Hello T4R members,

I have a dilemma and would love your feedback and thoughts on this matter if you could spare some time.
I have owned a 2006 4Runner Limited V8 for seven years now and have only done some basic modifications and upgrades since I have a family to support. I have had the desire to upgrade my front and rear bumper to steel with a swing gate on the rear for spare tire holder, sliders, roof rack, and better quality suspension, and aftermarket wheels, but know to do all of this will cost thousands.
My first concern is the age and mileage of my 4Runner, so is it worth doing all of those upgrades and more to an older model.
My second concern is that I really want to go do some trail riding and take my 4Runner places where 4x4 vehicles go that I cant since I don't have 4 wheel drive. I am also planning to buy another lightweight trailer for camping in the next couple of years which my V8 is great for pulling.
I also wouldn't mind upgrading to a 5th Generation 4Runner since I can get one with 4 wheel drive and they are roomier for someone tall like me.
Is it worth me keeping it and spending a lot a money on upgrades or should I buy a 5th Gen with all the latest bells and whistles? I'm torn right now and don't want to make a wrong choice!!!

Is it beat to death?
seems like these v-8s are in high demand.


Mines (v6) at 76k miles and in good/no rust condition.

Would not hesitate to 'start' to mod it now...if I had not already jumped into the rabbit-hole.

A lot of the cost can be reduced if you can DIY.

whoops missed the 2wd thing...but look at LTDSC...depends what you like to do I guess...I would want a 4wd...just me.
Will shut up now.
Guess I should actually read and pay attention.

Well crap I thought LTDSC was 2wd...nope...don't listen to me...silence would be better...just a dumb a$$ here.

I would get a 4wd 4th gen V8 without moonroof and if you still need more headroom you can modify the seats or get aftermarket ones.

You can build a 2wd to do what the average person considers extreme but to go any further it is easier to start with a 4wd. If it means anything if I were you I would sell it and find a 4wd but my use-case is probably different than yours. If you are serious about seeing what these trucks can do then a 4wd is your best bet. If you just want to take bumpy dirt road trails and set up camp, then a 2wd would be fine.

The biggest dilemma I see is whether or not you’re truly prepared to spend more than you and the boss are comfortable spending.

We all say I’m ‘just’ going to lift it, throw on some armor and sliders, 33s, maybe some new wheels, maybe bumpers and a roof rack, and we all end up continuing to mod and spend more. Don’t forget, when wheeling, be prepared to break sh it and maintain suspension components more frequently. It’s not a matter of if you’re going to break something, it’s a matter of when.

Now if you and the boss are okay with that eventuality, then great!! Jump on in, the water is fiiiinne!!!

However, if the decisions needs to be more practical, I would say, polish that baby up and sell it privately. Take the cash from the sale and throw it on a down payment on a sweet new ride!! There really is nothing like that new truck smell 🤤🤤

Either way, you’re going to have a capable off-road vehicle.


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Want to in time, all them upgrades, more then likely will take more time to do so at the cost of all them mods.
You want to do some trail riding.

Personally I think you answered your own question, is it worth it.

2WD.

That's the deal-breaker.
If I had a V8, I would surely keep it IF and only IF it has 4WD.
Heck, I'm keeping my 32 YO truck that's taken me to many places, while shiny new ones are stuck at the mall or dropping off kids to soccer practice.

I was in the same shoes, own a 2003 SR5 V8 2WD since 2007. So, finally in 2015, I've got the itch and upgraded the hell out of it: suspension lift, spacers, UCAs, big tires/wheels, lights, interior, exhaust, etc. 4Runner V8 is a beast and bulletproof and I had no problem upgrading it - actually drove and felt better with Bilstein suspensions and bigger tires. However, I've always wanted a real 4WD - no matter what, mine was still only a 2WD with its limitation - that's the only issue. So, is it worth to you to upgrade a 2WD if you truly want a 4WD? Just be honest to yourself of what you really want, long term wise. Don't settle - buy once, cry once.

For me, it was difficult but it's the right choice to get a full-time 4WD that I can truly enjoy, upgrade, and use to its full off-road potential. So, I bought a 2015 Lexus GX 460: a kick@ss comfortable V8 4WD SUV with 4Runner frame, suspension base, and soul - best of both world.

