4th gen changes

[Lewis&Clark]

Hi y'all.

I'm finally within a week or so of trading up my dying 16 year old and off road clueless Nissan Pathfinder 4x4. I'd love to get a new T4R or a slightly used current gen but I have a baby coming in 3 weeks, so it's most def NOT in the budget for a new one. I continue to be be absolutely FLOORED about the resale value of a T4R. Just shocked. It's almost TOO high. A dealer wanted to sell me a current gen Limited with 29,000 miles the other day. One year old. And the price tag was $43k and change -- that's a freaking 98% resale value. Why by used? Whole point of buying used is so you don't have to pay for the lost depreciation.

Anyway, decision is close and in agreement with my wife that we'll prob get a 4th gen Limited (2007 Ltd. V8 with 59k miles for around $27k). Looking at it today and seems to be my wife's preference over the 2009 SR5 with 46k. Wants dual air and heated seats over fewer years and miles.

I haven't looked much at 4th gens. Can any of you all tell me -- aside from looks -- what non-aesthetic changes were made between the 4s and the current generation? Particularly changes in the drivetrain, 4wd capabilities, engine (I'm aware they no longer offer the v8), or other drivability/functional changes? Are the 4s any less inherently functional offroad or at towing? I know they don't have KDSS/Trail, so I'm really trying to compare the utility value of Limiteds and SR5s.

Thanks!

dt

 

[M1911]

The 4th gens 4WD all had the lockable, limited slip, Torsen center diff. The 5th gen is different - only the Limited has the Torsen, the Sr5 and TE have part-time systems.

The 4Th gen V6 has a multimodal 4WD system that allows you to drive in two-wheel-drive. The V8 is full time 4WD.

All the 4th gens are pretty much the same offroad, with the exception of the rare 2009 trail edition that has a locking rear diff. Some Limiteds have XREAS - the same cross linked shock system that the 5th gens Limiteds have. XREAS reduces sway in turns but may also reduce articulation offroad. XREAS is easily removed and you can replace with standard shocks if you want.

 

[elbman]

29k Miles on is not even broken in yet......with typically nothing more than scheduled maintenance and wear items you can easily get 200-300k miles out of one. Compare that to a number of "new vehicles" that start to fall a part at 100k and its part of the resale.

 

[kevinpt]

to give you an idea on price, i payed 26k and change and it was a total of 28k even out the door for an 09 limited v6 4wd with 46k miles

 

[Lewis&Clark]

The 4th gens 4WD all had the lockable, limited slip, Torsen center diff. The 5th gen is different - only the Limited has the Torsen, the Sr5 and TE have part-time systems.

The 4Th gen V6 has a multimodal 4WD system that allows you to drive in two-wheel-drive. The V8 is full time 4WD.

All the 4th gens are pretty much the same offroad, with the exception of the rare 2009 trail edition that has a locking rear diff. Some Limiteds have XREAS - the same cross linked shock system that the 5th gens Limiteds have. XREAS reduces sway in turns but may also reduce articulation offroad. XREAS is easily removed and you can replace with standard shocks if you want.

How can I tell if it has XREAS or not? I had the Toyota dealer look up the Vehicle Inquiry Report. Doesn't list it under any the listed specs. It does show accessory codes FE, EJ, GY, RF, RL, SR, and CF+, though I don't have a reference to look up which each of those are.

Also, anyone know if the T4R's that shipped from the factory with the tow package included oil and transmission coolers?

 

[M1911]

How can I tell if it has XREAS or not? I had the Toyota dealer look up the Vehicle Inquiry Report. Doesn't list it under any the listed specs. It does show accessory codes FE, EJ, GY, RF, RL, SR, and CF+, though I don't have a reference to look up which each of those are.

You can see hydraulic lines running to the shocks:

It is not a big deal if it has XREAS and you want to remove it. If you do a lift, you'll want to replace the shocks anyways, and it isn't much more work to remove XREAS as it is to remove regular shocks.

 

[JohnnyT]

To add to the field of reference, about 15 months ago I paid about $25k for my 2007 V8 Sport with only 25k miles. I traded in my 08 V6 SR5 with 45k miles and paid a difference of about $3k.

You will love having the V8.

 

[jimithing]

$27k does seem high for a 2007 at this point. Maybe that's just the way it is in California. But if the wife wants a Limited then the wife gets a Limited. Maybe just be patient and make sure you're getting a good deal for your area. Check out Autotrader and increase your search radius. Sometimes driving a couple hours will save you some money.

 

[kevinpt]

easy way to find out is to look at the side of the frame rails. if you don't have running boards you can see them from the side of he truck, they are hard to miss

EDIT:
the lines are shown in picture below

 

[Lewis&Clark]

$27k does seem high for a 2007 at this point. Maybe that's just the way it is in California. But if the wife wants a Limited then the wife gets a Limited. Maybe just be patient and make sure you're getting a good deal for your area. Check out Autotrader and increase your search radius. Sometimes driving a couple hours will save you some money.

I was wondering that. I'm in the Bay Area. There are VERY few Limiteds in general in the '07-09 range. This one is already 125 miles from home. I don't mind going farther but there's just not a lot to pick from. Lots of 2011-2013, probably incoming lease returns, and still a solid 35k or more--a few 2WD in the 30k range. And tons of T4R's before about '06; the 3rd gen and early 4ths, most of which have 88k+ miles which is more than I'm willing to get. That doesn't leave much in the sweet spot I'm looking for.

So it's probably a go on this 07 pending negotiations with the dealer. Hoping to get him down to 25-26k.

 

[jimithing]

I was wondering that. I'm in the Bay Area. There are VERY few Limiteds in general in the '07-09 range. This one is already 125 miles from home. I don't mind going farther but there's just not a lot to pick from. Lots of 2011-2013, probably incoming lease returns, and still a solid 35k or more--a few 2WD in the 30k range. And tons of T4R's before about '06; the 3rd gen and early 4ths, most of which have 88k+ miles which is more than I'm willing to get. That doesn't leave much in the sweet spot I'm looking for.

So it's probably a go on this 07 pending negotiations with the dealer. Hoping to get him down to 25-26k.

If you look at the sales numbers for 4Runners they dropped off dramatically in 2008 and 2009. Some of that had to do with gas prices and some of that had to do with everyone knowing there was going to be a new body style in 2010. Either way there aren't a ton of 2008's out there and there are very few 2009's.