Contemplating Trading 5th Gen for 4th Gen V8
- Thread starter adam2562
- Start date
mid9pitstop
New member
Whatever Makes You Happy
To the original poster...
I was recently in the same boat as you are now, when I had to replace my crashed 03 4x4 V8, not too sure if the 4th Gen V8 or the newer one was my right choice. I test drove the 2014 brand new Trail a few times. I even tried the 5.7 Tundra Crewmax Limited version. While the first one offers a lot of goodies inside, the lack of power made me leaned toward the 2nd choice. But, driving that Tundra daily kinda makes me think twice about parking and my wallet as it is a heavy piece of metal, rating @ 14/17 mpg.
Each time I got back home, I told myself "That's it, the Tundra it is". But, then when I took a final look @ the 08 4x4 SE that I found on line, I forgot all about those first two
My main requirement was to have a vehicle that has enough power to tow my fishing boat, which is approximately 4500-5000 lbs. And, of course, I had to at least like the vehicle enough. This new (to me) baby seems to fit my needs.
Once again, at the end of the day, it's you that will be getting in & out from that 4runner. So pick wisely.
Cheers
To the original poster...
I was recently in the same boat as you are now, when I had to replace my crashed 03 4x4 V8, not too sure if the 4th Gen V8 or the newer one was my right choice. I test drove the 2014 brand new Trail a few times. I even tried the 5.7 Tundra Crewmax Limited version. While the first one offers a lot of goodies inside, the lack of power made me leaned toward the 2nd choice. But, driving that Tundra daily kinda makes me think twice about parking and my wallet as it is a heavy piece of metal, rating @ 14/17 mpg.
Each time I got back home, I told myself "That's it, the Tundra it is". But, then when I took a final look @ the 08 4x4 SE that I found on line, I forgot all about those first two
My main requirement was to have a vehicle that has enough power to tow my fishing boat, which is approximately 4500-5000 lbs. And, of course, I had to at least like the vehicle enough. This new (to me) baby seems to fit my needs.
Once again, at the end of the day, it's you that will be getting in & out from that 4runner. So pick wisely.
Cheers
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Jeremy556
New member
14mpg. Same as, or a little better than before the gears. I have probably 1000lb of armor and gear and MTRs.
I went with East Coast Gear Supply rebuilds with the gears installed for convenience and it was $2400, but that did include an ARB for the front diff. They shipped me diffs, I swapped them out, and shipped my old ones back. I also went with ECGS because they do a lot of Toyota diffs and are familiar with the new, stronger, 8.2 rear diff in the 5th gen.
progress4m
Member
I am not sure what you are referring to… but IMHO (subjective) I actually like 2003-2005 body style of 4th gen… (less bumper overhang, less egg looking, thinner fenders flares- makes better stance) and the body style was one of reason I bought 2005; what also highlights 2005 model with V8 is that in that year Toyota have added VVTi (270 HP and 330 torque :bluejump
… and I believe V6 model got 5 speed trany
adam2562
New member
yea that's another thing.. i know the rear diffs are stronger in the 5th gens.. i've vaguely heard of the rear diffs going on 4th gens..
[MENTION=7806]mid9pitstop[/MENTION] i was initially looking at 08+ 4thgens.. then swayed to a crewmax tundra 5.7L while searching and was dead set on getting one.. then i rented a limited 5th gen to go to our cabin 500 miles away and i fell inlove with it and i went and got a limited 4runner.. and a year later traded that in on a year newer trail 4runner since i enjoy doing that more.. now i'm contemplating the 4th gen V8.. but i'm leaning towards keeping my 5th gen and maybe adding gears and front and rear bumpers.. that's all it really needs in my eyes.. oh and better skids
I am not sure what you are referring to… but IMHO (subjective) I actually like 2003-2005 body style of 4th gen… (less bumper overhang, less egg looking, thinner fenders flares- makes better stance) and the body style was one of reason I bought 2005; what also highlights 2005 model with V8 is that in that year Toyota have added VVTi (270 HP and 330 torque :bluejump
This is what I'm talking about
Engine upgrades:
2003-2004 - 235 HP, no VVTi, cant get aftermarket headers
2005-2009 - 270 HP, VVTi, option to get aftermarket headers
It just seems that 2003-2004 nobody even looks at in terms of mechanical upgrades. When the exhaust manifolds crack were stuck with the overly priced OEM's which are shit. 2005-2009 you can get DT headers, you have the 35 hp standard increase, you have the VVTi engine. If a custom fab shop would even entertain the idea of 2003-2004 they would make a killing since there's nobody else. Anything can be done, it just takes time and money. I'm sure there are early 4th Gen owners who would gladly pay and I'm one of them. Theres a video on Youtube of someone with a 2003 who had a Tundra V8 headers installed which took some custom fabrication but it was possible. Now, I dont know if theres really a difference in build quality between the Tundra and the 4Runner since theyre both Toyota but I also dont know whats the difference between the two since I am not really educated in the mechanical/engineering side of things when it comes to cars/trucks.
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TRDCal
New member
If your buying a house, then I'd get the cheapest 4th gen V8 you could. Otherwise I don't believe it would make much sense to sell your 5th gen to buy 4th that's 7k cheaper, once you include the taxes, registration, difference in gas mileage (I just got 14mpg on a 90% highway road trip), the hassle and not too mention the whole "devil you know is better than the devil you don't". I don't think you'll be financially ahead.
