New to forum/4runners

[fschaefer4]

Hi All-
I'm sure this has been discussed. I've gone through the forums so sorry if this is going over the same old stuff.

I'm looking for a 4runner as a daily driver that I can also take on some pretty decent back country camping trips with 4 people total. Ideally, I'd also be able to haul a trailer with 4 light dirt bikes (so that means an automatic is preferable). Not sure if hauling capacity is very good for 4runners.

So far, I'm coming across a few 4th gens around $10-$12K. One is a 2005, 166,000 miles with a 3" leveling kit.
Also a 2001, 109,000 miles and they're asking $6K for it.

I'm not sure if one is really that much better than the other. Seems like it would be a wash. Obviously, with the cheaper one, I can ad my preferred aftermarket parts.

So my question is which platform would be better? Does one have a better transmission for pulling a trailer? or driving in mid-difficulty off-road?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[kjohnson129]

I had a 4th gen with the V8 and I only towed a u-haul trailer with it, but it did well. Not sure how it would compare to a 3rd, other than a bigger available engine.

 

[Dalko43]

You're comparing a 4th gen to a 3rd gen 4runner. So besides the usual all-around upgrades that Toyota adds on when putting out a newer generation of vehicle, you're also looking at a huge disparity in engine performance. The 4th gen's V6 has ~240HP and 280lb-ft while the optional V8 has ~270HP and 312lb-ft...that's compared to the 3rd gen's V6 with ~190HP and 220lb-ft (it's not even worth mentioning the inline 4 for your purposes). For towing 4 light dirt bikes and carrying 4 people plus their gear, I'd say a 4th gen (with either the V6 or V8) is the better choice.

Transmission-wise, I couldn't tell you anything about the 3rd gen's (though I never heard anything bad about it). I've driven the 4th gen extensively (which included towing) and it never skipped a beat.

For off-roading, either one should be decent in stock form. The 4th gen's front end is a bit lacking in front end clearance, but that is easily remedied with a suspension upgrade.

 

[pluton]

Agree with what's been said, except that a 4runner isn't big enough for 4 people and their camping gear. Unless the "camping gear" was ultra-lightweight backpacking gear. You need something the size of a Suburban.

 

[Dalko43]

Agree with what's been said, except that a 4runner isn't big enough for 4 people and their camping gear. Unless the "camping gear" was ultra-lightweight backpacking gear. You need something the size of a Suburban.

4 people go on week-long camping trips in a Subaru Cross Trek's and Toyota Camry's. Size and space is a relative thing (insert innuendo here). I've used the 4th and 5th gen extensively to car camp and carry gear for backpacking trips (with other passengers). I've found the space provided is more than enough as long as you know how to prioritize your gear and pack efficiently.

The 4th gen 4runner has more than enough space to carry 4 people and camping gear....now if you want to throw everything out of the ARB and REI catalogs into your vehicle, you might run out space.

 

[SurferJacoby]

V8 4th on this one

You can get accomplished what you're looking to do with a 3rd Gen; the issue is that it will come at a greater cost than going with a 4th Gen. as already mentioned space and engine will be your big splits. If you say got a Supercharger on a 3rd Gen it might make things a bit better given the uptick in horsepower gain but I'd still say find you a 4th and worry less about whether you will have the space or an engine capable of your needs.

As a 3rd Gen owner I'd say without a doubt go Fourth! I love my truck more than anything but I always ride solo so we don't share the same needs. It's also a bit more modded than any 3rd Gen out there with my favorite item being a v8 (2UZ-FE VVT-I). If you can afford it I'd recommend an 06-09 model but a pre 06 would still serve you well. Whatever you decide these trucks are solid platforms. Just do your due diligence and don't look back.

 

[fschaefer4]

Thanks for the input guys. This is EXACTLY the input/insight that makes a forum like this amazing. I did a lot of reading and could have done more, but this gets straight to the point.

Regarding camping- motorcycle camping requires fairly compact equipment. Bivies, Hennessy tent hammocks, etc. I mostly go w 2 other friends, so 4 of us would be rare and pushing it.

 

[Diamond_D]

4th Gen V8 with a roof rack/box, or cargo box on the trailer if you need some extra space, and you'll be a happy camper.

 

[fschaefer4]

So I checked out the 2005 V6 with 163,000 miles with a 3" leveling kit. Asking price is $11,000.

