Thanks everyone, you have all been a great help! I'm happy to hear any other stories or comments you may have!

This is interesting, I wasn't quite aware of the difference between sub-generations within the 4th gen. I had always just read that after I believe '06 or '07 that there was a refresh. I do love simple, do you feel that there was anything about the '08 that you worked on that you wish your earlier model had?

Thanks!

Quick overview:

03-04 had flat topped fenders/wheel wells, 05-09 rounded wheel wells. Front and rear bumpers changed a little too.

06-09 received projector headlights

05-09 V8's got VVTI which increased power some.

03-04 V6's got a 4 speed auto, everything else has a 5 speed auto.

Some of the earlier models had a dipstick tube on the transmission vs a 'sealed' unit like previously mentioned.

Loved my '02. It had better (front) seats, and no slip on wet take offs like my '08. But, I got used to this one and modified it after my wife got her own car and this stopped being the family wagon. Wouldn't trade it for anything, not even the newer ones. Had that chance and turned it down. Cheers.

Umm, not really. The '08 really had a nice dash instrumentation lighting and independent HVAC controls. Yeah, those are nice things but not a necessary. Both my '03 and her '08 have XREAS system but mine is gone now. She'll have to deal with the replacement XREAS shocks when the time comes. That'll be her next BF's headache

I like my 2008, it's nice and feels luxurious. However the 3rd gens were the best automobiles made. I'd still be driving my 99 if it wasn't totaled by a drunk driver last year.

if you have a third gen and you have taken care of keep it. You can't easily go buy a well taken care of third gen.

The main thing I like about the 2008 is the all wheel drive. My 99sr5 only had 4wd.

4ths gens are nice but keep your third gen as long as possible. Maybe even park the 3rd gen and get a 4th gen as a daily driver.

This is super helpful and convenient. I appreciate you putting the time into this.

Haha that comment about the suspension made me laugh. Sounds like you all are pretty happy with the 4th gen. It kind of surprises me that even though there are problems with the V8 headers, and the potential head gasket issues associated with the V6, that none of you have mentioned those being something that makes you nervous.

For what it is worth, there are plenty of problems such as LBJ failure, pink milkshake etc with the 3rd gen. I guess you just have to find a package that works and fix the issues as they arise!

This is honestly probably what I will do. I bought my '97 SR5 4WD with 173k miles for $1500 and have sorted it completely for $1200 ( new radiator, fluids, tires, LBJ, suspension + a lot more ). I look at it as I got such a good deal for it, I can just keep it and it will be my forever backup work horse when I need it. Then I can daily drive something newer/nicer/more comfortable when I can afford to do such.

Skimmed over the replies, so excuse any repetitiveness. I've never OWNED a third gen, but they're so common I've gotten plenty of time being around buddies and learned basic some mechanical work off of them. Simply put, 3rd's seem easier to maintain cost and labor wise, and being smaller offer a better option for building for offroad.

That being said, I'd never go to a 3rd gen if it meant letting go of my 4th gen. The added size, better looks (IMO), and simply "updated-ness" of them is why I got a 4th in the first place as opposed to a 3rd.

Key things if you'll buy one, I wish I knew beforehand:

-V8 all the way (huge debate on here so it's definitely personal preference), but I never tow and am still thankful I have the extra power for when necessary. The intake manifold leak is an issue, but it's a straight up fix (just costly), so there's no guessing on how/what to fix. Also the most overlooked feature of the V8: IT'S FULL TIME 4WD

- 06+ -> Mostly bc of the small updates that Inv4DrZm mentioned, less of a headache for future problems. Also the "Newer" one you find, less chances of rust built up on the frame and other components

- SR5/Sport/Limited really doesn't matter from what I've seen bc most of the differences can be modded to get whatever you don't have. (ie leather seats, adding a sport hood/spoiler/roofbars, touchscreen HU,). I do enjoy that my limited has heated seats though. Maybe look to avoid XREAS if you plan on doing a suspension lift, and avoid the JBL synthesis system if you plan on upgrading the audio. As these two features just make the upgrades more expensive, but still doable.

- Make sure you 4WD actuator goes into 4LO as this is a common problem when it hasn't been used and is a costly fix.


I second the idea someone else mentioned, why not keep the 3rd you got (seems like it was a great deal) and grab a 4th gen for more daily stuff and enjoy the on road advantages over the 3rd gen.

Last bit of $0.02, I think the 4th gens are really easy to update to keep it looking more modern. Between headlight upgrades, to 5th gen steering wheels, blacking out the interior, push-to-start kits,etc.. a 4th gen can still look like a vehicle made in 2015.

Just a minor correction on what Inv4drZm posted, the 03, 04, and 05 had the flat top wheel wells.

The 03 V8 had the 5 speed transmission with a dipstick, 04 through 09 V8 had the "sealed" 5 speed transmission and no dipstick, to refill the sealed transmission there's a fill plug on the right/passenger's side of the transmisson, and there's 2 plugs on the pan, a drain plug and a fluid level check plug, to check the fluid level the transmission has the be at a certain temeprature, if I recall around 115 to 120 degrees then you pull the fluid level plug and if no fluid comes out it's low, if more than a dribble comes out it's over filled and you let the fluid drain out until it become a dribble and the level is then correct, all of this procedure has to be done a a perfectly level surface.

The 03 and 04 V6 had the 4 speed transmisson and a dipstick, 05 through 09 V6 had the sealed 5 speed transmission with no dip stick same as the V8.

06 through 09 as mentioned had the projector head lights and also a little bit different shape on the bottom, hood in the grille area is also a bit different shape as well as the grille.

Dangit, and I have an 05', typo.

I had a 99, an 04 (V8) and now an 07 (V6)
IMHO if you're going to do hardcore trails the 99 wins, but I LOVE my 07 V6.
I wouldnt mind having another 3rd gen but it would have to be VERY clean lol

Great replies! I know you are all very familiar with the 4th gen and have more knowledge than I do. I'm glad to hear you are all enjoying it. I welcome any other comments.


Yeah this is interesting! So what is your opinion on the V6 vs V8 since you have had both of them? What made you want to get a V6 rather than another V8?

Thanks!

V8 is full time 4WD, so you have better make sure, you a full size spare, and if you get bigger tires better get 5 as as you cant drive in 4wd with one tire that not the same size, to much stress on the diff.. The V8 oil filter is on the bottom of the engine, just a little more work to get to it.
The V6 is selectable 4wd, the oil filter is on the top of the motor, mush easier oil changes.
As far as horsepower I honestly did not notice any power difference in either.
I know lots of people want the V8 and some even seem to to get their feelings hurt when I say I like the V6 better lol but everyone is different.
For what I do, how I drive it, where I wheel it just makes sense to me.
In the end, its your money, your ride get what YOU want.

I'm going to get flamed for this but nothing sounds as good as a healthy V8 exhaust You can put all the fancy exhaust on a V6 but it ain't gonna give you a woody like a V8 exhaust does.

Running away now!!

I use to own a 00 4runner for roughly 3 years, sold it and purchased a 06 Sr5 about 4 months ago.

So far I am very happy with the switch, I orginally purchased the 00 4runner as a camping vehicle to stick close around home. Last winter I built a teardrop camper and took the 00 on a few long road trips. That is when I decided it was time to sell the 00 and get something newer with a little more power.

So far I am happy with my choice, more room inside the cabin, quieter going down the road, larger fuel tank, better mpg. I do miss my 00 but it was not my daily driver (and it had major rust issues).
The 00


The 06