School Me On Newer 4Runners (2003-up)

[Rattler]

Well seeing that my mom's neighbor's ultra-clean FZJ-80 was traded-in and sold in a matter of hours (my bad for not letting the owners know I was in love with it, '97 with 69k on it, $12k). I think I am in need of more room than my '04 Taco Doublecab is giving me now that there is a youngin'/baby involved. I really like my truck and have it about the way I want it other than a couple other things plus it only has 76k. I think a 4Runner may be the way to go but I am not all that familiar with them now.

A few questions:

Do any models come with the rear locker like my Taco or will I be better off just getting one and adding ARBs F&R?

Are there certain things on certain years to look or look out for? I really don't want lot of crap on it and I especially don't want leather seating. Never liked sliding around while trying to drive.

Can the factory roofrack support an RTT? I am not a small guy either.

Not a fan of chrome or chromed plastic. Were there any trims that didn't have it?

OK, thats it for now. I am not in a hurry whatsoever to do this. Plus my salesman is actually a good guy and will help me find what I want. I may end up selling my truck and looking /waiting for the right one.

E-gads, I have even been thinking about an Xterra but they look smaller than the 4Runner. I am sure the paint fumes will wear off.

Definitely want to keep the mileage under 80k too.

 

[java]

Check out toyota120.com

Sr5 and sport have no chrome, limited has a little.

I think th stock roof rails will support a rtt, im gonna find out this weekend.
05+ got a few little updates. Biggest is 5speed tranny.
No locker option.

 

[Rattler]

I just found this on here I am falling in love with:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/65052-Well-Built-2003-V8-4Runner

 

[java]

Its a very nice 4th gen

 

[Martinjmpr]

You can also find info over at http://www.t4r.org

AFAIK only the 2009 Trail Edition had the option of a locker. 09 was also the last year of the 4th gen.

IMO the 4th gen looks better than the 5th gen, which is too "Highlander-ish" looking.

4th gen V6s had a multi-mode transfer case that let you run in 2wd or 4wd on dry pavement with an option of locking the center diff. 4th gen V8's were full-time 4wd, again with the option of locking the center diff.

There were some major mid-generation upgrades in 2006, I believe. The V6's got a 5 speed automatic (previously they'd had a 4 speed) and all models got LED taillights. V8's always had the 5 speed.

If I didn't love my 3rd gen so much I'd seriously consider a 4th gen. Biggest drawback I can see to the 4th gen is that they made the suspension lower so you really need to pull off the running boards and put a small lift on it to get the same off-road performance that the 3rd gen has right from the factory. Other than that, I think the 4th gen is great. It's a little bigger than the 3rd gen but really not that much bigger, the 4.0 V6 is much more powerful than the 3.4, and from what I've seen the 4th gen V6 models get better MPG than the 3rd gen V6 automatics, probably because of the 5 speed automatic in the '06-up models.

The only other "negative" about 4th gens is that they were never available with a manual tranny, but I guess if you really wanted a manual you could go with an FJ Cruiser or another Taco.

 

[98roamer]

4Runner history by year
2005 received the VVTi and 5speed auto

http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/index.html

 

[daPitbull]

My 2008 SR5 has chrome handles and some accents, I think the sport is the only model that had color keyed trim.

Check out toyota120.com

Sr5 and sport have no chrome, limited has a little.

I think th stock roof rails will support a rtt, im gonna find out this weekend.
05+ got a few little updates. Biggest is 5speed tranny.
No locker option.

 

[MCL_68]

My 2008 SR5 has chrome handles and some accents, I think the sport is the only model that had color keyed trim.

The Sport has a smoke chrome grille and the rest of the trim is color keyed. My 2007 Limited is all color keyed, no chrome other than the vehicle badges.

 

[aviator]

The Sport has a smoke chrome grille and the rest of the trim is color keyed. My 2007 Limited is all color keyed, no chrome other than the vehicle badges.

That's interesting, my Sport has a color keyed grill. No chrome anywhere except the emblems which are now black on mine.

 

[MCL_68]

That's interesting, my Sport has a color keyed grill. No chrome anywhere except the emblems which are now black on mine.

The smoke chrome grille came standard on the 06+ SR5 and Sport Editions. You may have got lucky and the dealer ordered the key colored grill for your trucks appearence package.



Exterior-Front design:
http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist42006.html