EARNED TRUST: Toyota's rugged 4Runner a paragon of reliability, durability - Albuquerque Journal
First launched in 1984, the premier generation was a clever construct, basically a short-wheelbase compact pickup truck with a fiberglass roof covering the bed, creating space for a second row of seats and a cargo hold with a tailgate for access. Powered by Toyota’s famously bulletproof 2. 4-liter 22R four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission and two-speed transfer case, the first 4Runner was a model of simplicity and toughness. Each succeeding year introduced improvements and upgrades to the drivetrain, suspension, interior fitments and performance. Gen 2 saw the demise of the fiberglass roof, replaced by an integrated steel body permitting four-door construction. With the deletion of the four-cylinder’s availability in Gen 3’s 2001 model year, a 3. 4-liter, DOHC V-6 became the sole powerplant. But its behind-the-times five-speed automatic transmission struggles to make the most of its available power, leaving the SUV feeling slightly sluggish. Our test vehicle was a 4×4 Trail model, generously equipped with a roster of off-road enhancements and interior comfort and convenience add-ons. While its off-road performance is beyond reproach, on-road driveability betrays the vehicle’s body-on-ladder-frame construction. Its slow-ratio steering calls for frequent corrections on the highway, and it feels vaguely ponderous through bends in rural two-lane roads. Source: www.abqjournal.com
