A 4RUNNER FORGED BY FAMILY AND TRAILS

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY IAN HORN

For Rob, Toyota isn’t just a brand— it has been a constant positive presence in his life. Growing up in Southern California, he was surrounded by them. His dad drove a Toyota truck. His brother rolled around in a 1st Gen 4Runner. His uncle had a classic ‘89 Toyota pickup, and his dad’s best friend— someone who Rob spent a lot of time with growing up—owned a 1990 4Runner. Wherever he looked, Toyotas weren’t just vehicles—they were part of the family fabric.

It’s no surprise that Rob’s first real experience behind the wheel was in a Toyota of his own—a manual ‘92 4Runner. “I actually ran over the curb during my parallel parking test,” he says laughingly. “And somehow I still passed.” Maybe the instructor didn’t care that day, or maybe as Rob likes to believe, the suspension soaked it up so well that no one noticed. Either way, it marked the start of something more than just a driving lesson. It was the moment he felt at home behind the wheel of a Toyota—and he has never looked back.