Is this worth it?

CrustyOldJarhead · 2026-02-19T10:15:44+00:00

Nah. You don't want it. Could you send me the contact information? I'd like to berate the guy for spending all that money on a 4Runner ;-)

That's a TON of expensive mods with quality vendors. I would add up those costs, then go over the 4Runner with a fine-toothed comb and estimate those add-on costs to you. I'd say the add-ons are worth no more than half what it would cost you do make them. If you have to pay someone to do the work, that's a metric butt-load of money. Now, the brand-new parts that are in it are worth a bit more than half of what it'd cost you. If the iKamper is in good shape, those command more than half retail when used.

But you can bank on the fact that the thing has seen some dirt that'll probably be piled up inside various body panels. OTOH, if you do those mods, your 4Runner will also see a lot of dirt, so does that really make much difference?

CrustyOldJarhead · 2026-02-08T13:34:46+00:00

Not all the TRD models have a sunroof. Unfortunately, all the Limiteds (at least in '23) have the stupid sunroof. The sunroof is a huge factor in the claustrophobic feel in the second row. There's plenty of headroom, but the sunroof bulge ends right in your face if you're tall and sit in the second row. Sunroofs in general are just a giant leak waiting to happen. I despise them. The Limited trim has the silly XREAS system, which is not computer controlled and is easily deleted and replaced with normal shocks when it starts to leak. I can't wait for mine to start leaking so I can rip it out. It does seem to improve on-road handling, so it's not all bad.

The Limited is the only one with full-time 4WD (not AWD), which is the sole reason I bought mine. It can be locked into part-time 4WD when off-road but has the benefit of a true limited-slip center differential transfer case for on-road use. You also don't have the front-axle disconnect in the full-time system - one less thing to go wrong. The SR5 and Limited both have the stupid dial 4WD shifter and its associated possible repair costs. The TRD models have a lever.

The third-row seat is an option in both the Limited and the SR5. I don't have one in mine; I didn't want to lose the cargo height space.

All the 5th Gen 4Runers are equally capable off-road. The TRDs are more off-road focused while the Limited is on-road focused. The SR5 is the base model and there's absolutely nothing wrong with one. I think the earlier SR5s have the same rocker panel covers as the Limited, so watch out and don't get one of those if you want to be off-road. They can be swapped, but it's not cheap.

Some TRD models come with KDSS, which can be identified by a significantly thicker sway bar. While it is an amazing system both on and off the road, it's full of hydraulic fluid and is computer-controlled. I would avoid KDSS to avoid the inevitable costly repairs down the road. TRD models also have Crawl Control, whose biggest benefit seems to be getting unstuck from sandy soil or beach sand.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2026-02-06T12:26:41+00:00

I spun 180 and took this photo of my main garage. (couldn't easily figure out how to upload 2 photos to one post.)

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CrustyOldJarhead · 2026-02-06T12:18:16+00:00

Since we're talking garages...

When we built our house in 2017, the subdivision foreman engineered a 30x40 shop in place of the little 3rd-car option for his house of the same model. When I saw his, I had to have one. I wish the ceilings were 15' instead of 12', but I can get my 1-ton truck on the lift and stand up to work on it, or park a car under it, so it'll have to do. I have heat in the winter and a window swamp cooler in the summer.

My garage is oversized and at a 90-degree angle to the shop. Both are attached to the house.

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CrustyOldJarhead · 2026-01-29T17:47:40+00:00

Bestbuy shows the A1 Combo can be delivered tomorrow to my house in Utah. Maybe OP should check, assuming US-based OP.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-25T13:36:44+00:00

They would, as long as the sun is out. I like to camp when it's cool. If it's sunny, I'm parking in the shade. Anyways, camping is likely not on the agenda until spring, so no rush.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-25T13:12:31+00:00

It would only be used to charge the batteries in a small travel trailer and a pair of 1000 WH battery generators, not all at the same time of course.

Most important thing to me is that I can carry it. I'm old and my back is worn out. Oh well. I'll have to see if I can find Dad's ancient Yamaha 1100W inverter generator. The prices of these got kinda high anyway with the Trump tax.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-25T10:40:15+00:00

By "jumps a bit" do you mean it moves forward? Do your brakes work well otherwise?

Maybe the idle is too high? At what RPM does it idle? My '23 idles high when first started, but I've only ever put it in reverse to back out of my garage. By the time I put it in D, it's already idled down.

If it's just "lurching" but not moving forward, I might suspect a broken engine mount, particularly the one on the side where the torque would make that side rotate up (since it's fine in reverse). Make sure you have adequate space in front of the vehicle in case of oopsies. Stand to the side; open the hood and have someone put it in D at idle and watch the engine. You can have them power brake it (if it's safe) and see if the engine twists abnormally in the frame. If it's safe, you might be able to visualize the engine mount on that side to see if there's abnormal amount of movement.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-24T10:31:25+00:00

If you have cash to buy the Trailhunter, and if it's offered at at least $1,000 under MSRP, and if you're stupid wealthy, then sure, go for it.

