Hi,

I am new to the 4Runner world. And this is my first post on this fine Forum. I needed some advise as I could not find right kind of information about the 5th gen 4Runners. I may be using slightly different/ wrong terminologies here; Please bear with me.

My Background- I spend a lot of time off the paved road due to many reasons. Wildlife photography, Primitive camping, hiking and some herping too. Or just following a particular bird in the sky to where ever it may take me.

Last Christmas I got stuck in a very shallow mudpool (I have driven through that one at least 10 times earlier). but it rained for 2 days before Christmas and then it snowed. Although it was not a lot of snow, it was enough to mask the mudpool and I entered the pool at a wrong angle and speed. Result - the Santa fe got stuck in a shin deep pool. (It has Served me well before this on exactly the same and other more difficult terrains. I have decent tires (not daily commute tires) and am sane enough to not expect an Off Road performance from a Santa fe.

So I asking all you guys who have been doing this for some time. I am not looking for a serious Off Roading machine right now. but I want it to be able to make it capable of doing that in future. At present it has to be a daily commuter plus support my weekend activities that I mentioned above. I cant think of a better vehicle than a 4Runner to do all this and still be daily commuter. I know the T4R has earned its stripes. but thats for the older Generations. Not much is said (I couldnt find my answers) about the outdoor/ moderate off road capabilities of a stock 5th Gen 4Runner and its stock options etc.

I am looking to buy a 5th gen as I need finance and so cant buy anything older than 5 years. cant afford a new one. So looking for a decent used one. There are a LOT of them out there . The all say they are 4WD but I am not sure the dealers know what they are talking about. Even if they do I know they are more concerned about the sale.

1. Do I need a Locker (front/ back/both) for my moderate off road activities? I am not into rock crawling etc (yet... )
Moderate for me Means - sandy dunes, Snow in yellowstone and Yosemite. Hiking trails where allowed, flat wetlands of Florida like the Everglades . Texas deserts with loose sand. (I am not looking to conquer the terrain but to negotiate it as far as I can without needing to halt/ return right away).

2. As I understand the newer 4Runners do not come with lockers. Has Toyota replaced lockers with something else (E-Lockers?) for the same/ similar job? If Not what do I need to do to make the stock 4wd vehicle capable of doing what I need?

3.Can I just buy a stock used vehicle which has "4WD" and get away with it?

4. I am looking to buy a 4Runner upwards from 2009 to may be a 2012 if I get a good deal. What version/ edition should I be looking at? ie- SR5/Trail/Limited. My only cosmetic requirement, so to speak, is to have a moonroof.

5.Do I need to lift the 5th gen vehicle right away. Or it comes with decent height ? I know its very subjective but would like your thoughts.


Thanks


Amol

 

You can't beat the reliability of keeping it stock. Drive it how it is and get some good tires for it.

 

Thanks for your quick reply.

But, which edition to buy? Are 2010, 2011, 2012 same capabilitywise?

 

Any 4WD 4-runner will get you through some amazingly rough terrain. The 4wd is not all wheel drive like your Hyundai or many other vehicles (such as the Highlander). There is a big difference. I have a stock 3rd Gen and will go anywhere except deep mud but can't comment on differences of 5th gen. Clearance is good but beware that stock undercarriage protection is not strong if you go rock crawling or high centering on a log etc.

 

Thanks for you reply,

I agree with you , I may need an armor at least.

 

There used go drive as many different ones as you can .

Figure out just what options you can`t live with out.

look at the prices be able to deal knowing when you are about to be raped

Like you said quite a few out there don`t fall in love with the first one you take for a ride

Engage Brain before the vehicle should get you out and home.

 

Good suggestions, Thanks , I will keep those in mind... especially not to fall for the first one I look at..

 

A locker would be nice but not necessary. For what it sounds like you want to do, I would just get a stock 4runner with some all terrain tires and call it good. Like said before stock toyotas can really do some amazing things.

 

Stocker

:wabbit2:

 

Thanks guys, keep'em coming...