Thinking of getting a T4R...advice please

Hey y’all I wanted to reach out to this group because it seems like lots of Tundra owners also have 4 Runners. Looking for general advice on what to look for and maybe things to avoid. I’ve read a few threads about a suspension system that people have had issues with but I think it’s only the higher trim levels. This vehicle would be for my wife and so some creature comforts (climate control, heated or cooled seats) would be nice but not 100% required. With my Tundra I got a SR5 and upgraded almost everything including a lift, wheels and tires and would probably do something similar with the 4R. Also, with the price of used vehicles right now I’m happy to wait until things cool off. Thanks for any and all advice/thoughts. Love this forum!

 

Are you looking for new, newer used or older like a 4th gen?

 

Newer Used or New. Definitely the current generation

 

We had a 2007, 2012, 2017, and now a 2020. It's a solid vehicle and she would love it. We have the SR5. Never once have any of them required any repairs.

 

Hi fellow Eagle Scout. Don’t think there’s anything to worry about, just standard used car checks. Our 2003, I had to replace the xreas suspension with regular. That’s it.

 

I have a ‘20 SR5 4X4 4Runner. I added the Eibach lift and TRD wheels I wanted. Tires soon. Features on the Offroad that I wish I had are the locking rear diff and crawl mode. Mine drives great in snow and light off-roading without those features though. I saved a lot by going with the SR5, and I’m modding it how I want (like my SR5 Tundra). I got the sliding rear cargo tray which is nice because the cargo area is completely flat with the rear seats down (great for sleeping back there). Otherwise there’s a slope or height difference to deal with (or try to level out). No third row seating available with this option though. I have no kids, so that worked well for my needs. The answer to your question varies depending on your own family’s wants and needs, and how you’re planning to use it. My advice is to study up before jumping in.

 

Yeah gf wanted the limited and loved the nightshade. Tried talking her out of it and just modding it ourselves but she wasn’t interested. Also she wanted the third row and awd so that’s what we got. Thing rides nice on the road. And good in snow. Won’t be taking it off-road so it’s nice.

 

That’s great to hear!

 

Yeah the xreas is what I had read about on the 4R forum. Is that something to avoid if possible?

 

Wow...both your rigs look great. Appreciate the reminder to do my research before jumping in. That’s what I did on my Tundra and it has worked out great. Are the crawl mode and locking rear diff only available on the Pro?

 

Looks sharp. I really like the nightshade but expect I will do a lot of custom mods so I’m thinking it may not be the best route for us.

 

Yeah just sit in them at the dealer see the difference. I’ve done everything to my sr5 tundra to make it better. But she just wanted it that way from dealer. All the mods can be done cheaper/ better by yourself

 

So nice when it’s clean.

 

Super nice!!!

 

Some shops may say it can’t be replaced with non-xreas. But, I replaced mine with a Monroe quick strut kit for $300. Not really sure if they have xreas after 4th gen though. Now that you know it can be replaced easily, no reason to avoid. I would avoid JBL sound systems though.

 

Xreas is not a show stopper.
If there is occasional wheeling in it it will last a long time.

heavy trail time with these and they go south about 60-80k miles.

they are shorter lived than regular system or trd pro. Most folks just take it out and replace with stock. It’s easy to do for most people.

it is a hydraulic system. No electronics.

it has some benefits in vehicle stability.

I had a near miss on a rainy day and if it weren’t for this system I would likely have had a really bad wreck.

Overall any 4wd 4Runner is a really good overall vehicle and is no slouch on even difficult trails.

I’ve had a sr5 premium, three limited, and a trd pro.

I’m partial to the limited and trd pro.

when you get yours do yourself a favor and spend some time underneath and look around. I guarantee you even coming from a Tundra, you will be surprised at the build quality in a good way.

 

That’s really saying something about build quality cuz I feel my tundra is top notch. Appreciate all the insight shared.

 

That’s very good to know, thank you!

 

I don't regret jumping to a Tundra, but there are things I miss about my old 4Runner. For all intents and purposes, the 5th gen 4R is the Land Cruiser Prado for the US market. They're still all made in Japan. The build quality is impeccable and a step up from the Tundra (in my opinion).

