4runner vs Explorer

[beach146]

My ford explorer just met a premature death due to a patch of ice. It was a v8 4x4 that I used to tow a ~5000lb boat through occasionally hilly terrain. It rode nice, was generally quiet, and had a great IRS that left a lot of room in the 3rd row and handled the weight of a boat quite nicely. I am looking at getting another 2008 Ford Explorer v8 or a 2006 4runner v8. Are there any known problems with the 06 v8 4x4 4runner? I know that the 4runner has a solid rear axle which makes the 3rd row somewhat worthless. I also have read a bit that the suspension sags when towing without airbags/air suspension. Is that true? Does anyone have pics of a 4runner towing something with a 500-600lb tongue weight? I'm mainly considering the 4runner as a change from my explorer. I don't use the 3rd row often, and I also have heard great thing about the 4runner. Has anyone used both that can offer up some positives to the 4runner over the explorer?

Also, I buy SUVs for towing. It will never off road.


Thanks for any help/opinions!

 

[beach146]

Also, if someone has driven both and can compare mpgs that would be great. Just since with a v8, the mpgs can go down quick with a heavy foot, so it's hard to know how hard someone drives when they say what mpgs they are getting. FYI, I got about 12/23 with the explorer.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Not many problems with the v8 other than cracked exhaust manifolds. The 2UZ-FE is an interference engine so timing belts must be replaced unless you want to risk a busted up valve train.

Majority of v8 are AWD and utilize a Torsen T6 locking center differential very similar to Audi's Quattro. But the 4Lo accuator commonly quits working if you don't exercise the system often.

All 4th gen 4Runners seem prone to sticky brake calipers. The v8's come with a factory auxiliary transmission cooler and weight distributing hitch so it will carry the load better and tow 7200# when properly equipped.

Also I've had my v8 for about 9 months and average 16/17mpg with BFG T/A KO'S in 265/75/17 flavor.

 

[beach146]

Not many problems with the v8 other than cracked exhaust manifolds. The 2UZ-FE is an interference engine so timing belts must be replaced unless you want to risk a busted up valve train.

Majority of v8 are AWD and utilize a Torsen T6 locking center differential very similar to Audi's Quattro. But the 4Lo accuator commonly quits working if you don't exercise the system often.

All 4th gen 4Runners seem prone to sticky brake calipers. The v8's come with a factory auxiliary transmission cooler and weight distributing hitch so it will carry the load better and tow 7200# when properly equipped.

Also I've had my v8 for about 9 months and average 16/17mpg with BFG T/A KO'S in 265/75/17 flavor.

Thanks for the info!
Idk what's with Honda and toyota and still using timing belts. I did not know the 4runner still used one. I'm guessing ~$800 for the belt. Do you know how much are the 4lo actuators and the exhaust manifolds at a decent dealer? If not I can just call and ask if I decide on a 4runner. I don't have the time to do major repairs at the moment, so I'm stuck trusting another mechanics work.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Sorry I don't know how much they cost off hand as both those items are fine on my 4Runner. You could probably do a quick forum search since its a topic often talked about. But I would pass on any used 4Runner than the 4Lo won't activate on rather than trying to replace it.

 

[ebg18t]

I have seen estimates in the $2k range to replace actuators. Aparently it is all labor.

 

[Robs08Runner]

Hey,
I came from a 05 explorer to a my 08 4runner. I can tell ya that 4runners have very few trans, hub bearing, rear diff and ball joint issues as compared to explorers. Take a peek at carcomplaints.com for more info.

 

[beach146]

Hey,
I came from a 05 explorer to a my 08 4runner. I can tell ya that 4runners have very few trans, hub bearing, rear diff and ball joint issues as compared to explorers. Take a peek at carcomplaints.com for more info.

That's great, mine was an 02. I only had to deal with the wheel bearings on mine. Apparently the 06-10 explorers somewhat got rid of that also. Did you happen to tow with both? How's the ride and fuel economy of the 05 ex vs 08 4runner?


It also looks good that even the known problems aren't so frequent that the repair cost is common knowledge like it is for the explorers.

 

[Robs08Runner]

Hey,
So that's the deal. You wreck those explorers before you need a transmission and $1200 in hub bearings. I'll have to remember that. Hehehe
Both of mine are 4.0's and traded the explorer with only having the driverside Ball joints and a few other little things done. I test drove a V8 a while back and it felt like it had sportscar like power. The V8 will tow like 7,400 pounds. Plenty of truck to pull your trailer. 5,000 pounds is right at the limit for a 4:0 and may be worth considering if a nice one comes around. The bottom line to me is that 4runners have a nearly bulletproof driveline and are much more reliable than a ford imo. Be sure to budget about a grand to do the V8 timing belt and you won't be sorry you bought one.
Wow, I just noticed that 23 mpg. highway you got. I got the same 23 mpg. with just me in it with it being ALL highway. Mine was a 4.0 6 cylinder. My usual 50/50 mix is giving me about 2mpg better in the 4runner vs. the explorer.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Not many problems with the v8 other than cracked exhaust manifolds. The 2UZ-FE is an interference engine so timing belts must be replaced unless you want to risk a busted up valve train.

Majority of v8 are AWD and utilize a Torsen T6 locking center differential very similar to Audi's Quattro. But the 4Lo accuator commonly quits working if you don't exercise the system often.

All 4th gen 4Runners seem prone to sticky brake calipers. The v8's come with a factory auxiliary transmission cooler and weight distributing hitch so it will carry the load better and tow 7200# when properly equipped.

Also I've had my v8 for about 9 months and average 16/17mpg with BFG T/A KO'S in 265/75/17 flavor.

