We chose the Toyota 4Runner TE as the overland vehicle for our trip based on its reliability, capability, safety ratings and Toyota's presence across the Americas. Below are the 4Runner Trail Edition 2012 stock specs.

Engine:

Type: 4.0-liter, 6-cylinder, 24-valve

Valvetrain: DOHC, 4-valve/cylinder

Displacement: 3,956 cc

Bore x Stroke: 3.70 x 3.74 in.

Compression Ratio: 10.4:1

Horsepower: 270 hp @ 5,600 rpm

Torque: 278 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm

Ignition System: TDI

Fuel System: EFI

Recommended Fuel: 87-octane unleaded

Emission Certification: LEV2 EPA

Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined) 17/22/19 MPG

 

Brakes

Front: Ventilated disc/13.3 in

Rear: Ventilated disc/12.3 in

Parking: Foot applied, foot released

 

Wheels and Tires

Wheel Size: 7.5 x 17 in

Wheel Type: Unique off-road, 17-inch alloy

Tire Size: P265/70 R17

Tire Type: Mud and snow radial

Spare Tire and Wheel: Full-size

 

Exterior Dimensions

Wheelbase: 109.8 in

Overall Length: 189.9 in

Overall Width: 75.8 in

Overall Height w/ roof rack: 71.5 in

Tread Width (Front/Rear): 63.2/63.2 in

Ground Clearance 9.0 in (4x2), 9.6 in (4x4) 

Approach Angle: 33 degrees

Departure Angle: 24 degrees

Coefficient of Drag: 0.36

 

Standard Exterior Features

Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto-off feature

Integrated front fog lamps

Skid Plates on engine/front suspension, fuel tank and transfer case

P265/70R17 tires on unique 17-inch alloy wheels with full size steel spare

Windshield wiper de-icer

Rear liftgate window defogger with timer and UV protection

Remote keyless entry

Black bumpers, door handles, heated power outside mirrors, overfenders, side rocker panels, mudguards, front grille insert.

Hood scoop

Smoked headlamp and taillamp bezels

Black utility roof rack with rail system

 

Standard Interior Features

Backup camera linked to an electrochromic mirror with integrated backup camera monitor

Overhead console with Multi-terrain Select, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), VSC cutoff, locking rear differential and Crawl Control switches

One front and one cargo area 120V AC power outlets

Water-resistant fabric-trimmed seating material

Sliding rear cargo deck that supports 440 lbs

Air conditioning with air filter and second row vents

8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and 4-way power-adjustable passenger seat

AM/FM/MP3 CD player with eight speakers

Integrated SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio

USB port with iPod connectivity

Hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth®

Auxiliary audio jack

Tailgate “Party Mode” sound optimization setting for tailgate listening

40/20/40 split reclining and fold-flat second-row seating

Second-row center armrest with cup holders

In-key remote keyless entry system

Power windows with auto up/down and jam protection in all positions

Power sliding rear liftgate window with auto up/down and jam protection

Power door locks with programmable auto door lock logic

Optitron instrument cluster with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature, ECO driving indicator, odometer, twin trip meters, average fuel consumption and fuel gauges

Multi-Information Display with outside temperature, clock, average fuel consumption, distance to empty and compass

Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with cruise control, audio and Bluetooth® hands-free telephone controls

HomeLink universal transceiver

Dual sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Ten cup and bottle holders

Two front and one rear 12V DC power outlets; one front AUX audio jack inputs

Center-console storage box with coin, tissue, and pen holders

Foot pedal parking brake

Gated shifter with sequential shift

Drivetrain:

Layout: Rear-wheel 4x2 or full-time 4x4

Transmission Type: 5-speed ECT automatic

Gear Ratios: 1st 3.52, 2nd 2.042, 3rd 1.4, 4th 1.0, 5th 0.716, Reverse 3.224

Differential Ratio 3.727 Transfer Case (High/Low) 1.0/2.566 (4x4)

 

Suspension:

Front: Independent double-wishbone suspension with stabilizer bar

Rear: 4-link rigid type with coil springs

Stabilizer Bar Diameter: 1.68 in (Front with KDSS), 1.18 in (Rear with KDSS)

 

Steering:

Type: Power-assisted and variable gear rack-and-pinion

Overall Ratio: 18.4:1

Turns (lock to lock): 2.7 turns

Turning Circle Diameter (curb to curb): 37.4 ft

 

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

Standard with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)

Brake Assist (BA)

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

 

Weight and Capacities

Curb Weight: 4,750 lbs

GVWR: 6,300 lbs

Payload: 1,625 lbs

Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs

Tongue Weight: 500 lbs

Fuel Capacity: 23.0 gal

Engine Oil: 6.0 qt

Seating Capacity: 5 

 

Standard Safety and Security

Star Safety System: Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST)

Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System

Driver and front passenger TAP (thorax, abdomen, pelvis) Airbag

Side airbags on all rows

Roll-sensing side curtain airbags (RSCA) with cutoff switch

Driver and front passenger knee airbags

Driver and front passenger active headrests

Driver and front passenger seatbelt pretensioners with force limiters

3-point seat belts for all seating positions

Driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractors (ALR/ELR) on all passenger belts

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard second-row seats and tether anchors on all second-row seats

Child-protector rear door locks and power window lockout

Side-impact door beams

Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

Daytime Running Lights (DRL)

Safety Connect with Emergency Assistance, Stolen Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance, and Automatic Collision Notification.

Anti-theft alarm system with engine immobilizer

 

Standard Mechanical Features

50-state emissions LEV-II

Part-time 4WD system with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC)

Locking rear differential

Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control

Coil-spring independent double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar.

Coil-spring 4 link with lateral rod rear suspension with stabilizer bar

Power-assisted 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with Multi-Terrain ABS

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist

Integrated weight carrying Tow Hitch Receiver (5,000 lbs)

Full-size spare

 

Trail Optional Features

Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)

Display Audio with Navigation and Entune

6.1 in touch-screen with integrated backup camera display

AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability

eight speakers

SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio

HD Radio with iTunes Tagging

Auxiliary audio jack

USB port with iPod connectivity and control

Vehicle information with customizable settings

Hands-free phone capability

Phonebook access

Advanced voice recognition

Text-to-voice with programmed and customizable text responses

Music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology

 

Warranty

60,000-mile Powertrain

36,000-mile Comprehensive

Unlimited-mileage Corrosion Perforation