Hi - Just joined the group, and I am just finishing up day 3 with my new 2004 V8 Limited. It's my first 4Runner (first Toyota actually, though my father's been a Camry guy from the beginning). I have a question. What do I need to know about this 4Runner's capability off road? I know, obviously, that over the years the 4Runner has a great reputation, but I wanted to get a sense of what specifically about my stock 2004 V8 Limited helps, hurts or otherwise impacts the vehicle's performance off-road. So, what are its capabilities and its limitations? Thanks. Dan

Dan, Other than the Toyota Land Cruiser (which is the ultimate off road vehicle, but is very expensive ...$65k) and the Hummer H2 (very expensive, impractical, and highly unreliable), your 4Runner is the most capable off road vehicle made. With DAC, VSC, torsen locking center differential, limited slip front and rear axles, between fender air intake (for deep water), C and box channel frame, minimal overhang, and 320 lb. ft. of torque, you can easily trounce virtually all other 4X4's in virtually all off road scenerios. Oh sure, there are the hopped up jeeps that seem to dominate rock crawling, but they're plagued with more reliability problems than a teenager with a to-do list. In addition, they ride like garden tractors and have the comfort levels not unlike hard seated go karts. Your 4Runner has addressed every issue in ownership/driving with Toyota's obsessive dedication to quality, reliability, and comfort. I see people bringing in their 300,000 to 400,000+ mile 4runners in for trades everyday. Mostly their customers are simply wanting to upgrade to the newer models. Most of the 4Runner trades are still running fine. Toyota realizes that the 4Runner's heritage of quality, longevity, and reliability are what put it on the map as one of the most sought after SUV's, and made sure to bring those attributes to the latest generation of the 4Runner. So, you can be assured that you have a vehicle that not only has unsurpassed comfort, driveability, rideability, practicality, reliability, and durability, but you have a vehicle that is perfectly capable of pulling out the stuck "wannabe's" such as the Trailblazers, Envoys, Explorers, Jeeps, and everything else that claims to be a 4X4. And proudly be reassured that you bought the best SUV produced and that you can thumb up at drivers of other SUV's. Enjoy your 4Runner for years to come, Erick Faust O'Brien Toyota/Scion www.obrientoyota.com dansnare3

> Other than the Toyota Land Cruiser (which is the ultimate off road > vehicle, but is very expensive ...$65k) and the Hummer H2 (very > expensive, impractical, and highly unreliable), your 4Runner is the > most capable off road vehicle made. What about the Range Rover? > between > fender air intake (for deep water), Hmm. So how deep can it ford? And how does between fender air intake work? Also, how steep an incline and decline can the thing do? Thanks. BTW, funny thing about owning a 4Runner. This morning I parked next to another 4Runner, and I immediately felt the need to strike up a conversation with the owners. Turns out they had a 2002 which was a replacement for an Explorer. They almost bought another Explorer but took one ride in the 4Runner and were hooked. Oh, and then this evening I found myself parked next to a 1988. Dan

The Land Rover is extremely capable off road, but highly unreliable, very expensive to fix, and can only be serviced in very few locations. As for the grade degrees, the 4runner is very capable of ascending/descending 45 degrees with stock tires. The front fender intake goes through the inner fender where air is drawn up between the inner and outer fenders. The 4Runner can forge hood-deep water without any problems, however I wouldn't recommend trying it. All 4Runners from generation two have had this ingenious design, including my 2001 Highlander edition. dansnare3

So why does it seen like a lot of people want to remove their running boards? Is that a cosmetic thing, or is there some practical purpose to it? Thanks. Dan

however, as a female, running boards are advantageous when wearing a skirt :D Sharon

After the sale of the Rover group to BMW (1994) then to Ford (2000), the reliablity has gone up. How much is unknown (to me at least). While there are few Land/Range Rover dealers, they can be serviced at any competent auto repair shop. Someone else mentioned the approach/departure angles. The breakover is 24 deg. The 4Runner is rated to 27.5" (700mm) for water fording but a lot of guys recommend you extend the rear axle breather to go that deep. -Bobby >

>> So why does it seen like a lot of people want to remove their running >> boards? >> >> Is that a cosmetic thing, or is there some practical purpose to it? >Most people do it for (clearance and) cosmetics. It gives the Runner >the look of being higher than it really is. It gives back the 2 or so >inches lost to hanging the running boards. Ok, so does that 2 inches make a material difference? (Though I can't imagine my wife being too happy about climbing into the thing without the running boards.) Thanks Dan

> So why does it seem like a lot of people want to remove their running > boards? >Most people do it for (clearance and) cosmetics. It gives the Runner >the look of being higher than it really is. It gives back the 2 or so >inches lost to hanging the running boards. Ok, so I just went and looked at the running boards. They aren't the lowest thing under the truck. Does removing them still give extra clearance even thought there is other stuff below them? Thanks Dan

There's one other thing ... they also do a great job of warding off "door dings". Rich

I could use a running board for my '99 4Runner. If you decide to sell it and it fits mine..... -Luis.