JT instead of a 4Runner

[Tidewater]

Hello all. New member and first post. I have had 5 Jeeps including my first 1986 CJ7 renegade purchased new in 87. I’m currently driving a 2013 JK 10A Rubi and a 4 Runner.

I am necking down to one vehicle and am considering the JT been watching it since 2016...

So has anyone else gone from 4Runner to JT?

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[ShadowsPapa]

Hello all. New member and first post. I have had 5 Jeeps including my first 1986 CJ7 renegade purchased new in 87. I’m currently driving a 2013 JK 10A Rubi and a 4 Runner.

I am necking down to one vehicle and am considering the JT been watching it since 2016...

So has anyone else gone from 4Runner to JT?

No - but you have to decide what you want and need, my personal bit is want prior to need lol
The JT is a truck, very heavy duty. The 4Runner a nice SUV - I've never owned one but like the looks and hear good things.
Keep in mind that even if you have owned and driven other Jeeps - the JT is a different experience. Very heavy duty, top of the Jeep line in that area, beautiful ride - even the Sport S max tow I test drove had a very good ride, IMO.
Keep in mind, it's all subjective in a Jeep forum save for a few.

I went from a full-sized pickup that was reserved for special needs like - when I needed a truck or had too many miles on my other vehicles, or the weather was totally horrible because, hey, it was a big truck........ to this JT and I could easily use it as a daily driver and am considering selling my 2004 Grand Cherokee since it's been sitting in the garage since I got the JT.

We now return you to your original question and 4Runner owners........

 

[Tidewater]

No - but you have to decide what you want and need, my personal bit is want prior to need lol
The JT is a truck, very heavy duty. The 4Runner a nice SUV - I've never owned one but like the looks and hear good things.
Keep in mind that even if you have owned and driven other Jeeps - the JT is a different experience. Very heavy duty, top of the Jeep line in that area, beautiful ride - even the Sport S max tow I test drove had a very good ride, IMO.
Keep in mind, it's all subjective in a Jeep forum save for a few.

I went from a full-sized pickup that was reserved for special needs like - when I needed a truck or had too many miles on my other vehicles, or the weather was totally horrible because, hey, it was a big truck........ to this JT and I could easily use it as a daily driver and am considering selling my 2004 Grand Cherokee since it's been sitting in the garage since I got the JT.

We now return you to your original question and 4Runner owners........

Thanks. I know how the JK rides. I need a multi purpose vehicle instead of two. Garage space and all. Thanks for the feedback

 

[WXman]

I haven't driven the current gen 4Runner but I had a prior gen that needed exhaust manifolds before 100K which was very expensive and the frame looked like swiss cheese. Oh, and a window actuator quit and it got 15 MPG on a good week. Then I had a Nissan Frontier CC 4x4 that needed axle seals at 10,000 miles and they fought me over it as a warranty repair. So, I'll never touch a Toyota or Nissan again.

10,200 on my Gladiator and I love it more every time I push the button to start it.

 

[spazzyfry123]

We seriously considered a 4Runner. Was heavily disappointed in how archaic it seemed for a brand new vehicle. 5 speed transmission, pixely displays, limited features. I get that the idea is for less things to break, but I couldn't wrap my mind around the money needed to buy a brand new 15 year old truck.

JT is still an old vehicle by design, but I FEEL much much more current than a Tacoma or 4Runner. Plus it is a truck, a toy, and rear seat room of an SUV. It is all of the segments rolled into one that does most of the things better than its direct competitors at effectively the same price. I know what would buy (and did).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

We seriously considered a 4Runner. Was heavily disappointed in how archaic it seemed for a brand new vehicle. 5 speed transmission, pixely displays, limited features. I get that the idea is for less things to break, but I couldn't wrap my mind around the money needed to buy a brand new 15 year old truck.

JT is still an old vehicle by design, but I FEEL much much more current than a Tacoma or 4Runner. Plus it is a truck, a toy, and rear seat room of an SUV. It is all of the segments rolled into one that does most of the things better than its direct competitors at effectively the same price. I know what would buy (and did).

