04 V6 Purchase - What to do for maximum T4R life?

[jcampo788]

Howdy all!

New to the forum and also new to the world of the 4th gen. 4runner! My parents had a 3rd gen. (I was stupid enough to NOT advocate for them to keep it). I also owned a 3rd gen. Tacoma, which I loved, but it is hard to have kiddos in the back of the extended cab.

So, I just purchased a 2004 V6 4runner, SR5, with 317,XXX miles in good/very good condition for $2,000 miles here in Colorado. Interior is very clean for the mileage, the body is in similar condition (a few small rust pits here and there, but, no dents or scratches). The engine, tranny, and all other mechanical tidbits seems to be in good condition (save an oil leak in the valve cover right by the engine oil dipstick on the passenger side).

One owner, who was a friend of ours, and who takes very good care of their vehicles, homes, children, dogs, etc.

A few questions for the collective:

1. What should I get done NOW in order to ensure I can run this vehicle (which is basically my dream SUV) for as long as possible? Already getting all the fluids done tomorrow, along with shocks (suspension feels "tired"), and belts.

2. What should I do IN THE FUTURE to run this T4R into the 600-700k range? I know that is ambitious, but, a few other T4R owners in the area are amazed at it's condition (body, interior, and mechanical), so they are getting my hopes up that I can run it into the 600k+ range.

3. Was paying 2K for a T4R SR5, with 317,XXX, in good/very good condition as much of a steal as I think it was?

Looking forward to learning from you all!

 

[thight]

Congrats on the purchase! Honestly, I think a 4Runner in great condition (like you stated) high mileage or not for $2000 is a steal! If they're maintained properly and was not abused these bad boys run forever!

I would do the obvious though
- take care of any leaks to prevent significant damage down the road
- get the differential fluid drained and replaced
- make sure your transmission is lubed up and good to go
- fresh oil change, balanced tires, alignment (if that's all up to date then don't bother) just to make your mind at ease
- make sure your suspension and brakes are up to par for the Colorado mountains!

If all this checks out or has been completed, then fill her up and hit the roads and enjoy the beautiful trails here in CO!

 

[jcampo788]

04 Purchase - What to do for maximum T4R life?

All of the fluids are going to get replaced tomorrow. I also have the alignment scheduled for tomorrow as well. They are going to inspect the belts in the course of replacing the fluids.

I put five new tires on the rig as well last week. I went with Cooper AT3 LTX. I upped the aspect ratio to 75 to get myself a little bit more clearance and so far have not noticed any rubbing.

It was not without it’s issues. The TPMS has a bad sensor so I had to ground it out to disable. I will get new sensors eventually. There is a sound coming from the underside, a dull and low clunk over small bumps. Hoping it is just needing some grease in some random location.

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[xtremewlr]

V8 or V6? Makes a difference.

V8 - timing belt and water pump are #1 priority. 90k change interval and you do them at the same time.

V6 - not much more than fluid changes that I am aware of. Not sure if 04 V6 had head gasket issues or not but if it's running good now, you are probably OK.

Both will need to have the tcase regularly engaging 4WD to keep the servos working properly.

Valve cover gaskets aren't horribly difficult for either engine, so I would get that fixed or do it yourself soon. Do both at the same time either way. Use OEM Toyota stuff.

I paid $4700 for my 2003 with 280k miles on it and thought I got a great deal. So yeah, you did good no matter what.

 

[jcampo788]

V8 or V6? Makes a difference.

V8 - timing belt and water pump are #1 priority. 90k change interval and you do them at the same time.

V6 - not much more than fluid changes that I am aware of. Not sure if 04 V6 had head gasket issues or not but if it's running good now, you are probably OK.

Both will need to have the tcase regularly engaging 4WD to keep the servos working properly.

Valve cover gaskets aren't horribly difficult for either engine, so I would get that fixed or do it yourself soon. Do both at the same time either way. Use OEM Toyota stuff.

I paid $4700 for my 2003 with 280k miles on it and thought I got a great deal. So yeah, you did good no matter what.

