Full time 4x4 disadvantages?

[jaebird82]

Hey,

Might pull the trigger on a 2003 v8 4x4 with under 40k miles because I'm getting a good deal. Wanted a 2005 v6 to save on some gas but I do love that v8 engine (my grandpa has the same 2003).

I live in SoCal so I don't need 4x4, but I do love the fact that I can drive some trails now. I drive in the mountains all the tiem and it would be awesome to just go off road. Any disadvantages to having full time 4x4? Anything I should know?

 

[aha2988]

only disadvantage is a little added maintance with the front differential always turning you'll want to keep the diff fluid changed out per maintenence schedule. Mpg's are pretty good all things considering. The V8 has a timing belt instead of a chain as well the V8 is an interference motor so you'll want to make sure the timing belt is in good condition or has been serviced accordingly. The only other thought that comes to mind is there not as many performance mod's namely superchargers available for the V8.

All that said I love my truck and the only thing i would enjoy the V6's 2wd capabilities would be to do some burn outs or donuts and im certain my tire budget thanks me for this lol.

 

[jaebird82]

Thanks for the info. 2003 sport edition 4x4 with under 40k miles for 15k good deal? actually i think it's under 30k miles. It's owned by a family that never used it older guy).

Would you jump on it? Or would you get an '05 v8 with higher mileage for the same price? I was actually hoping to spend no more than 11k on something with higher mileage but I guess this would help resale value.

only disadvantage is a little added maintance with the front differential always turning you'll want to keep the diff fluid changed out per maintenence schedule. Mpg's are pretty good all things considering. The V8 has a timing belt instead of a chain as well the V8 is an interference motor so you'll want to make sure the timing belt is in good condition or has been serviced accordingly. The only other thought that comes to mind is there not as many performance mod's namely superchargers available for the V8.

All that said I love my truck and the only thing i would enjoy the V6's 2wd capabilities would be to do some burn outs or donuts and im certain my tire budget thanks me for this lol.

 

[04_4runner]

Some will tell you there are disadvantages to full time 4x4 but not me! The biggest "disadvantage" you will hear is a slight hit on gas mileage. How you drive will have much more of an effect on your gas. I have had many trucks with part time 4 wheel drive. On the road you have to engage only when necessary, Ie. slick surfaces. Sometimes it is obvious, like its snowing or really raining causing standing water on the road. Many times you notice that you need 4 wheel drive AFTER you needed it like pulling out into traffic or making a hard turn while accelerating. Sure you can argue that you should be more cautious when this or that happens but bottom line you have to guess what is ahead. Full time 4x4 doesn't make you bullet proof but it gives a little edge. If two wheels start to slip, the other two can help pull you through. The torsen center diff and all the electronic do-hickies make this truck feel like its on rails.

You say you don't need it in SoCal but you may.
My last truck (cough Chevy cough) had part time 4 wheel drive. There is one particular highway entrance ramp near me that has a long sweeping turn, uphill with a very short merge. By the time you can see what is coming on the highway you are already there. If there is a semi coming you had better be up to speed when you try and merge. More than once the rear end of the Chevy tried to break loose if too much gas was applied. This has never been a problem in the 4runner. I can mat the petal with confidence.

Thanks for the info. 2003 sport edition 4x4 with under 40k miles for 15k good deal? actually i think it's under 30k miles. It's owned by a family that never used it older guy).

Would you jump on it? Or would you get an '05 v8 with higher mileage for the same price? I was actually hoping to spend no more than 11k on something with higher mileage but I guess this would help resale value.

Where you are makes a big difference on price so I can only speak about my experience here on the east cost. I paid less than 15K a year ago (from a Toyota dealer) for an 04 V8 with 73K miles. Since these run almost for ever, mileage should not be the biggest thing to consider. Be sure you get what you want for the price you want. If you want an 05 V8 (with the more powerful engine) and can find one for thousands less just because it has high mileage go for it! Just make sure it has been well maintained. Besides the obvious things like asking for receipts and having a mechanic look it over, go to Toyota.com and enter the VIN to check out what maintenance / recall work Toyota has done. Good luck.

 

[galactic_04]

Thanks for the info. 2003 sport edition 4x4 with under 40k miles for 15k good deal? actually i think it's under 30k miles. It's owned by a family that never used it older guy).

Sounds high to me, but it does have REALLY low miles. You do have to remember anything rubber has a limited age as well...

