hey guys, looking for a 4Runner

R

rebelbowtie

New member
I didnt make an intro thread in the new members section because i dont actually have a 4Runner. I am lucky enough to be a new dad and i need something bigger than my current rig for baby duty. I currently drive a 2008 P+ Audi A4 Q with S-Line appearance package and convenience interior package, i know this will be a huge step down from such a car. but i am kinda looking forward to getting back into a truck, long time GM truck owner and my last one was a 2004 2500HD 4x4 with some goodies on it.

anyways i am currently looking at a 2004 4Runner 4x4 with v8 with 90,000 miles, the dealer has it listed for $14,000 and i think that is a fair deal for the condition it is in. i am awaiting an email from the dealer and then possibly go test drive it. my question for you guys is what kind of quirks or problems can i look forward too on this model?

oh and if i do get this vehicle i will probably do a 2-3" lift with some BFG KM2's hopefully in the 255/85/16 flavor if they fit (i like tall and skinny tires), a roof basket, Borla XR-1, reese hitch and some HID's.
 
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Welcome to fatherhood and to hopefully the 4runner family. I too went from having a sports/luxury car (S4) to the 4runner due to the family needs growing (little boy back in March 2011) and have no complaints.. Other than missing the heated seats!

For the v8 the only thing to consider is that it will need a timing belt service soon. If you can get him to change it out before delivery that would take care of one of the bigger up coming expenses. About the only issues that seem to be common are frozen calipers and improper balanced tires..

Congrats on the little one.
 
450exc115 said:
Welcome to fatherhood and to hopefully the 4runner family. I too went from having a sports/luxury car (S4) to the 4runner due to the family needs growing (little boy back in March 2011) and have no complaints.. Other than missing the heated seats!

For the v8 the only thing to consider is that it will need a timing belt service soon. If you can get him to change it out before delivery that would take care of one of the bigger up coming expenses. About the only issues that seem to be common are frozen calipers and improper balanced tires..

Congrats on the little one.
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didnt expect to find another Audi convert on here, i read about the frozen calipers. i'm pretty handy with a wrench so if the dealer wont throw in the belt service i can knock that out no problem. curious as to why you mention improper balanced tires???? i dont see how the truck can cause that unless stock wheels bend easy or something and throw off the machine?
 
agreed. Have them swap the timing belt first. Also when you test drive it, test it going into 4Lo a few times and locking the center diff, just to make sure everything works smoothly
 
When you test drive the truck if a shake in the steering wheel it could be a frozen caliper (you will sense more when braking) or it could be they balanced the tires incorrectly. Audi are hub centric meaning the tire is balance against the alignment feature on the hole in the center of the rim. 4runners are lug centric and use the lug nuts to center the wheel on the frame. Most tire stores balance on the hole in the hub and not the lugs.. The 4runner rims have been know to have a bit of run out on the rim center hole which gives crappy balance.

Hope that helps clear it up. Oh and the older Audi's are famous for frozen caliper too as I regreased mine every year!

I forgot the 4Lo engagement... Yes that is important as most folks never use it...
 
Welcome to fatherhood. It's good stuff. It was quite a change in lifestyle for me but I'm loving it.

Regarding the 4Runner you're looking at - $14k for a 2004 would be a little high around here but that may just be what they're going for around there. Just price check around. The V8 does need a timing belt change at 90k as 45exc115 said. Call around and get prices from local Toyota dealers to get an idea of it's cost around here. I've seen people on here say anywhere from $500 to $1200 for the service. They generally change some other items while they're in there changing the timing belt.

Frozen calipers are somewhat common on all years of the 4th generator 4Runner. I think it's much more common in areas of the country that salt their roads in the winter. The other big thing to look for on V8's is cracked exhaust manifold's. They won't damage the engine but they'll make you fail inspection in areas where exhaust is checked. There are no aftermarket parts available for this so it's costly to get the parts from Toyota and get it repaired.

Other than that just make sure it shifts into 4WD low fairly easily. If the previous owner didn't exercise it the transfer case may be frozen up.
 
yea testing the 4wd is kinda no brainer when looking at a used 4wd vehicle.

450exc, lol thanks i'm not a total n00b i realize the difference between hub and lug centric wheels, i was just surprised you would mention tire balance issue cuz that just seems like a tire shop problem not a vehicle problem.

question though about hub size and bolt pattern on the wheels since we are on the topic. what are they? and are there any common OEM wheel swaps available for the 4Runner? i think the factory wheels are ugly, i know when i was into GM trucks the Nissan Titan wheels were a popular swap, same with H3/H2 wheels as well.
 
jimithing said:
Welcome to fatherhood. It's good stuff. It was quite a change in lifestyle for me but I'm loving it.

Regarding the 4Runner you're looking at - $14k for a 2004 would be a little high around here but that may just be what they're going for around there. Just price check around. The V8 does need a timing belt change at 90k as 45exc115 said. Call around and get prices from local Toyota dealers to get an idea of it's cost around here. I've seen people on here say anywhere from $500 to $1200 for the service. They generally change some other items while they're in there changing the timing belt.

