natas1321 Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 Been considering an older 4 runner to haul the bike around and was looking to see what anyone's experience was like. I have had several Tacoma's and liked them but would like the bike a bit more covered and secure. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
throet Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 My brother-in-law swears by them. He's on his second one after giving his old one to my brother, which has like 350K miles on it and still runs great. I had test drove one years back and ended up getting a Mountaineer instead just because I preferred its ride quality. The old 4-runners rode like a truck to me, but that may actually be desirable for some folks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRider3141 Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) Late model or older? If older, consider the poor mans 4runner, the Nissan Pathfinder. I'm coming up on 200K on mine and it's been solid. Edit: It's been some time since I purchased but this Here are my options when I got my Pathfinder (2011) 1996-2004 4runner: 200-250K miles, $10K-14K 2001.5-2004 Pathfinder: 100K-140K miles, $5K-8K Edited April 17, 2019 by RedRider3141 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree Magnet Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 My wife had an older one (1990 something) and it was a heavy pig. It wasn't even 4 wheel drive and still struggled to get up the 2222 hill. Such a heavy vehicle that it needs all the power it can get. @cmc4130 just got a late model one and has his older one. I'm sure he can add some insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBaron Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) My dad bought a 2010 with 185k miles last year. He had a 98' before that with 250k. He loves them. But he did say that he wished his new one was more powerful. His exact words were, "its a little bit of a dog". I myself have always been a bit of a bigger vehicle owner (with wife, 3 kids, and active lifestyle)...thus I've got a 1st gen 4 dr Tundra and wife drives a current gen Sequioa. I think one of the best values in the SUV market has to be the 1st-gen Sequioa....its roomy, bulletproof, drives like a car, and can be bought cheaply....the only real downside is that it gets shitty gas mileage. But if you've got a Tacoma, you're already use to that. Honda guy who's recently become a Toyota convert, -CJB Edited April 17, 2019 by CBaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, RedRider3141 said: Late model or older? If older, consider the poor mans 4runner, the Nissan Pathfinder. I'm coming up on 200K on mine and it's been solid. Edit: It's been some time since I purchased but this Here are my options when I got my Pathfinder (2011) 1996-2004 4runner: 200-250K miles, $10K-14K 2001.5-2004 Pathfinder: 100K-140K miles, $5K-8K My wife had a 2010 4runner. We both loved that car. She totaled it (the day I was leaving for a week long bike trip to CO, but that's another story). She wanted to go down to the Toyota dealer and buy another 4runner. I talked her into the Pathfinder (2014) because of the 3rd row seating with our growing family. I've regretted it everyday since. However, I will say that the newer Pathfinders are much more car-like than the early 2000's. I've been thinking about a 2000ish 4runner for myself lately. I drive very little, so my priorities are decent reliability, low entry cost (don't need anything depreciating un-driven in the driveway), easy to find replacement parts (and less computerized bullshit to break), and 4 doors good for dropping kids off at school. I'll be interested to see where this thread goes. Edited April 17, 2019 by notyal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natas1321 Posted April 17, 2019 Author Share Posted April 17, 2019 Was looking at the late 90's to early 2000's but will also look at Pathfinders. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRider3141 Posted April 17, 2019 Share Posted April 17, 2019 2 hours ago, notyal said: However, I will say that the newer Pathfinders are much more car-like than the early 2000's. Yes, the last two generations have been Pathfinder in name only. Decent vehicle, but not what it used to be. The 4Runner has maintained it's roots pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sluggo Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Back window rolls down in the 4 runner. Dogs love it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attaboy Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Had 2005 4Runner since then. Approaching 200K miles. It’s no dog cuz V8. Best auto I’ve ever owned. Still love the thing, but it’s getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Tacoma with camper for the win. However, if you really want a 4 runner, PM me and i can give you the number to some wholesalers who buy/sell them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natas1321 Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share Posted April 18, 2019 Tacoma with camper for the win. However, if you really want a 4 runner, PM me and i can give you the number to some wholesalers who buy/sell them. Appreciate it and if I go that route I will let you know also considering a topper for one of my Tacoma's. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 I put a top on my truck when I quit having to carry a Ducati around. Now I carry more *stuff*. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notyal Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 13 hours ago, Sluggo said: Back window rolls down in the 4 runner. Dogs love it. Sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 9 hours ago, natas1321 said: considering a topper for one of my Tacoma's. Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk The nice thing about the topper is being able to finish a ride, and slide the bike in and lock it. No concern of rain, snow, salt, vandalism or backing into sh*t with the carrier. Another bonus is not having to drag dirty bikes into a hotel at 2am or having to shoehorn a filthy bike into your SUV. On short trips ill use my carrier, but overnight trips will be using the topper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Coincidentally, this just popped up on Jalopnik yesterday: https://jalopnik.com/the-toyota-4runner-is-old-as-hell-but-now-i-get-why-eve-1833981565 For you guys with toppers, how secure are the locks on those compared to a car lock? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamsloan Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 Almost got a 4R, but ended up getting an outback. I still like the idea of a 4R (off-road prowess, indestructibility, that back window). But in the end my outback can go almost* as many places before either stock vehicle starts getting paint scratched with WAY less gas and a lot more day to day comfort and drive-ability. They just debuted the 2020 model too. Good luck finding a great 4R, I'll live vicariously through you. *dang departure/approach angles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBaron Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 7 hours ago, ATXZJ said: The nice thing about the topper is being able to finish a ride, and slide the bike in and lock it. No concern of rain, snow, salt, vandalism or backing into sh*t with the carrier. Another bonus is not having to drag dirty bikes into a hotel at 2am or having to shoehorn a filthy bike into your SUV. On short trips ill use my carrier, but overnight trips will be using the topper. All the same things hold true for a van too. -CJB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonioGG Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 I've been eyeing Ford Transits after checking out @Ridenfool's. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 18, 2019 Share Posted April 18, 2019 2 hours ago, CBaron said: All the same things hold true for a van too. -CJB 1 hour ago, AntonioGG said: I've been eyeing Ford Transits after checking out @Ridenfool's. If you have the resources to buy/maintain/store a van just for MTB trips, i'd say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 8 hours ago, AntonioGG said: For you guys with toppers, how secure are the locks on those compared to a car lock? Other than preventing people from just reaching in and grabbing whatever, they aren't theft proof. If thieves want in they'll just break glass and help themselves like any other vehicle break in. You can add cable locks to bed to ease your mind and bit, and let the insurance company deal with the rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted April 19, 2019 Share Posted April 19, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, AntonioGG said: I've been eyeing Ford Transits after checking out @Ridenfool's. When I saw this thread I considered mentioning it. Now that Antonio brought it up, here's the story. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I've owned Pickups and SUVs and for me this beats them hands down for overall utility. You won't win any awards for looks, but it is so nice having standing room and privacy to change clothes at the trail head. Plus, keeping the bike inside and out of sight with lots of room left over. I sold a Toyota Tundra and bought the Transit. It has three times the load capacity (will carry the weight of my other car, a Ford Focus, with 400 lbs left over), it hauls more stuff, gets the same fuel mileage as the Tundra (15.5 or so), and with the 3.5 EcoBoost twin-turbo engine it is a sleeper that offers 350 HP and 400 FtLb of Torque at low RPMs. After almost a year and a half I've nearly finished converting it from a used plumbing van to a dedicated MTB hauling and camping rig. It has a fridge, hot and cold water, 400 Watts of solar, 200Ah of battery and a 2000 Watt inverter for 120 VAC that powers the water heater, induction cook top and other stuff. Even after installing so much I was still able to move my wife's Esthetician business to a new office in one load. (Plus filling her car with boxes) Here's some pics at various stages of the build. Edited April 19, 2019 by Ridenfool 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridenfool Posted April 20, 2019 Share Posted April 20, 2019 (edited) On 4/18/2019 at 12:51 PM, Teamsloan said: ... in the end my outback can go almost* as many places before either stock vehicle starts getting paint scratched with WAY less gas and a lot more day to day comfort and drive-ability. They just debuted the 2020 model too. The Subaru line is surprising capable on Jeep roads and worse. My experience with an Impreza and a Forester in trail building and maintenance at Rocky Hill amazed me time and again on the utility and off-pavement prowess of these vehicles. The fact that they can do all this and still make pretty good MPG is just icing on the cake. I'm very likely to get another Sube in the future to round out the fleet as I'm consistently missing the AWD and ground clearance while driving a Ford Focus. Edited April 20, 2019 by Ridenfool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattlikesbikes Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 I've got a 2013 tundra crewmax with a camper and it's been great. For long haul trips I use the Kuat, as the bed us full up. But for local/TX trips racks in the bed. I've got lights, similar to the taco photo above, so loading after dark is easy. Also camps in a pinch, so that's nice. For security, I have a power tailgate lock and I lock the bikes.to the rack inside and with a cable..so even if they broke the glass, it's going to take effort to get the bikes out the window as the tailgate still won't open. Gas sucks, and the 5.7l engines all suffer from cam tower oil leaks. Not bad enough to pay $2k to fix, but annoying that Toyota still hasn't sorted it out. Rides like a car and is very comfortable. All that said, I'd planned to replace it in 60k miles (200k) but instead of another truck I'll probably go tall van. That is, unless a great hybrid truck is available in 2-3 years. I'd sure love my daily 20-25 miles to be on electric. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATXZJ Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 On 4/23/2019 at 9:21 PM, Mattlikesbikes said: That is, unless a great hybrid truck is available in 2-3 years. I'd sure love my daily 20-25 miles to be on electric. This where we're at as well. Worked in auto industry for the last 28 years and i am done with internal combustion engines and the mess required to keep them going. We just bought a hybrid for the wife and will hang onto that until a plugin worth driving drops below $40k. There's a ton of money being dumped into electric truck research & design right now so we're not far away from seeing something available to consumers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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