 

[jaebird82]

True. So timing belt and all that will probably need to be replaced sooner than 90k miles because it's still a 9 year old vehicle, correct? I assume he's on the original tires too so... Maybe I can talk him down, even though what he's asking seems to be well below blue book for the mileage. Decisions decisions. It also has the plastic cladding that wears over time but it looks good on this one. Just not into the two tone, but at least it's a black sport edition. I also saw on a forum where a guy plastidipped the plastic cladding to match the black paint and it looks pretty good.

other than the new engine in the 2005 v8's, does the 4runner feel different in the new years 4th gen's?

Sounds high to me, but it does have REALLY low miles. You do have to remember anything rubber has a limited age as well...

 

[aha2988]

Thanks for the info. 2003 sport edition 4x4 with under 40k miles for 15k good deal? actually i think it's under 30k miles. It's owned by a family that never used it older guy).

Would you jump on it? Or would you get an '05 v8 with higher mileage for the same price? I was actually hoping to spend no more than 11k on something with higher mileage but I guess this would help resale value.

I would jump on the 03 it doesnt have a few of the options the 05 might but there cheap modifications you can add like the aux port in the glove box. I would get the 03 cause its in such good condition and low milage and at 15,000 its still under its tax value. just my opinion. it really comes down to which one you like the best

 

[jaebird82]

Thanks for the advice. Well.. Ive never driven a 2005 v8. Im sure it has a few more options but as far as the "feel" of the truck, does it feel better than an '03? I guess they didn't change much other than more horse power. im not towing, so it doesn't seem like it's needed anyway.

I would jump on the 03 it doesnt have a few of the options the 05 might but there cheap modifications you can add like the aux port in the glove box. I would get the 03 cause its in such good condition and low milage and at 15,000 its still under its tax value. just my opinion. it really comes down to which one you like the best

 

[Border411]

Also check the boot on the CV joints on the front drive axles. The inner boot specifically. A lot of people, me included, had the clamp loosen up and as a result had the grease leak out and water get in. Check that small clamp and replace it with a worm clamp or something better.

 

[aha2988]

Thanks for the advice. Well.. Ive never driven a 2005 v8. Im sure it has a few more options but as far as the "feel" of the truck, does it feel better than an '03? I guess they didn't change much other than more horse power. im not towing, so it doesn't seem like it's needed anyway.

They didnt change anything in the drive line or suspension, and they didnt upgrade the V8 to the vvti or whatever until 06, maybe a few post 06 models recieved the new engine if they came through the factory at the right time but im unsure.

the 03 v8 4wd is rated for 7000lbs towing; however, there have been a few discrepencies against the hitch's. the factory produced the 03's with a bolt on hitch plate that bolts to the rear cross member. Later info came out that the particular hitch plate design used wasnt sufficient for 7000lbs of regular towing. Toyota switch out to a more weight dispributed hitch (not to be confused with weight distribution hitch as there is a difference) the new hitch grabes onto the frame rails instead of just the bottom and rear of the rear cross member.

a benefit to getting the 03 is that it doesnt have a seal transmission system (in other words it has a transmission fluid dip stick) so its easy for you to change tranny fluid, add, fill.) with this said

the 03's run a different differential fluid and a different transmission fluid than the new 4runners.

I believe the new differential fluid will work in the 03's so thats not a big deal just be sure to flush all the old fluid out good when changing diff fluid for the first time. The 03's came with 80w/90 non synthetic with a friction modifier, the newer ones run a 75w/90 fully synthetic no friction modifier needed (toyota official fluid only)

the transmission of the 03 takes "toyota ATF type IV" tranny fluid. so be sure to get the right fluid durring any transmission fluid changes.

the newer ones (with the sealed systems) use a "toyota ATF WS" tranny fluid and would need to have the dealer ship flush and fill for service.

Like i said I love my truck alot!!

 

[EvilMonkey]

They didnt change anything in the drive line or suspension, and they didnt upgrade the V8 to the vvti or whatever until 06, maybe a few post 06 models recieved the new engine if they came through the factory at the right time but im unsure.


The 2005 model has the V VTI

4Runner

 

[superman3043]

They didnt change anything in the drive line or suspension, and they didnt upgrade the V8 to the vvti or whatever until 06, maybe a few post 06 models recieved the new engine if they came through the factory at the right time but im unsure.

You're confused my freind or at least have a couple things backwards. The VVT-i V8 came in 05' and the Aux Port in 06'. I know, I've got one

So disadvantages to the full time 4X... really good traction?? Is that an answer? nah, other than that the only things I can think of, is the 2WD V8's are a good deal faster. But I've never needed to go faster than mine can already go. And at full lock on pavement, the thing wants to hop around a little.

