4th gen buyers help - 07 V8 sport?

[thatgreentruck]

I'm considering getting a 4th gen in the next several months but really don't know much about them.
I currently have a 99 Limited w 120k and with a second baby on the way would like something newer, nicer, slightly larger, and able to tow my track car. It would be my wife's dd btw.
An 07/08 V8 Runner seems to fit the bill.
I didn't see a buyers guide or similar door these and the only trouble areas I saw were:
- caliper pistons freezing
- it has a tb that needs changing every 90k

Are there any other sensitive area such as rust prone areas, common leak spots, sludge, etc?
Are they prewired for a trailer brake controller? I wired my 3rd gen and it was a pita.
Is there a specific trailer package or do they all have the same equipment?

I'm open to recommendations but was thinking probably an 07 V8 sport or limited with under 60k and 4wd.

 

[jimithing]

You're correct on the calipers - that's all 4th gen's, not just the V8's. And yes, the V8 has a timing belt that needs to be changed every 90k miles. The only other thing that a lot of V8's have a problem with is the exhaust manifold tends to develop cracks. There's a lot of labor involved in replacing them and I don't think there are aftermarket options available so you may end up with the same problem again. There's a lot of threads about it but here's one big one:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/93178-exhaust-manifold-leak-tick.html

Both the calipers and cracked manifolds seem to occur most in colder climates. I think the frozen calipers can be attributed to road salt. I'm not sure if the manifolds are due to salt or if it's just a result of the drastic temperature changes when warming up and cooling down the engine.

No prewired brake controller that I'm aware of but I've never needed to use one so I haven't really looked that hard for one. All the V8's came with the same package as far as towing is concerned. There were a few 2003's that came with a hitch that only had a 5000 pound capacity but everything 2004 and after should be the same.

How much does your track car trailer weigh when it's fully loaded up? FWIW - the V8 is a stronger towing vehicle for sure but if you could tow your trailer with your 3rd gen then you should at least test drive the 4th gen V6. It's a very strong V6. Either way you'll be fine IMO. Good luck, let us know what you end up with.

 

[thatgreentruck]

Great feedback thanks.
I suppose I will drive the V6. I figured for minimal extra cost and minimal degradation in consumption the v8 made sense.
I'll try to find someone w towing exp w the v6 to see how it handles a full load.
My car on the trailer is 5000 lb. I know there's a factor of safety on those ratings so towing at e max might be okay. Doing this w my 3rd gen is tough. It barely goes up hills.

 

[Yeager_22]

Green, Those are the only issues that I've heard about. I have an 03 Limited and haven't had any "common" issues. And from what I have read, the brake controller is not an OEM part, but is very easy to install. V8's have a standard class 4 tow package, optional on the V6.

Good luck with your hunt for your next 4R.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yikes! 5,000 lbs? IIRC the 3rd gen is only rated to tow 3,000 from the factory but I may be confusing it with something else. I know my 3rd gen struggled pulling a small teardrop trailer that weighed less than 1500 so I can only imagine how not-fun it would be to pull a trailer that heavy!

Anyway, less than 2 weeks ago I made the same transition you're contemplating: 3rd gen (mine was also a 99 although not a limited) to a 4th gen, and so far I love it. Tomorrow will be the first time I'll be towing with it - but I'll be going over 2 10,000'+ passes (Kenosha and Wolf Creek) so I should have a pretty good feel for how it does as a tow vehicle.

BTW, mine is a V6. I test drove a V8 and liked it but in my shopping around I found that V8's were much harder to find in my price range and mileage range - they were either affordable and had high miles, or they had low miles but were thousands of $$ more than I wanted to spend.

I don't know if you go off-road at all but you will probably find the 4th gen to be rather low compared to your 99. I'll be taking mine on some mild trails this weekend and I should have a better idea of what mods I need afterwards.

 

[jimithing]

Great feedback thanks.
I suppose I will drive the V6. I figured for minimal extra cost and minimal degradation in consumption the v8 made sense.
I'll try to find someone w towing exp w the v6 to see how it handles a full load.
My car on the trailer is 5000 lb. I know there's a factor of safety on those ratings so towing at e max might be okay. Doing this w my 3rd gen is tough. It barely goes up hills.

Yeah at 5k lb I think you'd be better off with the V8. The V6 could do it but the V8 is probably more up to the task.

Also, forgot to mention regarding brakes - the Sport Editions come with larger brakes. The larger brakes were optional on the Limited's but I don't think there's any way to tell without taking the wheel off and looking at them. It's not designated in the VIN or anything. Here's a guy that upgraded his to the larger size. If nothing else the thread will give you some info:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/118161-how-upgrading-sport-brakes-319-338mm.html

 

[thatgreentruck]

Considering I only tow 6 or so times a year the 6 would probably be okay. The rest of the time it will be a dd doing 95% hwy. Living in suburban NJ and with my wife driving it, it will likely never even see a gravel road.
Definitely good to know about the brakes as that would make a difference for me.
The 3rd gen btw is rated for 5000lb when equipped w trailer brakes. The chassis and trans are definitely up for it.. Even the brakes are fine w trailer brakes. The engine is simply not powerful enough.

 

[im4u2nvss]

Nothing for you to really worry about on getting a 4th gen. My wife daily drives ours and she loves it. Night and day power change if you are used the the 3rd gens 3.4(going to the 4.7). Brake controller main wiring is there. Towing 5k should be fine. The 3rd gen v6 is rated @5k max towing but I would never want to put one thru that. Good luck shopping. BTW my 4th gen has 173k, and has never had a cracked manifold or a seized caliper.

