KB Voodoo Test Drive Report (DELIVERED!!!) with BS

Awesome truck dogs

Here's mine. Because who doesn't like showing off their loyal companions.

Recently lost the one on the left

 

He is thinking

1) feed me
2) pet me
3) what the hell are you doing?

 

^can I sniff your butt

 

@KB Voodoo - thanks for the fast shipping and the sticker is now on the jerry can.

 

Interesting that kbvoodoo changed his mind after some consideration. I was reading the toyota4runner.org board the past week or so prior to buying a 2007 4runner. When the 5th Gen (2010-2016) came out there were many that hated thisthatandtheother, but then their updated sig's show they bought one. I suppose it's typical with generation changes.

I bought the '07 Runner 4.7L 4WD, don't need a truck bed anymore. You'll be happy to know the Runner has much more road noise than a Tacoma, probably because the Tacoma cabin is isolated from the bed. 9.1 inches ground clearance, approach/departure 30/24 opposed to the Taco 36/24. Cargo volume is way down, weight capacity better, 7000lb tow capacity.

And the oldtimer Lab can actually leap into the bed on the 4Runner, the old girl can't clear the tailgate on the Tundra. I had to stay with the 4.7L, I love that engine. Tacoma guys should be happy to know the latest 4Runner doesn't really have a tow package, no autotrans oil cooler, probably doesn't have the 130A alternator either. The dual VVT-i 4.0 puts out 270hp/278torque, but 5000lb tow capacity and a weaker Class 3 hitch I believe. The 2003-2009 V6 Runners also didn't have a tow package, no autotrans oil cooler, Class 3 hitch, 5000lb tow capacity, you had to buy the 4.7 V8 to get the real tow package.

I figured go oldschool with the 4.7 on the Runner. Gen 3 Taco had some appeal, but low miles one owner Colorado 4.7L 4Runner with the timing belt/water pump and steering rack replaced had more appeal. $19k wasn't appealing but it has the same ATRAC as the TRDOR, V8 has fulltime 4WD with the Torsen center diff. The four disc brakes are much better than the Tacomas and Tundra I've owned, I don't know why people defend rear drums.

 

Take that light outside when it gets dark and check it out!!

 

Not to derail this thread any further but love the dogs in the trucks. Here's my boy

 

What a good boy, and feel free to derail.

 

Yeah he has his moments. 16 months old and 110lbs and thinks hes a lap dog lol

 

Holy moly.....

 

I had a 4Runner Trail Premium for a week while some service was being done to my Tacoma. I live in SE Michigan, so probably worst roads in the US. Good testing for any suspension My impressions were the 4Runner has a stiffer ride, but more stable over bumps mid-turn. The 4Runner interior feels more upscale, but a lot of the LCD/gage bits feel dated. The small screen for the nav doesn't help. The Tacoma TRD OR has a very stable solid suspension, but it's better damped over bumps. The exception are mid-turn bumps which the leaf springs and light rear end don't seem to handle as well as the coil springs on the 4R. The interior on the Tacoma doesn't feel as luxurious as the 4R TP, but it does feel more modern with a nicer multi-display in the gage cluster and the large nav screen. I also really like the materials in the Tacoma, they're soft and easy to clean. I hope they hold up in the long run, but so far so good. Both have nice seats and offer comfortable seating position though. I'd honestly be happy with either one, but I'm glad I went with the Tacoma because manual transmissions rock

 

My SR5 Premium T4R had a pretty squishy ride, and I liked it. The Tacoma is stiffer, but it's a truck, and when I bring a pallet of parts back to the shop from laser cutting, I don't have to worry about riding on the bump stops.

The truck has a good rake to it. I'm debating doing Bilstein 5100's in front, set at 0.85" to level it out, but I don't want to stiffen the ride at all. I also don't want to do deal with getting an alignment. They never seem to come out right for me.

@jberry813 has a DIY for home alignments. Maybe that's the ticket.

 

great pic man, looks like a fun dog. still has that
puppy look to him.

 

That is like trying to explain what colors look like to a blind person.

 

I know, it's almost like people have different opinions and stuff. Crazy.

 

Oh ya, I forgot to mention that I felt like the T4R had more nose dive. So I don't really know how exactly to describe it. The T4R definitely didn't absorb all of the potholes and cracks in the road around here as well as the Tacoma, yet in some ways the suspension felt softer than the Tacoma. The Tacoma was more flat when braking, but floats over road imperfections a lot better. The Tacoma just feels like a better ride all around, except for mid corner bumps (it's light in the rear after all...).

I'm going to swap to 5100's in the front @0.85" when I finally get around to putting those SCS RAY10's on with 265/75r16 (pr'ly KO2's), but I 'might' eventually do 0.50" shims in the rear to keep a slight rake. Some day when this suspension wears out a bit more I'll maybe go with something a little 'cooler,' but so far the stock suspension has been doing pretty good for me so I'm not in a big rush

 

Typical Monday night in the shop. I used about 5 pounds of bubble wrap.

 

Makes me tired looking at the picture. I reviewed several financial schedules and went to some meetings . OK I also got in about 40 minutes on the eliptical

 

40 minutes on the elliptical is 39.95 minutes too long.

 

So I averaged 15.2 MPG on the highway with the cruise set at 73.......