The JT display and layout of the cluster area is fantastic. The electronics very current, IMO.
You hit the rear seat room - JT is fantastic interior room and I came from a full sized pickup. I don't feel the interior of the JT cramped at all.

 

[Renegade]

I have both now. A 2016 SR5 4x4 Premium (wife’s primary vehicle) and the Gladiator Rubicon. There is no comparison when it comes to which one is more fun to drive- The Gladiator wins, hands down. If we have more than 4 passengers (the 4runner has 3rd row) the 4runner gets driven. Both of my daughters prefer the Gladiator. The only time I might prefer to drive the 4runner is if it’s raining, and I have something to transport that won’t fit in the back seats of the Gladiator. Good luck with your decision, but if you are debating it, I think you should be happy with a Gladiator.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

With a cover on the box of the JT - it stays dry even through car washes so I'd not be afraid to haul things in the back even in rain. I'd likely still wrap or cover or protect, but I've not had water in mine yet.

 

[Gladiator4Runner]

Hello all. New member and first post. I have had 5 Jeeps including my first 1986 CJ7 renegade purchased new in 87. I’m currently driving a 2013 JK 10A Rubi and a 4 Runner.

I am necking down to one vehicle and am considering the JT been watching it since 2016...

So has anyone else gone from 4Runner to JT?

Member Snowdogyyz did the exact same thing. I messaged him and he traded in his 2013 4Runner.
Check in with him. I currently drive a 2015 4Runner TRD Pro and LOVE it and can't wait to get the Gladiator to add to my stable.

 

[Tidewater]

I have both now. A 2016 SR5 4x4 Premium (wife’s primary vehicle) and the Gladiator Rubicon. There is no comparison when it comes to which one is more fun to drive- The Gladiator wins, hands down. If we have more than 4 passengers (the 4runner has 3rd row) the 4runner gets driven. Both of my daughters prefer the Gladiator. The only time I might prefer to drive the 4runner is if it’s raining, and I have something to transport that won’t fit in the back seats of the Gladiator. Good luck with your decision, but if you are debating it, I think you should be happy with a Gladiator.

Great Feedback. Thanks.

 

[danielspivey]

I had a fully loaded 2014 sr5 4runner and a 2016 limited before the JT. Didn’t have a single problem with either. If you have a kid and dogs, you really need an suv...

My wife has a 2018 touring crv for our suv she could got whatever she wanted, but she always has had Honda’s and won’t stray. Pilot was to big for her. She didn’t want to have to drive over an hour to Acura. Gets 32 mpg and is awd, so it serves many purposes for us. The 4runner limited got 16.5!!!

Now the limited was awesome to drive. Gripped the road. Was pretty awesome too when lowering all the windows , plus the back window and the sunroof. I believe the closest thing you can get having open air like a JT. The electronics in the 4runner were mediocre. The leather sucked, I had the limited for almost 2 years, was already starting to wear. That was my main beef with it.

With that being said, I chose the JT after driving the runners which I loved. I actually wanted a wrangler for years but needed something to pull our wake and tritoon with... the 3500 tow rating always stopped me from even looking at them. For me it was between a Lexus GX ( Basically v8 4runner) and the JT, I chose the JT. I don’t regret it a bit. It’s more fun, my kid loves it, it’s my second vehicle and the thing just has Mojo to it!!!

For the JT storage issue, get a soft roll up tonneau cover. Not hard , but soft. Roll up is quick and easy to get out of the way. Water tight and can put a ton of stuff back there. Before I didn’t even like to take it to Costco. Now my wife and I prefer it because it has more room than the CRV for stuff.

 

[rjs-az]

I have both. I went from a 2016 Trail 4Runner to the JT Rubi. I still have the 4Runner and am about to sell it (just hit 50k miles).

They are both great vehicles. I love the Gladiator. It is more fun to drive, I’ve got a rack and a roof top tent so it is better for overlanding, though I could throw the RTT on the 4Runner.

