I Need Guidance To Pick The Right 4th Gen 4Runner

[RockyRider]

I'm a single dude who is going to be moving from the South East to a North West rural area within the next two weeks. I've currently got an older Ford hatchback that has a lot of miles which I want to get rid of, and a project car that's going with me. The plan is to replace the old Ford with a 4Runner, and rent a trailer to haul my project car and things to the North West.

So far I've test drove both a 2015 and 2007 4Runners in v6 and v8. I've decided that I want the torque of the v8 which means I need to find a 4th Gen model.

Features I Want
- 4 Wheel Drive
- Sunroof
- Gray Leather Interior
- Heated Seats
- Trailer Hitch

With the options above does this limit me to only the Limited trim? I also believe that all the 4th gen 4x4 models share the same differential setup? and no e-locker was ever offered in the 4th gen package? Is that correct?

Please give me guidance as I want to make a smart purchase. :lookout:

 

[GMZ]

If you want heated leather seats Limited is it unless you want to add those aftermarket. The 09 Trail Edition (V6 only) had a rear e-locker otherwise all trims share the same drivetrain.

Edit: I'd shoot for an 09 V8 Limited if that's what trim you want. They are out there and many don't seem to be driven much.

 

[ARunner]

GMZ is spot on. And unless you go with an 03/04 v6 that had a 4 speed transmission, they all have the same gear ratio.

It sounds like this will be your primary vehicle. They're pretty much the same thorought the years in terms of key components. There's the obvious facelift difference that was early on, but if you were considering a new one, I assume you're more in the market for the later model lower mileage 4Runner.

 

[gaara46]

i would get an 06+ so you have the projector headlights. i believe the LED tail lights started in that year too, but im not sure.

 

[jahmes143]

also i believe the limited's hitch is rated for more tongue weight and trailer weight. it's due to how it's tied into the frame better than other trim levels.

 

[07V8]

also i believe the limited's hitch is rated for more tongue weight and trailer weight. it's due to how it's tied into the frame better than other trim levels.

Thats not true at all.

 

[jahmes143]

Thats not true at all.

Ah you're right. I was going off memory and was wrong. After researching a bit more, what I was thinking of was V6 vs V8 and how one bolts to the crossmember while the other doesn't.

 

[cbr400rr]

Is there even a 09 V8? I have never seen one.

 

[RockyRider]

Thanks for the fast replies everyone! It's good to know all 4th generations trims share the same drive line. It seems a bit hard to find a limited model with sub 100k miles.

Here is a local one I found, but I think the mileage is a bit high.
2006 Toyota 4Runner Limited TN | serving Chattanooga JTEBT17R068035878

Also does anyone know if the 5th/4th gen seats, front or rear, are interchangeable?

 

[Gdmeadors]

The V8 IS indeed rated for heavier tongue weight and up to 7,000 pounds on trailer weight. v8's came in all trim levels and in the 4x4 and 4x2 drive trains. The 4x2 V8. Is rated for 7,300 pounds. That said, I would not tow that much weight. I have a 2006 Limited V8.

 

[WI_4Runner]

Buy before you get to the Northwest --- 4Runner's are a tough source in our area.

 

[black4vcobra]

Thanks for the fast replies everyone! It's good to know all 4th generations trims share the same drive line. It seems a bit hard to find a limited model with sub 100k miles.

Here is a local one I found, but I think the mileage is a bit high.
2006 Toyota 4Runner Limited TN | serving Chattanooga JTEBT17R068035878

Also does anyone know if the 5th/4th gen seats, front or rear, are interchangeable?

Way too high of miles for the price. 2 years ago I bought a 2006 4x4 V8 SR5 for $16500 and it had 85k on the odometer. I know it's a limited and you wanted heated seats but that doesn't justify the price.

Also, I have these aftermarket seat heaters and they work well - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rts imports&qid=1449509490&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

 

[WI_4Runner]

The V8 IS indeed rated for heavier tongue weight and up to 7,000 pounds on trailer weight. v8's came in all trim levels and in the 4x4 and 4x2 drive trains. The 4x2 V8. Is rated for 7,300 pounds. That said, I would not tow that much weight. I have a 2006 Limited V8.

Agreed - V8 owner here and my boat is about 3k lbs - not saying the 4Runner is a slug while towing, but I wouldn't enjoy towing double + that.

 

[Atlanta_man]

V8 - yes
4wd - yes, but be sure all the modes work and remember to exercise 'em
Sunroof - no, pricey to fix, cuts headroom, rarely used

 

[BOSMECH]

I would rent a truck and tow your project car here to the great PNW and buy one here so you don't ut miles on it.
As for heated seats you realy don't need them here as it is not as cold as you might think. You can also find some good 4Runners around here and they don't have rust since they don't use salt on the roads here.

 

[rooost]

Dont assume all Limiteds have sunroof...some dont!
All v8s are full time 4wd and I love it, great in the rain etc

The only annoying issue with the V8 is the header leak..which you can research here of-course.....

 

[techno]

Leather seats were standard on Limited grades, but were also an option on SR5's. I regularly found SR5's with leather when I was shopping this year.

I narrowed down my search to 08 or 09 models because they came with RSCA and VSC/TRAC OFF switch as standard.

 

[RockyRider]

I found a White 2006 4Runner Limited v8 4x4 with 126k and gray leather interior, I went ahead and put a holding deposit payment on it. All of the registration and service records show that the vehicle has spent it's time in Florida at Toyota and Lexus dealers. The used car lot that just got the truck, purchased it from a Lexus dealer.

I reviewed the service records on the Toyota Owners web site, and called the shops where the vehicle had been serviced. Everything looks good but I think it's still running on the original timing belt...

Since I plan on getting this truck and driving almost 3,000 miles, what do I need to do in preparation for this trip?

Here are the items that come to mind, let me know if I'm overlooking anything.

Parts To Replace
Timing Belt
Timing Belt trensioner
Timing Belt Idler Pulley
Water pump
Rear and Center Differential Fluid, what type should I use?
Motor Oil and Filter
Check Tire Pressure
Inspect Wiper blades
Top off windshield fluid
Verify functionary of all lights
Check tire pressure
Replace coolant with 80% coolant, 20% filtered water in preparation for cold weather.

I'm also going to buy a Bluetooth OBDII sensor and connect it to the app Torque to monitor the transmission temps while hauling. 160 to 180 is the optimal range?

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[07V8]

DO NOT make a home made remedy of coolant. Use ONLY Toyota Super Long Life Coolant from the dealer. All those maintenance items can wait if you want. The TB will not spontaneously combust.

 

[RockyRider]

DO NOT make a home made remedy of coolant. Use ONLY Toyota Super Long Life Coolant from the dealer. All those maintenance items can wait if you want. The TB will not spontaneously combust.

Understood, only use Toyota coolant.

How so I test the 4x4 system to make sure everything is operating correctly? With the standard FWD/RWD cars that I've purchased in the past, I always test driving through all the gears, and perform stop and goes on inclines in both D and R gears. I've discovered issues with transmissions by using these methods before in the past.

How should I approach testing the 4x4 systems?

Thanks!