Lets face it....the 4th gen is starting to age

D

DocMT

Banned
Well, at least for some of us. I realize that the '09 models (which is seems are very rare compared to any of the other years) are only about two years old at this point in time, but this thread is more about the earlier 4th gens.

So here's the question: When can we expect to see increased problems/issues with our vehicles? I know that 4Runners are amazingly solid vehicles, but they can't possibly run forever without having some problems, right?

So far to date I've only done the following to my '04 4Runner:

Regular oil & filter changes
Greased the driveshaft & U-joints
Replaced brake pads, front & rear
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced air filter
Replaced cabin air filter
Replaced a burned out bulb on the dashboard

That's it. Nothing else since I purchased my 4Runner new in 2004. She doesn't leak a drop of fluid on my garage floor. She doesn't use any oil between oil changes. Heck, I haven't even changed the battery yet!

So tell me, when can I expect my 4Runner to start falling apart?
 
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Great thread. I for one and interested to see the responses. Mine is only at 60k miles, and I've done the exact same thing except I havent had to replace any bulbs, and I've greased a few zerks. I'm beginning to think I should get it aligned and have someone look at flushing the fluids, but I'm not expert. Pretty much the opposite actually.
 
keylay31 said:
Great thread. I for one and interested to see the responses. Mine is only at 60k miles, and I've done the exact same thing except I havent had to replace any bulbs, and I've greased a few zerks. I'm beginning to think I should get it aligned and have someone look at flushing the fluids, but I'm not expert. Pretty much the opposite actually.
Click to expand...

I've also greased the driveshaft & U-joints. I'll edit my post to include that.
 
I've driven a lot of vehicles over 200k, so here's my guess: 150,000 miles. Expect to need to service CV boots at 100-150k, possibly replace a front half-shaft. I've heard a bit about front brake calipers, so plan on that. Most of your rubber bushings and boots are going to be pretty dry by the time you approach 200k, those might start demanding your attention. If your ball joint boots crack you might need to replace suspension arms. Wheel bearings normally are serviced at 100k, usually can go 200k. The rear wheel bearings on these trucks are pressed together with the hub, not really serviceable without special machinery.
 
2004 - 75,000 miles

Had to have (1) front and (1) rear frozen brake caliper relplaced.

The big one, I just had to have my 4wd accuator replaced...... a whopping $2,700.

I bought the Runner because of the reliability but not real happy after the 4wd acc. problem. Hopefully it was an isolated problem, but I know a few others on here have had the problem. I know I only was putting it into 4hi a few times a year, and if I remember reading right, the other people that had the same problem didn't use the 4wd much either "use it or lose it"
 
DocMT said:
Well, at least for some of us. I realize that the '09 models (which is seems are very rare compared to any of the other years) are only about two years old at this point in time, but this thread is more about the earlier 4th gens.

So here's the question: When can we expect to see increased problems/issues with our vehicles? I know that 4Runners are amazingly solid vehicles, but they can't possibly run forever without having some problems, right?

So far to date I've only done the following to my '04 4Runner:

Regular oil & filter changes
Greased the driveshaft & U-joints
Replaced brake pads, front & rear
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced air filter
Replaced cabin air filter
Replaced a burned out bulb on the dashboard

That's it. Nothing else since I purchased my 4Runner new in 2004. She doesn't leak a drop of fluid on my garage floor. She doesn't use any oil between oil changes. Heck, I haven't even changed the battery yet!

So tell me, when can I expect my 4Runner to start falling apart?
Click to expand...

Just turned 100k on my 4r, my list is exactly the same as yours even down to the replaced bulb on the dashboard. I hope to get another 100k out of my vehicle.
 
nismojason said:
2004 - 75,000 miles

The big one, I just had to have my 4wd accuator replaced...... a whopping $2,700.

Hopefully it was an isolated problem, but I know a few others on here have had the problem. I know I only was putting it into 4hi a few times a year, and if I remember reading right, the other people that had the same problem didn't use the 4wd much either "use it or lose it"
Click to expand...

Can you tell us a little more about the issue? What happened? Your 4Runner wouldn't go into 4wd, so the dealer replaced the actuator? How much was the part & the labor? Did they say what caused the actuator to fail?
 
DocMT said:
Replaced spark plugs
Click to expand...

Lots of Q's...

When do you recommend replacing the plugs?
What replacement plugs did you use?
How hard/easy were the plugs? Did you replace wires also?

