4 Runner ?'s

We've had numerous brands and vehicles and as I get older and due to my job [repair at Mercedes], I'm tired of working on vehicles. So that means I'm looking to move all of our vehicles to Toyota. I'm looking at selling my 03 Lightning and 2011 Ranger and buying a 4 Runner. I need a v6 2wd with a locking rear diff. to be able to pull a 16' trailer with a small tractor. The Ranger is rated to pull 5000 and does the job, but the open diff. sucks. No one I know has a 4 Runner and I prefer to avoid a dealership until ready for the truck. I need to know what options are available and the highest tow rating combination. We have a Camry and a 2013 Crewmax, I just want an suv that my son [3] can ride in with me and the wife and still pull like my Ranger. So far, I don't need 3rd row, doesn't have to be really fancy, just auto and pull well, can be 4wd. So.. what are yall's recommendations.

 

Trd offroad trim. It has the rear locker.

You can get the plain cloth seats or the ‘premium’ with leather/sunroof.

I can’t remember the towing capacity but 5k seems like what I remember... someone smarter than I will likely chime in here.

I think you are making a great decision btw. Wife and I are shopping the same vehicle. Just waiting for a good holiday sale.

 

On what the previous post said..my fiance has a 17 TRD Off Road 4Runner..that thing is sick! Kinda jealous she has the locking rear diff, terrain select, and a lot of other goodies my Tundra doesnt have. But sounds like it would fit the bill for you.

 

I was kinda in a simular situation as you last year. We had a BMW 335i which we loved, but man they just don't build German cars like they used to. All the creature features seemed to start giving little problems right about the time the warranty was about to be up. We pull the plug and got rid of it because the average guy (me) can't work on those cars. They have way to many electronics and required just as much specialty tools to fix. so we switched to the 4runner. All I can say form my experience is the used market for 4runners is ridiculous. The prices are outrageous but if you really want 2wd deals can still be had in the used market but you have to sift through all the crap. The best value for what every reason is still the 4wd new. That is the way it is here in California. I am not sure what the market is like where you are at, and like mentioned above to get the locker i think you have to get the TRD Trail, Off-road or PRO. We just got the SR5 because form my experience with Toyotas they are really quite capable in in trim level or atleast how we use them.

 

We have had 3 4runners you will not be disappointed. Like has been said, if you want the rear locker get the TRD Off Road. I think for my wifes 18 Limited max trailering is 5100lbs. Or like Chris said, drop down to the 4th gen and you get a 4.7L with 2000lbs more towing.

 

I re-read what you said, didn't even catch it. I was pick up what you throwing down!

 

5100 or so would probably cover it. I like my Ranger, esp being 5spd stick, but those rear jump seats were never really meant for kids. The Lightning is meant for speed and nothing else. At 42k miles, I don't drive it enough to own it, time for someone else to have fun with her.