Last Call: 4Runnerverse

Ross Ballot

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The Toyota 4Runner is a wildly popular vehicle in the off-road and overland communities. And it turns out it’s extremely popular here at Hooniverse as well. Here’s the current tally:

Myself: White 4th gen “The Stormtrooper,” gray 5th gen TRD Off Road

Kamil Kaluski: Gray 5th gen Limited; red 5th gen TRD Off Road press tester

Jeff Glucker: Voodoo Blue TRD Pro press tester

Chris Tracy: Silver 4th gen (and a rather sweet Land Cruiser)

That puts the total count at 6. That’s right: six 4Runners in the Hooniverse fleet at the moment. Is this the highest density of a specific vehicle of any media outlet out there? It very well may be. One thing’s for sure: we love Toyota 4x4s here.

And the Mitsubishi Montero, Jeff will be sure to add.

Last Call indicates the end of Hooniverse’s broadcast day. It’s meant to be an open forum for anyone and anything. Thread jacking is not only accepted, it’s encouraged.

About

Ross Ballot

Ross Ballot

4WD and four-wheeling enthusiast and shamelessly self-proclaimed expert. Off the Road Again Podcast host, Formula 1 fanatic, and Writer for Hooniverse, AutoGuide, and ATV.com. Former contributor to Everyday Driver, ATVRider, and UTVDriver. Can usually be found getting a vehicle stuck in the mud or on the rocks and loving every second of it.

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14 responses to “Last Call: 4Runnerverse”

  1. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I gave up on looking for a decent-but-cheap 2nd- or 3rd-gen 4Runner. What I found was either beaten to hell and/or rusted away, or else way too pricey for my budget.

    Reply
    1. Kiefmo Avatar
      Kiefmo

      I picked up my ’92 with 155k on the ticket and freshly rebuilt heads for under $3k. I got lucky because the PO believed there to be some tragic issue with it because it was hard starting cold and only making maybe 50% power, but it turns out the timing was like 15-degrees off (5ATDC vs factory specified 10BTDC), so setting it right cured it right up, though it’s still hard starting cold, but that’s not a mystery, probably just the cold start valve.

      Its only rust (so far) is of the rock-chip kind, and I’m hoping to stall all of that with strategic application of sanding and touch up paint. Other than that, it’s biggiest issues are the usual oil leaks one can expect from a 27yo car, and none of them are dramatic.

      Reply
  2. Sjalabais Avatar
    Sjalabais

    Toyota stopped selling the 4Runner here in the late 90s, but the remaining fleet keeps on rolling. All on pretty high mileages:
    https://www.finn.no/car/used/search.html?make=0.813&model=1.813.1385

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      My on-the-road observations say there aren’t many left here even counting JDM Hilux Surf imports, although I suspect there would be some relegated to weekend off-road warrior status.

      The replacement LandCruiser Prado (Lexus GX in other markets) on the other hand is everywhere.

      Reply
      1. outback_ute Avatar
        outback_ute

        Having said that, I saw one during my 3 hour drive home today!

        Reply
      2. Troggy Avatar
        Troggy

        The Fortuner (not sure what it’s called in other markets) appears to be the successor to the SUV body on the Hilux chassis formula.
        I was looking at a few Prado 4×4’s recently, mainly for towing duties. They don’t look too bad, but any Toyota 4×4 commands a somewhat premium price in the second-hand market here.
        I ended up with a VW Touareg in the end. Mainly for power, comfort, refinement, and the fact that it’s low enough to fit in my garage.

        Reply
        1. outback_ute Avatar
          outback_ute

          Yes they brought the Fortuner to Australia in 2015, 20 years or so after the 4Runner was dropped here. As you’ve found, if you don’t need the offroad capabilities or range (180L fuel capacity) there are better options than the Prado! VAG is not afraid of a high tow rating – the Porsche Panamera has a 3.5T tow rating!

          Reply
        2. Sjalabais Avatar
          Sjalabais

          How is a used Touareg with regards to reliability and maintenance?

          Reply
          1. Troggy Avatar
            Troggy

            Purely from what I’ve read on forums etc. they are supposed to be be very good, depending on which engine and suspension options it has. The 3.0 V6TDI seems to be the pick of the bunch with more than adequate power, and no major congenital issues apart from the usual wear and tear you’ll find at this mileage. The petrol ones don’t appear to be so good for NVH and reliability, and the V8 and V10’s, are probably best left to the enthusiasts. The air suspension models seem to be prone to compressor and air line failure, which probably sums up any vehicle with air suspension anyway.

            People seem to be getting 250,000km and above on them without any major issues which is why I went for one – I’m usually in for the long run when it comes to cars.
            Given that they are considered to be somewhat exotic here in Australia, I spent a fair bit of time reading up on them before I took the dive. Mine is a 2011 V6TDI with about 120,000km. I’ve only had it for about 2 months and I love it so far.

  3. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    IH is still the most represented manufacturer in my history, at 3 examples. Ford is next at 2 (both more than 25 years old when I got them!) and 1 each of Triumph, Pontiac, Land Rover, Plymouth ,Volvo, SAAB, Chevrolet, Dodge and GMC.

    Reply
    1. mdharrell Avatar
      mdharrell

      For street-legal motorized vehicles: eight Fords, five SAABs, three Sinclairs and Volvos, two Austins, KVs, MGs, and VWs, and one American Microcar, Chevrolet, EV Global, HMV, Honda, IH, Plymouth, and Zap.

      Reply
  4. Kiefmo Avatar
    Kiefmo

    So, it’s been quite a while since i did anything but lurk around here, but this post has forced my hands out of hibernation.

    I moved to the Colorado front range in October last year, and have since bought what appears to be the Official Vehicle of Colorado (or at least this area), which is also the subject vehicle of this post.

    Mine is a ’92, with the V6, 4WD (because why would you buy one otherwise), and an automatic. It has its share of little issues, but it gets me around. It’s got 31s mounted, which it isn’t really geared for, so it’s even pokier than it came from the factory, but I’m not going to gear it up unless I decide to lift it and put a larger tire on. I’m currently working on replacing the things that would give me pause about taking it off-road. Yesterday, I attacked the front end, with new CVs and ball joints. It needs the differentials and transfer case I/O seals replaced next, so it stops splatter painting everywhere it parks with dead dinosaurs.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e2b92be41801cefc7123fdcad083152ae3d6f3e78e74949f04d64bb0d4fac04b.jpg

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      Nice truck! Best generation of 4Runner, IMO (though everyone seems to prefer the 3rd).

      Reply
  5. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    *hoping to be invited to the cool kid table* https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0584f543605e8a659ecd28fac7fbf0d6dc897de3565f1c2007236ce091182af1.jpg

    Reply