Could use recommendations: Dealer might deal re: problems.

[Climb14er]

I'm talking with the head person at the large dealership/corporation I purchased all of my Toyotas from here in Denver re: the problems I've had with the 2007 V8 4Runner Sport namely harmonic vibration and drive shaft clunk.

They're talking with me at this level as I've been a long time customer of theirs and they know that Toyota Corp will NOT step to the plate and fix the issues mentioned.

When I got the call from them, it came out that I would be willing to 'deal' for a V6 instead of another V8, as the latter is where the problems have been showing up... and not on the V6.

What will I notice in the driving style of the V6 as compared to the smoothness of the V8? Anything out of the ordinary, maybe a little more noise due to the chain rather than belt?

I'm sure the V6 will have more than enough power even for the long mountain passes in Colorado.

Finally, I tow a 2000# trailer and racing 18ft sailboat, lightweight for the V8... would I notice more downshifts with the V6?

Can I have Toyota install the same type of HD/frame hitch for the V6 as what I have for the V8?

Will I need a tranny cooler for the V6 like I have for the V8?

Anything else you'd recommend so that I have the 'beta' BEFORE I go into potential negotiations with Toyota... assuming they want to come to the table and realistically deal. And I told them that I'd have to be out of pocket little for all the time and aggravation wasted on the V8's problems.

I would appreciate the assistance especially from the V6 owners and those who went from a V8 to a V6.

Thanks!

 

[alaskaman]

Hate to tell you this but in my 07 V6 SE I have the clunk.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

As a V6 owner I can tell you it's great but it's no V8. The harmonic vibration and clunk issue can, in theory, happen when the V6 is run in 4HI. I only notice the slightest harmonic vibration at 65 and faster. It's very slight and when I run in 2HI; NOTHING! I don't have any noticeable clunk. You'll never notice the noise of the chain. I am sure it will shift a bit more but nothing excessive. It'll pull your light boat just fine. Have them pull off your old V8 hitch and put it on your new one as part of the deal. It doesn't need an extra trans cooler to tow. I personally think it's a good idea but not necessary if you adhere to the 60k fluid change interval associated with towing.

IMHO, spend the money and rent a V6 Runner for a couple of days and make sure you won't be disappointed. Enterprise in my market rents them. That's the only way to be sure... If the dealer really wants to work with you perhaps an extended V6 test drive in an 05 or 06 off of the used lot.
:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

The driveshaft clunk/thump is there. Mine has it.

 

[Climb14er]

The driveshaft clunk/thump is there. Mine has it.

I'm bummed!

 

[Neil]

Mine is an older v6 and I don't have the driveline clunk that others have talked about but I do have harmonic vibration and the sulpher stink. My understanding of the vibration is that it is a design issue with the shape of the body and angle of the windows. For example, if I run the rear windows down and the others are up, the sound of the whump is unbearable. My work around is to crack the front or crack the back or use the a/c. I tow light loads with mine and it tows well but if I did more often or more then 3k pounds then I would definetly install a transmission cooler and an upgraded hitch. I have never driven a v8 but I have heard they are smoother and sound better. Having said all that, I still love my v6 and I have not had one mechanical problem. It is nice getting better gas mileage, not having to worry about timing belts, changing the oil filter by just unscrewing it off the top of the engine. One other downfall is that you are supposed to change the plugs every 30k, but I usually stretch that to 45k and haven't noticed any huge mpg loss or power loss. I also love the multi mode 4wd. If you take a v6 as a "deal" try to get the 09 trail team edition with the locker.

 

[G.I.G.]

I've done a couple of searches re the harmonic drone and I'm still not clear on exactly what causes it. It sounds like some of the V6 owners have experienced it as well so I guess that rules out the problem only being with the V8 in full-time 4X4? I also read a while back that it may be due in part by running after-market exhaust systems. Is that true? Are you guys who are having problems running after-market exhaust?

I haven't experienced it so maybe I don't have the problem or I just don't notice it. My 4Runner is whisper quiet compared to my old Jeep GC. :

Is there any other rhyme or reason for this happening other than the MPH and being under load (i.e. windows up/down, AC on/off, 4X4 engaged/disengaged)?

Climb14er, I hope you get everything resolved to your satisfaction soon!

 

[TheBlueWave]

Honestly, I've ridden in very few cars that don't have some kind of harmonic vibration somewhere between 0 and 80 mph. I never noticed anything until I joined up here and read some posts (damn you guys : !)

