Bunch Of 4th Gen Questions Anyone?

My mom's in the market for one. I went 100 miles the other day in one, and realized I could really go for one, too. Some queries:

XREAS - standard on Sport, optional on others. Pros/Cons? What is it? Does it hamper lifts?
V6 vs. V8 - I read someone (maybe here) that 03-05 4.0's like blowing HG's a little? Any truth to that? Is full time 4wd in the 4.7 annoying or ridiculous on fuel?
I read somewhere (not here) that '09 Trail Editions could get a rear locker, and that it's the only 4th gen with the option. Truth?
Any major known issues to look out for?
'05 and up - 4.0 gets a 5 speed auto, 4.7 gets VVTI. Are these features so nice that they are worth skipping 03/04's for?
Anything else I ought to know about these things?

My mom's looking for a commuter SUV. She was leaning V8 as she test drove one and likes the power. She also doesn't like manually selecting 4wd for whatever reason.
I like both engines (as long as that V6 doesn't have a HG problem - 3.0's give me nightmares). Seems only the V8 is up to the task of serious towing (4000lb rig on a trailer?)

Input appreciated!

might be worth a look http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html

There is a definite trade off. The V8 does drive very differently, doesn't seem like it is working at all. However the fuel economy is worse. I've not seen much better than 16/18 with my V8.

Oh yes, also the full time 4wd is very nice in the rain. With my other vehicles if the roads are slippery I have to be very careful with the throttle in order to keep from spinning tires and activating traction control. The V8 drive system just goes, no drama.

if you plan on ever lifting one, no need to go for XREAS. only lift that can be added onto an xreas suspension would be a spacer lift and have to do it very carefully, or else you risk leaking the XREAS system and having to junk the entire setup then buying brand new coilovers/shocks/coils. long story short, its not worth the trouble (or the additional $$$) if you ever plan on lifting a 4th gen.

03-05 have been more inclined to HG failures but there have been some reports of this happening on 06-09. but in the grand scheme of things, the HG failures are quite rare and shouldnt affect your purchasing decision, there are many 03-05 4th gens here that never saw a HG failure. I recall someone's "theory" on why everyone is so scared about them is because most people come onto this forum asking questions BECAUSE they got a HG failure, nobody ever comes onto this forum praising the car and stating that they have not experienced an HG failure, so it seems like a bigger problem that it actually is

v6 vs v8 - only 1-2 MPG difference between the two. oil changes on v6 are easy whereas on the v8, you have to remove the OEM skid plate just to access the drain nut. v6s have timing chains whereas v8s have a timing belt, which requires replacing more often than the timing chain

2003-2008 4th gens came as SR5, Limited, and Sport Edition. in 2009 the sport edition was replaced with the trail edition and is the only year/trim of the 4th gen that came with a factory e-locker. they are very rare and I've probably only seen 3 or 4 of them on this forum and have never seen one in real life. while i was in the market for my 08 (searched for about 2-3 months until I found the one I ended up buying), I didn't ever stumble open a single 09 TE.

a few other random points:
satoshi grill mod is easier for 06-09 4th gens due to the face lift, not impossible for 03-05, but it does require more customizing
06-09 came with LED tail lights, 03-05 did not, however they are a direct swap between one another
06-09 also came with projector headlights, I do not believe they are direct swaps with the 03-05 headlights due to the facelift and the slight changes of the hood/grill/bumper/fenders
side airbags were optional 03-07, standard 08-09
many limited & sport models came with larger rotors and they will not be able to clear 16" wheels. the smaller rotors on sr5s can clear 16" wheels

Thanks for the detailed feedback!

I assumed the HG thing was likely to be very uncommon. I hardly hear anyone complaining about a 4th gen for any reason.
If it was mine I'd be looking for a lift down the road. Every lifted 4th gen I've come across has had me mega turned on to them. So going base or limited is the way to steer clear of the fancy system.
Do any 4th gens have a limited slip? Does traction control help accomplish a similar goal on the trails?

thatoneguy said:

Thanks for the detailed feedback!

I assumed the HG thing was likely to be very uncommon. I hardly hear anyone complaining about a 4th gen for any reason.
If it was mine I'd be looking for a lift down the road. Every lifted 4th gen I've come across has had me mega turned on to them. So going base or limited is the way to steer clear of the fancy system.
Do any 4th gens have a limited slip? Does traction control help accomplish a similar goal on the trails?

Click to expand...

I believe 08-09 there are buttons to turn off VSC/TCS that the 03-07 dont have, which is why alot of people talk about the VSC/TCS disable mod, which isn't needed for the later model 4th gens which already have the option to enable/disable it whenever the driver sees fit

more info here:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...ssories/41357-vsc-off-atrac-mod-complete.html

Is price a factor?

gshadow325 said:

Is price a factor?

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~$11,000 or less. So likely '03-'05. This past summer plenty of 03/04 V8's with reasonable odometer numbers were going for just under five figures, in my area.

Then it's a 100 to 150k mileage 03 to 05. 06+ for under 11k would be a deal and hard to find. Good luck.

For guys that have done some reasonable offroading, do they do well?
With the V8's permanent 4wd, does a lift's increased CV angle cause frequent replacement? I'm thinking no because no one really talks about it.

I just got a Nautical Blue '08 a couple of days ago. V-6 SR5. The V-8's need a timing belt change at 80k miles and the V6 have a timing chain with, they claim, a 200k life span. I was reading in the owner's manual that V-6 towing capacity is 7000 lbs. There seems to be only a couple of mpg's difference between the V-6 and V-8. The V-8's seem to be more available, I guess due to the maintenance factor. I stayed away from 04 and 05 due to some controversy about 4 speed automatic transmission failure. I never saw one for $11k but I was only looking at dealers.

Xreas is really a non issue if you are going to do a true lift you will be replacing it anyway. A spacer lift can be done and keep the xreas system intact so I wouldn't worry about that. Honestly either of them would work just fine and be more than capable. As with most any vehicle, In stock form they are not rock crawling, mud bogging beasts but they are very capable off-road and can hold there own against most anything a weekend worrior/trail rider would need. With mods they are even more capable.

I don't think that either of them is really that good for towing much so if your going to be doing a bunch if towing you may want to look elsewhere.

My opinion. Find the cleanest one you can strike a good deal on a pull the trigger. I came from a F250 diesel with a 6" lift and 37's and I'm very satisfied with my 4runner. The only regret I have is that I can't afford a new one for the wife.