It's 7,300 pounds for a 2WD V8, 7,000 pounds for a 4x4 V8

 

[rebelbowtie]

It's 7,300 pounds for a 2WD V8, 7,000 pounds for a 4x4 V8

I've never seen anyone ever mention this but 2wd trucks and SUV's do generally have a slightly higher payload because the vehicle itself inherently weighs less.

 

[Arcking]

Here's a link to the Specifications section of the owner's manual for the '06:
http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35852U/pdf/8.pdf


I can't speak to the Explorer with heavy loads, but the 4Runner does great. Yes, the suspension does sag as you add significant weight to the rear, but wouldn't any vehicle? (I know the F-250 PS does!) I drive an '08 V8 4Runner most of the time, but also spend a fair amount of time in an '07 V8 Mountaineer (essentially the same as the Explorer). All round, I far prefer the 4Runner, though the Mountaineer is nicer on the highway (the 4Runner is a little more difficult to drive in terms of tracking straight). The 4Runner feels very refined overall, while the Mountaineer feels - and drives - cheap. Shifts are rough in Mountaineer, and often it feels like you've been rear ended when coming to a stop - dealer says this is due to design issues in the transmission used for that generation. The Mountaineer feels quicker 'off the line' but the 4Runner has plenty of power, even with a couple of tons behind it. I've had no problems with 4Runner over the last 75k, while the Mountaineer with 35k has been in the shop a number of times.

 

[flnycus]

I have an 06 v8 sport now with 55,000 miles bought preowned with 30,000 miles. Only problems ive had to date are frozen front calipers. My city mpg is 16.9 (General grabbers AT2s stock tire size), i rarely use it on the hwy. I dont tow so cant comment abt that but I had a ford would never buy a ford again lol. These things are so rare (cos they are so damn good) i could probably sell mine for the same price i paid for it 3 years ago. Love it, would buy it again and again. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ridefast]

Ill never own a ford as my parents always owned fords and they were rattle traps and didn't last more than 120k without needing major work.
My dad now owns a tundra and my mom has a lexus gx470.

But what ever you get with all the towing you do you should install airbags to level out your load as well as a equalizing hitch.

 

[MikeInNH]

My brother and sister in law were Ford owners for over 30 years. They were amazed how well my wifes 96 Honda Accord was when we gave it to their daughter when she went off to college. The car had over 240k miles and it was in far better shape then my sister-in-laws 96 Taurus with 80k miles. When my sister-in-law bought a new car the following year she bought a Toyota Corolla. Now has 70k miles and it's never seen the inside of a garage (unlike her Taurus which had THOUSAND so dollars in repairs over it's lifetime). Her husband just bought a new vehicle (Honda Ridgeline). He had nothing but Ford pickups before that. He's amazed how reliable the vehicles are. I've been telling him that for almost 30 years. He's finally seen the light.

 

[me_rikey]

After owning two Chevy Tahoes (a 99 and an 07), an F-150, all that have hauled gear and towed enclosed trailers, I have to say that the 4runner is by far the best SUV/ utility vehicle I have owned. It shifts so smooth, has all the power I need (and more) -- it's great for towing up in the mountains.. I could say that the seats could be more comfortable for my 15 hour drives, or that I could use a little more head room, and the damn timing belt service .. but I won't lament on the negatives. It's one helluva solid, do-it-all vehicle, that constantly puts a smile on my face.

 

[Arcking]

I don't use the 3rd row often, and I also have heard great thing about the 4runner. Has anyone used both that can offer up some positives to the 4runner over the explorer?

In fewer words: If you like the 4Runner when you test drive it, you will not be disappointed with it's abilities, ride, or reliability down the road.

(I would expect to see an mpg or two less than the Explorer on the highway but a few better in the city)

 

[beach146]

Thanks for all the advice. Right now it looks like its going to come down to whichever dealer gives me the better price. An 06 4runner v8 seems to be running about as much as an 08 explorer v8 limited. The explorer has nicer electronics(sync, auto headlights, leather, usable 3rd row), whereas the 4runner has slightly less known problems and a better resale. I'm going to try test driving both to see how the 4th explorers improved and the difference in ride of the 4runner.

Weirdly, it seems like there are more v8 4runners for sale around here than v8 explorers.

At least everyone here confirmed that I won't have to worry about its towing ability.

 

[me_rikey]

Thanks for all the advice. Right now it looks like its going to come down to whichever dealer gives me the better price. An 06 4runner v8 seems to be running about as much as an 08 explorer v8 limited. The explorer has nicer electronics(sync, auto headlights, leather, usable 3rd row), whereas the 4runner has slightly less known problems and a better resale. I'm going to try test driving both to see how the 4th explorers improved and the difference in ride of the 4runner.

Weirdly, it seems like there are more v8 4runners for sale around here than v8 explorers.

At least everyone here confirmed that I won't have to worry about its towing ability.

The v8 does have auto headlights, but yes the Ford makes up for its indifferences by offering some cooler gadgets. The 4runner is the utmost in a utility vehicle IMO. Between the engine, transmission, differentials, t-case, storage, and little utility amenities, it's a true utility vehicle that will hold its resale value, and provided you maintain it properly, will last you as long as three or four explorers. You get what you pay for. However, pick what suits you fine, and if you get the runner, we want pics!

 

[rebelbowtie]

I came from an LTZ Silverado and an Audi and you eventually forget all those gadgets. I mean of course I want another luxury car but what the 4Runner lacks in style it makes up for with fit and finish and utility.

The only thing I regret is that the T4R is so popular and now I literally see 3 or 4 other 4Runners at every stop light.