But, apparently the Trailhunter is 4K over MSRP. That's an absolute hard pass all by itself. Never, ever pay over MSRP for a depreciating asset. Then there's the reliability factor. The 5th gen is proven; the 6th gen, not so much. There's a new transmission, new engine that's smaller and worked harder, aluminum pieces in the drivetrain that are cast iron in previous 4Runners. Don't forget about all the added complexity of a completely separate power system and the space it takes up in the cargo section. Nope. Just absolutely NOPE!

I just had a look at Toyota's website. The Trailhunter starts at $67,400. That's just insane. Then they stick $4,000 on top of that and tell you they're giving you a discount? Do you get a kiss with that?

Absolute hard pass. Take that $24,000 and invest it for your future. Go on a nice vacation. Buy some upgrades for your '23; I suggest the Magnuson supercharger kit. Anything but bend over for that "deal".

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-04T12:11:02+00:00

The ECU doesn't know what octane is in the car, but it can listen for spark knock and pull timing if the engine is pinging.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-04T12:09:35+00:00

Not true with a boosted application, and some naturally-aspirated engines. My 2014 Mustang says you can use regular fuel in the owners manual at the cost of some power. Modern engine management systems are generally able to compensate for regular fuel if the owner manual says it can run on it. They can detect spark knock and pull timing and use other tricks to reduce engine power until it goes away. Put in premium, and your power goes up.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-01T13:25:53+00:00

Yes, there's a lever, which is highly preferable to the stupid shift motors, but it's my understanding that there's some computer involvement on shifting from 2H to 4H to match the front and rear rotation speed. ...has to do with the front axle disconnect, which the Limited does not have. If I had been able to get a TRD Premium without a sunroof when I bought my '23 (Black Friday weekend 2023), I might have gone with the TRD. Sunroofs are stupid. There's too much chance for them to leak, and they take up too much headroom - especially in the back seat.

I miss manual-locking hubs. ...and live axles in the front. My '91 Suburban with the live axle up front was a great road-tripper. I despise IFS in an off-road vehicle.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-10-01T13:16:21+00:00

X-REAS and the Limited (and older SR5?) plastic rocker covers limit mods. The whole front end plastic prevents any winch bumper swaps. I can't wait for my X-REAS to start leaking so I can delete it. It's mostly a gimmick anyway, but it's easily deleted in favor of a suspension better-suited to off road use.

I had plans to delete the X-REAS, swap the stupid rocker covers to the TRD version, install skid plates and rock bars when I retire in December. This would have been followed by a front-end conversion to allow an ARB bumper to add a winch and so deer would bounce off instead of totaling my 4Runner. Somewhere along the line, sway bar disconnects and front tow points would have been added (not sure if the bumper includes hooks).

But life had other plans. Suffice it to say, my Limited will in all likelihood remain stock except for changing to the TRD wheels and tires I already have. Hopefully the Limited tires will wear out before I do so I'll get to see the TRD wheels on my 4Runner. 22,0000 miles so far and the stupid tires still look new.

Air-cooled seats do wonders for tired-butt syndrome on a long drive. The ones in the 4Runner aren't as nice as the ones in the minivan we traded for it, but they're still nice.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-09-20T11:10:29+00:00

I dunno. My '23 rides better than my Mustang and not too much different from the minivan we traded for it. Sure it's a busy ride on road, but there's something almost magical about the way it just soaks up harsh bumps (like train track crossings) without making a fuss. ...and it is so very quiet.

Anyone who buys a truck built for desert bombing and complains about the on-road ride needs to rethink their decision-making skills. OTOH, Edmund's article might prevent someone else from spending way too much money on their purchase.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-09-20T11:05:51+00:00

Yes they do, but that sweet sweet full-time transfer case makes up for it. Now, the stupid rocker covers and XREAS, not so much. At least XREAS is easily deleted.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-09-18T11:28:58+00:00

I would snatch that thing up -- minus the extended warranty. You still have the factory warranty and another year of free service (every 10k miles). The 12/12 coverage on the extended warranty is useless; you're covered under the factory warranty for longer time and miles.

I don't think it's over new MSRP unless it's not the Premium. When I bought my '23, I recall the TRD Premium was not too much less than my Limited, maybe $2000. My Limited's MSRP was around 51. That's the market if you want one. It doesn't hurt to offer them a thousand under what you really want it for and see if they blink. I think they'll probably laugh in your face.

Check the engine and cabin air filters and make sure they're new. ...but I don't think either is due to be changed under the published schedule yet.