If you're going to mod it out anyway, a well-maintained 2010-2013 5th gen might be just the ticket. I think it looks more classic and less mantis-like than the 2014+ 5th gens, plus you get a manual transfer case lever instead of the electronic dial. The downside to the 2010-2013 models is that the SR5 has lower hanging rocker panels and front/rear bumper covers. Plus the chrome strips...they're pretty ugly. But most people get rid of all that anyway. The unicorn of 4Runners–the 2010-2013 Trail Edition–has much higher/tighter rockers and bumper covers. These "higher and tighter" panels carried over to the SR5 for 2014+.

The Trail, Off Road, and Pro all get a rear e-locker. But a standard SR5 with button-activated ATRAC can do pretty much anything. I wheeled mine hard and never got in a situation that ATRAC couldn't get me out of.

Many T4Rs (Trail, OR, and Pro) have KDSS. It's another hydraulic suspension system...it keeps you planted better on the road but allows more articulation off road at slower speeds. Pretty awesome. I guess that would wear out as well and need serviced around 150k miles. Something else to think about.

One thing I could never understand is how everyone knows the 5th gen 4runner is 2010-present with a facelift in 2014. Toyota did the exact same thing to the Tundra–gave it a mid-gen facelift in 2014–but somehow everyone thinks that's a new generation.

 

Forgot to mention the limited is awd with an enormous center diff. It’s not a puny clutch type system on most suvs.

the limited has ventilated and heated seats. It also has dual climate.

the limited feels like a Lexus honestly...

the current 5th gen is also about as old school as the tundra. If that is something you have a preference for then you won’t be disappointed.

only downside is 4runners are pretty slow. The suv weighs as much as a 76 Cadillac deville. Coming from a tundra you are going to notice.

just realize even though it’s slow and heavy it’s the most overbuilt suv made outside of the land cruiser.

 

Wow...tons of great info here for me to consider. I knew this forum would be a great place to come for answers. Appreciate the call out on the generations. It’s all Greek to me.

 

That’s the only thing I worry about as my wife would be switching over from a V8 Yukon. She drives very little so it probably wouldn’t matter plus we always have my tundra

 

The 5th gen has a non linear pedal. It’s akin to the tundra without tow haul on.

You have to put the pedal to about 75% to really get any decent acceleration.

I get used to it and it’s not an issue for me.

I would not skip over the 4Runner because it is a bit underpowered relative to weight. It’s something to be aware of.

nobody gets a 4runner to race... unless you are doing the standing 300k mile race...

and my wife likes the 4Runner alot. Easy to park. Fits lots of stuff. No annoying tech. And because we live in very rural area it’s easy to maneuver off road.

she likes my trd pro tundra but at same time it terrifies her . 1/2 ton truck that has louder exhaust and is faster than my old mustang...

 

300K race

 

You might look through t4r.org.

it’s like a medicated or subdued version of tacomaworld ( which most times seems like an internet version of a biker bar).

the folks there really put their rigs to heavy use. You will note how few issues they have. To get to a real issue you have to go back 3-4 pages of threads.

the third gen dudes usually have interesting threads about who has the highest miles. There are a shocking number of third gens with over 500k on them.

It is a good resource for 4Runner knowledge.

 

Thanks!
@terndrerrr already answered about the LRD (OR, Trail, and Pro have it). Probably not needed anyway unless offroading or in deep snow or ice. I haven’t needed it; just thought it would be cool if the SR5s had it too.

Just invest in a Pedal Commander and it will have plenty of zip. I picked up a used one pretty cheap from someone trading their T4R. Bonus...it will also work on my Tundra.

Good luck!

 

Hey Blanchard - I hope you don’t mind me asking a few follow-up questions. My local dealer has a Limited available that really appeals to my wife. She will be the primary driver so creature comforts appeal to her. However I like to fish in some remote spots and would like to be able to take a smaller vehicle from time to time. Are there any drawbacks to All time 4WD? This also has the X-REAS and a Torsen LSD, anything to worry about with that tech? Last two questions...is the JBL system as bad as everyone says? How does it look with small wheel and bigger tires?

 

I know you didn’t ask me, but could you talk her into compromising on an SR5 Premium or Off Road Premium? They have some of the nicer appointments like leather seats and I believe seat heaters. But no XREAS, and they’re true 4wd. Would be a nice compromise unless she just has to have some of the features that are exclusive to the Limited.

Off road Premium would get you all the terrain modes, a rear locker, and the nicer interior stuff.

 

Appreciate you weighing in! I was thinking along the same lines as you and while they don’t currently have an OR Premium I’m sure there will be some in their next allocation. The spec sheet for one they have already sold has the KDSS added @ $1750. Is that a good option or something to avoid? I also like the OR styling better too