Hello all,

New here. I have gone round and round researching vehicles. I can go buy a new car, I just don't want the payments. I also hate the idea of buying something I don't like.

Some background:

I currently drive a fwd 2010 GM Sedan (it was free). It's giving me some annoying issues (shake at 60mph that I can't find, have torn front suspension apart many times, new wheels, tires, taken to a shop, etc). It also is showing some body rust that I don't like.

I am pretty into Jeeps. I have had an XJ Cherokee, a TJ Wrangler, and now have the longer 2 door TJ. I really liked the Cherokee and considered looking for another but they are pretty dated.

4wd is a big benefit but also reasonable gas mileage is a consideration. I only get about 20mpg in my sedan which is primarily on 35-55mph roads, I don't anticipate a 4runner would get that much worse gas mileage.

My thinking is to find a rust free (hard to do I know) 2006-2009 V6 but may also consider a V8 with approximately 150k or less miles. I need this to be reliable but I am also capable of maintenance (I have frame swapped a Jeep, rebuilt motors, etc). I also want a good ride (I'm willing to put Bilsteins or something on this) and a quiet ride (I also expect to have to pull the interior and sound deaden).

Is a 4th gen a good option for this?

Even they're *known* for reliability, you simply can't expect it to be perfectly running after 15 years or so. So don't overpay, and definitely leave some budget for maintenance and repairs. If it's rust free, it's likely coming from southern or western part of the country, where rubber hardening would potentially be a problem. Also, 4th gen V6 is timing chain engine, and V8 is timing belt (90000 miles or 10 years replacement interval). Unless the previous owner consistently run subpar oil with very long drain interval, V6 timing chain will last until the end of the world.

Bilstein 5100 rides great, but they're really designed to run with stock spring rate. If you reuse stock springs and passenger tires or at most LT C rated tires, they should have a very compliant "German car" ride.

I don't know that much about domestic cars, but for 4runner, 99% of the time OEM has the highest quality. Sadly most of parts are imported from Japan, so expect em to be expensive. Expect OEM lower control arm with ball joint to last around 20 years with moderate use, but they're 500 dollars for one side.

Is it a good option for you? All I can say is, if you dive into Toyota just for the reliability alone, you're more likely to be disappointed. However, if you actually consider other merits, 4th gen is decently quiet, has more than decent offroad capability stock, has better than average truck ride quality, with technologies like standard hydroboost brakes, active traction control (for offroad) and all-wheel-drive capability for all 4wd variants. I just can't recommend a 4th gen based on their reliability alone, since they're at least 14 years old already.

We don't talk about gas mileage.

Thank you for the helpful reply.

I understand concerns about 15 year old vehicles. I have a 2006 Jeep and previously had a 2004 and a 2000 car within the last 6 years.

I anticipate having to pay some money for maintenance (I am confident doing the labor myself)

I like the timing chain aspect of the V6 and in reality it will do whatever I need.


In reality I am looking for something I can keep going without nickel and diming me all the time. The GM car has taken some, but it hasn't even came remotely close to a new car payment.

Perhaps a higher mileage (100k or so) 5th gen for a little more money would also be a consideration. I typically drive about 12,000 miles a year. Also my wife has a 2013 Yukon with 282,000 miles and it doesn't scare me.

1. Not impossible but you may have to travel a bit to pick it up. Might be stating the obvious but look for trucks in places where the winters aren't as bad. My frame was ridiculously clean and the truck had spent its life in North Carolina (I'm in metro Atlanta). Also be sure the 4WD works in all modes. The actuators can get gummed up from disuse and it can be a costly repair.

2. IMO, it's an outstanding option and you can do a LOT even on a small budget. You've seen my build thread; don't know how deeply you got into it but my first suspension setup cost me $200 total (2015 Tacoma TRD Offroad takeoff coilovers for the front & FJ springs for the rear). There are many other great budget-conscious build threads. One example off the top of my head is Lady Viola & Gypsy.

There are also plenty of 4th Gen owners here who will gladly give advice and answer questions. Hope you find a 4th Gen you like. They're amazing trucks.

Thank you.

I bought my Duramax in North Carolina so I am familiar with the travel.

Yes I did see that. I have OME springs and Bilsteins on my Jeep and having OEM take off Bilstein availability is pretty awesome. Thank you for the link, I will check it out.

I think it would be a decent fit for me.

Rust free would be key of course. Exhaust is getting pretty tired now for this generation as is the front suspension. I do think my XJ may have taken more to maintain though and it had less mileage. Those stupid front axle u-joints never seemed to last. One thing to realize on these though, auto insurance costs more on them for some reason. I have 5 cars insured, from a slightly newer F150 to a lot newer Sienna, the 4runner is close to 100 more than the others for six months with the same coverage. That may not matter to some but it's good to know.

Some of us our biased, but yea I think the 4th gen is a great option. the 03-09 are the same bones as the 5th - same motor, drive train. I suggest a late 05/ 06 through 09. The earlier ones were more likely to have head gasket or transmission overheating issues.

I think the cost of a 4th gen gives you some cushion to upgrade things.

The benefit of a 5th gen is exterior styling if you like that, some nicer interior features (but again you can upgrade a 4th gen) and some more off road goodies (rear locking diff, crawl control)

Let us know what we can do to help

4th Gen is a stellar option for multiple reasons…

As stated before prior maintenance is key to these, finding the right one with a good history will ensure you a reliable vehicle. I’ve had my ‘05 V6 170,000 miles for 4 years and repairs have been minuscule (alternator, radiator cap, thermostat). Without even checking the oil I’d be confident to hop in it and do a cross country trip.

I live SW so rust isn’t a factor to me. But based on posts here rust can be a serious issue. Check the frame rails outside and in (with a cam) if possible.

Fuel mileage isn’t the worst… but not the best either. With a 3” lift, tires, roof rack and accessories mounted I get about 16 mpg combined.

If you like modifying, aftermarket is huge for these (but expensive).


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There are aspects of the 5th gen I certainly like better but all are not necessary - I would likely add heated seats and a radio with Carplay and it would be the same to me. Plus, I actualy kind of like the look of the 4th gens.

I could absolutely doing a small lift and a little larger tires. I am quite familiar with frame rust (frame swapped a Jeep) so I now know what to look for.

Except you can't get the V8 in the 5th gen and the mid 4th gen got 5 speed trannies where only the V8 had them early on.

I prefer the 4th gen look too especially in the refresh years. The ones with rounded wheel arches and cooler headlights. These were out of my price range when I bought my 03.

My Jeep buddies always comment on how smooth and quiet mine is, and it’s not stock lol.

I got mine 10 years ago with 150K miles. Rust free, but I’m in NorCal so most everything here is. Clean Carfax and all service was done at the dealer on time. Pretty sure it was a soccer mom truck and they didn’t skimp on service. I’m now at 218K and it’s been nothing but solid and reliable. It is a recreational use only vehicle, not my daily. Other than replacing the radiator, battery, CV boots (due to age and my lift causing leaks), no major issues.

I am also huge on preventative maintenance and flushed or drain/filled ALL fluids whether or not they are recommended. I highly recommend you do the same, even if records state they’ve been done already recently. That way you know it’s done right and the 4R will continue to serve you well.

Right or wrong I picked up this high mileage 2007 V6 yesterday. I was surprised how well it drove. It's not mint underneath but it is quite clean for the rust belt (it came from Florida).

Nice find! Looks like a pretty clean example.


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florida is in the rust belt? news to me.