I suspect your 04 has hydraulic steering and the '21 has electric? If so that's likely much more of a factor than the wheels.

LexCTJill buys new.

 

Interesting view - albeit the complete opposite of mine! I had two 4Runner's ('00 and '04) and I never got sick of the rear window going down (I also had a '01 Sequoia where the window would go down). I didn't own a dog during the time of any of those vehicles, but I had the rear window open any chance I could - when the weather is nice it maximizes air flow and I really enjoyed it. Not understanding the comment about not having sunroof and rear glass open - I used to have sunroof open and all windows down. I would never trade that feature for anything else - in fact, it would be one of the primary reasons I'd get another 4Runner and I'd be willing to sacrifice things like ride quality to get it. To each their own.

 

Be aware that likely means you need to replace your phone in the next 12 months. This is the behavior you typically see in phones that don't support VoLTE--they use the 3G network for calls, and the LTE network for data. But that 3G network is being dismantled next year.

 

Bitkahuna is correct. Welcome to the world of electric power steering.

It is a simpler, less-complex system, requiring less maintenance, and not risking the fluid-leaks/contamination of hydraulic systems, but, in most cases, simply does not offer the same feel of what the front wheels are doing. It is one of the trade-offs of modern vehicles.

 

I am fairly certain the 4Runner is still on a hydraulic system.

 

I just find that when the roof is open the rear hatch, there is a buffeting noise...perhaps it never bothered you or wasn't present on the vehicles you have. I actually tried today and noticed it. But for me, honestly, the rear window is just not a thing for me.

Both of my 4Runners are hydraulic....Same part # I think.

 

Congrats!! Nice color.

 

Yep, you're right......I looked it up, and, surprising, but hydraulic it is. Toyota's site didn't publish it in the specs, though....had to check Car and Driver.

Car and Driver mentioned, in their testing, that the steering and chassis was so compromised for off-road performance that, as you noticed, it is sluggish on dry pavement.


https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/4runner


https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/4runner/specs

 

Im not at all surprised it is hydraulic...I already knew. Lol. As for the handling, it’s downright terrible...but it’s fun...makes a terrible daily driver and I would never ever want to have it just as a single car. But I just love the mix of premium materials and other odd stuff...love the way Toyota’s makes things from Japan ever so lightly differently than the stuff from North America.

Toyota Canada lists the steering

 

Thanks. I just love it.

 

Was that a V6 or V8?

 

Congrats on the new whip. The 4R in 21 is truly an evolved beast of the 150 series with all the tech one can need!

Your on freedom pop I assume, hows the service up north? I demoed it way back when it launched with sprint devices using their proprietary app/wifi based cell service and was wondering if its much improved since then.

 

With all due respect, I don't see any reason for reason for an LOL. Most vehicles, today, have indeed converted to electric power steering...it is not unreasonable to believe that the 4Runner also had. It is apparently one of the few holdouts.

 

Thank you very much. I appreciate the comment

 

No problem! I was having dinner in Bethesda last night across from the Euro Motorcars Mercedes dealership, and there was a real nice looking pearl white 4 Runner Limited sitting on the used car lot, its a sharp vehicle.