V6! [emoji1417]


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[Syr4RinNC]

Agree - differential fluids, engage 4wd

On my 03 the transmission cooler went and the transmission overheated and went. Sometimes can be an issue. Consider getting an obdii reader and keeping an eye on transmission temps

I replaced the transmission, but the frame eventually rusted through

A few other pro tips - lube up the bracket for the gas door - that can rust out. Lube up the nut on the rear windshield wiper bc that’ll seize on you. Oh yea - the skid plate bolts can seize too so keep an eye on those and consider lubing or replacing. Drop the spare tire carrier and lube that up good because that can rust and fail on you

Otherwise the tailgates are known to rust too - particularly along the top of the weatherstrip for the glass. Ones with spoilers seem to do better

 

[CarlosV]

Agree - differential fluids, engage 4wd

"On my 03 the transmission cooler went and the transmission overheated and went. Sometimes can be an issue. Consider getting an obdii reader and keeping an eye on transmission temps"

I also have a 03 V6 with 4speed 340 Trans. Not sure about the 04
Can you get OBDII trans temps in this year/transmission?

Thanks

 

[jcampo788]

On my 03 the transmission cooler went and the transmission overheated and went. Sometimes can be an issue. Consider getting an obdii reader and keeping an eye on transmission temps

Is this a common issue with 4gen T4R?


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[xtremewlr]

Is this a common issue with 4gen T4R?


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I would say no, it's not. It probably really depends on the winter climate you live in, very much like rust being an issue for some and others, not at all.

 

[jcampo788]

I would say no, it's not. It probably really depends on the winter climate you live in, very much like rust being an issue for some and others, not at all.

We have bitter cold winters in the San Luis Valley but never for a prolonged period of time. Maybe a week tops of not a moment above freezing.

Does that impact things?

Also, is the 4WD just to be cycled one and off periodically to keep things running smoothly?


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[Syr4RinNC]

I would say no, it's not. It probably really depends on the winter climate you live in, very much like rust being an issue for some and others, not at all.

So I’m gonna disagree.

The 03- mid year 05s are more prone to rust than later 4th gens. Now certainly if you live in the south west, it’s not as big a deal

Additionally, the earlier 4th gen transmissions were a little more temperamental, much like the 3rd gens with pink milkshake issues. These were updated with the 5 speed with overdrive in the late 05s and 06s. I’m not sure there’s a whole lot you can do to prevent it- some will routinely change trans fluid - which is a big debate and others monitor temps when towing/ high stress situations

Again may not be an issue for all, but these are the issues that I became aware for early 4th gens.

Anyways it’s about as reliable a car as you can own with routine maintenance - just throwing out the few things I’ve found

 

[jcampo788]

So I’m gonna disagree.

The 03- mid year 05s are more prone to rust than later 4th gens. Now certainly if you live in the south west, it’s not as big a deal

Additionally, the earlier 4th gen transmissions were a little more temperamental, much like the 3rd gens with pink milkshake issues. These were updated with the 5 speed with overdrive in the late 05s and 06s. I’m not sure there’s a whole lot you can do to prevent it- some will routinely change trans fluid - which is a big debate and others monitor temps when towing/ high stress situations

Again may not be an issue for all, but these are the issues that I became aware for early 4th gens.

Anyways it’s about as reliable a car as you can own with routine maintenance - just throwing out the few things I’ve found

It is much appreciated! Thank you very much for sharing!

So much great knowledge on this forum!


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[xtremewlr]

So I’m gonna disagree.

The 03- mid year 05s are more prone to rust than later 4th gens. Now certainly if you live in the south west, it’s not as big a deal

Additionally, the earlier 4th gen transmissions were a little more temperamental, much like the 3rd gens with pink milkshake issues. These were updated with the 5 speed with overdrive in the late 05s and 06s. I’m not sure there’s a whole lot you can do to prevent it- some will routinely change trans fluid - which is a big debate and others monitor temps when towing/ high stress situations

Again may not be an issue for all, but these are the issues that I became aware for early 4th gens.

Anyways it’s about as reliable a car as you can own with routine maintenance - just throwing out the few things I’ve found

This is most likely the case for the V6 then. I have the V8 and they all had the A750 trans from the get go.

Best thing then would be to install a larger, aftermarket trans cooler to help combat the issue. This will also allow you to install an inline trans filter and make fluid changes a little easier.

 

[AuSeeker]

So I’m gonna disagree.