Is there such a thing as a ceramic brake pad?
Or is it only Ceramic Rotors?
If there are ceramic pads can we put them on with our stock rotors?
Did you resurface your rotors prior to brake pad change?

:nicethread:
 
MICA4R said:
Lots of Q's...

When do you recommend replacing the plugs?
What replacement plugs did you use?
How hard/easy were the plugs? Did you replace wires also?

Is there such a thing as a ceramic brake pad?
Or is it only Ceramic Rotors?
If there are ceramic pads can we put them on with our stock rotors?
Did you resurface your rotors prior to brake pad change?

:nicethread:
Click to expand...

Plugs should be changed at 30K for the V6. I belive the V8 is 100K
I used the OEM plugs (the V6 actually has both NGK and Denso installed in it from the factory)
Plugs were a breeze to remove and install.
No wires on these engines. Coil on plug instead.

Brakes: I used Raybestos ceramics. I re-used the rotors because they were still in great shape.
 
I would bet you could get 400k miles on these. I just sold a 02' Yukon XL with 310K miles. All the items listed are expected with kind of mileage. I just bought a 03' and I'm having all of this done this week along with tires. It may cost you a little but it will be something you wont have to worry about for another 100K miles. Cars today aren't like they used to be...300-400k miles isn't unheard of.
 
DocMT said:
Can you tell us a little more about the issue? What happened? Your 4Runner wouldn't go into 4wd, so the dealer replaced the actuator? How much was the part & the labor? Did they say what caused the actuator to fail?
Click to expand...

When switching from 2hi to 4 hi (turning the knob), nothing would happen. Both the green 4hi light and the orange diff lock lights would blink.

Dealer replaced the actuator, which required dropping the transfer case. Part was 1100 and labor was 2000. So that was 3100 w/o taxes (3286 w/), and was able to talk them down to 2750 w/ tax.

Overall they seemed pretty honest, but they told me that water got in the actuator and that the rod that shifts into gear had "rusted like" and broke. His explanation left a little to be desired, but my normal "mechanic" did not have the equipment to test whether the actuator had failed, and wasn't going to buy a 1100 part to find out.
 
MaliciousClout said:
Bro...above me..sounds like you got your eyes poked. Just sayin.
Click to expand...

Care to elaborate?

After i got the est. I called around to a couple other places also a few others here on the forum paid about the same price.

Also couldn't find anyone on the forum that had replaced the actuator themselves, so i wasn't comfortable trying to take on something like this myself.

Jason
 
I have a 03 v8 sr5 full time 4wd 101k miles
oil changes
tires
brakes
brake light switch (on the pedal)
dash lights
actually just changed the orginal battery today

truck runs great! no problems so far
 
Excellent topic:

95000 miles v8

Other than standard oil / diff fluid changes and regular brake pad/rotor servicing:

-timing belt, water pump, alternator belt.

(I make sure and activate the 4low and diff lock a few times every month)

Btw I tested a v6 2006 at a Ford dealership once. The 4hi wouldnt engage. The salesman told me the transmission would need time to "learn my driving style" and if it needed repair they would do it for me after the sale. I am not kidding, this is exactly what he said.
 
DocMT said:
Plugs should be changed at 30K for the V6. I belive the V8 is 100K
I used the OEM plugs (the V6 actually has both NGK and Denso installed in it from the factory)
Plugs were a breeze to remove and install.
No wires on these engines. Coil on plug instead.

Brakes: I used Raybestos ceramics. I re-used the rotors because they were still in great shape.
Click to expand...

60k for plugs on V8...iridium $10 each
 
04 V8 Ltd 2WD...130K miles....regular maint...r/f brake caliper(1 piston locked up, still drivable, vibrated like crazy), and just yesterday 20 amp mini fuse for EFI
 
Lets see, 07 with 41000 and oil and filter changes, wiper blades, greased the driveline, new tires, and a transmission last week {under warranty}.
 
'03 v8 limited mint condition, 101K today

-lcd bulb went out
-turn signal bulb went out
-cv boot leaked (truck's lifted)
-sunroof rattles when really really cold out
-lumbar doesn't work
-ac resistor of some type went bad (blinking ac light)
-some type of climate control motor went bad

all resolved with OEM parts.

otherwise, nothing major so far. v8 is silky as ever. oh what an engine and transmission package.

IMG-20101127-00017.jpg~original


IMG00130-20101123-1245.jpg~original
 
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