vision-quest
New member
Thanks a lot for the info oljedi. Really appreciate it.
In the market for used 4x4 for off-roading. Couple of questions about the 4Runner.
- Thread starter vision-quest
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Thanks a lot for the info oljedi. Really appreciate it.
Sharpie330
New member
One thing more I will add about the Nissan Xterra. I have serviced hundreds of these vehicles and have never seen them with much more than 200k miles, most of them have been in the 100-150 range.
I have also serviced hundreds of toyotas and regularly see them with 250k plus. There are 4 that I can think of that come in for regular maintenance that have over 400k and one of them just crossed 500k. Each of them have the 3.4l v6 in them. It's the only gas motor that I have seen that almost regularly reaches 300k. That's not to say others aren't capable, it's jut what I have noticed over the last 10 years of doing vehicle maintenance for a living. The 3rd generation runners and first generation tacomas are solid.
I have also serviced hundreds of toyotas and regularly see them with 250k plus. There are 4 that I can think of that come in for regular maintenance that have over 400k and one of them just crossed 500k. Each of them have the 3.4l v6 in them. It's the only gas motor that I have seen that almost regularly reaches 300k. That's not to say others aren't capable, it's jut what I have noticed over the last 10 years of doing vehicle maintenance for a living. The 3rd generation runners and first generation tacomas are solid.
oljedi11950
New member
^ Yep great engine !! Why a lot of guys are putting them in the 2nd gen & that might be the best Gen with the 5sp manual !!! IMO The last true tailgate suv !
Oh man if you are going to be photographing all these places please make a build/adventure thread and let us follow you through your pics!
vision-quest
New member
Alright will do! I've already been to most of them, never been to Utah/Colorado/Arizona though so I'm really looking forward to exploring that area.
junkyardbiker
New member
What about the 22RE? I know far more of those that have passed 300k in more vehicles than just 4runners. Theyve been making that motor since the 70's right? Mine is well past 400k now and still has great compression, and no oil leaks or oil consumption! Just replaced what looked like the original alternator earlier this year!
thebrandon
New member
Get a Suzuki Samurai. You will stay well under budget. Parts are also dirt cheap for these and upgrading them is fun and easy. You may not have the power, storage space, or comfort you need on short medium, or long drives to and from anywhere in the country though. But they are still fun 
.
.vision-quest
New member
Get a Suzuki Samurai. You will stay well under budget. Parts are also dirt cheap for these and upgrading them is fun and easy. You may not have the power, storage space, or comfort you need on short medium, or long drives to and from anywhere in the country though. But they are still fun
Not sure if serious..
thebrandon
New member
Mostly not...but they are really fun vehicles. I am looking for one myself.
vision-quest
New member
I figured :biggrin1:
Do you guys think a 2007 SR5 with 65k miles for $16700 is a decent deal? Clean title.
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Martinjmpr
New member
Pathfinder?
Let me throw this out there: Since Nissan products seem to be on the table, have you considered an R51 Pathfinder? This would be the '05 - '11 or '12 model, I believe, which was the last Pathy to have a true body-on-frame construction (the new Pathy is a unibody crossover.)
I think the Pathy is an underrated vehicle for the kind of use you're talking about - mild off roading with true 4wd and low range. Now the Pathy has an independent rear suspension, which makes lifting both more expensive and more difficult, but if you're not planning to lift it, that shouldn't be an issue.
Complaints about the Xterra's "dated" interior are misplaced IMO. An Xterra isn't supposed to be a luxury vehicle, it's supposed to be a Spartan and rugged off roader. The Pathfinder is a better comparison to the 4th gen 4runner.
The R51 is a bit bigger than the 4runner and has 3 rows of seats. It has a V6 that is more powerful than the 4.0 in the 4runner, although less powerful than the V8. There was also a limited model of the V8 Pathfinder with full-time 4wd, although those are somewhat hard to find.
As for the comments regarding build quality, just remember, this is a Toyota board.