Frozen calipers are somewhat common on all years of the 4th generator 4Runner. I think it's much more common in areas of the country that salt their roads in the winter. The other big thing to look for on V8's is cracked exhaust manifold's. They won't damage the engine but they'll make you fail inspection in areas where exhaust is checked. There are no aftermarket parts available for this so it's costly to get the parts from Toyota and get it repaired.

Other than that just make sure it shifts into 4WD low fairly easily. If the previous owner didn't exercise it the transfer case may be frozen up.
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carfax shows the vehicle was sold in Alabama and is a 2nd owner vehicle never left the state. and yes seems Toyota's are quite pricey around here, i was looking at some 06/07 models that were similar equipped but with v6 and more miles for over $20,000!!! i quickly passed on those.

what type of transfer case do these toyota's run? are they in house unit or are they made by NVG/NP or someone like that?


edit

just saw you mentioned cracked exhaust manifold, is the head aluminum? seems to be a common problem on all engines with aluminum heads and cast manifolds regardless of brand.
 
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dealer says the timing belt had been serviced, i am going to look at the vehicle this afternoon. feels so wrong going from an Audi to a Toyota but hopefully this vehicle will fit my family needs and i can keep it for 5 year at least
 
Quality is better and you will just drive it rather than have to deal with electrical problems or trim that falls off.. LOL

Not sure of the supplier for the 4wd components but it all electronic SO it not like you can force it to work. You turn the knob and wait for it tell you it's in.. That said V8s are AWD with locking center diff (4wd) and then a 4lo. What I found in my test drives is 1 in about 6 work as NO ONE ever goes into 4lo so the actuator either sticks or doesn't work (if it sticks, try putting it 4lo while at very slow roll in neutral which will yield a bang when it goes in) and most of the time the dealer will just swap out the case rather than try to fix the one in the 4runner.
 
Nothing wrong with it, great move actually. The 2UZ-FE iForce V8 is the one of the toughest engines ever put out there. Will be way more reliable than any Audi out there. Moves the 4Runner effortlessly too. Also, everyone has a blast modding up the 4Runners, lifts, wheels, tires, lighting, tons of options out there. If you get that truck, you may only miss the Audi a little, if at all.
 
Forgot to mention that you should take the VIN and go register it on the Toyota Owner's website. Some of it will be the same stuff that's on the Carfax but the Toyota Owners website generally gives you more detailed info if there was any real service work done by Toyota.
 
Sounds like the transfer case in question operated like the torsen AWD that nearly everyone uses not sure if it is actually that drive.

Driving to the dealer now and I'll let you guys know what I think.
 
Congrats on the rug rat. I was in the exact same situation as you last year when I picked up my '05 V8 SR5. I came from a 2004 Audi S4 Avant and the car seat would barely fit in the back. You had to move the passenger seat all the way up to make it fit! That and the fact that I didn't need a fast car anymore, not with a baby in the car.

So I came back to Toyota (had a 3rd gen runner and loved it) and I love this rig. That sounds like a decent price as long as the maintenance checks out. Good luck in your search, you've come to the right place for info.
 
krupnation said:
Congrats on the rug rat. I was in the exact same situation as you last year when I picked up my '05 V8 SR5. I came from a 2004 Audi S4 Avant and the car seat would barely fit in the back. You had to move the passenger seat all the way up to make it fit! That and the fact that I didn't need a fast car anymore, not with a baby in the car.

So I came back to Toyota (had a 3rd gen runner and loved it) and I love this rig. That sounds like a decent price as long as the maintenance checks out. Good luck in your search, you've come to the right place for info.
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yea i was really disappointed when i put the car seat in the back, that and i couldnt fit a damn stroller in the trunk without folding down the rear seat.

oh and i am going to look at the Toyota tomorrow, i hope it is nice and has been taken care of. if not i will continue shopping because regardless of debate a v6 is not an option for me. if i am buying an SUV i want the torque in the right spot, down low and the 4.7 is a proven engine.
 
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rebelbowtie said:
yea i was really disappointed when i put the car seat in the back, that and i couldnt fit a damn stroller in the trunk without folding down the rear seat.

oh and i am going to look at the Toyota tomorrow, i hope it is nice and has been taken care of. if not i will continue shopping because regardless of debate a v6 is not an option for me. if i am buying an SUV i want the torque in the right spot, down low and the 4.7 is a proven engine.
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Actually my v6 is great. It has plenty of grunt and I tow a 14 foot V-nose trailer with it 20 weekends a year all over New England with no issues.. While it isn't as strong as my F250 diesel with the 7.3L (535ftlbs of torque!) it is no slouch and gets into traffic almost as good as the wife Acura TL Type-S. Get 20 mpg is nice too, ok only 20 mpg when I'm easy on the gas pedal but 19-21 is normal for me. It's not your gramma's old v6 it's 260hp and lots of low end.. I dare you to drive a v6 and see for yourself.....
 
i'm sure it will work but i'm sold on the v8, i already have a set of Borla Pro XS mufflers for it and i am trying to design a set of rock sliders.
 
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