Which rig next for sixstring

[sixstringsteve]

Since my build thread turned into a chit-chat thread, I thought I'd move the conversation over here.

Here's where I'm at...

I absolutely love my truck. I've never had a more balanced vehicle that took me so many places. It's been a blast. There are only 2 things that i don't like about it. 1) I don't have a place to put kids. I hope to adopt soon, and we want to take our kids wheeling/camping since day 1 (ok, maybe month 2). But I don't want to worry about buying/selling a rig while I have a new kid, so I'm hoping to get that sorted out now.

The only other thing I don't like is that the tires stick out of the fenders and get mud all over the side of the truck. But that's more of an inconvenience than a deal-breaker.

Did I mention I love my truck? If I decided that kids weren't for me, I'd keep it forever. It'll do 80 mph on the freeway, and still crawl the rubicon, hanging tree, moab, etc, easy to camp out of, 20 MPG...

I'm pretty sure I know what I want: a 3rd gen 4runner that I can swap all my parts over (lift, uca's, 35's, diffs, sliders, rock lights, shower, cb, etc.). Then I'll have a 4runner on 35's, and I can sell my truck cheaper and get some money back soon. I'm not excited about building another rig, but it's not that much work since I've got all the parts to swap over. I don't need 35's, a rig on 33's would be just fine for me. However, my truck will never sell as it is, so I might as well swap to the 35's. I don't really seek out challenging rock crawling trails anymore these days, I more prefer car camping on dirt roads. I haven't even been to snakes this year. So the 35's aren't necessary, but I don't mind having them. Anyway, chat away, I'd love to hear some advice. If my truck sold today, I'd get a 4runner, throw on some skinny 33's, add an OME lift, front bumper and a winch and be done.

 

[Coco]

Whatever it is, it will be built, become the next rig you absolutely love, then sell it 1-5 months later

 

[sixstringsteve]

That's a possibility. At least it'll get used. I've had this current rig for 9 months and I've done about 15-20 runs in it so far, so I'm getting better. The only thing I don't like is not being able to carry kids in a car seat. This time I'm selling the truck out of a need instead of want.

 

[clfrnacwby]

I'm in the same boat. This Spring, I'll be getting either a 3rd gen 4Runner or possibly a 100 series LC. I love my 1st gen 4Runner but needing to flat tow it everywhere is getting old. I'll use it as my daily driver and weekend camping vehicle. Stuff like Wayne's World just isn't very appealing anymore. 35's would be the absolute max, with 33/34's being more likely. The 100 series is a V8, much wider and heavier so your gas mileage will be in the teens. The 4Runner is a more appealing choice IMHO.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've had 3 3rd gen runners and a 100 series. I actually got 17-18 mpg out of my 100 series, and my runners never got better than 18 mpg. If I could afford it, I'd swing a 100 series. Only issue is the aftermarket is 3x as much as a 4runner. Looking at sliders alone, most are $600-1100 for the 100 series, and for the 4runner they're $130-350. Same with bumpers. Also, you'll never find a 100 series in a junkyard, so all your parts will have to be ordered from the dealer/parts store, and they're expensive! Despite all that, I'd rather have a 100 series than a 4runner, but I can't afford it, and my parts won't swap onto a 100.

I hear ya on WW and big obstacles losing their appeal, though I've never successfully made it up WW, it's always been wet/snowy when i've tried it.

 

[STAG]

If you got a DC we could do a 6' bed conversion on it

 

[sixstringsteve]

Unfortunately I can't afford a DC. I could live with the 5 foot bed. Being able to sleep in a rig isn't a necessity. A DC Taco would be a great solution for me. If I go with a 4runner I'm really going to miss having a truck bed. It's so nice to throw stuff back there. I'm also going to miss the storage space I have now. Just my sleeping pads, bags, and tent will take up most of the back of a runner. That doesn't leave a lot of room for cooler, action packer, tools, etc.

 

[Kevin B.]

That'd be a long truck.

Are you set on a Toyota? I've always thought a 4wd Westphalia would rock socks. And a Supercrew F150 with the Ecoboost would rule the back roads.

 

[sixstringsteve]

The main issue is money (isn't it always?).

If I can't sell my truck as it is right now, I've gotta use as many parts as I can for my next rig. Which makes the 4runner so appealing. Otherwise I'd have to wait for my truck to sell, which I don't think it will. Most people are looking for 4 doors these days, so no matter how built it is, people don't care.