The driveline "clunk" is really not a big deal and people blow it up. A buddy of mine who is a Toyota truck guy and a mechanic, thinks the clunk or driveshaft floating as he calls it, actually helps reduce the chances for damage when driving off road and on rough terrain (just a theory of his, even though a Lexus TSB exists). Just do your maintenance and keep driving it hard!

 

[eskimochaos]

Honestly, I've ridden in very few cars that don't have some kind of harmonic vibration somewhere between 0 and 80 mph. I never noticed anything until I joined up here and read some posts (damn you guys : !)

The driveline "clunk" is really not a big deal and people blow it up. A buddy of mine who is a Toyota truck guy and a mechanic, thinks the clunk or driveshaft floating as he calls it, actually helps reduce the chances for damage when driving off road and on rough terrain (just a theory of his, even though a Lexus TSB exists). Just do your maintenance and keep driving it hard!

It doest help but it relieves air pressure from inside the drive shaft preventing cracking your transfer case...a simple hole through the drive shaft would work but instead it thumps out because it has no "correct" escape

 

[alaskaman]

The 4Runner is a T R U C K. if you want a vehicle absent clunks I would suggest looking at brands which are known for seemless rides body and interior without with the bops pops and clunks.

Me. I like the clunk. but I like trucks so it's ok with me that it's not perfect ...just the best vehicle I could own for my purposes.

 

[Climb14er]

Honestly, I've ridden in very few cars that don't have some kind of harmonic vibration somewhere between 0 and 80 mph. I never noticed anything until I joined up here and read some posts (damn you guys : !)

The driveline "clunk" is really not a big deal and people blow it up. A buddy of mine who is a Toyota truck guy and a mechanic, thinks the clunk or driveshaft floating as he calls it, actually helps reduce the chances for damage when driving off road and on rough terrain (just a theory of his, even though a Lexus TSB exists). Just do your maintenance and keep driving it hard!

That's absurd! And I've been in the automotive business for many years.

I got a call from a very higher up in Toyota this morning and he explained to me that the drive shaft issue is prevalent in all of the V6 and V8 SUV's and trucks in the automatic transmission models..

There was a part that was left out of the design process, for whatever reasons Toyota had, and they won't share with me the reasons, surrounding the yoke that could be lubricated/greased and adjusted. It's just not there on any of the automatic transmission/4 x4 wheel drive systems.

To me it's a big deal! Perhaps to your buddy or his buddys, or their buddys, it's no big deal.

I also have a Colorado Class A CDL and I've driven almost every type of truck on this planet and the 4Runner is NOT a truck. It's an SUV that has most of its miles on pavement and not off-road.

How many times do I have to say that even if you drive your primary vehicle off road, 95% of the mileage or more is on-road!

That's where I hear the freakin clunk-clunk-clunk, similar in sound to the rear end that's loose on a circa 1970's Detroi metal poorly constructed vehicle.

Anyway, I posted not to get these type of 'this is what you have, a truck, so deal with it' type of posts but rather something constructive.

Toyota set it up for the entire drive shaft assembly to get removed, lubed with the GM high temp grease, the yoke will be lubricated, all of the zerks and then we'll see what happens.

There will be no more Toyota automatic trannys with 4X4 systems for me until this problem gets worked out.

 

[eskimochaos]

That's absurd! And I've been in the automotive business for many years.

I got a call from a very higher up in Toyota this morning and he explained to me that the drive shaft issue is prevalent in all of the V6 and V8 SUV's and trucks in the automatic transmission models..

There was a part that was left out of the design process, for whatever reasons Toyota had, and they won't share with me the reasons, surrounding the yoke that could be lubricated/greased and adjusted. It's just not there on any of the automatic transmission/4 x4 wheel drive systems.

To me it's a big deal! Perhaps to your buddy or his buddys, or their buddys, it's no big deal.

I also have a Colorado Class A CDL and I've driven almost every type of truck on this planet and the 4Runner is NOT a truck. It's an SUV that has most of its miles on pavement and not off-road.

How many times do I have to say that even if you drive your primary vehicle off road, 95% of the mileage or more is on-road!

That's where I hear the freakin clunk-clunk-clunk, similar in sound to the rear end that's loose on a circa 1970's Detroi metal poorly constructed vehicle.

Anyway, I posted not to get these type of 'this is what you have, a truck, so deal with it' type of posts but rather something constructive.

Toyota set it up for the entire drive shaft assembly to get removed, lubed with the GM high temp grease, the yoke will be lubricated, all of the zerks and then we'll see what happens.

