2004 4runner limited bought new. Now has 215k miles. at 130k head gasket cost $3400 to fix and now both cats and fuel sensors at $2500. No difference in my toyota 4runner and my 2003 bmw, I should have traded them in before they hit 100k miles. My 1991 accord and 1997 camry were amazing, reaching 150k plus with no major repair bills.
Is it worth keeping at 100k miles? what else can go wrong?
- Thread starter vicrc
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bombventure
New member
I’d say as long as your frame is good, the truck is good as well. Normal wear and tear, replace and move on. As far as your HG goes, it’s a known issue that the early models can result in a HG failure.
Sounds like you’ve already taken care of some major issues, so why sell when it can go way further than 215k miles?
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Sounds like you’ve already taken care of some major issues, so why sell when it can go way further than 215k miles?
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WVhillbilly
Member
Asteroid strike.
Sharknado
Anything could go wrong, if you don't like it anymore then trade it.
100K-120K on many vehicles is
Ball joints
Timing belt
CV shafts
Fuel pump
Water pump
So someone does a few of those, says "this thing is a POS" trades it in and someone else gets another 60-80K trouble free miles out of it.
My company truck (2011 F250) has had $8300 in repairs in the last 2.5 years.
It's at 160K of mostly highway miles and doesn't get beat on, I'd never put that much money into it if it were mine.
Thanks for that, I did the water pump once at 80k and will be expecting for another I am sure. I guess I just been unlucky with the earlier 2004. Hoping to keep it till 250k and at that mileage will be easier to give away than to sell it.
Your well past 100k with only 2 repairs. I'd say your doing well and keep going. I don't even think 100k is anything these days with preventive maintenance. Of course things happen that may be a fluke but you can't predict that. Heck I was looking at buying a used car with 100k on it. Didn't even think twice about it if it drives well and has good service records.
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HOJeepster
New member
I think one of the main advantages of owning a 4th Gen 4runner is that they are dependable past 100k+. I'm at 215k and don't bat an eye.
WVhillbilly
Member
I'm 46, grew up driving 70s cars.
Water pumps, spark plugs, carb rebuilds, shocks and so on were about ever 2-3 years.
In between it was valve cover and oil pan gaskets, u joints, alternators and batteries.
Now, I hardly open the hood on anything.
The good old days, you bet.
I'll take my EFI that I can tune with a lap top and 10K mile oil change intervals thank you very much.
Water pumps, spark plugs, carb rebuilds, shocks and so on were about ever 2-3 years.
In between it was valve cover and oil pan gaskets, u joints, alternators and batteries.
Now, I hardly open the hood on anything.
The good old days, you bet.
I'll take my EFI that I can tune with a lap top and 10K mile oil change intervals thank you very much.
Drunner97
New member
I'm at 130k and the only major things that have failed, I've done myself (rear diff and transfer case blew out on me) pushing the rig too hard. Other than that, wheel bearings, tie rod ends, and the usual assortment of fluid changes. I'm also the 3rd or 4th owner, so I have no idea the rear diff, transfer case, or towing history of this vehicle and they very well may have never failed if I had been the first owner. Makes me a little worried that the transmission may go next, but I just did some fluid changes and it's been running fine since.
hoodwink33
New member
I purchased my '06 in December with 158k miles on it. I didn't hesitate buy it with this many miles on it. Three months in, I feel like I made a great choice and wouldn't hesitate buying another one with equals miles.
L8Shift
Member
What else could go wrong, "getting sucked into a lease payment"?
Pocket that for now!
Keep up with regular maintenance, with a decent shop, it appears you have one that got you this far. :dancin:
I purchased my 06 V8 Limited this Dec. 2017 with 130K miles.
I've let the salesman test drive her after the initial mods went in, and he says it rides better than a 2018, and has acceleration to go with it, for what I have in her.
Needing new cats would be an invite to bolt on headers/cat back. :noidea:
With that many miles, a new suspension is not out of the question, some new tires and brakes, you could be good for another 100K.
Or head on over to the Lexus Dealership, they have a new GX waiting for you!
But at least give us T4R followers a chance to own her, before you trade her in.
jreask
Member
I just bought a 2004 V8 SPORT. 240K miles. I have owned so many of these trucks. I have had some that were well maintained, some that were abused. The mileage does not scare me at all. I put the TB, WP, etc on it. New CV's, tires. Changed plugs and all fluids. I fully expect another 100K miles. Or more.
I just picked it up from my indy repair shop. Smells a bit burnt with the new cats, but i must say it seems to scoot a lot better than before. The 4runner is my son's ride now, I have a new Sienna. Don't get me wrong I love Toyotas, I know they are reliable, I just feel like my 2004 4Runner as being worst year made.
Jeffy
New member
You've got nothing to worry about, keep that sucker. I bought my 5th gen with 105k on the dash, my 4th gen had 150k when I picked that up and I never thought twice about it. Aside from flukes and a few documented issues (like your head gasket and cat failures), these vehicles will easily make it to 400k miles.
Side note: You can get the cats done cheaper than 2500. A set of aftermarket headers will cost less than 1000, and a decent shop should charge well under 1000 to install them. Not sure if the Doug Thorley headers are CARB legal in CA yet since you're in Burbank, but take a look as a set of those are only 750ish for a very high quality header that will also give you a performance increase. I had mine installed for about 300 bucks.
Side note: You can get the cats done cheaper than 2500. A set of aftermarket headers will cost less than 1000, and a decent shop should charge well under 1000 to install them. Not sure if the Doug Thorley headers are CARB legal in CA yet since you're in Burbank, but take a look as a set of those are only 750ish for a very high quality header that will also give you a performance increase. I had mine installed for about 300 bucks.
hoodwink33
New member
Side note: You can get the cats done cheaper than 2500. A set of aftermarket headers will cost less than 1000, and a decent shop should charge well under 1000 to install them. Not sure if the Doug Thorley headers are CARB legal in CA yet since you're in Burbank, but take a look as a set of those are only 750ish for a very high quality header that will also give you a performance increase. I had mine installed for about 300 bucks.[/QUOTE]
Never thought about this. Good to know incase I'm in the position some day.
Never thought about this. Good to know incase I'm in the position some day.
