I posted a similar thread on YotaTech, but there seems to be little traffic for the 4th gen forum.

Took the plunge and bought a 2008 4Runner with a V8 from a Lexus dealer. The truck has 40,000 miles with one more year of power train warranty. I loved my '99, but I need more power. I do miss the manual trans though. I made a list of couple things that I dislike, or that are wrong, or may be normal. I apologize in advanced if some of these have been discussed in the past. Is a long list and I found some threads, but not direct answers. If any of these is a common issue please direct me in the right direction. If you have any suggestions about any of these I am all ears. Thank you.

1- There is a slight snap or jerk when the truck comes to a stop, or when you come slowly out of the stop. It does not happen all the time. Could it be the transmission shifting into 1st gear? I found several threads suggesting to grease the drive shaft, but that does not seem to fix it. Thoughts?
2- the first couple times I tried to switch from 4H to 4L it seems that the 4L did not engage. I had the beeping and flashing 4L. After couple times it worked. Is this expected, say, from a truck that was not used in 4L much?
3- The truck has Michelin Cross Terrain tires. Are these standard with the 4Runner from factory? They are 17".
4- When I close the door there is a vibration coming from the roof, probably the moonroof. Is this normal? the moonroof does not seem as sturdy as the one in my '99. Couple threads talk about greasing some of the components. I will have to try this one.
5 -Under the car, the transmission skid plate has a plastic flap that is cantiliver facing back with a slight bent downwards. I think this is a bad design. If I am backing up in mud or snow, it will act like a shovel and sink the car more. Any mods for this? Should it be taken out?
6- There is no skid plate under the radiators in the front grille. Is the Toyota skid plate worth it, thouhts??
7- Is the little radiator in front, a trans or oil cooler? I was not clear on this. Some say trans, some say oil. Maybe they refer to trans oil...
8- It was impossible to find one without some rust on the underside, specially the rear axle and suspesion components. All the ones I saw had some rust. My '99 always had rust there too. I know up here they use salt on the road during winter, which does not help. I think this is a common Toyota issue.
9 -I hate the fact that the only 12V power supply is in the middle of the console. My '99 had two, and there were in the front of the console. If you have a radar detector I don't want the wires to go through the whole console. This is screming a mod. I think I will have to wire two extra outlets on the drawer that pops out below the A/C control area.
9- I also hate that the passenger window does not have auto up or down as the '99.
10- Almost forgot. I turned the steering all the way to the left and as I turned I heard a duble clunk couple times. It did not clunk to the right. An issue with the CV? If so, I hope it is covered under the powertrain warranty.

Sorry for the long list. Let me know if you have any ideas or mod suggestions.

Thanks.


______________
New: 2008 4Runner V8
For sale: 1999 5-Speed SR5 4Runner (tall OEM springs+shocks front; Rear: OME 906 rear + Nitro 60028; ISR and deckplate mods w/True-Flow filter; P265/75R16 Bridgeston Dueler A/T Revos)
Before: 1994 5-Speed SR5 4Runner
Then (in Venezuela):
1987 Land Cruiser FJ70
1979 Land Cruiser FJ40

1. I had that exact same problem when I picked up my 08 SR5 last month, it's apparently a very common problem with 4th gens. To fix it, you've got to relube your drive shaft. Here's a couple how-to links:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/mainte...ting-pics.html

4Runners.org - Lubing Your Driveshaft

2. Read the user's manual. It'll give you a step-by-step on how to switch transmission gears. From my memory, if you're in 4H going to 4L, you've got be at a dead stop, switch to neutral, then switch over, back to drive, then move the car a few feet and it should engage. Don't quote me on that though, check the driver's manual.

8. Buy a car from California, (parts of Nevada), and Arizona, there aren't very many rust issues out here.

Sometimes it's could be the driveshaft not being greased, other times it's a normal condition. From what I've seen most Toyota trucks do it. It's just the way their 4x4 systems are. There are TSB's for certain newer trucks and getting their driveshafts replaced, but it's not always the case.


It's not an on-the-fly system (like every other low gear out there) since the 4x4 is AWD. Definately a stop, neutral, switch, drive. Sometimes going in reverse or drive a few feet will help it engage.

Toyota dealers sell those tires. Its possible they had them done there.

Can you tell where it's coming from? Does it only happen when you close the doors? Or do you mean when the sunroof itself is closing, it makes a vibration?

It's high enough that it shouldn't really bother you and the exhaust and trans temps will melt any that gets up there anyway.