There will be no more Toyota automatic trannys with 4X4 systems for me until this problem gets worked out.

You and Faddiday should marry each other.

 

[TheBlueWave]

You and Faddiday should marry each other.

Yeah, jeez, sorry I pissed you off so much dude, I don't appreciate basically being called an idiot,either since I made no slanderous or inappropriate remarks to you, nor will I, because I take the high road. Good luck getting Toyota to cover for you. If I was a betting man, I'd bet against it.

 

[Climb14er]

You and Faddiday should marry each other.

I did not come at you personally. Perhaps the mod should throw your butt off of the site! One of 'em said he'd do it if things got personal.

 

[eskimochaos]

I did not come at you personally. Perhaps the mod should throw your butt off of the site! One of 'em said he'd do it if things got personal.

Look I dont care how many Toyota's you have bought at in the past but here's the deal. The harmonic vibration is a characteristic of the 2UZ-FE V8 engine that debuted in 98' LC. My mom's 99LC had the problem, my mom's current 04 LC has the problem, my V8 4r has the problem.....my mom doesnt notice and I dont care.

There is nothing that can be done...this is why you are allowed to test drive cars to find things that will bug you if you decide to get it.

As for the clunk, it is an unfortunate characteristic that can be reduced if you grease the drive shaft every time you get an oil change.

P.S. Mods should throw all winers off this site as well.

 

[Climb14er]

Look I dont care how many Toyota's you have bought at in the past but here's the deal. The harmonic vibration is a characteristic of the 2UZ-FE V8 engine that debuted in 98' LC. My mom's 99LC had the problem, my mom's current 04 LC has the problem, my V8 4r has the problem.....my mom doesnt notice and I dont care.

There is nothing that can be done...this is why you are allowed to test drive cars to find things that will bug you if you decide to get it.

As for the clunk, it is an unfortunate characteristic that can be reduced if you grease the drive shaft every time you get an oil change.

P.S. Mods should throw all winers off this site as well.

How old are you? Twenty nine? And you have all the answers.

The harmonic vibration started at 1100 miles... the clunk started shortly thereafter at 2K miles. The sulfur smell just began this summer with the A/C on.

Sure, you're such a know-it-all that all of these problems would have been apparent at the initial test drive.

NOT!

Maybe you should go back to your momma and get all the answers from her. It seems as if she taught you that you have all the answers.

NOT!

:

 

[eskimochaos]

How old are you? Twenty nine? And you have all the answers.

The harmonic vibration started at 1100 miles... the clunk started shortly thereafter at 2K miles. The sulfur smell just began this summer with the A/C on.

Sure, you're such a know-it-all that all of these problems would have been apparent at the initial test drive.

NOT!

Maybe you should go back to your momma and get all the answers from her. It seems as if she taught you that you have all the answers.

NOT!

:

Im 19 actually.

I do know all the answers.

Here is a link to the website that Fadiddy found his lawyer at:

http://www.lawyers.com/

The harmonic vibration IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almost all 4R's have the clunk, deal with it, it is NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL!!!!!!!!!!

Drive with the rear-window up = problem solved regarding the sulfur smell.....it says right in the manual DO NOT DRIVE WITH REAR WINDOW OPEN.

Driving causes a vacuum like effect behind the car causing exhaust gasses to enter.

If you'd like me to re-write this in another language let me know because it seems you are having a difficult time accepting that you bought a middle-low end ford of japan light truck.

GET OVER IT

/cry on Fadiddy's shoulder

 

[peter78]

Perhaps the mod should throw your butt off of the site! One of 'em said he'd do it if things got personal.

Hey, were talking about driveshaft clunk and harmonic distortions, not about how old you are, who should marry who, who is or is not an idiot and which mod should throw who off the site.

Please abide by our simple rules, i.e. no whining, no personal attacks, if not I will freeze this thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5809

 

[TheBlueWave]

I did not come at you personally. Perhaps the mod should throw your butt off of the site! One of 'em said he'd do it if things got personal.

Throw me off? I guess I'll let the mods decide, but I'm pretty sure I did nothing wrong. Oh well, I know where I'm not wanted (this thread at least). Later boyz!

 

[peter78]

Throw me off? I guess I'll let the mods decide, but I'm pretty sure I did nothing wrong. Oh well, I know where I'm not wanted (this thread at least). Later boyz!

I am not throwing anyone off, lets talk about 4Runners. At worst I will close the thread, thanks.