The 03- mid year 05s are more prone to rust than later 4th gens. Now certainly if you live in the south west, it’s not as big a deal

Additionally, the earlier 4th gen transmissions were a little more temperamental, much like the 3rd gens with pink milkshake issues. These were updated with the 5 speed with overdrive in the late 05s and 06s. I’m not sure there’s a whole lot you can do to prevent it- some will routinely change trans fluid - which is a big debate and others monitor temps when towing/ high stress situations

Again may not be an issue for all, but these are the issues that I became aware for early 4th gens.

Anyways it’s about as reliable a car as you can own with routine maintenance - just throwing out the few things I’ve found

Is this a common issue with 4gen T4R?


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This is most likely the case for the V6 then. I have the V8 and they all had the A750 trans from the get go.

Best thing then would be to install a larger, aftermarket trans cooler to help combat the issue. This will also allow you to install an inline trans filter and make fluid changes a little easier.

On 3rd gens and early 4th gen with the 4 speed and the transmission cooler going out....commonly known as the "milkshake"... what happens is the transmission cooler is in the radiator side tank the coolant coils runs into the trans cooler side tank and cools the trans fluid, the coolant coils can spring a leak and then coolant gets into the trans fluid and creates the "milkshake" fluid, i.e. water in the transmission fluid is not good and will kill the transmission if not caught very early.

So the preventative maintenance solution to avoid this is to replace a old radiator before the coils fail, a new radiator is around $100 plus labor, a new transmission..$1000s!

An external trans mission cooler is in addition to the radiator trans cooler and just adds additional cooling(which is a good thing to add if you tow)and will not avoid the "milkshake" if the radiator goes bad.

As far as additional maintenance, the V8 does have a timing belt which needs to be replaced every 90,000 miles, the V6 has a timing chain which lasts much longer, most say up to 300,000 miles and in some cases even longer but some have had to replace it sooner than that, you can check the timing chain tensioner too see if the chain is too stretched and needs to be replaced, just search the forum for "V6 timing chain/tensioner" for how to check the tensioner....but being that your 2003 V6 has over 300,000 miles and if the timing chain hasn't been replaced and is stretched too much you might want to plan on doing it sometime in the near future.

 

[wsgoat]

You've already done the one thing that will maximize the life of your new 4Runner.....you joined this forum! There's a wealth of information here and some very knowledgeable owners. Use the search function and ask questions. You'll save a lot of dough if you learn to do some of the basic maintenance yourself. Good luck with the new ride.....the 4th gen is the best gen imo.

 

[jcampo788]

You've already done the one thing that will maximize the life of your new 4Runner.....you joined this forum! There's a wealth of information here and some very knowledgeable owners. Use the search function and ask questions. You'll save a lot of dough if you learn to do some of the basic maintenance yourself. Good luck with the new ride.....the 4th gen is the best gen imo.

Thanks!

I just dropped her off for today’s service (alignment, all fluids, shocks if time allows). Felt bad not having her for the trip to Salida today to grab some suspension components for my MTB.

I hope to start servicing it myself gradually over time. As a super-involved teacher, presently, “fun” time is little and often spent with the family.

Looking forward to it, however!


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[Captsolo]

I just purchased a 2004 V6 4runner, SR5, with 317,XXX miles

I have a 2005 V6 4runner, SR5, with 150,000 miles and it runs like new.

OEM water pump. OEM alternator. Engine and tranny never worked on. Nothing breaks on these "tings".

Just keep turning the key and she starts and idles right (like when it was new).
Had a new 1996 GMC Jimmy in the garage that ran after ten years, but body had more rust than the Brooklyn Bridge. Sold it for $800. Started OK after 10 years.

No rust anywhere on the 15 year old 4runner. How do the Japanese do this?

Went through 3 starters (?) and have a Quality built in there now that has a guaranteed for life warranty. Starters are $100 at Amazon.
When the OEM starter failed after 4 years I called the T dealer I bought the car from and they told me they could order me one from Japan for $900. STG!

Have a back up new starter in the garage for when the one that is guaranteed for life on the car fails.

Amazon.com: New Starter Replacement For 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner V6 4.0L, 2005-2010 Tundra V6 4.0L 28100-31040 428000-1240 428000-1241: Automotive

:nono: