What years are the best 4Runners and what years should I stay away from?
I do want the 4.0L six-cylinder!!


HDHP

Get an 07-09, the 05 and below (even some early 06’s) are known to have head gasket problems.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, montijo505. I heard of the head gasket issue but was not sure of the year.


HDHP

Just make sure to check the "Build Date" on the VIN sticker of the driver's door jamb, 12/05 and later you should be good to go, all 4ths gen after that date have the re-designed head gaskets.

I'll go out on a limb and say at this age (10+ years) it doesn't really matter anymore, whatever could break/leak already leaked/broke.

But still, '06 or newer are better all things considered.

If you want the best get a 06-09 V8...lol

But in all seriousness if you want a V6 stick to the 06-09 years.

Thanks for all the replys and info! I was going to ask about the build date. But you answered my question!


HDHP

I have a trouble free 2004 and I beat the hell out of mine… The head gasket thing has been on the back of my mind only because it gets mentioned often, but so far so good with 200k on the clock. I wouldn’t let that deter you if the price is right.

That said, there is a transmission difference between those years as well. 4 speed vs the 5 speed.

Just an FYI, not all early V6s end up with a failed head gasket, I don't know what the percentage is but there are several members here with early V6s such as Bumbo that haven't had any issues, that being said if you find a early V6 that has documentation that it has had the head gaskets replaced, especially with new OEM head gaskets you shouldn't have to worry about any risk in buying it

As Bumbo mentioned early V6s had a 4 speed transmission which would be the 2003 and 2004 models, from 2005 and onward all V6s has a 5 speed transmission.

Wow, I like all the replies and learned some good points! Thanks again, guys!



HDHP

I would get the lowest miles V8 in the latest model year you can find...

for the 09' trail edition...

same here. think of the numbers, the fact that we're on an enthusiast's site and know of the HG issue, enough for yota to redesign and limit liabilities but other than that id assume the scenario is outlying or not to be worried about unless there are obvious signs of failure before purchase, white smoke, coolant levels, etc.
140k on my 04 v6 and she is kickass. still cant believe the build qualtity of these cars. hell of a lot better than subaru.

I always gravitated towards Japanese cars growing up. Spent most of my youth with Honda cars, and still do though my Acura sedan, but even those don’t seem to be built as well. I don’t know much about Toyota’s cars but the trucks are so good. The build quality is awesome and it’s just well put together and easy to work on.

Truthfully it’s the off-road stuff that turned me into a Toyota convert… I never really knew what these things were about (or how capable they really are) until I started hanging out with the right people. Mine has still spent most of its life on-road as my wife’s commuter, but after one off-road trip, I basically stole the truck and opened the proverbial can of worms.

Plus the older it gets, the more I love it.

@Bumbo i hear you...not sure if it the same or not for everyone, but i think at one point i noticed my vin was one of the vehicles manufactured in Japan as opposed to elsewhere. not sure if that changes anything and i agree, they are well made and easy to work on. my dad had an 04 tundra that was a great great truck