I'd get the oldest lowest mileage 4th gen you could. You'll get what you want and be done paying it much sooner. My 03 has a built date of Sept 02. They say not to buy a first year production, that may be true sometimes but not with the 4th gen. My 03 hasn't had a single issue/recall that's not also applicable to later 4th gens. All you need for pre-08's is [MENTION=56244]Kliv[/MENTION] VSC off, which I installed three winters ago, works flawlessly (was using it yesterday) to prevent engine de-throttle and gives no false indication. When I'm bombing thru snowy fields or whatever when I don't want to lock the CDL. I put the tranny in L, VSC off and let her rip. Gas pedal is 100% responsive and no wait for tranny to downshift so I don't even notice traction control transferring power to keep me going, and if there's the slightest sensation of traction control holding me back, I got 320ft/lbs of torque on tap, so its a nonissue. Trying to understand the hole argument of wanting VSC and traction control off hurts my head.
I'd get the oldest lowest mileage 4th gen you could. You'll get what you want and be done paying it much sooner. My 03 has a built date of Sept 02. They say not to buy a first year production, that may be true sometimes but not with the 4th gen. My 03 hasn't had a single issue/recall that's not also applicable to later 4th gens. All you need for pre-08's is [MENTION=56244]Kliv[/MENTION] VSC off, which I installed three winters ago, works flawlessly (was using it yesterday) to prevent engine de-throttle and gives no false indication. When I'm bombing thru snowy fields or whatever when I don't want to lock the CDL. I put the tranny in L, VSC off and let her rip. Gas pedal is 100% responsive and no wait for tranny to downshift so I don't even notice traction control transferring power to keep me going, and if there's the slightest sensation of traction control holding me back, I got 320ft/lbs of torque on tap, so its a nonissue. Trying to understand the hole argument of wanting VSC and traction control off hurts my head.
BlackWorksInc
New member
I don't quite get what you're saying... so because the VVTi 2UZ-FE gets 35 more HP (which to me doesn't matter, Torque is more important when it comes to Trucks/SUVs) it's a horrid engine? Or the fact that companies only make headers for the VVTi variant?
So my ability to yank TWO 4Runners daisy chained together (almost 10k in dynamic weight) in deep snow means nothing? Or the fact that my engine is strong enough to tow a trailer, rip some stumps out of the ground, and/or barrel up a hill at good speed means nothing because I lack the awesome 35hp increase?
Lets not go into the fact that if the VVTi phasers fail it's expensive or if the Secondary Air Injection Pumps fail they are VERY expensive to fix. Or the fact that mild bump in power is generally not something many 4th gen owners really notice/care about when they test drive the two variants.
The TRD supercharger was discontinued because of the inherent weak connecting rods in the 2UZ-FE (designed for an NA motor primarily) so the one big engine modification was discontinued long before the 4th Gens took stride anyways. So if you want to mod 2UZ-FE its an expensive adventure VVTi or not, but the VVTi will provide more challenges and roadblocks to modifying than the simpler non-VVTi engine.
If I sound a bit critical it's because I am trying exactly to nail down how the 2UZ-FE with VVTi is such a dramatic difference from the non-VVTi 2UZ-FE such as to completely negate the previous engine's existence as a stout, reliable and smooth revving V8.
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I still don't get why some people want to hotrod/modify a 2UZ-FE. Even with VVTi, redline is what, 5400 rpm? These are low-revving, high torque engines. The ECU software won't even let them rev high enough to take advantage of most modifications that increase breathing anyway. If going faster is a concern, try swapping your truck for a used Cayenne Turbo. You wanna talk about depreciation??
Pacesetter makes aftermarket headers for the 2003-2004 V8. Google it.
awdjunkies
New member
Here's the company which a makes pre VVTi aftermarket headers :
03-04 Toyota 4Runner, 4.7L, Pass. Side Manifold Catalytic Converter Sure a little pricey, but they are out there.
gshadow325
New member
i'd be surprised to see a cayenne turbo hit 200k. put $10k in mods on a v8 runner and its less than trying to maintain a cayenne to 200k
2006 turbo S cayenne
$800 for a AC compressor
$300 a pop for rotors
$10 per quart of oil it drinks every 1500-2000 miles
$75 per coil pack x8
$2400 to repair adjustable suspension controller
thats just the beginning when it hit 100k, its at 110k right now LOL
I'd dump a blower on my 192k v8 runner right NOW and not worry about it.
Honestly, this is the only vehicle i have ever owned with this much mileage and I would not hesitate to continue to dump more money into mods. it really does treat me THAT good.
awdjunkies
New member
But Oh man Steve [MENTION=93434]gshadow325[/MENTION] , Cayenne TT .. one of my all time fav. SUVs :zoom:
gshadow325
New member
first time i drove this truck was Patti LaBelle's 2006 turbo S with a genuine full tecart body kit, tecart wheels. back in 2006. fast fun truck.
My friend had a chance to buy a trade in back in 08 with 35k @ $41,000 Audi dealer just wanted to do a quick sale. they were going for $50-55 depending on options!
its a fast vehicle but i dont lust after these vehicles....I dont want to know as "whats the difference between a porcupine and a porsche owner? the prick is inside" lol
adam2562
New member
I actually wanted to hear what people had to say..those who have driven both or owned both and hear what current owners have to say about them.. any quirks that they have with them and etc.. and i have gotten a lot of that info thanks to this thread.
op2:
wadle5
New member
I'm sorry but just came across this and this is an AMAZING deal!!
Toyota 4Runner Limited Sport Utility 4 Door | eBay
Toyota 4Runner Limited Sport Utility 4 Door | eBay
