any negatives with 03-04 V8 4Runners?
- Thread starter SR*77
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
There's no real problems beyond minor sunroof rattling and a couple of nit-picky things. A minor thing that's un-nerving but not a problem is some v8's have a little piston slap at start-up. Many modern, short piston skirt engines do this and it's psychologically a big deal but really has no effect on durability/longevity. The other issue that can be easily minimized is a driveshaft thump that some note as you're coming to a stop or at brake release/initial acceleration. Greasing the several driveshaft fittings helps. It's a bit of a design 'flaw'. It seldom goes away 100%. Some vehicles have it worse than others. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/probl...06-tsb-page-18-aka-driveshaft-thump-bump.html
As far as the t-case is concerned: Make sure during the test drive you engage 4lo and the center diff lock work. The biggest problem with these t-cases centers around an actuator that will hang up when not used for years at a time. The actuators are hard to replace as in many $$$ due to labor. If it goes into all the modes, you buy it and continue to 'exercise' the modes periodically they are great. To get it between 4hi and 4lo stop, place it in N and move the switch. sometimes letting it creep ahead or backwards while in N helps the transition. The diff lock should be done while moving straight ahead. Avoid turning while it's locked unless you are on a soft surface. In all cases you should have steady dash lights, no beeping; that's how you know the mode change is complete.
The v8 is a 90k interval timing belt engine. Try to ascertain the belt age/condition for your $$$ planning.
:cheers:
Last edited:
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I have had my 03 4x4 V8 since new. It has never been in the shop for anything although I did the timing belt and water pump myself. It still runs like new. I think I may have discovered my first problem after 8 years. I notoiced the lumbar support on the drivers seat was not working the other day. My 4runner has been lifted and beat up on desert trails and it still does not have any squeaks although I do not have the sunroof. If you can find a low mileage one I would go for it. I have not had any transfer case problems.
it's awesome, man. my fully optioned limited holds its value like crazy. i bought it for $16K 2.5-3 yrs ago and i could still easily sell it for $15K. it now has 99.5K miles. bought it with 65K mint one owner condition. actually found it here!
my lumbar no longer works and recently developed the sunroof rattle.
otherwise, it's tough to let go. it still delivers like a new $40K+ suv.
my lumbar no longer works and recently developed the sunroof rattle.
otherwise, it's tough to let go. it still delivers like a new $40K+ suv.
Koz
New member
My 05 was totaled and I got almost $25K for it ($24,800). I was ecstatic! The problem was I could not replace it with a new 4Runner. I refused to settle for LESS!
The 5th gen does not offer an equivalent vehicle. No V8 or auto leveling rear air suspension plus other features. I should be getting my GX within a week.
Koz
The 5th gen does not offer an equivalent vehicle. No V8 or auto leveling rear air suspension plus other features. I should be getting my GX within a week.
Koz
Over 140k on my '03 V8 w/ no problems, I'll never get rid of this truck... Heck, I just bought a '11 M3 and I still like my 4Runner better, people think I'm nuts.
The ONLY thing I would consider driving over my 4R would be a '11 Land Cruiser, but i think they want too much, though they are SWEET!
My top dash has cracked, I have some rattle in the rear cargo compartment (maybe the door) and of course the sunroof rattles, but it remains in great condition and mechanically perfect (knock on wood).
The ONLY thing I would consider driving over my 4R would be a '11 Land Cruiser, but i think they want too much, though they are SWEET!
My top dash has cracked, I have some rattle in the rear cargo compartment (maybe the door) and of course the sunroof rattles, but it remains in great condition and mechanically perfect (knock on wood).
Thanks for the info. I'm planning on taking one for a test drive later today.
The lumbar support is nothing for me, I drive on average about 7k mi. a year. I'm more comcerned with mechanical items or body issues.
We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks, my sister in-law is supposed to take over my current car (03 Matrix). I'll post up whichever one I end up with.
The lumbar support is nothing for me, I drive on average about 7k mi. a year. I'm more comcerned with mechanical items or body issues.
We'll see what happens in the next couple of weeks, my sister in-law is supposed to take over my current car (03 Matrix). I'll post up whichever one I end up with.
TeryT
New member
Overall Great - but not perfect (kinda like my wife)
I had numerous electronic and electromechanical things go haywire early on (traction control computer, JBL amp, low mode actuator, rear window defroster, rear speaker, trip computer, something else - I forget). I bought my 03 V8 used with about 29k on it. These annoying things would have cost me over $6000 to replace, if I didn't have the Platinum warranty. To be fair, no purely mechanical thing has ever broken down, and I do some heavy long-distance towing with this vehicle. The interior & exterior has held up very, very well.
I really like this 4Runner, and plan on keeping it a while, because even with 111k miles it still drives and handles like new. (Most all the failures listed above occurred before 60k miles.) I use it for all sorts of things including towing, camping, business and some fairly extreme but not frequent off-roading.
