A question for you 4Runner guys...

[F75gunslinger]

We haven't seen any 1GR-FE engines in the Tacomas exhibiting piston slap in my area, if you don't mind giving a link to those threads, I'd like to look them over.

The 1GR-FE in the 5th Gen is an updated unit with Dual VVTi as was mentioned before. Its not a new engine, but it is very different from the carry over engine in the Tacoma. They've been pretty reliable so far, they aren't very smooth V6s though, but they are pretty peppy.

I think you and your GF will be happy with a 5th Gen if you're looking for a new 4Runner.

Post Note-

When I went to NUMI a while back, the Tacoma line had what looked like crate engines ready to go. Typically the engines are like 90% or so assembled and then shipped on pallets from what I saw at NUMI

'13 V6, 4500 miles and my motor may be shot! - Tacoma World Forums

As you requested. Apparently he's getting a new truck out of the deal,but others have posted that they also have the same noise.

I have a 2010 Tacoma TRD Sport 4X4 with the V6 and the 6 speed...love the truck. She likes the truck overall,and wants to replace her Explorer when the time comes ( in the next year or so ) with a new 4Runner.

I only want to make the right recommendations when it comes to a vehicle for her. I don't doubt the general Toyota reliability,and wasn't sure about the 4.0 in the 'Runner..if it was the same or a different animal.

 

[rigtec]

"...Good luck and happy hunting!" :hunter:

Hey RT...

Since we're all O/T anyway... Meant to mention, I really like your avatar with the TRD pro logo and "RaginTexan" signature; makes me wish I had a Pro-series truck! Maybe that'll be my 'gen 6' 4Runner trim selection!

Very impressive! regards,

rig

 

[F75gunslinger]

If you're looking for something more pleasant to conquer the concrete jungle - I would look at the highlanders (new 2014 ones).

She wants something in the full same category as her Explorer.She's had 3 or 4 of them now..but she doesn't like the new ones. She had a shorter wheelbase SUV and didn't like it in the snow that we get here. A "Runner is the same size as her Explorer pretty much...

 

[RaginTxn84]

Hey RT...

Since we're all O/T anyway... Meant to mention, I really like your avatar with the TRD pro logo and "RaginTexan" signature; makes me wish I had a Pro-series truck! Maybe that'll be my 'gen 6' 4Runner trim selection!

Very impressive! regards,

rig

Haha - thanks! I would have done something a little more... Elaborate, but my computer with PT is dead - I did that one in excel

I just wish my 4R was the same color - I love that orange

 

[rigtec]

Haha - thanks! I would have done something a little more... Elaborate, but my computer with PT is dead - I did that one in excel

I had no idea that you printed your own decals... I bought my "Limited" 'scroll highlights' on-line, but yours look very professional!

"...I just wish my 4R was the same color - I love that orange "

Not sure what you mean by 'you wish yours was the same color'... isn't that your orange 4R in the avatar...

 

[F75gunslinger]

Back on topic ?

 

[VoodooTitan]

Back on topic ?

Of course...

my $.02... my wife is about 5'4. As far as the 4Runner goes she loves it. We looked at everything. Durango. Pathfinder. Grand Cherokee. Wrangler. Pilot. The only vehicle we didn't have an actual issue with was the Durango. It's beautiful. Gas consumption was the straw though. Pathfinder and Cherokee had really bad reviews in the research I did. Wrangle wasn't what she was looking for. Pilot didn't have enough towing capacity, I think...

About the 4Runner. I know you mentioned the SR5. There's a thread on here about the KDSS, someone really wanted it but couldn't find it. In that thread there are a lot of talks about ride comfort. Most members noted a significant difference in on-road driving. So, as your GF will be driving, you may want to have her drive the SR5, THEN a Trail Edition, then the SR5 again. She should feel good driving it. She may like the more rigid (if that's how the other members described it) ride. I personally have the TE and love it. It has the softex seats, sunroof, entune, the works. And my wife loves it. Her only gripe is we don't have running boards yet. I'm trying to sway her into letting me get the budbuilt sliders.

With that said, the 4Runner is a rock solid choice. I read horror stories about the Pathfinders transmission. Horror stories about the grand Cherokees electrical system shutting down during vehicle operations, and I'm not just talking the entertainment unit, I'm talking the speed-o, the whole gauge cluster shutting off. It also had transmission issues. something with the shifting wasn't working well. We experienced it on a test drive.

Overall we settled on the 4Runner because of the reliability and major upgrades to the interior. Thus far we have had ZERO issues with it.

FWIW my buddy has an 06 taco and it runs like it did the day he bought it. I would not be afraid to pull the trigger if I were you.

Depending on your location, some dealerships are offering a lifetime warranty on powertrain too.

Stevenson Auto Group out of Jacksonville, NC is where I bought mine, and they offer this very warranty. It's basically the extended warranty, but instead of it being for 100k or so, it's lifetime. Also something to consider...

Good luck.

 

[1engineer]

Back on topic ?

Your questions were answered on the first page of this thread. The 4Runner engine is different than the Tacoma. Piston slap could occur, but has not even been on the radar here.

What you read on TW is common for forums. Recently some member here had a noise and was convinced it was his KDSS suspension. Pretty soon several others had the same noise (they thought) and it became a rallying cry to contact corporate etc. One guy said he was gonna trade his off because of the KDSS noise. Turned out it was an exhaust hanger or other such nonsense and nothing else was said from those other guys. Moral of the story:

Read everything, pay attention to half of it and understand that only a 10th of it is real. People are so predictable.

 

[philsey]

... Engineers are so predictable.

Fixed.

 

[F75gunslinger]

Your questions were answered on the first page of this thread. The 4Runner engine is different than the Tacoma. Piston slap could occur, but has not even been on the radar here.

What you read on TW is common for forums. Moral of the story:

Read everything, pay attention to half of it and understand that only a 10th of it is real. People are so predictable.

I disagree. What I read said that the valvetrain is different. I haven't heard/seen any issues with any of these as far as valvetrain goes. Yes..it's noisy..it's also just the way the Toyota V6's are. As far as the block goes,i'm pretty sure that other than a few minor tweaks the block design you guys have is still an open deck design V6 just like mine. I love my Tacoma,and would suggest it to anyone looking for a midsize truck. That being said..if this is an issue,even with a limited number of vehicles, I'd rather err on the side of caution and stay on the GF's good side by doing some research. If you looked at the thread/watched the videos for what it sounded like,you'd do some extra investigating too !

 

[GD2013]

I can't speak to valve train problems as I never have had any with my Toys. I have a 91 pre-Taco, that has cost me tires brakes and a clutch in 25 yrs. I have had an 01 RAV (wife), 01 Solara, 05 RAV (wife with no intention of trading it), 05 Solara (wish they were still made), and a 13 4Runner SR5. All these have just cost tires and brakes when needed. This after years of Chryslers, Chevys, Fords, 1 Mazda, 1 Honda and 3 Nissans. I stepped up to Toyota and see no reason to go back after 50+ years of driving.

Get the GF a 4Runner with leather and heated seats and she will love you for it!!
They even play well in the snow.