Second Vehicle: 4Runner, FJ, or ?

If you want something for pure off-roading I'd go FJ. 4 Runner is very capable, though, especially if you'd like to take the kiddos wheeling with you! I remember wheeling once with my dad as a kid. Super fun and an experience I'll never forget. You can pile the kiddos in the FJ too, though. Both are great options but if you're serious about wheeling I'd definitely go FJ.

 

I bet the kids would dig the FJ over the 4runner.

 

It was actually 100% GM production.

Wayne's design was actually a good looking vehicle.
GM budgeting and production morphed it into the abortion that was available for sale.
Yahoo ran an article on concept vehicles that should have gone into production and that was one of them.

 

I stand by it.
I loved my '03 Tundra.
The new design looks like the offspring of a Ram 1500 and an elephant.

Both designs are just too boxy and the high waistline looks horrible.
The high waistline has been a trend for the last 10 years, and on some vehicles it looks good, and enhances occupant safety, but it comes at the expense of driver field of view... which increases the potential to NEED the safety of the added sheetmetal.

 

Another one I like is the RX460. Can get lots of off-road goodies for it since it's pretty much a LC Prado.

 

I voted FJ if you really want it just for offroading. I've met Seth (4runnerSeth) when he had his FJ and it was badass. Though I do like the new 4runners, the look grew on me and got one for the wife. Both great cars but I think the 4runner may be a little too bulky.

 

Check out craigslist and find you a nice 80 series land cruiser.

 

this 4runner gives me a boner

 

Wife motors our 4x4 Sequoia. I DD the Tacoma 4x4. Accordingly, my other car must be irresponsible and serve no practical purpose other than fun.

Dinan M3 S2 'vert. Here she was photographed by even planners at a EuroSunday gathering a couple years back:

 

07' Honda CRV 4x4........ My wifes Car. I actually drive it more than my Taco

 

I voted other.

If it was me and money was a factor I'd get a Nissan xterra pro 4x.

Completely loaded with locker, rockford fosgate audio, leather .. the list goes on .. I almost pulled the trigger on one a few weeks ago . The one I found was 1.5 hours away for $27,500 and a 2012. The 4 runner is going to be over 40k and the FJ is fugly and if you have a family get four doors?! seriously.

I had a 2011 4runner. SR5. Lifted with 33" bfg's. I already traded it in on the new Taco. I had that runner in for service 4 times to fix the driver seat lumbar and the fix would last a few weeks then back to broken. On the 4runner forums alot of others had this problem too. After my wife called Toyota Corporate and bitched about their pos product we got top dollar for trade in plus $2,500 check that we put towards the taco.

I just bought a new Ducati Motorcycle instead of the Xterra otherwise I'd have one parked in the garage.

Good luck with your decision.

 

yet...

when I opined that a Tacoma that lists for 33-34K should come w/ leather standard...

my opinion was poo-pooed by some here.

 

the 4runner build is really good. my wifes 2006 ltd 4x4 v8 nav...is a great all around vehicle. the best road car ever...so tightly built. and goes real fast..i would love to trick it out when she trades for a new one...its gone 77,000 miles with just a battery, fluids, tires, and brake pads...i just put on a new set of revos ....we will buy another 4runner .....i already have a 2008 taco trd sport lwb 4x4 w/trd sc, budbuilt plates, 5100's, bfgatko's and bumper w/xp9.5 winch. just got back from silverton co trails...had a great trip...yotas were not represented there very well...9.5 out ot 10 vehicles were jeeps...

 

That thing is sexy! Link to the build?

 

Holy crap! I am leaning toward the 4Runner, but after seeing what is involved in a simple oil change... ...wow. Compared to the great location of the filter on the 2nd gen Tacoma, this really sucks...

 

Damn, the FJ has the damn canister filter now also:

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/maintenance-tech/126099-how-2011-oil-change.html

I'll just run my Tacoma till it explodes.

 

Jeez! That's like a half day job just to get the filter replaced

 

Mixed feelings on that.

The skidplate is a PITA. 1st Gen Tundra was similar, but it was only one part, 5 bolts, but large and hard to maneuver.

I kinda like the cartridge filter idea.
For one thing, the element itself is right there. Fram can't hide a shit filter in a pretty can.
Also, while the 4.0 is awesome with the top-mounted filter, the 2.7 is a pain. Standard inverted filter, leaks oil down the side of the block when the seal is broken.
This cartridge's drain is a nice feature.


I suspect that the EPA is pushing the return to cartridge filters. Their use results in less oil making it's way into landfills by people who, without thinking, return their old oil to the AP store, but toss their filters in the garbage.

 

BTW: Some Tundra owners simply cut a hole in their plate under the filter.
Might be an option for the FJ/4-Runner.