Maintenance wise it has been pretty good. It wears tires very evenly. Changing oil is a little pain as you have to take off the front skid plate to get to the filter (but using full synthetic oil extends this interval). There are two differentials and a transfer case to change fluid in (but again, I put in full synthetic and double the normal 15k change interval). The tranny is solid, and I do a drain and fill of 3 qts. every year (BTW - newer than 03 or 04 models have a sealed tranny system, so no fluid changes by consumer.) The drive shaft used to have the annoying clunk most 4Runner owners report, until the dealer changed my driveshaft to a newer version (under Platinum warranty), and I give it a couple squirts of Mobile 1 grease ever so often. The brakes last a long time, but there is a very slight front rotor warpage (many have this) that has occurred.
Bottom line: I don't know that there is another vehicle out there that combines all of these things this well - especially in a mid-sized SUV. It has never left us stranded & essentially everything works except perhaps the driver lumbar support (which others have mentioned) and I currently have some intermittent starter/ignition issue.
:driving: :bravo:
I had numerous electronic and electromechanical things go haywire early on (traction control computer, JBL amp, low mode actuator, rear window defroster, rear speaker, trip computer, something else - I forget). I bought my 03 V8 used with about 29k on it. These annoying things would have cost me over $6000 to replace, if I didn't have the Platinum warranty. To be fair, no purely mechanical thing has ever broken down, and I do some heavy long-distance towing with this vehicle. The interior & exterior has held up very, very well.
I really like this 4Runner, and plan on keeping it a while, because even with 111k miles it still drives and handles like new. (Most all the failures listed above occurred before 60k miles.) I use it for all sorts of things including towing, camping, business and some fairly extreme but not frequent off-roading.
Maintenance wise it has been pretty good. It wears tires very evenly. Changing oil is a little pain as you have to take off the front skid plate to get to the filter (but using full synthetic oil extends this interval). There are two differentials and a transfer case to change fluid in (but again, I put in full synthetic and double the normal 15k change interval). The tranny is solid, and I do a drain and fill of 3 qts. every year (BTW - newer than 03 or 04 models have a sealed tranny system, so no fluid changes by consumer.) The drive shaft used to have the annoying clunk most 4Runner owners report, until the dealer changed my driveshaft to a newer version (under Platinum warranty), and I give it a couple squirts of Mobile 1 grease ever so often. The brakes last a long time, but there is a very slight front rotor warpage (many have this) that has occurred.
Bottom line: I don't know that there is another vehicle out there that combines all of these things this well - especially in a mid-sized SUV. It has never left us stranded & essentially everything works except perhaps the driver lumbar support (which others have mentioned) and I currently have some intermittent starter/ignition issue.
:driving: :bravo:
it's nice to have but it's a nominal upgrade.
-same mpg
-you get the additional bit of oomp way up top (rarely ever there)
I have a 04 Limited with the AWD and love it. Have over 180,000 on it and I drive it hard. Only thing that has happened to it was needed the rear door latch to be replaced as the actuator failed. Other than that, I love it and have only needed to replace items that are wear and tear (brakes, filters, fluids, etc). The truck has all the options and all work great. Def love it better than any car I've ever owned.
V8 AWD 4EVR
New member
I have a Spring 03 build V8 since new and it is the best vehicle I have owned.
109K miles and only problem was sunroof track broke and was upgraded (a known problem) but was fixed under warranty in first few months.
Brakes do last forever. I think I got 80K+ out of the first set of front brakes. I have also had great tire life.
My shocks are nearly done for now and I am looking at an upgrade (probably OW)!
I would love to run out and buy a slightly improved version of my 2003, but like Kal mentioned, I have to spend 60K on a Lexus GX (which has very unappealing, soccer mom exterior looks, IMO) so no thanks Toyota.
We will look back in 20 years and see that 2003 was the pinnacle of design and execution for the 4Runner, and the end of the 4th Gen is the ultimate refinement. If I knew now what I didn't know then I would have bought a new 2009 V8 Ltd!
Get a 4th Gen and don't look back!
V8
109K miles and only problem was sunroof track broke and was upgraded (a known problem) but was fixed under warranty in first few months.
Brakes do last forever. I think I got 80K+ out of the first set of front brakes. I have also had great tire life.
My shocks are nearly done for now and I am looking at an upgrade (probably OW)!
I would love to run out and buy a slightly improved version of my 2003, but like Kal mentioned, I have to spend 60K on a Lexus GX (which has very unappealing, soccer mom exterior looks, IMO) so no thanks Toyota.
We will look back in 20 years and see that 2003 was the pinnacle of design and execution for the 4Runner, and the end of the 4th Gen is the ultimate refinement. If I knew now what I didn't know then I would have bought a new 2009 V8 Ltd!
Get a 4th Gen and don't look back!
V8
audiness
Senior Member
Recently picked up a 2003 V8 Ltd. 4wd, and absolutely love the truck. I don't think i've ever loved a vehicle as much as i do this one. it does everything you need it to do, and in comfort/style.
I've owned another Toyota ( corolla) and after 196K HARD miles on it, and it's never had a single problem. Toyota builds great cars, I hope the newer ones hold up as well as the older ones do.
I've owned another Toyota ( corolla) and after 196K HARD miles on it, and it's never had a single problem. Toyota builds great cars, I hope the newer ones hold up as well as the older ones do.
