[j4x4v8]

2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD V8



Story: Back in late 2018 I set out on getting a reliable vehicle that could get me from coast to coast. I had previously owned a white 04 Subaru Forester, before it was totaled. Sedans weren't for me, and the Sequoia was a tad too big. I quickly descended upon a 4th gen 4Runner, specifically the V8. I looked at quite a few V8 4Runners and was driving hours away at one point. Some had way too much rust, felt weak on the pedal, sketchy records, etc. My budget limited me to higher mileage 4Runners, and frankly there weren't too many V8's around. My search ended with a white 04 SR5 4WD V8 @ 190k miles. I like to think it turned out to be an 04, and white, because my Subaru is haunting me. As of June 2020 I am at 210k miles. Boy it's addicting looking at everyones awesome build threads! Hopefully my thread will help some folks out too. I'm going to try and be as exhaustive as I can, if only to keep myself sane and all the information I find in one spot. My end goal is a street worthy daily driver, with off-road capabilities, and rigged for camping and driving extended distances. More to come!

Performance

• K&N Air Intake 77-9022KP (w/ Drycharger RF-1048DK)
• Doug Thorley THY-564-SS-C Short Tube Headers
• G-Sport #50025 Catalytic Converters
• MagnaFlow #93655 Y-Pipe / Catalytic Converter
• MagnaFlow #15781 Cat-Back
• Vibrant 1141 2.5" Ultra Quiet Resonator

Audio

• Pioneer MVH-2400NEX Head Unit
• SiriusXM Tuner (SXV300V1)
• Pioneer ND-BC8 Rear view camera
• JBL Club 9600C 90W RMS 6"x 9" Component (Speakers Front)
• Kicker CSC65 100W RMS (Speakers Rear)
• 4-Channel amp 400W (Mounted behind rear seats)
• Audiopipe APLP800 200W RMS 8" Sub (Under drivers seat)

Appearance & Utility

• Spyder Chrome Euro Headlights HD-JH-T4R03-AM-C
• Vehicle OCD Center Console Organizer (link)
• AVS 194924 In-Channel Ventvisor

[j4x4v8]

In Progress
Ordered, being built, shipped, or waiting for me

• Solidshift Cupholder Insert (link)
• Cornfed 1" front leveling kit (link)
• Replacing fog lights with LED PODs - Baja Designs Squadron SAE - 257805
• Solidshift fog light LED mounts (link)
• Victory4x4 Center Console Molle (link)
• Sound deadening to doors - Second Skin Damplifier Pro and Noico RED 315 mil
• Satoshi Grille - Entire grille from Customcargrills.com
• BudBuilt Front Skid Plate (Steel) (link)
• Raingler Rear Cargo Grab Handle (link)

Planned
Hope to get around to these in the somewhat near future

• Unichip (link)
• Rust Treatment: Wire Brush / Eastwood Pre Painting Prep -> Eastwood Rust Encapsulator -> Rustoleum Farm and Implement
• Paint job touch-ups and exterior detailing
• Color matching / repainting front lower bumper and rear bumper pieces
• Brite Box (link)
• Interior LEDs
• Sprint Booster (link)
• Relocate 4 channel amp from behind back seats

Wishlist
One day...

• P265/70R17 GEOLANDAR X-AT
• CVJ Axles, new struts/shocks(?), control arms(?), coils(?)
• DIY built storage solution, possibly collapsible sleeping platform, drawer fridge, etc.
• Offgrid4x4 Complete Dual Battery System (link) w/ shore power switch & auxiliary power outlet system
• Shrockworks rock sliders (link)
• Rago Rear Window Storage Molles (link)
• Victory4x4 Roof Rack (link)
• Victory4x4 Front Winch Bumper (link)
• WARN 103250 VR EVO 8 Electric 12V Winch 8000LB
• VSC OFF switch next to center diff lock (link)
• Stealth light bar behind lower grille (like this or this)
• Lift gate lights (link)
• Stainless Steel Door Sills (link)
• Front windows tinted

Vehicle Specifications

• Year/Trim: 2004 SR5 4WD
• Engine: 4.7L V8 DOHC w/32 Valve SFI
• Transmission: 5-Speed ECT-i Automatic (No VVT-i for 03-04)
• Model Code: UZN215L-GKAGKA
• Exterior Color: Natural White (056)
• Interior Color: Stone (FG12)
• Wheels/Tires: OEM 17" Aluminum / P265/65R17
• Factory Installed Equipment: JBL Synthesis, Double Decker Cargo System, Steering Wheel Audio and Cruise Control, FE 50 State Emissions (1 rear cat)

Maintenance

• Full Synthetic Oil
• Timing belt / water pump @ 195k
• Valve cover gaskets @ 195k
• Spark plugs @ 208k
• Rear brake pads/rotors @ 208k

Outstanding Maintenance Issues

• Front right inner CV boot is missing - Not worried right now because I don't go off-roading yet
• Transfer case seal or 4WD actuator seepage - Want to get taken care of sooner rather than later, and will need to look into what else I can replace while the transmission is dropped
• Lift gate sometimes decides to stop working (no response to button press) for periods of time, and then will start working again randomly — Letting the car sit for 6+ hours seemed to reset some systems, and suddenly it's working again. Taking apart and cleaning the latch is now on my to-do list.
• A valve cover bolt is broken off (ugh)

Planned Work

• Change front/rear diff oil
• Transmission fluid full flush
• Check radiator condition / coolant / possible transmission cooler

If anyone has any suggestions in terms of preventative maintenance please let me know



Resources / Useful Links

• My Exhaust System - Parts List - Pics / How it sounds
• Info about my subwoofer under drivers seat
• DIY lift gate lock assembly by oblivionis
• Sound Deadening my '07 Sport by Bluesky 07
• 4th Gen Camping/Storage System - Free plans by bagelsjustbagels
• Changing Transfer Case, Front Differential, and Rear Differential Oil by Berty_K
• Whiteline Lower Control Arm Bushing Tutorial (120+ Pictures) by y=mx+b
• 4th Gen Door Lock Actuator Replacement: Step by Step with Pictures by y=mx+b

[j4x4v8]

Reserved

[j4x4v8]

Reserved

[y=mx+b]

Looking good! I'm working on getting an organized build thread going for mine too, I'm in VA as well!

Originally Posted by j4x4v8

Front right inner CV boot is missing - Not worried right now because I don't go off-roading yet

If you have an OEM CV, I would get it rebooted soon. I waited to replace mine, and now I have significant play on the inner tripod end of the axle. Trying to track down another OEM axle is either expensive or annoying. A new CV axle from Toyota is ~$350 and CVJ OEM equivalent is ~$200+$95 core+$36 CVJ shipping to VA+core return shipping-$95 core refund = ~$270 to VA. To save some money and learn a bit, I wanted to rebuild a CV myself.

I spend about a month, off and on, trying to track down an OEM axle to rebuild for cheaper than the above options. I couldn't really find anything in a junkyard at the time, so I ordered low mileage CVs 3 different times from LKQ on ebay. 1 was an o'reilly and I got refunded, 1 was cancelled the day after it was expected it to arrive, and 1 was cancelled the day after ordering. I finally found one this week at a local junkyard, 4runner had been there around a week and 1 of the CVs was already gone. I scooped the passenger side to rebuild with an OEM boot kit. I have the 04427-60141 kit that has the inner boot, outer boot, grease, and clamps, got it from MeGeorge online for $46. Not sure on the in person price or shipping for just the kit, I had ordered all the cam bolts and a few other things at the same time. I don't know the PN for the inner only kit, but it was around $20.