Also, the sad part now, I have to sell my fully modified and lifted 2003 SR5 V8 2WD (plug: in the For Sale section). To me, it's a HUGE upgrade!

Basically, if you TRULY want a 4WD, then don't waste money and time upgrading a 2WD - it's still just a lifted 2WD with limited off-road capability. Besides, your 2006 is already 12 years old. It's time for new look, technology (no more V8 4Runner though), and Toyota parts that will last you another 12+ years. Good luck. OR check out the Lexus GX 470 and 460!!!

Personally, I see no point in upgrading if it's 2WD. I'd trade for a 4WD version and build that up instead.

In terms of 4th gen vs 5th gen, it depends on what you want to use it for. Coming from a 2003 Limited, my 2011 SR5 actually lost a lot of those "bells and whistles" that you're talking about, but honestly I didn't care. As you said, the interior is much more roomy, and since mine is my DD that was a nice upgrade. I can add anything I want that's missing. (like aftermarket heated seats)

I actually almost wish I had downgraded to a 3rd gen and saved a bunch of money in doing so, then in a few years get a car with better gas mileage as my DD. That would have freed me to thrash the 3rd gen and not worry about it. My 5th gen is way too new and nice (and expensive) to thrash around like that.

Give it some character, I say thrash it!

Anyway OP, just saw you on fb Florida page.
You actually might want to really take a good look at how deep into off roading you want to go and consider trading up to a V8 4x4. All the armor your talking about weighs several hundred lbs and with 2wd you might run into trouble. My 5th gen above (4850 lbs stock) weighs over 5800 lbs (FB w winch, Full SP, RS-not pictured-, full tank and recovery gear/tools).

I'll chime in as a 2WD 3rd Gen owner with 264K miles on the clock.

I love my truck and have put 200k miles on it since buying it used in 2011. That said, I've modded it some, put a lunchbox locker in the rear with 17s and MTs and take it on trails monthly - it's quite capable.

My next major mod is a 4WD swap. Cheaper to buy a 4WD than swapgrade it, right? Perhaps not. I've done all the PM (timing belt, LBJs, radiator, VCGs, and more) and IMO, this truck will go to 400K miles with the right maintenance. And I get 21+ MPG on the highway - which is more than the window sticker advertised when new.

So, is it crazy to replace wheel bearings and axle seals on an almost 20 year old truck, I don't think so. The 3rd gens are beasts and the 3.4L is a workhorse. I'd rather not start over with someone else's headache or sell it and not get the value back I put into mine, because I put it there myself; and that also has value to me. Maybe the 3rd Gen are a different breed, but if I had it to do again the only difference would be 4WD.

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No trust me, I wheel it! And abuse it more than I should for it being a DD.

I'm talking about SAS with 40s, cut fenders, full roll cage, no doors, and not minding smashing the hell out of it on rocks. Definitely not ready to do that to my 5th gen DD. If it was a 3rd gen I'd turn it into a trail toy for sure, probably wouldn't be legal to drive on streets anymore.

Something like this: (stolen from pirate4x4, don't know whose it is)

common problem with the 4th gen 4wd is the transfercase setup. it shouldnt cost too much to convert it two 4wd using the fj manual transfercase setup with front diff, axles and new wheel bearings

im having the same delima i have an 07 limited mines 4wd though with 150k but its an Iowa, Wisconsin truck so it has some rust on it and i already spent almost 2k on tires and wheels and i cant decide if i should put money into it or not i want to get a lift, retrofits , satoshi grill, i need a new front bumper cover and some other things and cant decide if i should put that kind of money into it

My 4Runner is in excellent mechanical and cosmetic condition. I always get comments from people at either how good it looks or how good of shape it's in, so I can't complain in that department.

I know that the 4th gen 4Runner is bad about the sunroof breaking, but mine is still working just fine, so I have been fortunate.
I'm thinking that after doing all the upgrades I want will set my 4Runner up for light wheeling and pulling a camper without having to sell it and spend even more money on another 4Runner!