The sales guys said this generation didn't need the timing belt replaced as part of the ongoing maintenance. Instead, the tensioners just needed to be maintained. This seems counter to what I've seen elsewhere. I don't really trust the guy.

Car has a clean carfax report. 1 owner.
I THINK it had a blown front passenger shock as there was some type of black oil all over everything right around that shock- looked like point of origination was the bottom of the shock where the piston slides in and out.
Front axle boot on the drivers side was completely deteriorated both at the wheel and on the engine end of the drive shaft. There wasn't any debris in there that I could see.
Initially the battery was down, so that's a huge question mark- was an interior light left on by someone checking out the car? battery bad? or something worse.
Back door trim/door handle was loose.
Hood shocks are shot and the hood doesn't stay open.

Other than all that, I liked the the way it drove. Seems smooth. Shift into 4H and 4L and the VCS button seemed to work. How would I know if all that actually worked since I didn't get it off road?

 

[Dalko43]

Other than all that, I liked the the way it drove. Seems smooth. Shift into 4H and 4L and the VCS button seemed to work. How would I know if all that actually worked since I didn't get it off road?

Read the 4runner's manual (if it came with one) but I believe the 4th gen's electronic transfer case switch is shiftable on the fly for 4hi (you can shift into 4hi below 50mph or something like that) but for 4low you need to be in neutral. Make sure you try shifting into both modes and also make sure the center diff locks correctly (there should be a separate button for that). Generally speaking, there is no obvious way to test all of that, unless you have access to a lift and can spin the different wheels to see if everything is working correctly. If the diff or the transfer case do not engage properly, I'd assume there should be an indicator on the dash.

 

[JLee]

So I checked out the 2005 V6 with 163,000 miles with a 3" leveling kit. Asking price is $11,000.

The sales guys said this generation didn't need the timing belt replaced as part of the ongoing maintenance. Instead, the tensioners just needed to be maintained. This seems counter to what I've seen elsewhere. I don't really trust the guy.

Car has a clean carfax report. 1 owner.
I THINK it had a blown front passenger shock as there was some type of black oil all over everything right around that shock- looked like point of origination was the bottom of the shock where the piston slides in and out.
Front axle boot on the drivers side was completely deteriorated both at the wheel and on the engine end of the drive shaft. There wasn't any debris in there that I could see.
Initially the battery was down, so that's a huge question mark- was an interior light left on by someone checking out the car? battery bad? or something worse.
Back door trim/door handle was loose.
Hood shocks are shot and the hood doesn't stay open.

Other than all that, I liked the the way it drove. Seems smooth. Shift into 4H and 4L and the VCS button seemed to work. How would I know if all that actually worked since I didn't get it off road?

You can get a GX470 in that price range. The timing belt does absolutely need to be done - the service interval is 90k.

Come to the dark side and get a Lexus. 2005+ gets you VVTi, if you want the power bump.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5935434574.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5935446714.html
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/5919539913.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5876034595.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/******/cto/5909547633.html

 

[fschaefer4]

bah... My girlfriend's 19 year old would be so happy if I bought a Lexus.

Just. Can't. Do. It.

 

[JLee]

bah... My girlfriend's 19 year old would be so happy if I bought a Lexus.

Just. Can't. Do. It.

Why not?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LexusGXOR/photos/

 

[4runnerteq]

If you go with a 4th gen, make darn sure it goes into 4wd and that it will go into low range. V-6 trucks have transfer case and front diff actuator issues on a few, as do the V-8 truck that are full time 4wd with the transfer case. The full time will not engage low, usually the transfer case actuator. And it is quite expensive to repair. And v8 requires timing belt change. v6 does not. Either one are super trucks, just make sure that 4wd works as it should.

And $11k seems just a little high on that. I own a 3rd gen and 4th gen. For 60k less miles and $6k less money Id have to really think about that 3rd gen. Our 97 is the trail camping truck, the 04 is the wifes driver.

 

[ZONE ZERO]

Just joining this conversation not sure if location come into play (I'm in New England) but I just picked up my first Toyota 4Runner a 2006 4th gen with 80k miles on it. It's a V6 everything works with a 2 year bumper to bumper warenty from Toyota for 9 k out the door, One owner.
There out there and there's some nice clean ones, considering a lot of Toyota guys are upgrading to new 4runners the lot had a few to chose from. I went V6 auto it just made sense for my application. It will get a long list of upgrades over time.
Good luck with your find. If you live I need a salt belt get the truck on a lift and check for rust and rot.