2003 vs. 2004 4Runner?

[Strider]

Greetings!

I am looking into purchasing a 4Runner in the next 6-18 months. Currently I own a 2005 SR5 V6 which we love.

My question is should I worry about buying between a 2003 or 2004? I’ve read the threads on changes, updates, pre-purchase info etc... i’ve Also read the gazillion on comments on V6 vs. V8. I’m ok with either engine and leaning towards the V8.

So... with all the said, anyone have any big issues between the 2003 and 2004 years? I’d love to get an 05 because of the upgrades on both models but it might be out of our price range. It sounds like some of the items with small complaints were addressed in the 2004 model but I don’t know if that is a show stopper.

Thanks!

 

[FRT]

I don't have much input other than to say that I do know from a recent potential starter issue (thank goodness it wasn't the starter! just a loose cable), that for the V8, you would be better off with the '05 or newer as in the '03/'04 the starter is behind the intake manifold making replacement of it a royal pain in the arse. Toyota moved it to the side of the engine in '05 making it much easier to replace. Just a thought if you plan to have the runner for many years.

EDIT - I was wrong It's a pain in the arse for all 4th gen V8s.

 

[AuSeeker]

I don't have much input other than to say that I do know from a recent potential starter issue (thank goodness it wasn't the starter! just a loose cable), that for the V8, you would be better off with the '05 or newer as in the '03/'04 the starter is behind the intake manifold making replacement of it a royal pain in the arse. Toyota moved it to the side of the engine in '05 making it much easier to replace. Just a thought if you plan to have the runner for many years.

I'm not sure where you got this info on the starter being re-located on the 2UZ-FE V8 in 2005, this is not true, the starter is in the same location on ALL versions of the 2UZ-FE V8s!!

Yes it's a pain if you ever have to replace it but it's not a common occurrence for these starters to go bad for quite a long time, I think this is due to 2 things, first is the high quality of these starters and secondly the "location", being located underneath the intake it is well protected from road debris and water which is why many side engine mounted starters tend to go bad.

That being said and back to the question at hand, I think the V8 is the one to go for, only because of in both the 2003 and 2004 with the V6 comes only with the older style 4 speed transmisson, both years with the V8 have the newer and better 5 speed transmission.

There are some minor changes to the 2004 that makes it a bit better but many have the 2003 and love them, I don't think you will be unhappy with either year, but if you find that you can get a 2005 or later, both the V6 and V8 have the 5 speed transmission.

I have a 2004 V8 Limited and LOVE IT, I will never sell it but I would buy another 4th Gen 4Runner of any year if I find a good deal on one and I'm always looking!!!

 

[Rishi3]

I know for the earlier v6's, headgaskets were a huge issue, especially 2004.

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[FRT]

I'm not sure where you got this info on the starter being re-located on the 2UZ-FE V8 in 2005, this is not true, the starter is in the same location on ALL versions of the 2UZ-FE V8s!!

Yes it's a pain if you ever have to replace it but it's not a common occurrence for these starters to go bad for quite a long time, I think this is due to 2 things, first is the high quality of these starters and secondly the "location", being located underneath the intake it is well protected from road debris and water which is why many side engine mounted starters tend to go bad.

Good to know. I'd swear I read it here in my frantic search to determine the cause of my 4runner not starting at the time, but it seems I'm mistaken. :shrug:

 

[Strider]

Thanks for the posts all! If anyone else has any info worth sharing on this please continue to add it.

On the head gasket, we ran into that with the 2005 we own. The car is fine since then with no issues, but it is a pretty big cost.

I agree on buying a 2005 if possible with the upgrades to either model. Hopefully I can find one with lower miles in the budget.

Thanks for confirming your thoughts on your own 2004! It confirmed my suspicion on the 2004 having minor updates and still be a solid either way. My wife’s 2005 V6 has the 5-speed which is nice and I think i’d Prefer that more than the 4-speed V6 if it’s an older pre-2005 version.

 

[S p a r k y]

4Runner

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html

 

[Strider]

Thanks Sparky! I read both of those links and searched a bit before this post. Great links and very informative. I was curious what other drivers and owners had experienced. So far seems like it confirms what was on there.

 

[V8Man]

Get the V8. The SR5 my son is driving has 260,000 on it without any problems. The difference I see in the two is the 03 has a transmission dipstick the other years don't. The hitch is up graded in the 04 and you don't have to hold the station change button on the steering wheel till you hear a beep in the 04.

 

[Strider]

Finally! Got my own 4Runner!

Thanks for all the input on this thread, links and forum info. I ended up purchasing a 2003 4Runner V8 Limited with 185k on it for $7700. In the previous 6 months the seller had done the timing belt kit, blisten struts, shocks, rear brake rebuilds and both axles because of the CV boots. It came in somewhere around $4k so I figured that was a ton of work I didn’t have to worry about and it drives amazing. It came with a KN Air filter kit which is pretty interesting.

We looked at some 2005s but the price was out of our range and mileage was usually well over 220-250k.

Can’t wait to get started updating a few things. Starting with tint, stereo, westhertech floor mats and a stereo. Service items are new chipped keys, wireless remote, LED swap on interior and exterior lights, leather detail, HID lights, transfer case fluid exchange, transmission and a bunch of fun work under the carriage on scraping, brushing, rust killer and undercoating like my wife’s 2005. I also get the pleasure of taking out some old weird tv over the dome light and a broken security system.

Can’t wait to drive it more and work with it. AND the V8 is pretty incredible. I love our V6, but the V8 is great too.

Thanks all for the input. Chime in if you have any other items you’d recommend.

 

[52577]

Late to the party but I'll add this just in case someone else making the same decision stumbles upon this..

The '03-'04 are the best I would say because 2005> the Secondary Air Injection Pump (smog pump) is prone to failure and can cost upwards of $5k to fix. Someone on here sells a bypass kits though.

I'm a recent '04 V8 SR5 RWD owner (few months), and when I read that I had one of those OMG sinking feelings untill I discovered the '03-'04. doesn't have a smog pump *Whew*

The other two things I learned so far to keep an eye on is the brake booster accumulator pump might need replacement if it stays on frequently, or makes a really loud noise or brakes feel mushy. It's normal for the pump to come on upon start-up or when the brake pedal is depressed.

The other thing to watch for is when you come to a rapid stop it might lurch or cluck forward a bit. This might be the slip yolk binding. Greasing it solves the issue until it needs to be greased again. Adding grease via the Zerk fitting doesn't seem to help as well as taking sip yolk off and manually greasing it.

I really like my '04. Hope you enjoy yours too.

 

[Strider]

Thanks!

I am about a month in on owning my 2004 V8 4wd 180k 4Runner. This forum is awesome with info and quick searches for fixes.

Thanks for the info on the brake booster. Mine is a bit loud so i’ll Be keeping an ear on it. Other than that i’ve Switched all the bulbs to LED, put in WeatherTech floor mats and refilled some fluids. In a few months I plan on valuing the paint to get some rust spots out and then a detail.

One issue that came up was the classic transfer case leak at the actuator. My heart sunk when I did a search on here and read about it. I called 4 places with prices ranging from $1200 to $5500 to fix it. The DYI was a bit over my head as I don’t have a helper to pull out the arcade or put it back. I also didn’t want to screw things up. If you live in Denver CO, Toycare is an awesome place who specializes in Toyotas. They charge dealer pricing but for this it was worth it..

Hoping everything else stays up to speed so I can get around to tint, stereo, full detail and then start working on replacing all the fluids.

Thanks for all the info on pre-purchase and the forum folks! True life saver!