7,000 mile loop coast, to coast to coast.

[RL Lemke]

From Thanksgiving to New Year I drove my 2004 V8 4Runner nearly 7,000 miles across the USA. From nearly the 125 mph throttle cut-out to crawling through Mojave Desert sand washes. From below seal level to over plenty of mountain passes. Atlantic, to Gulf of Mexico to Pacific.

I must say that at 360,000+ miles the 4Runner remains a delight. The V8 allowing passing everyone on the mountain pass climbs.

On occasion I look at new 4Runners only to be disappointed by what they lack, compared to my V8 Sport Edition. The new ones don't even have the armrest tray anymore, which is something I use daily. The new ones don't have any of the whizzbang electronic features I see in other Toyotas or other makes, like Jeep. No, even the new TRD Pro suspension falls flat next to my 3" longer Icon suspension and Total Chaos UCAs, with added wheel travel.

No, the V8 doesn't get the gas mileage some 4X4s do now. At warp speed I average 16 on the western freeways, in town a couple more than that. Considering the price of a new vehicle, that would buy a whole lot of gas with these $2 prices. (Yes, the V8 uses regular just fine.)

There will come a day when I want to buy a new car. Sure hope Toyota steps up their game.

 

[hinmo24t]

that is awesome and i agree in many ways (i have a v6 though, wanted it for my needs.) I like the 4th gens so much that after my current 04 with 128k, i want to transfer my mods to an 06-09 for my next vehicle...that could be a long time from now too so well see. congrats on that trip and thanks for sharing.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

Share some pics from your trip if you have any....

 

[RL Lemke]

I actually went east to work on some land I'm developing in Alabama and Florida.

So, this is the only 4Runner photo from the east.

In the west I was working on my land in Las Vegas.

And then traveled through the Mojave Desert the back way to Palm Springs. There was a "short cut" that connected two highways that had some interesting sand washes where permanent 4 wheel drive was helpful.

 

[RL Lemke]

Soon I will wake up to this view:

With evening fun with this view:

(100% my photos from my camera.)

Surrounded by trails, with 85% of Nevada being public land.

Hike, bike, dirt bike and 4X4. My kind of heaven.

 

[4RunnerMexico]

Makes me miss the Mojave Desert, spend a month in that area about a year ago. Beautiful place

 

[RL Lemke]

Captured a comparison photo.

 

[Timberland]

Sounds like an epic trip! Any repairs or issues along the way?

Totally agree with your thoughts on the V8 vs 5th gens. I added up the cost of mine with all the mods and it's exactly 1/3 the price of a new TRD Pro with a V6 and car tires. They have us beat with the modern interior and I'd love to have an e-locker, but the numbers are hard to argue.

 

[RL Lemke]

Any repairs or issues along the way?

I get all my service done at Toyota dealers and carefully follow the maintenance schedule, extended for the high mileage though.

Just as I think nothing of heading across the continent on one of my motorcycles, I think nothing of the same with the 4Runner.

Remember, these vehicles are designed for a 25 year service life. I'm on year 16 with mine.

 

[Seymore Butts]

Remember, these vehicles are designed for a 25 year service life. I'm on year 16 with mine.

So, just routine maintenance and no major repairs?

I don't doubt they'll last 25 years, but was it really a design requirement?

 

[RL Lemke]

So, just routine maintenance and no major repairs?

I don't doubt they'll last 25 years, but was it really a design requirement?

Yes, I've done some things over the years since I purchased the 4Runner new:

1) Replaced the ignition coils.
2) Replaced one front left wheel bearing and one rear right wheel bearing.
3) Replaced brake pads and rotors, and elected to upgrade the front calipers with rebuilt ones to go with the drilled and slotted rotors. My 4Runner has the larger Lexus brakes.
4) Replaced the UCA and suspension front and back with Donahoe Racing very early on, which is now Icon. Along with rebuilding the coil-overs every 150,000 miles + or -.
5) Replaced the battery every 1.5 years on average.
6) Rerouted the exhaust to behind the left rear wheel for added departure angle.
7) Replaced the lower control arm, instead of the effort to replace the ball-joint.
8) Replaced the steering rack.
9) Replaced the V8 valve cover gaskets once.
10) I have the dreaded header crack and am planning on replacing both headers with new Toyota parts soon. I've had the cold tick-tick-tick for over 100,000 miles now, and am tired of it.
11) I have the dealer replace the timing belt and water pump every 90,000 miles.
12) Replaced the radiator hoses about 50,000 miles ago, despite nothing wrong with the original ones. May get the cool silicone ones and make the change again. Will have the dealer do it with the next timing belt change, as that replaces the radiator coolant. I always add the Amsoil coolant boost because the engine warms so much faster when cold.
13) Replaced all the halogen bulbs with LED ones, except for the DRL/turn signals. After a few times I have the perfect headlight LEDs that are far brighter but are well aimed so as to not upset oncoming traffic.
14) Replaced a couple of the tiny bulbs behind the center dash displays.
15) Replaced the driver cloth seat cover with OE cover.
16) Replaced the dash 40,000 miles ago under warranty.
17) Replaced the floor mats a couple times.
18) Replaced a couple front shafts after extreme off-roading tore the boots.
19) Replaced a transfer case gasket, which was done without removing the transfer case. Fast and easy.
20) Warranty replacement for certain airbags.

I change the oil every 10,000 miles, using Amsoil and the synthetic Amsoil filter. Could easily go 15,000 miles, but doing it every 10,000 is easier to remember. I use a larger oil filter. When I check oil level before each oil change, there is zero loss or consumption.

I change the engine air filter when necessary. My job has me in dusty off-road conditions a lot. Same with the cabin air filter.

Regularly change the transmission fluid with Toyota World, and the differentials and transfer case fluids with Amsoil.

Regularly grease the U-joints and slip joints. Now that I do it with waterproof Amsoil grease the interval is much longer.

Regularly lubricate the ignition, and door locks, to make key use easier when its below zero.

That's pretty much it.

I drove my last car 1 Million miles. Mercedes diesel.

The 25 year service life came from reading I've done about the Prado, GX and other names for the 4Runner platform.

 

[RL Lemke]

 

[RL Lemke]

 

[bsa70]

This is a very cool thread. Inspirational...

 

[RL Lemke]

 

[RL Lemke]

Most people change cars like clothes.

I studied which car to get for 6 month. Careful research of my needs and available auto options.

Ordered the 4Runner and waited 6 months for it to be built to my exact list of options, and without the stuff I didn't want.

A car that fits my needs perfectly doesn't need to be replaced until its worn out.

I have over 3 million miles of experience driving, from the southern tip of Africa to Hawaii and everywhere across North America. A half million miles of this experience on two wheels.

The V8 4Runner still suits my needs perfectly.

 

[Seymore Butts]

I drove my last car 1 Million miles. Mercedes diesel.

Whoa. Which one? Had to be a 300D or 240D, right?

 

[RL Lemke]

whoa. Which one? Had to be a 300d or 240d, right?

300sd

 

[RL Lemke]

New:

Over 300,000 miles later:

 

[Legender]

Very nice. A trip I'm sure many of us aspire to enjoy. Thanks for the pics and for sharing the maintenance and upgrades you've done. With only 182k on mine I've a ways to go.