Best 4x4

[SolarAlex]

fwiw i have a 2013 tacoma with a 3" lift and 33s (255-80-17) and theres no issue getting up anything in 4lo (automatic 4.0 v6) .

honestly where i notice the lack of power is going uphill at highway speeds.

[Jay521]

Also in the FWIW category - I have always driven standard transmission 4X4's - a couple Chevy pickups and now an FJ. My FJ went 110K miles before I had to do a brake job. Probably got 70 to 80K on the Chevy trucks before needing brakes. Low range with a stick shift and you don't have to use your brakes much.

[SkaredShtles]

Also in the FWIW category - I have always driven standard transmission 4X4's - a couple Chevy pickups and now an FJ. My FJ went 110K miles before I had to do a brake job. Probably got 70 to 80K on the Chevy trucks before needing brakes. Low range with a stick shift and you don't have to use your brakes much.

This actually applies to automatic transmissions as well. But you have to know how to use the gear selector...and most people don't.

[crestone14ers]

I'm really not looking for a truck though. I've done the truck thing, and they are good if the driving is all that I care about, but I really am looking at SUVs almost exclusively. The biggest thing for me is covered storage for gear. I loathe bed covers, and camper shells aren't much better. I could put the gear in the back seat, but I'd prefer to have that available for my dog when I'm traveling. I'm going to be using this for a lot of cross country drives, so being able to hop out, lock the door and not worry about it is pretty appealing.

OP... what are you really looking for? An SUV... but you want good mileage. OK... get a four banger Subaru with manual tranny.

You like Jeeps... OK... Cherokee, that's good, get a V6 with manual or auto tyranny. The somewhat older 4.0's are very popular and good running and fairly easy to work on, as you say you like to do.

Me... in Colorado, there's only one 4x4 that I drive and have been doing it since the old 22 and 22R four banger engines of the late 70's and early 80's. Then moved into their V6's... all so far with 4 then 5 speeds.

In December 2006, moved into their V8 engine and love it. 4Runner, auto, V8, one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.

TOYOTA! The only 4x4 manufacturer that I've seen incredible longevity, reliability, and trust in when it comes to SUV, truck, 4x4... you name it. Almost forty years of Toyota and it's only been four vehicles, that's it. And I could have run them longer but always sold them inexpensively to help young folks into a well maintained first 4x4.

Sounds like you want a Jeep... get a Cherokee 4.0 BTW, heavy trucks has been my business, been working on vehicles since I was a teenager.

YMMV. Get a Jeep but I think a Toyota would serve you better for the long haul. Then again, if you're just visiting Colorado once in a blue moon, rent a 4x4... and buy yourself a higher gas mileage vehicle.

[nsaladin]

In December 2006, moved into their V8 engine and love it. 4Runner, auto, V8, one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.

Having owned both an '06 V8 (4th Generation) and a '15 V6 (5th generation), I am in 100% agreement. Wish I would of never had to get rid of the V8 (Totaled).

[SchralpTheGnar]

I owned a subaru for 8 years, and I now have an '04 V6 runner, that I've had for about 2 years. I miss the gas mileage on the subaru, but I like the 4x4 capabilities of the 4Runner, both are great rides, smooth on the highway. The are great vehicles, but if I had to pick again, I'd get a subaru just for the better gas mileage and walk the little extra bit of road. The percentage of actual time you need 4x4 is so small, and an outback can get along on some pretty rugged roads.

My brother has a jeep wrangler sport four door and that thing is a beast, I love driving that car, but I would never spend that much money on a car, I'm more of a minimalist than he is.

[Colorado dreaming]

While I can appreciate the qualities of a Jeep (one pro is it is easy to get parts since they are everywhere in CO), do what is best for your overall lifestyle and not just a trip you will take a few times a year (you can rent something for those occasions). But if you want a good 4X4, I highly recommend a 4Runner. I have had a 1997 and currently have a 2008 - both have been very reliable, durable and able to get to most anywhere in CO (plus, having the ability to sleep in the back is a huge bonus for me!). I had the 1997 for 14 years and it had 250K when I sold it and it was still running (sigh, I miss that truck). You should get over 200K in any 4Runner, YMMV.

[TallGrass]

Getting more clearance with oversized tires changes the overall gear ratio between your engine and the tires on the ground. It has a negative effect on both performance (power to get up hills) and braking (the brakes ability to stop you). This is not opinion, but mathematical fact.

This is something a lot of people dont consider when they increase their tire size on their rigs. ... On the road you'll downshift a lot less going uphill and your cruise control won't be worthless. It'll save you gas as well. Only downside is your revs will be higher at high speeds.