I'd go with the 05'. The 03' has nice low miles, but I'm not a fan of the plastic cladding, So give me the one with more ponies!

Regardless, you're gonna love it. Good luck!

 

[binga]

I picked up my 04 back in 08 when fuel first went thru the roof. I believe it was 4k(ish) less than the V6 I was looking at and with more options and less miles. Mpg is only like 1-2 less on average than a 6 and you cant go wrong with the extra torque. Plus my exhaust sounds really good 0=)

 

[jaebird82]

I just wish I had more time lol. I think in order to get the V8 with all the options this one has, 4x4, sunroof, hoodscoop, etc. in my price range (no more than 15k) i'd have to get one with like 110k miles (still relatively low). by the time im done paying it off it'll have like 200k miles lol.

the one with under 30k miles is very temping because of mileage. tough choice. and yes the plastic cladding isn't great at all. i found someone that plastidipped theres and it looks a lot better, but that's a pain in the ass to do and upkeep.

You're confused my freind or at least have a couple things backwards. The VVT-i V8 came in 05' and the Aux Port in 06'. I know, I've got one

So disadvantages to the full time 4X... really good traction?? Is that an answer? nah, other than that the only things I can think of, is the 2WD V8's are a good deal faster. But I've never needed to go faster than mine can already go. And at full lock on pavement, the thing wants to hop around a little.

I'd go with the 05'. The 03' has nice low miles, but I'm not a fan of the plastic cladding, So give me the one with more ponies!

Regardless, you're gonna love it. Good luck!

 

[aha2988]

oh another fact u may want to kno that 03 will have smaller front brake rotors than the newer models that would be one thing I'd like different on my truck superman test drove my truck last saterday and the first thing he said was "ur brakes suck" I do have 33" tires though..

 

[Druss]

I just Love the fact I can choose between all wheel drive or just use the back tires whenever I want with my basic SR5 V6.
One day about 2 months after owning my first time 4th gen runner I noticed snow outside my window and after watching a full size (2 wheel) drive Chevy truck trying to make it up the street on my very slight hill street in front of my home I had to see what my runner would do just in 2 wheel drive and I must say I was very impressed all though I was forced to go slow with the build in traction features I did not spin at all versus his constant backing up.

 

[jaebird82]

Good to know.I do drive my grandpas 2003 right now and do notice his breaks are pretty soft when they are really needed to slow down fast.

and THE superman drove your truck? even with the v8 im sure he told you it was slow.=)

oh another fact u may want to kno that 03 will have smaller front brake rotors than the newer models that would be one thing I'd like different on my truck superman test drove my truck last saterday and the first thing he said was "ur brakes suck" I do have 33" tires though..

 

[4dailyRunner]

Full time 4WD

It takes a lot more effort to do a doughnut on a snow covered parking lot.

I suspect that is not a concern for you while living in SOCAL.

~~
4DR

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

oh another fact u may want to kno that 03 will have smaller front brake rotors than the newer models that would be one thing I'd like different on my truck superman test drove my truck last saterday and the first thing he said was "ur brakes suck" I do have 33" tires though..

This isn't 100% accurate. The sport edition and SOME limited models came with the larger brakes. I don't know how the limiteds got the upgraded brakes, it doesn't seem to be tied to any package or option that I've see. Best way to tell on the limited is to just measure the rotor to be safe. To my knowledge this is all 4th Gens. I know the 03 sports have the bigger brake rotors.

 

[MarkieG]

Only thing I've noticed...

Hey,

Might pull the trigger on a 2003 v8 4x4 with under 40k miles because I'm getting a good deal. Wanted a 2005 v6 to save on some gas but I do love that v8 engine (my grandpa has the same 2003).

I live in SoCal so I don't need 4x4, but I do love the fact that I can drive some trails now. I drive in the mountains all the tiem and it would be awesome to just go off road. Any disadvantages to having full time 4x4? Anything I should know?

I recently purchased an 06 4WD V8 Sport Edition with 28k miles and the only thing I have noticed with the 4WD system is when backing out of my garage and turning the wheel tight to make the turn the front wheels create a jerking/chirp. My garage door opens directly to a street (in apartment housing) and so I need to crank the wheel as soon as the front clears the garage siding - it is not cranked so far as to initiate the power steering stress sound. When I do this, I have noticed a slight chirp (similar to when turning hard in 4Lo on my old Jeep Cherokee) when the vehicle is cold. Otherwise, I don't notice the jurking when backing up or moving forward with the wheel cranked after the vehicle has warmed up.