About to buy another vehicle, which 4th gen?

[MillerPKA]

Time to start flirting. Coming over from the 3rd gen crowd to gain some knowledge from you folk, seeing how this site was started for the 4th gens. Its come time for my current rig to get its long travel and v8, and I think I'm just going to take it off of insurance until its finished. So its time for me to look for a new vehicle. I'm checking out lots of things right now but am thinking either a 4th gen 4runner, 5th gen 4runner or 08 lexus is350. my roommate is in a similar market so we're going shopping next week, but wanted to see what years of the 4th gen you would recommend and why. Probably prefer no XREAS as I would want to lift it probably. Thanks for any and all input. Here's a picture of the one going under the knife

 

[CJ3Flyr]

IIRC:
V6 Mechanically:
-05 or newer gets you the 5speed auto. V6 has a 2wd mode, no maint timing chain and super easy DIY oil changes. Much better power than a 3.4L but not a V8 either.

V8 Mechanically:
-05 or newer gets VVTi and you lose the aftermarket supercharger option. Overall most claim a 1-2mpg hit compared to the V6. V8's have 90k timing belts. Oil changes are a PIA compared to the 4th gen V6 but you're used to 3rd so...

All:
-06 and newer has the more rounded fender lips, projector headlamps and LED tail lights.

-08-09 gets you side-airbags, standard (opt on other 4th gens) and a factory VSC off switch. There's also the rare '09 TE w/factory rear locker. IIRC there were no V8's in '09.

These are great year-by-year chronicles:
Toyota 4Runner History 2003
4Runner


BTW- your 3rd is awesome! Nice work.

 

[borgzman]

2005 only for me..

1. VVTi

2. The Square fender looks nice and agressive even with the smallest lift.

3. Aftermarket bumbers fits better without gap.

06 headlights, grill, LED tails,...are direct swap to 05's with minor trimings.

 

[Autbond]

2005 only for me..

1. VVTi

2. The Square fender looks nice and agressive even with the smallest lift.

3. Aftermarket bumbers fits better without gap.

06 headlights, grill, LED tails,...are direct swap to 05's with minor trimings.

I don't agree that the 03-05 fits an aftermarket bumper better (with less gap). With the shrockworks, at least, you can choose how much gap you want when you are putting it on. The "gap" is to compensate for the body flex (considering the bumper is attached to the frame and flexes differently from the body). It is suggested to have a 0.5" minimum "gap" to compensate for this flex.

Also, is you are putting on a "real" lift then having XREAS doesn't matter because you would be taking it all out anyway. I like my '06 a lot, def recommend the V8. Also, with the Sport you get bigger brakes and I have had leather in all my other vehicles but I really like the cloth that is in it. I would probably suggest an 08 with a V8, Sport or Limited. Also, I don't remember what years Yota made the 4th gen with the bubble spoiler on the back instead of the flat one; but a lot of people like it more than the flat one. The Sport you also get the darker headlight housing and "smoked" chrome grill; but the Limited has the paint matched grill so.... I would not spend the extra money on the stock optioned GPS; just buy an aftermarket one that looks stock. How much you wanting to spend? You could always look for a preowned 5th gen but then again no V8. The IS350 is a chick's car IMO, sorry but I had to say that; now the IS-F on the other hand is in fact NOT a chick's car! haha If you are looking at car's like that you could get a nice Bimmer 335 coupe, or sedan and get it in a 6 speed! I would probably try out a car for awhile since you are going to have an off-road specific vehicle.

Your 3rd gen looks GREAT!! CAn't wait to turn my 4th gen into an offroad only truck!

 

[borgzman]

What I mean is, when you look at the side, The bumper looks like an extension of the fender lines. Theres no triangular gap. It looks like its designed for it(03-05). I haven't seen one close. Is it just me?

Ex. is the bumper in the josh truck.. you can't see a gap in the one that I circled?( compare to 06 installations)

 

[Autbond]

What I mean is, when you look at the side, The bumper looks like an extension of the fender lines. Theres no triangular gap. It looks like its designed for it(03-05). I haven't seen one close. Is it just me?

Ex. is the bumper in the josh truck.. you can't see a gap in the one that I circled?( compare to 06 installations)

Ok, now I understand what your saying, I thought you were talking about underneath the headlights more so.. but I could make mine sit tighter, maybe not that tight.

 

[MillerPKA]

The IS350 is a chick's car IMO, sorry but I had to say that; now the IS-F on the other hand is in fact NOT a chick's car! haha If you are looking at car's like that you could get a nice Bimmer 335 coupe, or sedan and get it in a 6 speed! I would probably try out a car for awhile since you are going to have an off-road specific vehicle.

Your 3rd gen looks GREAT!! CAn't wait to turn my 4th gen into an offroad only truck!

Haha while I agree on some level where I'm from a 335 is just as much a girls car. I've resolved the whole girl car thing since looking at these anyways, just because its irrelevant. 300hp is 300hp, even if there's pink trim inside :bigok:

I'll test drive the 4th and 5th gens this week, but the guys over at the Lexus forums are helping me out too so I'll be taking one home for a day this week I think.