And some get a "reminder" from the local constabulary to have their speedo/odo re-calibrated. Saves gas but revs higher? Think you've got that backward as overdrive is a gas saving feature that lowers highway RPMS.

[jscully]

Getting more clearance with oversized tires changes the overall gear ratio between your engine and the tires on the ground. It has a negative effect on both performance (power to get up hills) and braking (the brakes ability to stop you). This is not opinion, but mathematical fact.

This is something a lot of people dont consider when they increase their tire size on their rigs. ... On the road you'll downshift a lot less going uphill and your cruise control won't be worthless. It'll save you gas as well. Only downside is your revs will be higher at high speeds.

And some get a "reminder" from the local constabulary to have their speedo/odo re-calibrated. Saves gas but revs higher? Think you've got that backward as overdrive is a gas saving feature that lowers highway RPMS.

Yes, its a good idea to recal your speedo with your wheel size. I dont think I have it wrong on the revs. If youre geared too high it bogs your engine down and you use more gas. That is why auto trannys downshift. You may experience this going up I-70 or anything like it. If youre geared lower your engine revs will be higher for the given gear and thus less downshifting saving you gas. Think of it as riding your bike uphill. If youre geared high with a low cadence, it produces much more fatigue metabolites than if you were in a lower gear spinning faster. Now this changes your top end and you may not be able to go at a high rate of speed in your overdrive. The gains may be lost if you do

[jchapell]

In December 2006, moved into their V8 engine and love it. 4Runner, auto, V8, one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.

Having owned both an '06 V8 (4th Generation) and a '15 V6 (5th generation), I am in 100% agreement. Wish I would of never had to get rid of the V8 (Totaled).

Any thoughts on Landcruisers discussed earlier vs V8 (or otherwise) 4Runners on this topic?

[nsaladin]

Any thoughts on Landcruisers discussed earlier vs V8 (or otherwise) 4Runners on this topic?

Either rig is going to be a solid choice (great reliability, affordable parts, lots of aftermarket options, re-sale value, etc. etc). The Land Cruiser will feel a lot more like a boat than the 4runner. Road noise on the 4Runner (even the '15) was significantly worse than 1998-2007 (100 Series) cruisers/LX. The V8 4Runner and the 100 Series Cruiser/LX share a similar engine (4.7L). I have since sold my '15 in hopes to build a track/project car and find a nice cruiser/lx/4runner to tow it with. Currently looking for a Land Cruiser or 4Runner, and have had a hard time finding one that doesn't have some sort of deal breaker the dealer or private seller wasn't willing to negotiate on (because they know someone else will buy it as is). These are highly sought after rigs in this state, as well as across the country.

[Conor]

In terms of burning up the brakes, weight is a much bigger problem than gearing. My friend and his heavy Nissan truck burned the brakes coming down YBB of all places. I've never had that problem. I think good AT tires and clearance are the biggest advantage for any 4x4 rd in CO, but short wheel base and relatively lightweight have also played a role. I've seen Subarus at a few TH that surprised me, but I wouldn't go up Como, Nellie, pearl pass, and probably a few others without clearance and 4x4 (what if you got stuck!?). Oh and rock plates! Can you imagine if your oil reservoir got ripped open? You can add those, I have a lot of clearance but I've put some dents in mine.

My landcruiser is probably about 8000 to 8500 lbs loaded. I've also driven down Mt Princeton with no vacuum to my brake booster. Gearing is everything.

Any thoughts on Landcruisers discussed earlier vs V8 (or otherwise) 4Runners on this topic?

Either rig is going to be a solid choice (great reliability, affordable parts, lots of aftermarket options, re-sale value, etc. etc). The Land Cruiser will feel a lot more like a boat than the 4runner. Road noise on the 4Runner (even the '15) was significantly worse than 1998-2007 (100 Series) cruisers/LX. The V8 4Runner and the 100 Series Cruiser/LX share a similar engine (4.7L). I have since sold my '15 in hopes to build a track/project car and find a nice cruiser/lx/4runner to tow it with. Currently looking for a Land Cruiser or 4Runner, and have had a hard time finding one that doesn't have some sort of deal breaker the dealer or private seller wasn't willing to negotiate on (because they know someone else will buy it as is). These are highly sought after rigs in this state, as well as across the country.

100 series and v8 4runners both run the 2uz-fe motor. As well as the Gx470 mentioned earlier. When buying used, one should be aware that the timing belt is considered to be a replacement item. Mr T says it's good for 180k miles, but recommends replacement at 90k. Most people also replace the water pump at the same time....I wouldnt really consider either of them to tow anything of significance.

The landcruiser is definitely cooler, but I have a landcruiser obsession...