4th gen 4Runner Secrets?
- Thread starter supraman215
- Start date
Nice! Always good to hear this kind of story.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Integrity - increasingly rare, widely underrated, and a sign of true character.
feralcomprehension
New member
Appreciation bump for genius thread and vehicle. I've had my new-to-me '07 Limited for less than a week, and thought I did pretty good in choosing. Now that I've been thru this thread I appreciate the care and development that's gone into the 4R a whole lot more. Props to those who've contributed!
223dc4rfgv
New member
Congrats on buying a great vehicle. I too am thankful for this thread.
Our 4th-gen 4runners are a little different different than all the others, in that they made car-like handling a higher priority than the other generations (including 5th). Still, I took my stock '08 (plus good off-road tires) over Mosquito Pass this weekend without incident (I don't recommend it). Awesome vehicles. Although I'm pi**ed at the location of the oil filter on mine.
Our 4th-gen 4runners are a little different different than all the others, in that they made car-like handling a higher priority than the other generations (including 5th). Still, I took my stock '08 (plus good off-road tires) over Mosquito Pass this weekend without incident (I don't recommend it). Awesome vehicles. Although I'm pi**ed at the location of the oil filter on mine.
YetiX
New member
Congrats on buying a great vehicle. I too am thankful for this thread.
Although I'm pi**ed at the location of the oil filter on mine.
Why??!! :crazy: It makes oil changes so simple.
feralcomprehension
New member
+1; I'm almost (*almost*) disappointed the dealer changed my oil before purchase; have to wait to 75k mi now
223dc4rfgv
New member
lol, ah, you guys already know why I guess. I don't like dropping the skid plate just to change the oil filter. Also, apparently I've bought one of the ones where half the body bolts are lazily cross threaded, so that REALLY makes me angry. Since it's an 08, many of these cross threads have broken off bolts, some even have broken off easy-outs. This situation, a common one from what I've read, leads me to just use stainless cable ties to pull everything back together up under there.
YetiX
New member
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, you have a V8. Yeah those suck.
I'd trade it in for a V6. The filter is on the top. I can do an oil change in 30 minutes and that includes the drive to and from O'Reilly's to get oil and a filter.
TheJustinKelsey
New member
Built-in Inverter Not mentioned?
So this wasn’t mentioned and maybe it’s because it’s obvious for most. But on my Limited model I have a built-in Inverter that has a button right next to the left side of the steering wheel, and a standard AC plug in the middle console box at the bottom. It has a cap that goes over it, and my father (whom I bought it from) never even knew he had power for regular AC plug devices inside the console area. It’s super useful, I use it for charging my Dewalt batteries, or camera gear while traveling. It probably cost almost nothing for them to include this on the limited. BUT DEAR LIMITED 2004 owners, you likely have this wonderful feature and may never have known of it’s existence. Just wanted to mention it since I love the feature and I didn’t see it get a mention! =):dance:
So this wasn’t mentioned and maybe it’s because it’s obvious for most. But on my Limited model I have a built-in Inverter that has a button right next to the left side of the steering wheel, and a standard AC plug in the middle console box at the bottom. It has a cap that goes over it, and my father (whom I bought it from) never even knew he had power for regular AC plug devices inside the console area. It’s super useful, I use it for charging my Dewalt batteries, or camera gear while traveling. It probably cost almost nothing for them to include this on the limited. BUT DEAR LIMITED 2004 owners, you likely have this wonderful feature and may never have known of it’s existence. Just wanted to mention it since I love the feature and I didn’t see it get a mention! =):dance:
TheJustinKelsey
New member
Followup
Additionally: The button next to the steering wheel on the left side that says AC will turn it on and off and also automatically shutoff if you hit the wattage limit. Which I believe is around 300 watts. Enjoy!
Additionally: The button next to the steering wheel on the left side that says AC will turn it on and off and also automatically shutoff if you hit the wattage limit. Which I believe is around 300 watts. Enjoy!
Montego Murph
Member
This infuriates me as well. I did get a Fumoto drain valve so I don't have to remove the rear plate, only the front.
However not only are some of mine cross-threaded, but also some jackhole broke off the two "locator pins" on the front, so now I have to benchpress it AND line up the bolts.
I wasn't able to last time, but next oil change I have stainless bolts and a tap ready to re-drill and thread them the next size up.
brian.j
New member
I got myself a Fumoto valve, but will install it in the next week or so (next oil change.) The front-diagonal-sideways-over-the-skid location of the filter on my v8 is not my favorite of past vehicles either. My wife's Outback has it right under the hood, in front behind the radiator, super easy. My way around the 4runner skid plate is to take a sheet of plastic or cardboard and form a little gutter-downspout to direct the oil around the skid and into the drain-pan. This has allowed for changing the filter without lowering the skid plate.
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
Just imagine what it would be like trying to install, by yourself, a 3/16" steel skid plate that weighs 50lbs with the extra dirt caked on the top.
4Rnr4Evr
New member
Not a 4Runner but you get the idea
Attachments
Montego Murph
Member
I can't visualize the layout right now, but I wonder if something could be fashioned out of an empty detergent bottle....
This is one thing I miss about my old i30 (gussied up Maxima.) To access the oil filter, all I had to do was turn the wheels all the way to the right.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
I was surprised to (finally) notice the smaller visor a while back. You know, after owning my truck for almost three years? ��
BackOff
New member
...along that oil change thing.
V-6 is so easy...its almost criminal not to do it yourself.
I usually drop the front skid plate to do the oil change...was lazy this time.
RCI skids...good access hole...ended up getting oil all over the skid/place.
Had to pull it off to clean up the mess...will just drop it next time, like I always did before.
V-6 is so easy...its almost criminal not to do it yourself.
I usually drop the front skid plate to do the oil change...was lazy this time.
RCI skids...good access hole...ended up getting oil all over the skid/place.
Had to pull it off to clean up the mess...will just drop it next time, like I always did before.
YetiX
New member
Dude, get a Fumoto valve. You'll never have a mess again. You're welcome.
