4th Generation 4Runner. Getting back into the fray

[dsrtdcab]

After a 1 year hiatus from the Toyota family, I am looking at getting back in with a 4th gen 4Runner. I currently own a Legacy sedan and though the gas mileage is great, it might be the most uninspiraring vehicle I have ever driven. And it just isnt a Toyota. I have been contemplating another 4th generation 4Runner, specifically a Sport model with the V8. I have found one that has 117k on it, 2 owners, (1 was for 3 months, seems to be a dealer to dealer sale). The biggest reason for the change is I want/need to be able to load up, head out with enough gear for a weekend, and go just about where ever I want. This just isnt an option in the Legacy. I wont do much hard core offroading, but I would like to at least have the option of going out in New England and being able to pick any area I please, (within reason of course). Also, a road trip to Utah/Colorado for camping, exploring, wheeling etc, just isnt feasible in a sedan.

Couple questions-
real life MPG? What can I expect? I do 80% highway.
What are some things I should look out for on this generation/engine/mileage

I drive 15-18k a year and the mileage on the truck is a slight concern. I am leaning towards the V8 as opposed to the 6 for a couple reasons-power, mpg is negligable vs the V6, and the engine has simply been around longer and is more proven.

I am open to all thoughts and opinions.

Thanks in advance
Nick

 

[glock_19]

Couple questions-
real life MPG? What can I expect? I do 80% highway.
What are some things I should look out for on this generation/engine/mileage

I drive 15-18k a year and the mileage on the truck is a slight concern. I am leaning towards the V8 as opposed to the 6 for a couple reasons-power, mpg is negligable vs the V6, and the engine has simply been around longer and is more proven.

V8 is smoother and has more power but there are a few drawbacks. Mainly the timing belt service is pretty costly but at 117K it should already be done. Also, the V8 is full time 4WD with no option for 2WD, the V6 will give you that option. As far as being "more proven" you can check out T4R.org or Toyota120 and there are countless 4th gen V6's with over 200K on the odometer so I wouldn't worry about that.

As far as things to look out for:

1. Brakes - The calipers freeze and in general the brakes on the 4th gen just kinda suck.
2. Head Gaskets - Mostly a V6 problem but it should be obvious with some smoke in the exhaust.
3. Timing Belt - If you go the V8 route make sure the timing belt service was done. If you can't find a record of it I would have it done to be sure. It's better to replace the belt than the whole engine.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I drove both the V8 and V6 models when I was shopping for mine and ended up with the V6. Yes, the V8 was more powerful, but the diffference was not huge, and the drawbacks (full time 4wd only, worse MPG, timing belt) pretty much sealed the deal for me.

I think there's a reason the V8 was dropped from the 4runner line. It really doesn't make much sense. Also note that gas is already getting close to its peak price last Summer and it is only February! It's not going to get cheaper as we go into the driving season.

I've taken 5 long (multi-day) trips with my '07 and I have been very impressed with the mileage. On all but one of my trips I was pulling a 1200lb teardrop camper trailer and my MPG averaged between 17 and 19, and that is going through the rockies (the first long trip took us from Denver to Durango over 5 9500'+ passes and netted about 18 mpg!) I doubt you could get that kind of mileage with the V8. On the one long trip I took without the trailer my MPG averaged about 22 - 23 or so. If you keep your foot out of it, 21+ ought to be easy during highway cruising.

 

[Ryanmb21]

...
Couple questions-
real life MPG? What can I expect? I do 80% highway.
What are some things I should look out for on this generation/engine/mileage

... mpg is negligable vs the V6, ...
I am open to all thoughts and opinions.

Thanks in advance
Nick

With 265/70/17 BFG I get 20 MPG on the highway and it usually only dips to 17 if I commuting in los angeles. I think this probably at ~15% better than a v8.

...

1. Brakes - The calipers freeze and in general the brakes on the 4th gen just kinda suck.
2. ...

the brakes on my sport (bigger) are ******cking awesome. They stop great and last. I only at 81K+ just changed out my front pads, and they were at ~25% last month for the first time and my rears have about 50% left.

... MPG averaged between 17 and 19, and that is going through the rockies (the first long trip took us from Denver to Durango over 5 9500'+ passes and netted about 18 mpg!) I doubt you could get that kind of mileage with the V8. On the one long trip I took without the trailer my MPG averaged about 22 - 23 or so. If you keep your foot out of it, 21+ ought to be easy during highway cruising.

I agree, especially with stock tires.

 

[dsrtdcab]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I will certainly look at whether or not the timing belt was done. Also looks like there was a 4 spd auto in the V6 prior to 2006, I would imagine the newer 5spd is what helps the V6 get the better MPG. Certainly not opposed to a V6, but wouldn't want to be shortchanged on the MPG on a V6 either. Can anyone confirm what year they went to a 5spd vs the 4spd trans?

 

[Martinjmpr]

Can anyone confirm what year they went to a 5spd vs the 4spd trans?

2005.

 

[p nut]

I like both engines (V6 and V8). They both have their pros and cons. If you tow, V8 is the better choice. Heavy mods (big tires, armor, etc.), V6 and V8 MPG gap will be greatly reduced. Other than that, V6 is a good choice. There are reports of HG failures (#6 cyl I believe), which I don't think will be a concern, but I don't know much about it.

