2004 Sport V8 and 2014 Trail comparison

[slyangel9]

It was a very tough decision for me, but 3 weeks ago I sold my 2004 Sport V8 w/68,000. After I put on the Shrockworks bumper, I knew my stock suspension needed to be replaced in the near future and the more I looked at it, I decided I did not want to change all the necessary parts shocks/springs/bushings/ball joints/tie-rods etc. It was good to me for 10 years and I'm looking forward to the next 10 years problem free.

For anyone thinking about making the move here are my pros/cons

2004 Auto ignition - not on 2014
2004 Sunroof rust on the metal frame that holds the glass - 2014 no sunroof (problem solved)
2004 locking gas cover - 2014 no lock, wtf???
2004 5th identical spare rim - 2014 full size spare with steel rim, again wtf??
2004 lots of low end pull - 2014 not so much
2004 auto down driver window - 2014 auto up/down on all windows
2004 trunk cubies had covers/lids - 2014 - all open no covers
2004 2nd row doesn't recline - 2014 does recline
2004 & 2014 both getting 14mpg in city driving except the 2014 takes 87 octane (big plus)
2004 old style oil filter - 2014 element filter (still have to drop the skid to change oil)
2004 had x-reas - 2014 not available on the trail (definitely more lean)
2004 head unit had a tape deck (I'll miss that the most :laugh:- 2014 seems all 4runners come with navigation (definitely a plus, this head unit is better than my BMW)

With 12 miles on the ODO behind the dealers lot. Oh what a feeling!

 

[Dylan]

My 2004 V8 takes 87 Octane.

 

[JEL]

I wasn't aware the V8 needed anything over 87 unless it had a tune or S/C or something. My parents have a 2002 Tundra with the 4.7 and it's run 87 it's entire life without a single ping.

In any case, nice truck, I'm sure the MPGs will improve a bit once it breaks in some, a family member of mine was pissed when he got a brand new Honda Pilot and only got 10mpg during the first 1k miles, seemed like once it broke in the MPGs went up a lot.

 

[robtmc]

Nice truck. If the Hawaii Toyota dealers had a decent selection of the various 2014 4Runner models, I may have gone for that. But even finding 4WD was rare, and then I found out about Toyota stripping all the good stuff like the Torsen differential out.

 

[t-man]

My 2004 V8 takes 87 Octane.

I wasn't aware the V8 needed anything over 87 unless it had a tune or S/C or something. My parents have a 2002 Tundra with the 4.7 and it's run 87 it's entire life without a single ping.

In any case, nice truck, I'm sure the MPGs will improve a bit once it breaks in some, a family member of mine was pissed when he got a brand new Honda Pilot and only got 10mpg during the first 1k miles, seemed like once it broke in the MPGs went up a lot.

They do say that you are supposed to use 91, but they run fine with 87. Not sure exactly why they call for the high octane, and people rarely use it, but it's cool either way.

 

[Dylan]

They do say that you are supposed to use 91, but they run fine with 87. Not sure exactly why they call for the high octane, and people rarely use it, but it's cool either way.

Where does it say that? Just curious.

 

[t-man]

Where does it say that? Just curious.

Well...I went to find it and it actually says that about the V6 not the V8 like mine. Sorry. The owners manual says Regular unleaded as well.

 

[JB.]

Since the OP labeled this a big factor and since there seems to be confusion, here is the wording in the '03 thru '07 manuals. No distinction is made for engine type.

OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher. For
improved vehicle performance, the use
of premium unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane
Number 96) or higher is recommended.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.