2004 toyota 4 Runner

2004 Toyota 4 Runner: In a world constructed for crossovers, the 4Runner is just one of the last mid-size SUVs to share DNA with a pickup truck. That's terrific for drivers that require a 5000-lb tow rating or who invest weekends off-roading; for those accustomed to the smooth trip and also trendy insides of car-based crossovers, nonetheless, the 4Runner may fail. Offered with just one powertrain-- a 4.0-liter V-6 with 270 hp as well as 278 lb-ft mated to a five-speed transmission-- this beast is outdated as well as a little slow.

When carbon-dating an automobile's age, there are a few options for taking the necessary examples. Consider this Toyota 4Runner. You may understand that it's old since the vehicle's standard structure (dressed up with brand-new designing for the 2010 model year) can be traced to its last full redesign for 2003. Or probably you would certainly notice that its order form does not have also the alternative to include significantly typical safety attributes such as automated emergency braking, lane-departure caution, or blind-spot surveillance, all which are offered-- primarily as common tools, even-- on nearly each Toyota.

Rather, the 4Runner has a steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, windows to see from, four-wheel drive, as well as big ground clearance for off-roading. The focus is also narrower with the TRD Off-Road trim degree evaluated below; the greatest upgrade on this model for 2017 is a name change from the previous Path. Resting just underneath the hard-core TRD Pro and also over the base SR5 on the 4Runner's performance pyramid, the Off-Road does not have the Pro's Bilstein shocks, unique springs, and TRD-branded (Toyota Competing Advancement) skid plates and black-painted wheels. Even so, it's established to get dirty with a conventional online securing rear differential, Toyota's Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control digital grip aids, as well as considerable Dunlop Grand Trek tires.

For an extra $1960, the TRD Off-Road is available in Costs trim (previously, this was described as the Trail Limited model), adding conventional rewards such as a 6.1-inch touchscreen with navigating, faux-leather seat upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and TRD lettering on each front-seat headrest. Our non-Premium model had the $345 Entune Costs Audio as well as Navigation bundle, which brings the aforementioned 6.1-inch infomercial system.


2004 Toyota 4 Runner


Engage Your Very Own 4x4

A lot more crucial to the 4Runner's objective, nevertheless, is the TRD Off-Road's part-time four-wheel-drive system, which is turned on through a muscular transfer-case bar and requires the transmission be positioned in neutral to switch over in between two-wheel drive as well as four-wheel-drive high or reduced variety. Our test Toyota was additional optioned with the $1750 Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which online disconnects the anti-sway bars to free up a lot more wheel articulation during rocky adventures. Going with this technique equipment sets off a $750 "Keep it Wild" discount, which more than countered our vehicle's $350 sliding rear freight shelf that can prolong past the tailgate opening to ease packing and discharging.

All-in, our trail-ready 4Runner pertained to $40,240, fairly reasonable given the truck's equipment (lacking safety and security equipment regardless of) and the ever-increasing prices seen among crossovers and also SUVs. You would certainly need to invest another $10K to drive off in the basest Land Rover Discovery.

The Toyota's MSRP welcomes comparisons to Jeep's four-door Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. Both are among the decreasing handful of SUVs capable of leaving the mall parking lot the grassy method, both have 4 doors, both are similar in size, and both price about the very same when optioned likewise. They've both been around for a long while, also, with the JK-generation Jeep dating to 2007 (yet there's an all-new Wrangler coming for 2018). One more difference: The Toyota's roofing does not come off, but its back window-- the one in the tailgate-- can pull back for semi-open-air motoring ... or to make it much easier to jab one end of a surfboard from the freight hold.

The Toyota's 9.6 inches of ground clearance and also 33-degree strategy and also 26-degree separation angles typically aren't as extreme as the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon's 10.0-inch as well as 42.2- and 32.5-degree dimensions. Still, they allow the 4Runner to scuttle over the type of barriers that would certainly leave most modern crossovers panting and also begging for mercy. We soiled the 4Runner at a local off-road park and barely strained its capability. Anyway, the Toyota also is much more livable compared to the Jeep thanks to its set roof covering, independent front suspension, and better-appointed (and quieter) inside.

Improved Is a Loved One Term

Nevertheless, the old-school 4Runner endures much of the exact same drawbacks as the Jeep. Its conventional ladder framework requires the floor up high and decreases cabin area relative to unibody crossovers. The meaty tires hum on the freeway and also serve up especially poor hold; we were also able to tweet them throughout not especially tough braking in website traffic. As well as the strong rear axle blends awkwardly with the independent front suspension, the setups providing roly-poly handling and also considerable body dive under braking. At the very least flight top quality is typically comfy.

The steering has vague on-center action, so you'll spend a lot of effort on lengthy trips pushing the wheel to and fro. Quiting calls for pushing one's foot through a squishy dead zone that covers the majority of the brake pedal's lengthy stroke to the floorboard. Predictably, the TRD Off-Road's 183-foot stopping distance and also 0.76-g hold numbers are unimpressive, and driving it difficult cause befuddling body lean and shout from the tires. This is how SUVs utilized to drive.

You'll discover more cobwebs under the hood, where an ancient 270-hp 4.0-liter V-6-- no turbos or straight fuel shot right here!-- collaborates with a five-speed automatic transmission to relocate the 4Runner. This average combo labors against the TRD Off-Road's significant mass when pressed, yet or else it fades right into the history in regular driving. That ye olde V-6 pushes the Toyota to 60 mph in 7.5 secs is truthfully fairly impressive, as is the 17-mpg average we tape-recorded throughout our examination, which matches the EPA's city estimate.

Developed to Stay Together

Various other positives? The freight area is large at 47 cubic feet-- which's simply behind the second-row seats. The control panel is happily simple as well as easy to use, specifically the climate as well as sound controls, both of which have actually knurled knobs and also big switches conveniently controlled by gloved or wet hands. It is organizations a lot more civilized inside compared to the Wrangler, at least partially because-- unlike the Jeep-- it isn't really designed ahead apart (i.e., the doors, roof, and various other little bits aren't detachable). The materials within are at least 2 generations behind Toyota's zeitgeist, yet they're still okay.

So, just like the usual topics of carbon-dating examinations, the Toyota 4Runner is a relic, albeit one with a particular niche usage for the appropriate customer. This TRD Off-Road iteration notes a wonderful happy medium in the 4Runner schedule, and one can ratchet up the burliness by choosing the TRD Pro or down with the more basic 4Runner SR5 or luxe Restricted. In either case, every 4Runner is a throwback to when SUVs existed under the pretense of off-road ability, not as the family-hauling minivan options that they have come to be. With Nissan's discontinuation of the Xterra after 2015, the choices for a budget friendly, four-door four-by-four have diminished to, well, the Wrangler Unlimited and also the 4Runner. If you have one-track mind for an SUV of this ilk, the Toyota is the friendlier everyday friend.