I do love my 4.7 V8 in my LC. Very smooth and good grunt for the mountain passes, especially while towing. I don't drive it much (~5k per year), so MPG is not a big factor. Even for you, at 15k miles per year, assuming $4/gallon and 18MPG in the V8 and 20MPG in the V6, the difference is only $3-400 per year.

 

[Finlay]

My wife has a V8 4thGen. I actually really like that engine. It's quieter than the V6, and smooth as butter.

Either are good choices, though.

 

[shmabs]

A little of my league here, as i'm not super knowledgable on the 4th gens.

My personal pro's for the 4.0 are

timing chain!!!!!
true 2wd option
more common in the 4th gen 4runner (or so it seems)

As you might notice, those pro's translate to maintenance:

Yes the timing belt isn't that big of a deal, and has 100k service interval, but not having to worry about a chain for say 200-250k is really nice. I know to do a timing belt right on my 5vzfe, you are looking at about 300-500 in parts alone ( quality belt, tensioner, idler pulley, water pump, etc) I'm sure the 4.7 is pretty close in parts and labor.

I know toyota has some phenomenal full time 4wd systems that seem pretty bullet proof (80 series) but the option of a true 2wd means less parasitic drag, a simpler t -case with just 2wd, 4wd high and 4wd low. I don't know what the full-time t-case uses, but after coming from a few full time 4wd vehicles, i like my transfercase to only consist of chains and gears.

As you and I have discussed, there is certainly more 4.0's in you local market. After my past vehicle choices, I have come to love owning a popular vehicle, parts are easier to come by both new and used. With your driving habits, you are going to be driving a 200k 4runner in no time, and toyota or not, you are going to need parts sooner or later. I might be a bit one sided in this arguement, as I currently reside in a geographical anomaly.

With your intended annual milage, and the amazing economy of your current vehicle even 1-2 mpg will be nice. I know that when it comes to heavy armor and tires the mpg difference drops, but I don't see you building a 4runner on 35's with full skids, bumpers etc given your commute.

But........the noise and power of that v8.............

 

[Martinjmpr]

A little of my league here, as i'm not super knowledgable on the 4th gens.

My personal pro's for the 4.0 are

timing chain!!!!!
true 2wd option
more common in the 4th gen 4runner (or so it seems)

As you might notice, those pro's translate to maintenance:

I know toyota has some phenomenal full time 4wd systems that seem pretty bullet proof (80 series) but the option of a true 2wd means less parasitic drag, a simpler t -case with just 2wd, 4wd high and 4wd low. I don't know what the full-time t-case uses, but after coming from a few full time 4wd vehicles, i like my transfercase to only consist of chains and gears...

Actually, the t-case on the 4th gen V6 (and on the Sequoia) is more complicated than the full-time cases. It offers 2wd, 4wd with an unlocked center differential (can drive in 4wd on paved roads just like full time 4wd), and 4wd with a locked center differential (more like a conventional 4wd) and of course it offers low range in either locked or unlocked modes. It's commonly called "multi-mode 4wd" and it's one of the reasons I got a 4th gen 4runner instead of a Nissan Xterra or Pathfinder. Interestingly the multi-mode was available all through the 4th gen line (and in the last 4 years of the 3rd gen line) but was deleted completely from the 5th gen of 4runners.

 

[shmabs]

Consider me schooled! I knew some of the later 3rd gens had the multi mode, and i guess it would make sense the 4th gens do as well. Thanks Martin!

Mike

 

[dsrtdcab]

Thanks everyone for all the opinions and facts. I drove a V8 last night, and of course there is nothing to complain about there. I think the real world MPG's of the V8 vs the V6 have me leaning more towards a V6 at this point. Specifically a 2006 or newer. The other major factor is the timing chain, not having to worry about that, ever, is a huge reason to consider the 4.0.

Nick

 

[p nut]

The other major factor is the timing chain, not having to worry about that, ever, is a huge reason to consider the 4.0.

Nick

I don't know. If that is your only reason to consider the V6, I would reconsider. I don't know of any V8's with premature TB failure. In fact, there are numerous reports of people running the belts well beyond the expected service life. (One lady ran it 300k miles!). At my TB change, it still looked new at 90k.

MPG is the biggest drawback to the V8.

 

[Haggis]

We've had a 4th gen 4Runner in the stable for just over a year now, it's my wife's daily driver and what not. Ours is the V8, my wife averages just a tad under 19mpg during her goat path of a commute and it accelerates like a rocket at the red light dyno. I've even towed my construction trailer with it a few times when the Tundra was preoccupied doing other things, and it handed that just fine. It has also proven to be one of the best winter time snowrunners we've ever had. I don't know if its the weight distribution, the full time drive system, or a combination of the two but it has proven itself in some down right narsty driving conditions. We drove a V6 version when we went looking for one and to us it was lacking the umph we like under our right foot, definitely not a problem with the 4.7.

 

[Ryanmb21]

2006+ received a face lift including round wheel wells. There is also a wealth of information over on toyota120.com