While an ecoboost would rule, it's WAY out of my price range. Assuming my truck did sell, my price limit would be $10k, including mods. I've reached a point in my life where I'd rather have money in savings than the coolest rig (especially if we adopt, that's not cheap.) I like the way you think though.

I also thought something like a chevy trail blazer wit ha 3" lift and 33's could be cool. But I'm so sold/blind to OME lifts that if OME doesn't make a lift for a particular rig, it rules it out. I'm extremely impressed with OME as of late.

 

[Kevin B.]

I think a 4Runner fits your needs perfectly. It's roomier inside, which makes for more comfortable freeway miles, it's got room to sleep in back if you don't mind unpacking, and pretty much everything you've got will swap over. There's just so many other cool rigs out there, it's fun to spend your money.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Fender would definitely prefer a 4runner. He just sits in the back for hours alone on trips. It's funny, he gets lonely back there. He'd much rather be in the cabin with us.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I'm picking up a runner tomorrow night for an extended test drive (thanks Andrew!). It'll have to be pretty rough for me not to get it.

 

[sixstringsteve]

a couple runner questions for the pros. It's been a while, so I've forgotten.


1) it seems like the runners don't flex/droop as well as the tacomas. Is this just in my head, or can anyone confirm?

2) I have manual hubs on the tacoma. I hear the ADD system uses beefier axles. Is the front diff any different between an ADD model and a manual hub model? Will I have to swap gears into the new clamshell, or can I just swap clamshells? What about a manual hub swap? Is it worth it? Any pros/cons? It's been so long since I was researching Tacoma/4runner stuff that I've forgotten.

 

[ttora4runner]

a couple runner questions for the pros. It's been a while, so I've forgotten.


1) it seems like the runners don't flex/droop as well as the tacomas. Is this just in my head, or can anyone confirm? Mine flexes pretty well for the lift I have. A couple of the Colorado 4runner guys you can pull their springs out from the flex.

2) I have manual hubs on the tacoma. I hear the ADD system uses beefier axles. Is the front diff any different between an ADD model and a manual hub model? Will I have to swap gears into the new clamshell, or can I just swap clamshells? What about a manual hub swap? Is it worth it? Any pros/cons? It's been so long since I was researching Tacoma/4runner stuff that I've forgotten.

Can't help with this one. Check with the guys over at toyota-4runner.org

When you test drive check with the owner to see if the LBJ have been replaced. There was a recall on them awhile ago due to them popping out unexpectly.

Are you test driving a limited? If you are watch out for the HVAC control unit. They have a tendency over time to act up and you can spend over 700 dollars to replace it with a new one or 150 to try and get it fixed.


I'm on my 3rd 3rd gen 4runner and I still love em. They are a pretty good balance in my opinion.

 

[bryson]

In on page one! Buy a Cruiser again.

80 or 100 series, weld on some TG sliders for $200, pick up an ARB bumper (similar in price to any other ARB bumper,) an OME lift, and use it. 80's can be had for fairly cheap, and 100's are available for less than a leg if you look. I can tell you that the little extra room a 'Cruiser offers over a 4Runner will make a very, very big difference with kids.

With your supposed plans, you shouldn't be needing many parts, so parts cost may not be enough of an issue to matter.

 

[dutchman]

Another thing to consider when looking at the 3rd Gen 4runners is the type of t-case it has. Most of the 4runners after '00 and some '98-99 (limited models I believe) have the multimode case and if the P.O. didn't use it regularly the t-case actuators like to stop working and can cause you problems. I'm currently stuck in AWD (center diff unlocked), planning a swap to the manual case from '96-97 4runners.

 

[sixstringsteve]

In on page one! Buy a Cruiser.

80 series or 100? I'd be leaning towards a 100.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Another thing to consider when looking at the 3rd Gen 4runners is the type of t-case it has. Most of the 4runners after '00 and some '98-99 (limited models I believe) have the multimode case and if the P.O. didn't use it regularly the t-case actuators like to stop working and can cause you problems. I'm currently stuck in AWD (center diff unlocked), planning a swap to the manual case from '96-97 4runners.

Interesting. I'll check that out. I'm looking at a 2000 sport. I'm aware of the BJ issue (my tacoma got totalled from a BJ that should have been recalled but Toyota denied it). The one I'm looking at is a sport, so it has the eimpler HVAC controls, which is nice. My last limited had the electronic HVAC unit and it acted up a lot. It was a pain. The one I'm looking at is a push-button t-case, so I'll check that out.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

A Trooper is another option.

 

[Kevin B.]

Or a Monty.