We purchased a 07 4runner for my wife this year to take the place of her Mistubishi sport. As a home health care nurse she uses her 4 wheel option at least four or more times a year ;not to mention trips to the beach..ah that would be on the beach. We have found it to be the best vehical we have purchased yet and I want one myself. She is gettting easily 21-22 miles mpg with only 1980 miles on it so far. It drives much better than our old ZJ grand cherokee..now my sons. And it is by far the most comfortable..much more so than the Sport I am now driving ;-)

 

so you don't love your son?

 

A little off topic but ...
Ha ! You know I realy love that ole machine. But I figure the 5.2 and a minimum wage job while in high school, will keep his milage down and a softer foot on the pedal. I know I can't afford to drive it a 100 miles a day like I sometimes have to do or make trips to Homestead Fla. It is also a great learning machine to take to the trails. Great on snow and hard to bog down at the beach. The FourWheel drive is kick though a leeetle creaky now. Last week the kid found out that he could not follow right behind a 4" lifted mud machine with his stock machine. Went in.. stopped..but was able to back out.
The 4runner will get its chance this fall when I take it out on a trail or two. The stock tires won't get it in our area for trails. I just cannot get it scratched or there will be hell to pay !
My wife LOVES this machine.

 

I work for Ford selling the vehicles. And I would buy another 4Runner over the Expedition.

The only reason I would purchase an Expedition is if you need the room, but there isn't much much gain in size on the interior than the 4Runner. The Expedition sits a lot higher than the 4Runner, and its only 15" longer.

Its your choice, test drive both to see which rides smoother and has more power. If you where to compare the Explorer to the 4Runner, the 4Runner would walk all over the Explorer.

 

Why would you choose the #3 automaker, [ Ford ] over the #1 automaker { Toyota]

Toyota Quality all the way.....

 

I'd say get the Toyota. But if you get the ford, thats fine, too.....if your other car happens to be a tow truck. I'm just glad we get to bash something other than jeeps today. We should do this more often.

 

if $$ is a big factor, i'd look at lift kits and how much they cost for each, and pre-plan what kind of expenses you're going to have with each vehicle. repairs, etc. And how often you'll repair each.

With the lift kits, I haven't done much research, but I'm guessing the IRS expedition could be a little costly. my uncle's 2003 or something ranger even with a solid axle would cost $2000, yes 2K, to suspension lift it just 3". (he didn't do it.) my 4runner was well under a $1000 ...of course that's 3rd gen.. don't know about the 4th gen.

 

If you are planning on takinging off the pavement I would stick with the Toyotas. Comparing comperable SUVS for example:

Expedition:
Ground Clearance - 8.7"
D/A Angles 20/23
IRS-

Sequoia:
Ground Clearance - 10.6"
D/A Angles 20/28
IRS is unfortunately coming in 2008

4Runner
GC - 9.1"

Explorer
GC - 8.2"

 

Is there a problem with that portion of the statement that you quoted that I made about IRS?

Yes, IRS could be made to work well off road. Like it or not, that statement is true.

With the right design, the right parts, the right engineering, and maybe a good machinist/fabricator, it's very possible. After all, look at the 4 wheel independent suspension Hummer H1 and it's capability.

I never said that IRS would be better than a solid axle, never said it would be cheaper than a solid axle, never said it would be as durable as a solid axle, and I never said that I like IRS more than a solid axle.

In fact, I said that I preferred the Toyota, which obviously has a solid axle.

So don't quote a small portion of what I said and take it out of context.

 

There you go....Lets buy an Expedition and hire a machinest/fabricator, basically cut off everything and start over. IRS can be a good setup , but not by using any piece of the Expeditions IRS.