- Location
- Grand Junction, CO
Most of you know we sold the TJ, the buyer is picking it up this weekend. :-\ I also listed the Dodge, since we no longer need a tow rig. It sold last week... the Dodge was my wifes daily-driver and we needed a replacement for her to drive.
We still have the VW Jetta with it's 45-46 MPG TDI motor which is my daily-driver and the FJ80 Landcruiser which is the trail vehicle. Nothing extreme, but a fun, family 4x4 that I don't mind scratching up or dunking in the occasional river.
Catherine likes SUV's over cars and she had a '99 4Runner that we really liked, but traded it on the Dodge a couple yrs ago. Her '99 4Runner had a small Old Man Emu lift, rear locker and 265 BFG AT's. It was a great rig for bad roads and mild trails. Remembering how much we liked the '99 4Runner, we opted to get another.
We decided to get a 2003 Toyota 4Runner with a V8 this time... found one with 40k miles that looked and drove like it was new. The previous owner had just installed a set of 265 BFG AT's, which didn't hurt the deal! At this point the 4Runner is going to stay on the 265's, then eventually get a 3" OME lift and a ARB/Shrockworks bumper. I'd like to add some lights and a winch down the road, but that may take some convincing on the wife's part, since it's 'her' rig. I want this setup to work well for Baja trips, weekend camping trips to the San Juan mtns and exploring the desert in Utah.
We've been driving this 4Runner for a few days and it's impressive! The 4.7l V8 & 5 speed automatic are a great pair, the motor turns 2100 RPM at 75 MPH! It's a rocket with that V8 and still manages to get almost 20 MPG. It has some crazy functions... Downhill Assist Control, it automatically brakes the vehicle on steep hills when engaged. It also has a traction-control system called ATRAC, not quite as good as lockers but it will apply brakes to a spinning tire and force the power to the tires with traction. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds pretty interesting.
I'm looking forward to the first big trip we take!
Here's the 4Runner...
We still have the VW Jetta with it's 45-46 MPG TDI motor which is my daily-driver and the FJ80 Landcruiser which is the trail vehicle. Nothing extreme, but a fun, family 4x4 that I don't mind scratching up or dunking in the occasional river.
Catherine likes SUV's over cars and she had a '99 4Runner that we really liked, but traded it on the Dodge a couple yrs ago. Her '99 4Runner had a small Old Man Emu lift, rear locker and 265 BFG AT's. It was a great rig for bad roads and mild trails. Remembering how much we liked the '99 4Runner, we opted to get another.
We decided to get a 2003 Toyota 4Runner with a V8 this time... found one with 40k miles that looked and drove like it was new. The previous owner had just installed a set of 265 BFG AT's, which didn't hurt the deal! At this point the 4Runner is going to stay on the 265's, then eventually get a 3" OME lift and a ARB/Shrockworks bumper. I'd like to add some lights and a winch down the road, but that may take some convincing on the wife's part, since it's 'her' rig. I want this setup to work well for Baja trips, weekend camping trips to the San Juan mtns and exploring the desert in Utah.
We've been driving this 4Runner for a few days and it's impressive! The 4.7l V8 & 5 speed automatic are a great pair, the motor turns 2100 RPM at 75 MPH! It's a rocket with that V8 and still manages to get almost 20 MPG. It has some crazy functions... Downhill Assist Control, it automatically brakes the vehicle on steep hills when engaged. It also has a traction-control system called ATRAC, not quite as good as lockers but it will apply brakes to a spinning tire and force the power to the tires with traction. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds pretty interesting.
I'm looking forward to the first big trip we take!
Here's the 4Runner...
