4Runner forum and offer up $100 to anyone who will let you ride there’s around. Or maybe exchange drives I bet loads of 4Runner folks would love to drive a LC.

EDIT: per my user name I went GX to LC. I considered a 4Runner till I realized none of them except the lame one (sorry) had full time AWD. Wanted that for the wife to make things simple. The GX I had had the luxury package and crawl control etc. however I prefer the LC by a mile. The GX was too slow 7.7 seconds 0-60 vs 6.6 with the bigger LC200 and only 1mpg more fuel economy. I miss the GX sometimes in the city bc the LC is big. But the LC is still smaller than any pickup or Yukon so it’s all relative.

Good idea about Turo. I’ll see if I can find one locally. Otherwise I’ll try the 4R forum.

 

[TheRealDeal124]

The 80 series is definitely a sweet truck. And I don’t see many on the road at all. Great choice on the M2 in manual. Very cool car.

Yeah I can count on my hand the amount of 80 series I see around. This is mine. I have a whole thread on here from when I purchased it until now. I got lucky. 2 months later and that's when prices started to rise. 4Runner I see everywhere and yes, it is a "Bro truck". Even the offroad trim level names that car companies give vehicles is very bro like. Rubicon is cool, but TRD Pro, Trail Boss, AT4, Pro 4X, etc. They all sound the same. Don't get me started on the 15 trim names that Ford has given the Bronco.. And the same people drive them, just with a different badge.

 

[nor_cal_cyclist]

I had a really nice '97, and without the TRD blower, she had a hard time getting out of her own way after I had added 35's, front and rear bumpers, etc. I'd grab a clean '96 and toss in a EROD connect and cruise for plenty of power to handle your offroad and highway needs. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Omega3651]

Imagine an 80 series with the 5.7 from the 200 series.

 

[gx2lc]

Imagine an 80 series with the 5.7 from the 200 series.

 

[Madtiger]

Imagine an 80 series with the 5.7 from the 200 series.

Imagine weight distribution of 90 front / 10 rear.

 

[gx2lc]

Imagine weight distribution of 90 front / 10 rear.

An excuse for drawer system, aux tank, and 35” spare to counter balance!

EDIT: you guys see Joe Rogan’s 80 series custom build with Icon 4x4?

 

[bloc]

Imagine weight distribution of 90 front / 10 rear.

The all-aluminum 3UR might actually be lighter than the iron-block straight six 1FZ.. that is a HEAVY engine.

I know my 80 lost a decent amount of weight swapping that and the heavier a442 early 4-spd for the 6.2L vortec and 6spd gm transmission.

If it would physically fit the 3UR would be an incredible engine in an 80. Then again so are the turbo installs some guys are doing.

 

[gx2lc]

GUYS speak of the devil JUST listed on carsandbids 1993 Toyota Land Cruiser - "3UZ-FE" V8 Swap, Right-Hand-Drive, Lifted Suspension, U.S. Title - https://carsandbids.com/auctions/36bqjoez/1993-toyota-land-cruiser I need to stay off the Internet

 

[cryan]

Good idea about Turo. I’ll see if I can find one locally. Otherwise I’ll try the 4R forum.

I almost bought a 5th gen 4runner before i bougth my LC200. Check out Avis car sales. They have a bunch of 4Runners that are for sale...and while they probably dont have a TRD Pro as an option, they did have the TRD Off Road Premium when I was shopping around. They let you test drive it as a rental for 2-3 days and then apply the cost of the rental to the purchase if you decide to buy. They also extend the warranty by a year. I was was looking at a 2020 TRD Off Road and I basically would get the same warranty coverage as new. Just a thought.

 

[04UZJ100]

I almost bought a 5th gen 4runner before i bougth my LC200. Check out Avis car sales. They have a bunch of 4Runners that are for sale...and while they probably dont have a TRD Pro as an option, they did have the TRD Off Road Premium when I was shopping around. They let you test drive it as a rental for 2-3 days and then apply the cost of the rental to the purchase if you decide to buy. They also extend the warranty by a year. I was was looking at a 2020 TRD Off Road and I basically would get the same warranty coverage as new. Just a thought.

Brave men buy rental cars. Regardless of brand and pedigree, they’re abused.

 

[cryan]

Brave men buy rental cars. Regardless of brand and pedigree, they’re abused.

Yeah that wasn't really the point. The point was that you can test drive pretty much exactly the car you might want to purchase for 2-3 days through Avis even if you aren't interested in purchasing a rental car.

 

[akgerman]

I had a 2017 Off road with KDSS. Great truck off road, terrible on road. Underpowered V6, ancient 5sp that spends all it's time hunting for gears. My 2013 LX is light years ahead in terms of drivability and there is barely any fuel mileage penalty. The 4Runner gets terrible mileage.

In Colorado it was beyond frustrating to drives in Hilles/Mountains.

I did like the HVAC controls, cup holders and roll down rear hatch window but none of that could make up for the engine/trans combo.

I had. Exact same experience with both my 2017 off road with kdss and my wife’s 2020
Off road no kdss. Ha. We live in CO, and no longer own either 4R cause we can sell them for nearly no loss. Sold the 2017 with 30k miles after 3 years for $4k less and sold 2020 this year with 8k miles for $6k more. Bought LC. Never looking back. I do miss the rear locker but the comfort. Oh the comfort of the LC is miles beyond. Not to mention the AWD. Don’t get the Pro. It’s all marketing. Just get a KDSS Off Road. After market shocks if you must and aftermarket wheels. The Pro’s tires aren’t even that good.

 

[Angelo1]

I’m a little intrigued by the new info coming out about the 2023 GX.

 

[White Stripe]

The 4runner is a simple vehicle, and the mechanical components are very high quality. That is why they are the price they are. They are relatively simple. This is what many people want, they sell like crazy. Could they make the interior nicer? Sure I guess. But people use the 4runner for throwing dogs and camping and hiking stuff in. Guess what happens if you have a fancy interior and the dogs chew on a seat or panel? Now you have to replace that item. And if it's fancy it's fragile and expensive. Ever had to replace a wood panel on a Lexus? It's not cheap. Could the 4runner have more electronic fancy things? Sure. But again that's more stuff to break. Could a 4runner have more power? I guess. However the 4.0 is one of the most reliable engines on the planet. I would say it's more reliable than the 5.7. The automatic transmission is also extremely reliable. Reliability is a huge deal in a 4x4. When your 1000 miles from home on a adventure of some sort would you rather have reliability or twin turbos and lots of electronic luxuries? A fair group of people just want to load it up with all their gear and go without worry and make it back. Yes you can go buy a European vehicle, or maybe a turbo something. Most vehicles that are not Toyota and are fancier will have more problems at 100k miles than a 4runner or most other Toyotas at 300k miles. An Audi, vw, Landrover, ecoboost, jeeps, all have their mechanical issues. 4runner has none. The TRD pro is a great vehicle. Honestly you could buy one, keep it for a year, and if you want something different it will sell easily for a tad less than its sticker price. They hold value very well.