Meh. It starts at the radiator support so unless you're climbing bolders, I wouldn't worry about it.

Transmission oil cooler

My buddy bought his '06 Sport v8 after I bought my '05 LTD v8 with teh same exact mileage. His frame looks brand new compared to mine. I couldn't believe it. Mine looks like crap.

Buy the smokers package assy from the dealer. Plug it in, and take out the cig lighter. Two ports then.

Two #9's? LOL. Agreed.

Usually it'll only be the CV if you hear a repeated clicking under a turn with power, again, usually. If it's a one-time clunk, could just be the suspension loaded up. Mine does it as it goes to full-lock pulling into my driveway on a right turn.

What I did is use a hardwire kit. Pretty simple to install in the fuse box and run the wires.

hard wire radar | eBay

Mine came new with them, not all did.

I'm kinda sorta thinking about replacing them, I'm at 57k miles.

You could have hit the steering stop; you might put some grease on there when you're taking care of the driveshafts.

1. My 4Runner does the same thing. Where I work we have security gate arms for ingress/egress and when I get down to about 5mph and give it some gas the tranny feels like it has to drop down from maybe third gear to first. The engine revs up and I get a nice 'whump' as it hunts into first gear for about 15 feet then jumps to 2nd gear. It also happens if I'm in stop and go traffic on the highway - only way down in that stop/start range. Pretty annoying and not very "intelligent' on my intelligent tranny's behalf. I've often wondered if I could reset it and maybe it would learn my style of driving. Maybe it learned the POs habits or something.

2. It may have been stuck. Has it worked ok since the first time you tried? A lot of us tend to 'exercise' the 4 Lo at least monthly to prevent it from getting stuck due to misuse.

3. I think the most common tire from the factor is the Dunlop GrandTrek20 - a miserable tire. Lots of threads on the various replacement options (I'm probably going with Cooper Discoverer AT3s).

4. Hard to say. My Sun/Moonroof makes a little noise if the shade is open and I tap towards the back of it, or hit a bump. Only rattle in my 4Runner. So I keep the sunshade closed when not in use and never hear a thing.

5. I noticed that too. Lots of popular options for skid plates. Not too pricey but not at the top of my need to do list.

6. See above. Depends on your intended use. If you intend to crawl rocks a lot get all the skid plates you can afford. Sliders too.

7. Answered already. Trans. fluid cooler.

8. Salt is bad.

9a. A mod using the pop out compartment would be cool. Some folks get the ashtray adapter. If you do that mod I'd like to see it though. Sounds cool.

9b. Me too. I've noticed the land cruisers of the same era have All Auto. I've wondered if it is possible to either replace one or all of the 4Runners window switches with the land cruiser switches. I don't think there are any parts of the actual window motors that cause this functionality.

4Runner window switch unit:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

Land Cruiser all auto window switch:

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/614/9...916614_224.jpg

10. No clue without hearing it. Sorry.

Yes, I did follow the instructions and try many times until it finally worked. I think it may have been stuck for lack of use. After that time it has worked ok. I just wanted to make sure there is not a known issue out there.

THis is the most likely explanation, so I hope....

Yes.....


My idea, although not super clean, is to disassemble the center console and connect cables to have an outlet (or two) on the pop up drawer in front and another outlet inside the storage box. The one in the drawer I think it will be simply laying there. The one in the box I think I can mount better. Once I am finished I will make sure to post some pictures.


Don't know if it is that simple as replacing the switches. Somewhere there has to be a logic unit that leaves the circuit open. So there is either a central logic unit that controls all these functions or iit is right on the switch. Any ideas? I am afraid that the former is what we have, so it would be more expensive/difficult to modify.

Not a bad option. It will be nice to add an on/off switch for when you don't want to have the RD on. This should be easy.

Good point. I will have to retest.

I wired it up to the accessory fuse so its only on when the car is. If i need to shut it off I can just hit the power button on the unit itself.

You're too picky, it's not a BMW.

You can tap radar detector power from overhead console.

Sucks there's no passenger auto window, but no known mod to fix it.

Not really. I am comparing a 2008 to a 1999 4Runner. My '99 is 9 years older and it has two outlets at the front console, auto passenger window up/down, and no rattle at all, even after all these years.
I love Toyotas but sometimes I wonder what are they thinking. The fact that they are taking some of these features out is an indication that they are trying to save pennies with disregards of their customers. On the other hand the '08 has many new features.

Is coming from the roof. So far I have only noticed when I close the passenger door.