: Wife drives a Nissan and it seems to be as well built as anything else these days.
One of the biggest advantages of the 4th gen (2003-2009) 4runner, IMO, is the V6 with the multi-mode 4wd system. It gives you the option of keeping the vehicle in 4wd when you are on intermittently icy or snowy roads without having to worry about damaging the drivetrain. No Nissan offers this, to my knowledge.
To be honest, I was close to getting an R51 Pathy but it was the multi-mode that finally convinced me to stay with the 4runner.
On the 4runner with the V8 you get full time 4wd rather than multi-mode, but this will cost you in terms of MPG, which may or may not be a factor for you (lots of folks here will say "get the V8, the mileage difference is insiginifcant and then sure as hell, 6 months later they're on here complaining about the crappy MPG they're getting.
)
If you're bound and determined to stay below 70k in miles and below $20k in price, you're going to have a tough time finding a 4runner that fits into those requirements.
Let me throw this out there: Since Nissan products seem to be on the table, have you considered an R51 Pathfinder? This would be the '05 - '11 or '12 model, I believe, which was the last Pathy to have a true body-on-frame construction (the new Pathy is a unibody crossover.)
I think the Pathy is an underrated vehicle for the kind of use you're talking about - mild off roading with true 4wd and low range. Now the Pathy has an independent rear suspension, which makes lifting both more expensive and more difficult, but if you're not planning to lift it, that shouldn't be an issue.
Complaints about the Xterra's "dated" interior are misplaced IMO. An Xterra isn't supposed to be a luxury vehicle, it's supposed to be a Spartan and rugged off roader. The Pathfinder is a better comparison to the 4th gen 4runner.
The R51 is a bit bigger than the 4runner and has 3 rows of seats. It has a V6 that is more powerful than the 4.0 in the 4runner, although less powerful than the V8. There was also a limited model of the V8 Pathfinder with full-time 4wd, although those are somewhat hard to find.
As for the comments regarding build quality, just remember, this is a Toyota board.
: Wife drives a Nissan and it seems to be as well built as anything else these days. One of the biggest advantages of the 4th gen (2003-2009) 4runner, IMO, is the V6 with the multi-mode 4wd system. It gives you the option of keeping the vehicle in 4wd when you are on intermittently icy or snowy roads without having to worry about damaging the drivetrain. No Nissan offers this, to my knowledge.
To be honest, I was close to getting an R51 Pathy but it was the multi-mode that finally convinced me to stay with the 4runner.
On the 4runner with the V8 you get full time 4wd rather than multi-mode, but this will cost you in terms of MPG, which may or may not be a factor for you (lots of folks here will say "get the V8, the mileage difference is insiginifcant and then sure as hell, 6 months later they're on here complaining about the crappy MPG they're getting.
) If you're bound and determined to stay below 70k in miles and below $20k in price, you're going to have a tough time finding a 4runner that fits into those requirements.
vision-quest
New member
Thanks a lot for all of that Martin. I really would like that all-time 4x4 capability and the V6 over the V8 as I will be doing a decent amount of day-to-day driving in this and would like the extra MPG.
As you've stated, it's probably that ability of the Toyota that would keep me looking for a 4runner over the Pathfinder.
Do all the V6 trims in the 4th gen come with this ability?
I have actually found a couple of 2007 models with under 70k for about 19k which is good. I'm just hoping they are still available when I arrive in a couple weeks.
As you've stated, it's probably that ability of the Toyota that would keep me looking for a 4runner over the Pathfinder.
Do all the V6 trims in the 4th gen come with this ability?
I have actually found a couple of 2007 models with under 70k for about 19k which is good. I'm just hoping they are still available when I arrive in a couple weeks.
Martinjmpr
New member
Yes, all V6 4x4's have multi mode 4wd.
If you are seeing one with a very low price, make sure it is a 4x4. There are 4x2 4runners out here (although I can't understand why anybody would want one.)
vision-quest
New member
Yeah I'm keeping an eye out for that, thanks!