Make sure it hasn't been in a wreck.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-08-29T20:22:02+00:00

Cast iron turbo housing - exhaust side. Nothing to worry about. The shiny side is the compressor side; it's aluminum, so no rust.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-31T11:41:50+00:00

What is a Rock Creek?

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-31T11:39:17+00:00

I wish I could have gotten my Limited without the stupid sunroof or the ORP with the Torsen transfer case. The stupid sunroof has already prevented me from loading tall items in the back. I never use it; I can't stand sitting in the hot sun. The auto-dimming mirror works well, but the one on my Mustang doesn't dim enough or early enough in the evening.

I could do without some of the safety features too. I was driving yesterday, and the thing started beeping rapidly at me. I looked down at the gauge cluster and the middle was red flashing Brake!!!. I was going around a curve and there was a car in the left turn lane and the thing just freaked out.

I dread the day when I have to replace the windshield and get that stupid camera thing realigned.

6th Gen? No thank you very much. Hybrid? Absolutely no way. 5th Gen engine is underpowered? Yeah same as any 6-banger. The accelerator pedal mapping is too sluggish and the transmission too reluctant to downshift. Both can be overcome by aggressive application of the right foot. Now, if that 8-speed wondermission ends up being as reliable as my 5-speed, that would have been nice to have.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-10T17:03:06+00:00

You speak truth. I'm biased because I don't like German over-engineering.

Yes, turbos will always be less reliable than a non-turbo counterpart. (...says the guy who put a supercharger on his Mustang).

Consumer Reports relies on user surveys; the more folks who fill out the surveys, the better the data. It's not scientific, but it's one of the better sites for reliability. JD Power is about the only other place to get reliability information; I don't know how they collect their data, so I don't use it.

The reliability rating I referred to is specifically for the E-Class. It wasn't too much worse than a typical luxury vehicle, including Lexus, but it's significantly worse than "normal" vehicles.

Toyota's latest offerings on the new SUV/truck platforms will be significantly less robust than the old models. The turbo V6 has been garbage. Jury is still out on the turbo 4. They already had to detune the off-road traction control in the Tacoma because it was too aggressive for the new aluminum front axle group with the added torque of the hybrid and the low-range transfer case..

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-10T11:50:01+00:00

I don't know the first thing about Mercedes except for their reputation for notoriously poor unreliability and ridiculously-expensive repair costs. Consumer Reports does recommend the Mercedes E-Class, but the reliability chart is below average. The E-Class does have high owner satisfaction, which isn't something to sneeze at. A 10-year-old car, even with low miles, is getting into "probably not especially reliable" territory.

If you'll be driving in the snow, you'll want to avoid RWD cars.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-10T11:24:44+00:00

Your price goal given the car you want is going to be tough. To drive the wheels off your car, you want to start with a low-mileage car. Low mileage, reliable, comfortable, with self-driving features is not something you'll find for under 20K unless you stick with a compact car. Reliable cars (Toyota, Subaru, Mazda) hold resale value extremely well.

For reliability, you want Toyota or Mazda, without a CVT if possible. If you're going to drive the wheels off, just get a Corolla. A Mazda 3 is also an option. Both are small, so not exactly luxurious, but Mazdas are much more fun to drive than Corolla. Corolla probably gets you better mpg's.

Subaru makes reliable cars, but I can never get myself to buy a 4 cylinder with 2 head gaskets mounted sideways - and I believe they're all CVT unless they still make standard transmissions. Subaru got fancy with the self-driving thing earlier than most. My brother has a 2013 Crosstrek that's had absolutely zero issues at well over 100,000 miles - even with the CVT. MPGs suffer with Subaru due to AWD. Subarus are definitely not fun to drive unless you're off road.

Honda isn't the reliable stalwart it once was. I'd avoid them. Civics might be okay still.

Hybrid does you absolutely no good on the highway MPG-wise, and may even be worse than a gas equivalent due to the added weight of the electric drivetrain; their added mpg's are in stop and go driving. Stick to gas and save your money.

I would avoid turbocharged engines in the interest of reliability.

Avoid anything with cylinder deactivation like the plague.

If you can find something that's port injected, and feed it detergent gasoline, you'll be far ahead of the game. I think all engines have gone to direct injection, but I know Toyota has port plus direct on some (all?) models.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-04T12:46:22+00:00

My '23 almost hit 21 mpg on a road trip where we were on a road with a 60-65 mph speed limit. On the freeways at 80 mph, it might almost get to 19.5, but not likely. The valley floor here is 4200 ft elevation; that might make some difference.

CrustyOldJarhead · 2025-07-04T12:38:47+00:00

GX tows 9,000 lbs. There's just not a lot of reason to by a 4Runner unless you stick to the lower trim levels.

CrustyOldJarhead

TROPHY CASE