As far as off road capability, the 4Runner is just as capable for what I’ve done. I just got back from a 5 day trip to the Maze in Canyonlands and it was me in the Gladiator. A 2-door wrangler and my friend in his 2015 4Runner Trail with 2” lift and 33” tires. He did everything I could do and never scraped whereas I dragged the tow hitch a few times and scraped the right rear bumper due to the longer wheelbase on my stock Rubicon.

And my 4Runner at 4 years and 50k miles is smoother running than my Gladiator at 6 months and 12k. The Toyota is just built well, road trips better, etc. now that it is cold out, the suspension on the Jeep squeaks a lot, runs a little tougher at startup. To me it is a question of Toyota versus Mopar build quality, especially since the Jeep cost 30-40% more!

But despite all that, I still prefer the Jeep. It is just more fun all around. I am trying to talk my wife into keeping the 4Runner so we have both as an option. But again they are both great vehicles. They are different enough I guess you should answer the truck vs SUV question first.

Rick

PS the other big factor for me was towing. The 4Runner has a 4700lb tow rating to the Rubi’s 6k. I’ve only towed about 3k with each of them (RV rental), and the Gladiator was a better experience, mostly because of wheelbase. Good luck deciding!

 

[John Montana]

I sold my 2015 Trail Premium 4 runner and switched to the gladiator about two weeks ago. Honestly, the Jeep is just more fun to drive. The 4Runner was incredibly practical, and did everything well other than:

1). Be a truck.
2). Go topless (Haven’t done this yet in the JT, but can’t wait)
3). Have decent electronics.

The 4 runner had a more spacious cabin (Front and back) and did everything I needed in terms of off-road capability, but it just isn’t as fun to drive as any Jeep. Disclaimer, I have always loved jeeps. I tried the 4 runner and it was a very practical vehicle, did everything I needed it to do, but I missed my jeeps. When the gladiator came out and I could have a Jeep a truck I was pretty well sold. One test drive and it was a done deal. Just a fun vehicle to drive.

 

[BLK HOLE]

I currently own a JTR, JKUR and my wife’s 2016 4Runner. Outside it’s reliability factor the 4Runner is garbage...and compared to a JT I wouldn’t even bother comparing it. The JT is better than both a Runner and the JK in nearly every measurable way. I won’t even drive or ride in our Runner. Underpowered, under-geared, ergonomics are horrid, offroad capability is laughable, the ride is terrible. No...just no. The Runners today are just minivans with different doors. They’re great for soccer moms and mall runs and that’s it.

 

[Tidewater]

I had a fully loaded 2014 sr5 4runner and a 2016 limited before the JT. Didn’t have a single problem with either. If you have a kid and dogs, you really need an suv...

My wife has a 2018 touring crv for our suv she could got whatever she wanted, but she always has had Honda’s and won’t stray. Pilot was to big for her. She didn’t want to have to drive over an hour to Acura. Gets 32 mpg and is awd, so it serves many purposes for us. The 4runner limited got 16.5!!!

Now the limited was awesome to drive. Gripped the road. Was pretty awesome too when lowering all the windows , plus the back window and the sunroof. I believe the closest thing you can get having open air like a JT. The electronics in the 4runner were mediocre. The leather sucked, I had the limited for almost 2 years, was already starting to wear. That was my main beef with it.

With that being said, I chose the JT after driving the runners which I loved. I actually wanted a wrangler for years but needed something to pull our wake and tritoon with... the 3500 tow rating always stopped me from even looking at them. For me it was between a Lexus GX ( Basically v8 4runner) and the JT, I chose the JT. I don’t regret it a bit. It’s more fun, my kid loves it, it’s my second vehicle and the thing just has Mojo to it!!!

For the JT storage issue, get a soft roll up tonneau cover. Not hard , but soft. Roll up is quick and easy to get out of the way. Water tight and can put a ton of stuff back there. Before I didn’t even like to take it to Costco. Now my wife and I prefer it because it has more room than the CRV for stuff.

Thank you

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