 

[bak3rme]

Haha while I agree on some level where I'm from a 335 is just as much a girls car. I've resolved the whole girl car thing since looking at these anyways, just because its irrelevant. 300hp is 300hp, even if there's pink trim inside :bigok:

I'll test drive the 4th and 5th gens this week, but the guys over at the Lexus forums are helping me out too so I'll be taking one home for a day this week I think.

i dont think the is350 is a chics car. my parents have an is250 which looks the same but different engine from the is350. the car is solid. looks slick and drives like a sports car. im curious how your 3rd gen is going to turn out within the next years or so if u keep at it

 

[cgardnerma]

2008 V6

4x2 capability
VSC Off switch
Standard side curtain airbags
All the 2006+ cosmetic goodies - nice fenders, LED lights

V6 has plenty of power, 4x2 capability, better mileage and way more vehicles to choose from while you are looking.

Don't get XREAS. Sucks to do a lift.

Here's mine:

 

[2004Runner4x4]

damn you! While i encourage a 4th gen for you, I wish you wouldn't get one cause I know you will make it an exceptional offroad/mall crawl vehicle which for now, will blow mine out of the water. I know you'll stick with the 4runner regsrdless of how the Lexus drives, so just don't get a white one.

 

[Autbond]

Why does the xreas suck to do lifts on? The spacer lifts are essentially just as easy to put on xreas as non xreas. If the suspension will be replaced fully it isn't harder to do it on the xreas. But on the 335 vs IS350 thing, I just think that the BmW is more of a drivers car, and you can get it in a 6 speed! I would at least drive a 335 even if it's just for the hell of it, haha. Any choice would still be good!

 

[Koz]

Word of caution! The 335 has SERIOUS fuel pump and injector failures that can not be fixed, only keep replacing parts till the warranty is spent. This is why there is a total engine redesign for 2011. If you are in the market for the 335 wait for the 2011, maybe 2012 to be safe, unless it is a lease.

Koz

 

[MillerPKA]

Nice to see this back up, I was about to revive it. Since I'm replacing the water pump tomorrow I'm going to drive the 3rd gen for about 2 more months then snag a 4th gen. At that time the 4runner will be taken off of insurance and brought to Atlanta Custom Creations where it will sit for the rest of the year awaiting its Lexus V8 and possibly custom 6 speed transmission.

2008 V6

4x2 capability
VSC Off switch
Standard side curtain airbags
All the 2006+ cosmetic goodies - nice fenders, LED lights

V6 has plenty of power, 4x2 capability, better mileage and way more vehicles to choose from while you are looking.

Don't get XREAS. Sucks to do a lift.

My main reason for the sport was the Sport hood. I sought one for the 3rd gen for 3 years, I don't want to have to wait for one on the 4th gen. Seeing how the XREAS can be problematic with the lift I want I may look at other options. Can I get the Limited without XREAS? I would like leather interior and some nice goodies since its going to be my work car. I do like how yours looks but I'd prefer 4wd since this will eventually become my expo rig and the 3rd gen will be the trail only rig..we're talking a few years though once I get enough coin to get another vehicle.

damn you! While i encourage a 4th gen for you, I wish you wouldn't get one cause I know you will make it an exceptional offroad/mall crawl vehicle which for now, will blow mine out of the water. I know you'll stick with the 4runner regsrdless of how the Lexus drives, so just don't get a white one.

Haha thanks, I was looking at a white sport edition but I think I'll end up going black or silver, I'm too drawn to silver so I'd put my money on that. Like the props for the wheels in your sig! And damn...you're running 2 coleman roof racks on that thing?! haha

Why does the xreas suck to do lifts on? The spacer lifts are essentially just as easy to put on xreas as non xreas. If the suspension will be replaced fully it isn't harder to do it on the xreas. But on the 335 vs IS350 thing, I just think that the BmW is more of a drivers car, and you can get it in a 6 speed! I would at least drive a 335 even if it's just for the hell of it, haha. Any choice would still be good!

Word of caution! The 335 has SERIOUS fuel pump and injector failures that can not be fixed, only keep replacing parts till the warranty is spent. This is why there is a total engine redesign for 2011. If you are in the market for the 335 wait for the 2011, maybe 2012 to be safe, unless it is a lease.

Koz

I don't want to drown in maintenance costs just yet which is true for most all bimmers. I'll be getting a euro sedan as my 3rd car in a few years when both 4runners will be devoted to off road. I entertained the idea of a lease but with 550 a month car allowance in addition to salary it'd be foolish to not use that money to invest instead of pumping it into a dealer.

Thanks for all your help so far, looking forward to more insight

 

[2004Runner4x4]

haha yea i figured you can never have to many roof racks ha, and yes go with Silver, those look real slick

 

[zimm]

Don't worry about XREAS- it comes right out come lift time. There's even handy disconnects on the lines so you don't even loose fluid. I didn't have to pull the lines until I put my sliders on.