 

[JB.]

Are there any other sensitive area such as rust prone areas, common leak spots, sludge, etc?

There is really only one that is a biggie.

If the transfer case develops a leak, the fix is very expensive. Searching for this will give you plenty of reading. If the truck easily goes into low range and center diff lock, that seems to be a sign that developing a leak would be less likely.

 

[natevans65]

I have the 04 Sport V8 and love it! Especially with some of the engine mods you can do to a V8....you just can't get the same sound IMHO that you can with a V-6. Going through the frozen caliper issue as we speak! Second set....and only after 24K miles vs the originals that lasted 140K miles. Working with Toyota on this little matter. I've run Amsoil synthetics from day one and have not had any issues when it comes to maintenance/lubrication. My suggestion would be once you land on the truck you want.....change all the fluids - trans, Xfer, diffs, oil, ps fluid, brake fluid and AF. Once you've done this....there is no guessing when it was or if ever done. Not to late to put the truck you choose back into good working order. If you are mechanically inclined and have a place to do the services....do it !!

When test driving....if not already mentioned, I would test the 4x4 high and low to see if it locks into position. I've read that this is a very costly repair if the "pins" or whatever ...freeze up. I do this at least once a month whether it needs it or not to keep those parts moving freely. I've had to replace an o2 sensor, the normal brake work (other than frozen calipers) and timing belt service. Other than that...they are certainly a work horse and at 165K miles, THEY say......I have a long way to go!!! Let's hope so.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I have a v6 and had no issues towing a trailer with my buddy's motorcycle on it, but I couldn't imagine trying to tow 5K lbs. If you're not towing that often like you mentioned, you may be able to get away with it. I would definitely check out the tow ratings for the v6 vs the v8. But I definitely would recommend the v6 as a daily driver.

 

[webby]

If you're going to be towing 5000 lbs, even occasionally, you should not buy the V6, buy the V8. You will one day whilst towing, regret it if you buy the V6. I have owned both the V6 4th Gen and now a V8 4th Gen. The difference in mileage is very small -- about 1 or 1.5 mpg. Significant yes, but total up the difference in cost of fuel for a year, and it is less than you think.

With the V6, you will have to change out the factory hitch for a better hitch -- otherwise you risk twisting the rear frame member. That hitch is not designed for that kind of load. The cost of a replacement hitch will be more than the extra fuel you use in a year (crunched the numbers). So buy the V8. You won't have to change out the hitch -- the factory hitch is an actual frame hitch, unlike the V6.

 

[billder99]

Buying Gen4 for living in Baja

Hi Guys,

Just joined, my first post on the Forum. After much research, my wife and I have decided to buy a Gen4 4-Runner. I have read just enough to be dangerous to myself. I have been searching the Forum for threads like this... tips on buying Gen4... things to watch out for, things I definitely want to have.

We live far down in Baja, Mexico. The vehicle will not be used for intentional 4-wheeling, but unintentional 4-wheeling is unavoidable down here. I also have a boat, wet weight 4,500#, so this current thread is helpful reading.

Much appreciated if anyone can point me to any good forum threads or other resources such as: Gen4 Buying Tips... Tips, Tricks, Traps... Must Have Upgrades... blah blah.

Hasta la Bamba,
BD

 

[zimm]

I love my sport v8. 2005 got a stronger v8, 2006 is the updated body (fenders, bumpers, projector headlights, led tail lights). Not much else changes until 2010.

V8 gets you full time All Wheel Drive and a stronger trailer hitch. You only loose probably 2mpg. Plan on 14-15 city, 17-18 highway with v8.

 

[ChaosStarter]

I love my sport v8. 2005 got a stronger v8, 2006 is the updated body (fenders, bumpers, projector headlights, led tail lights). Not much else changes until 2010.

V8 gets you full time All Wheel Drive and a stronger trailer hitch. You only loose probably 2mpg. Plan on 14-15 city, 17-18 highway with v8.

Mine can actually get a little better with careful driving (wasn't towing obviously). I've been figuring out that the info center (for me anyways) is about 1.0mpg more than I'm actually getting. With the math, I hit 20.7mpg from NJ to NE Mass with the A/C on auto 71*F a few times.


*05 Limited V8 4wd. 80k miles. I'm averaging right now in 85-95*, A/C always on, about 15-16mpg city driving.

 

[kahuna2]

I use my '08 V8 Sport to tow my race car, 2900# car +1000# Trailex + 5-600#s of driver and gear.

The big hills around WGI and along I-88 can be a challenge even for the V8 the downhills more so than the ups, you just drive sanely. But you can also cruise at 80 on the flats, I avg 16.3mpg towing according to the dash guage

The Sport has bigger front brakes but you still rely on the trailer brakes. Frozen calipers are likely the result of Toyotas myopia wrt brake maintenance, if you race you know the importance of fresh brake fluid, have the fluid flushed at least every 2 years and you will have far fewer problems.

My Sport came w/ std factory 7000# tow rating, all the towing equipment was standard, factory install including receiver, hitch, ball, chassis wiringw electric connection next to the hitch, engine and trans oil coolers. I purchased a Prodigy electric brake controller w/ wiring harness adapter for the 4 Runner it was a 15min install above the parking brake lever znd works great.

 

[zimm]

I'm sure it'll do better, but I drive heavy on the gas. I just want potential owners to know what to expect. There're too many "how do I get better MPG" threads on here. I bought the 4runner because of the v8 and 7,300 pound tow rating.

You're also right that the display is optimistic.