Is 03 4Runner V8 Good?
- Thread starter cherishzm
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Vespula
New member
Mi$$ing the most important piece of info .... $
I purchased mine with 177k. The advantages with the 03 is that you do not need to worry about the secondary injection pump, and also the tranny has the dip stick
When you say you've heard about issues with the early ones, I think you're referring to the headgasket issues, which only affected the early V6.
I bought my 2005 V8 with 174k miles over a year ago and I'm loving it. You won't have the power bump of the 2005 V8 changes with VVTI, but you won't have the secondary air pump system to deal with (I bypassed mine.)
If the price is right, you're convinced it was well taken care of, and it's in good shape go for it.
I bought my 2005 V8 with 174k miles over a year ago and I'm loving it. You won't have the power bump of the 2005 V8 changes with VVTI, but you won't have the secondary air pump system to deal with (I bypassed mine.)
If the price is right, you're convinced it was well taken care of, and it's in good shape go for it.
Brabbit
New member
But also have less hp and torque.
I don't know man, it feels like it still has lot of power as a V8 even though stats say its HP and torque is lower. It gives me the right acceleration when I need it. Something a V6 will not provide.
Issues, what issues are you referring to?
I bought a '03 V8 with 270k and not a drop of oil. It's at 335k now and purrs like a kitten and I beat the piss out of her, gently of course. The PO is the original owner and he is a traveling sales person covering NM, AZ and CO so it's all hwy miles. I was 200k miles overdue with the timing belt too.
I feel that I gravitate toward the '03/'04 year V8s due to their simplicity and non-interference design. Yeah, the power/torque is a little less than the VVTI but a G note can fix that with the addition of DT headers and a Gibson cat back exhaust.
I say go for it if you are comfortable with the PM work that the owner has done.
kyle_uran
New member
I have a 2003 V8 4Runner. Bought it 3 years ago with 65,000 miles. Currently at 146,000 miles.
Compared to my dads 4.7 Tundra with VVTi, it has less power, but more torque than a 4.0 4Runner. No issues around town or on the trail and towing is decent.
I have basic mods: tires, sliders, roof top tent.
Only mechanical issues i've had was a routine timing belt/water pump at 90,000 miles. Also had a transmission harness that had to be replaced (likely from driving through flood water in Houston).
ABS booster pump also acted up, but has been reset at dealership by clearing code and that went away.
If money is right, you should get it.
Compared to my dads 4.7 Tundra with VVTi, it has less power, but more torque than a 4.0 4Runner. No issues around town or on the trail and towing is decent.
I have basic mods: tires, sliders, roof top tent.
Only mechanical issues i've had was a routine timing belt/water pump at 90,000 miles. Also had a transmission harness that had to be replaced (likely from driving through flood water in Houston).
ABS booster pump also acted up, but has been reset at dealership by clearing code and that went away.
If money is right, you should get it.
jreask
Member
ALL 2uz-fe are interference engines. Non VVTi are also interference motors.
If it was interference, then this bloke would've exploded his engine with a broken timing belt. Wouldn't the valves kiss the piston?
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...-fe-timing-belt-failure-aftermath-repair.html
https://dustrunnersauto.com/2uzfe/ also says that it's a non-interference
I know this is a hotly debated topic but that's not the intent of this thread.
jreask
Member
I think it depends some on the RPM's at the time that the belt breaks. Perhaps someone who knows more can chime in. Sorry to hijack thread. This is not my intent. I definitely would not take any chances with the timing belt.
If it's a non interference engine, the rpm the belt snap doesn't matter it will never touch obviously.
If it's an interference motor, the rpm the belt snap doesn't matter, it will always brake a valve. Idle or high in the rpm range will change the outcome of damage.
BRB I'll go break my timing belt and let you know what happens. I'll take one for the team.
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jreask
Member
wrong
