4Runner newbie

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

Hey all, so in my quest to figure out which 4x4 to be my first, I've decided on a v8 4th 4Runner. With a soon to be wife and baby on the way, this truck ticked all the boxes for me. I want to keep my budget as close to $10k as possible, with $15k as my max. What should I be looking for? Known years to avoid? Desirable ones? Educate me!

 

[enzo]

Check out T4R.org. There is tons of info there.

 

[Dalko43]

A quick peruse of auto trader shows that most if not all of the v8 4runners are going for $15k at least. I suppose if you start searching craigslist ads you might be able to find one for less, but it will likely have more miles on it.

As for the 4th gen 4runner, the platform itself (frame, chassis, interior) is pretty solid and holds up well. The stock vehicle sits kind of low for a body-on-frame SUV (which I'm sure Toyota did to squeeze out every MPG they could for EPA ratings), but if you start adding in aftermarket suspensions, that shouldnt be an issue. I never heard about any major recalls or technical service bulletins for the 4th gen 4runner, but that doesn't mean there weren't any. It would be to your advantage to check the NHTSA for all relevant recalls and technical service bulletins.

I don't have any experience with the V8. I've heard pretty good things about the engine in terms or reliability. I think I recall the timing belt, or something like that, being a common maintenance/wear item, but other than that a lot of owner feedback I've seen has praised the engine. Fuel economy will suck compared to the V6, but that is to be expected.

As someone else pointed out, T4r.org is a good place to discuss all things 4runner. I think the 4th gen section of the forum is still very active, so you should be able to get very detailed feedback there if this forum doesn't provide the answers you are looking for.

 

[JduRunner]

I currently own a 2006 4th gen with the V8, feel free to PM me any questions you my have. Off the top of my head though: If you can swing the money look for an 05 or later model, they added VVT-i to the engines then and it resulted it a bit better MPG and 35 additional HP. The body was refreshed in 2006 and added projector headlamps and LED taillights. The biggest things to look for are rust on the frame depending on where the truck lived, timing belt and brake calipers. The timing belt should be done every 90k (if it breaks its a bad bad deal) additionally Toyota recommends a water pump replacement during this time. The reason being the labor that is done to access the timing belt allows the water pump to be swapped out very easily, you essentially only have to pay for the part and coolant. MY water pump looked good at 90 but I will be replacing it here at 180. The only other issue that really comes up is the brake calipers tend to have the pistons seize and drag on the rotor. When this happens we go with NAPA calipers that have a lifetime warranty so that when it happens again you dont have to pay for new calipers. Sport editions and some Limited came with X-REAS suspension where the shocks were connected to each other diagonally the system tends to start to leak once you hit 6 figure mileages, not a big deal if you are going to lift it anyway. Limited models can have rear air suspension that can complicated lifting too. As for V8 fuel economy: the V8 is AWD/4WD there is no 2WD unless the car is a Texas or florida car and doesn't even have a transfer case. Despite this it is only rated at 1MPG less than the V6. I average about 15-16 in town and 18-19 on the highway with a lift and heavy tires. I don't drive like a madman either.

 

[94toy22re]

I paid 14K for 2007 Sport V8 AWD with 120k miles in July 2015. Make sure it will engage and disengage low gear search on t4r.org for more info. Also look at the Lexus GX470 basically identical to the 4runner.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

Check out T4R.org. There is tons of info there.

A quick peruse of auto trader shows that most if not all of the v8 4runners are going for $15k at least. I suppose if you start searching craigslist ads you might be able to find one for less, but it will likely have more miles on it.

As for the 4th gen 4runner, the platform itself (frame, chassis, interior) is pretty solid and holds up well. The stock vehicle sits kind of low for a body-on-frame SUV (which I'm sure Toyota did to squeeze out every MPG they could for EPA ratings), but if you start adding in aftermarket suspensions, that shouldnt be an issue. I never heard about any major recalls or technical service bulletins for the 4th gen 4runner, but that doesn't mean there weren't any. It would be to your advantage to check the NHTSA for all relevant recalls and technical service bulletins.

I don't have any experience with the V8. I've heard pretty good things about the engine in terms or reliability. I think I recall the timing belt, or something like that, being a common maintenance/wear item, but other than that a lot of owner feedback I've seen has praised the engine. Fuel economy will suck compared to the V6, but that is to be expected.

As someone else pointed out, T4r.org is a good place to discuss all things 4runner. I think the 4th gen section of the forum is still very active, so you should be able to get very detailed feedback there if this forum doesn't provide the answers you are looking for.

That site is great!! Thanks for the recommendation!!

I currently own a 2006 4th gen with the V8, feel free to PM me any questions you my have. Off the top of my head though: If you can swing the money look for an 05 or later model, they added VVT-i to the engines then and it resulted it a bit better MPG and 35 additional HP. The body was refreshed in 2006 and added projector headlamps and LED taillights. The biggest things to look for are rust on the frame depending on where the truck lived, timing belt and brake calipers. The timing belt should be done every 90k (if it breaks its a bad bad deal) additionally Toyota recommends a water pump replacement during this time. The reason being the labor that is done to access the timing belt allows the water pump to be swapped out very easily, you essentially only have to pay for the part and coolant. MY water pump looked good at 90 but I will be replacing it here at 180. The only other issue that really comes up is the brake calipers tend to have the pistons seize and drag on the rotor. When this happens we go with NAPA calipers that have a lifetime warranty so that when it happens again you dont have to pay for new calipers. Sport editions and some Limited came with X-REAS suspension where the shocks were connected to each other diagonally the system tends to start to leak once you hit 6 figure mileages, not a big deal if you are going to lift it anyway. Limited models can have rear air suspension that can complicated lifting too. As for V8 fuel economy: the V8 is AWD/4WD there is no 2WD unless the car is a Texas or florida car and doesn't even have a transfer case. Despite this it is only rated at 1MPG less than the V6. I average about 15-16 in town and 18-19 on the highway with a lift and heavy tires. I don't drive like a madman either.

We about to become best friends I think. Where are you based out of ?

I paid 14K for 2007 Sport V8 AWD with 120k miles in July 2015. Make sure it will engage and disengage low gear search on t4r.org for more info. Also look at the Lexus GX470 basically identical to the 4runner.

Good to know about the low gear test

 

[JduRunner]

That site is great!! Thanks for the recommendation!!



We about to become best friends I think. Where are you based out of ?



Good to know about the low gear test

I'm out of Denver! I had forgotten about the 4lo actuator. I typically throw it in 4lo and lock the center diff every month in a straight line as I enter my neighborhood for about 100 yds. Also there was a recall that came out yesterday regarding 2003-2006 4runners. The side airbags apparently have randomly deployed at startup in a few cases. Toyota is going to replace the airbag module in affected trucks at no cost to the owner.

 

[RememberTheAyyLmao]

I'm out of Denver! I had forgotten about the 4lo actuator. I typically throw it in 4lo and lock the center diff every month in a straight line as I enter my neighborhood for about 100 yds. Also there was a recall that came out yesterday regarding 2003-2006 4runners. The side airbags apparently have randomly deployed at startup in a few cases. Toyota is going to replace the airbag module in affected trucks at no cost to the owner.

Ok good to know. What should i do to check the 4 lo and center diff?

 

[deadbeat son]

Ok good to know. What should i do to check the 4 lo and center diff?

Make sure they engage. If they don't, you'll just get flashing lights on the dash when you turn the knob or push the button.