Show off your Expo 4th Gen 4Runner!

[lndhark]

Or rather, show ME your built 4th Gen! I've been trying to decide what to get to replace my long-since-sold (talking 2002 now) Toyota 4x4 truck. I had been considering a 3rd Gen 4Runner but they are just a tad too small (interior leg room) for me. My other choice is a 100-Series but I thought I'd also give the 4Runner a look. I'll likely look at V6's and will concentrate on SR5's to avoid having to do too much removal of stock suspension systems.

I see a lot of trucks on the web that have been built over time but I would like to know what WORKS and what doesn't. So, if you do a lot of off-highway travel in a 4th Gen, please post pics and specs, and share your thoughts.

For me, I think this 4Runner is the perfect size. I'm drawn to it because I can find one a bit newer (& lower mileage) than a 100-Series Land Cruiser/LX. The aftermarket support looks good and the fuel economy with the 1GR/A750F would be better than the V8.

Thanks!

 

[SS4R]

We have 2 in our crew, and we have done a fair share of both on and offroad miles in ours. We have kept ours pretty simple so far, and honestly they don't take much to get be really a very comfortable, very capable vehicles. An OME lift, bigger tires, some protection and recovery points your good to go. Here are ours on a trip through the Washington Cascades, from Hood River to the Canadian boarder 80% on backroads and trail, and they were amazing the entire way. The black one now has little bigger tires (255/75 r17) and a couple more tricks inside but other than that, they have taken us all over the west coast in comfort with ease and been super reliable (200k and 140k miles each). Oh and by the way, they are both V8's and we have never regretted the V8 for a second .

 

[Subspd]

I will 2nd the v6. As a 100, 80 and Taco owner... For me the v6 has plenty of power and gets much better MPG. I also prefer a chain driven engine vs a belt. I agree with the size on a 4th gen it is ideal for for most situations. My 100 as wonderful as it was in MX and Belize got some serious scratches from trails that were just too narrow for the 100. The 4runner is a better trail size without giving up too much comfort. My only issue is that the headroom is not great. Look for a limited v6 and most won't have the XREAS as typically it was bundled with the V8 option.

 

[Janseman]

Here's a couple pics of my 4th gen. I find that the MPG difference between the V6 and the V8 is not that great, just look for a one in good condition and that has been serviced regularly and you'll be happy.

 

[marshal]

from the amount of time i spent researching 4th gens before i bought my 5th, i think if you're wiling to spend a little more and do a little bit more work in the end - finding a good Limited with the v8 and removing the XREAS would be the best setup you could do. the v6 is a great motor, especially the hopped up one they put in the 5th generation, but there is no replacement for displacement. the 4.7L is a legendary motor.

i toyed with the variance of the 4th gen v8 limited and the 5th gen Trail for a few weeks. the prices were not that far from each other relatively. i had also toyed with the 80 and 100 series land cruisers. when it came down to it, i decided on the 5th gen trail because of what it was, and its similarity in dimensions to a 100 series LC and the fact that i found one for a killer price that was one owner. if it hadn't been for that, id probably be rocking a dark mica green metallic 08 limited v8 with the XREAS ripped out of it sitting on 35s now.

 

[java]

Love my 4th Gen. I have a v6 03, the 05 V6's got a 5 speed. If you get the v6, get the 5 speed.

Got out a lot this summer....

New shoes, and got a xmas tree last weekend.

Yep love it, bought it with 90k on it, got a steal on it since it was already dented and scratched. I have over another 100k on it so far and its a great truck.

 

[lndhark]

View attachment 259470View attachment 259469View attachment 259468

Here's a couple pics of my 4th gen. I find that the MPG difference between the V6 and the V8 is not that great, just look for a one in good condition and that has been serviced regularly and you'll be happy.

That looks great Janseman. Can you post the specs such as suspension type and tire/wheel size? Where was the middle pic taken? I see you're from YYC...my wife is from there and we travel back often.

 

[lndhark]

Love my 4th Gen. I have a v6 03, the 05 V6's got a 5 speed. If you get the v6, get the 5 speed.

Yep love it, bought it with 90k on it, got a steal on it since it was already dented and scratched. I have over another 100k on it so far and its a great truck.

I was hoping you'd post. Thanks for the input, and I just took a look at your build thread...good info there to help me with my decision! Nice truck!

 

[java]

I was hoping you'd post. Thanks for the input, and I just took a look at your build thread...good info there to help me with my decision! Nice truck!

Thanks! I dont think you will regret the 4th gen

 

[lndhark]

from the amount of time i spent researching 4th gens before i bought my 5th, i think if you're wiling to spend a little more and do a little bit more work in the end - finding a good Limited with the v8 and removing the XREAS would be the best setup you could do. the v6 is a great motor, especially the hopped up one they put in the 5th generation, but there is no replacement for displacement. the 4.7L is a legendary motor.

i toyed with the variance of the 4th gen v8 limited and the 5th gen Trail for a few weeks. the prices were not that far from each other relatively. i had also toyed with the 80 and 100 series land cruisers. when it came down to it, i decided on the 5th gen trail because of what it was, and its similarity in dimensions to a 100 series LC and the fact that i found one for a killer price that was one owner. if it hadn't been for that, id probably be rocking a dark mica green metallic 08 limited v8 with the XREAS ripped out of it sitting on 35s now.

I hear ya, and the ultimate would a be a 5th Gen Trail Ed...but that's way more than I want to spend for a second/third vehicle. Building a 4Runner in the same manner as Paul May of Equipt is definitely a dream but having a place to live is a higher priority :sombrero:

 

[lndhark]

We have 2 in our crew, and we have done a fair share of both on and offroad miles in ours. We have kept ours pretty simple so far, and honestly they don't take much to get be really a very comfortable, very capable vehicles. An OME lift, bigger tires, some protection and recovery points your good to go. Here are ours on a trip through the Washington Cascades, from Hood River to the Canadian boarder 80% on backroads and trail, and they were amazing the entire way. The black one now has little bigger tires (255/75 r17) and a couple more tricks inside but other than that, they have taken us all over the west coast in comfort with ease and been super reliable (200k and 140k miles each). Oh and by the way, they are both V8's and we have never regretted the V8 for a second .

View attachment 259425

Thanks SSR4...nice 4Runners and nice pics. We are moving "back" that way so I'll be hitting you up for more trail info once we are settled in WA (aka: "home").

 

[Janseman]

That looks great Janseman. Can you post the specs such as suspension type and tire/wheel size? Where was the middle pic taken? I see you're from YYC...my wife is from there and we travel back often.

I'm using toytec springs with bilsteins shocks front and back, The wheels are SCS stealth 6 wheels, they are 8.5inches wide and 17 inch in diameter, and I'm running 285/70/17 tires.

The middle pic was taken in Canmore, at the start/end of the Smith Dorrien trail.

We're pretty lucky in Calgary, we are in very close proximity to the mountains so it makes getting away for the weekend pretty easy.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Is this "Expo Enough?"
.

.
It has the most important Expo accessory:
.

.
:sombrero:

 

[BurbanAZ]

I love my 4th gen. I prefer the v8 though. From everything I read the difference in MPG wasn't that much so I'd rather have the extra power, and I definitely feel like my v8 has more than enough power to do anything I want. I think either way though you will be happy. Honestly I would have bought either a v6 or v8 depending on condition since their both awesome engines. The first thing I did was to take out the XREAS and install some bilstein 5100s.

 

[CYK]

2uzfe is the only way to roll


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