Just bought 04 4runner; ?s

[ttman]

Just bought 04 4runner; newbie ?s

had 2 miles on it when we bought it blue SR5 V6 (daz all we need)
1. any recommendations on breaking in the engine?
2. does toyota NOT include the actual ball on the towing hitch?
3. is it safe to go 1 tire size larger? I have 265/65 17s. can I go 275/65 17? will it rub? I want it just a lil taller.
4. wat's a bull vs safari bar?
5. if I buy a small 4x6 trailer, will I need a tag for it?
6. do u recommend reg, plus or premium fuel? reg or synthetic oil?

any other info for a newbie?

 

[Hoomiester]

Re: Just bought 04 4runner; newbie ?s

had 2 miles on it when we bought it blue SR5 V6 (daz all we need)
1. any recommendations on breaking in the engine?
2. does toyota NOT include the actual ball on the towing hitch?
3. is it safe to go 1 tire size larger? I have 265/65 17s. can I go 275/65 17? will it rub? I want it just a lil taller.
4. wat's a bull vs safari bar?
5. if I buy a small 4x6 trailer, will I need a tag for it?
6. do u recommend reg, plus or premium fuel? reg or synthetic oil?

any other info for a newbie?

1, Give it at least 500 miles without straining the engine and without maintaining a steady speed for a long time.

2. no ball with mine either.

3. I have no idea on tires.

4. Safari bar has lights or attachements for them (I think)

5. In Va you need tags for the trailor. heck your state laws.

6. I've used nothing but regular gas. Will be switching to synthetic after warranty goes.


Welcome and you'll love your new truck!

EDIT: Hey I forgot! You're not a "real" member until we get to see what it looks like on here. Post some pictures!

 

[sharp4runr]

1. No heavy towing for the first 800 miles. Try to take it easy on the brakes as well.

2. Nope, isn't included

3. plus sizing just one size shouldn't make too much of a difference. Use the tire size calculator to figure out how much bigger your rim and tire will be: http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

4. not too sure actually???

5. don't know that either.

6. Regular gas is fine. You can put more expensive if you'd like, but won't do any harm if regular is used.

 

[jharris2]

Several of your questions are answered already in this forum. Use the search function and poke around some -- you'll be amazed at what you will learn in the process.

 

[4Walker]

Reply....

1. any recommendations on breaking in the engine?
2. does toyota NOT include the actual ball on the towing hitch?
3. is it safe to go 1 tire size larger? I have 265/65 17s. can I go 275/65 17? will it rub? I want it just a lil taller.
4. wat's a bull vs safari bar?
5. if I buy a small 4x6 trailer, will I need a tag for it?
6. do u recommend reg, plus or premium fuel? reg or synthetic oil?

any other info for a newbie?

Response
1. As with any engine in any car...take 'er easy for the first few hundred miles.
2. No. Although I bought mine used, the dealership told me it the answer to that question was "no" for all of them (at least at that dealership).
3. Safe...possibly. I don't think they'll rub heigthwise, but be careful about how your Runner is going to calculate mileage. Obviously, I'm not a mechanic, but I've asked the same question and have been told that without other mods to your car, the mileage will be off. Check out http://www.faqfarm.com/Car/Mileage/23674
for more info. If anyone knows any better, please let me know!
4. I think Bull bars and Safari Bars are similar (both have options with or without lights), but Bull Bars may be for full-size vehicles and Safari bars for small to mid-size. I think, ultimately, that it depends on the size of the car...I think you can add Bull Bars to a Runner, but it counts as a modification vs. Safari Bars, which are smaller and don't count as mods? If i'm steering he/she wrong on this, someone let me know...
5. Depends on the state...
6. I put plus or premium in my auto regardless of the type of auto. More preference then anything (all seem to run different with higher-grade gas vs. low-grade when I'm low on fuel). But, I love my Runner and tended to put highest grade in it until prices got ridiculous, so I put plus.

Good luck, and rock on.

 

[Biff]

Re: Just bought 04 4runner; newbie ?s

had 2 miles on it when we bought it blue SR5 V6 (daz all we need)
1. any recommendations on breaking in the engine?
2. does toyota NOT include the actual ball on the towing hitch?
3. is it safe to go 1 tire size larger? I have 265/65 17s. can I go 275/65 17? will it rub? I want it just a lil taller.
4. wat's a bull vs safari bar?
5. if I buy a small 4x6 trailer, will I need a tag for it?
6. do u recommend reg, plus or premium fuel? reg or synthetic oil?

any other info for a newbie?

1. No real need for breaking in, but like someone said 500 miles is ok, also change your oil within that 500 miles, you never know what oil they have in your rig, better safe than sorry.

2. NO

3 Yes I did that as soon as I got my rig, DUNFLOPS went off

4. Just different style of front bars. Do a search on either and you will see pictures.

5. don't know

6. Don't spend your money on premium unless you have a s/c like me. Runner will run fine with reg. Syn vs Dyno if you are going to change do it now, helps the engine adjust better. Again this is a matter of taste not need.

 

[Good Times]

had 2 miles on it when we bought it blue SR5 V6 (daz all we need)
1. any recommendations on breaking in the engine?
2. does toyota NOT include the actual ball on the towing hitch?
3. is it safe to go 1 tire size larger? I have 265/65 17s. can I go 275/65 17? will it rub? I want it just a lil taller.
4. wat's a bull vs safari bar?
5. if I buy a small 4x6 trailer, will I need a tag for it?
6. do u recommend reg, plus or premium fuel? reg or synthetic oil?

any other info for a newbie?

1. Drive carefully and try not to drive it aggressively for the first 500 miles or so.
2. mine didn't come w/ squat. (just buy one at autozone)
3. if you have 17's then you can get some 265/70/17 w/o rubbing or lifting.
4. eh just check some catalogs and you'll get the picture. neither one are good in frontal accidents (known to cause more damage that one w/o it)
5. see your local DMV rules (I would think so btw)
6. good ol regular gas and regular oil is what I use. I change my oil every 3000 miles using regular and have driven close to 40k already in 1.75 yrs and I'm worry free! If you plan to be lazy and plan not to change your oil often then go w/ the synthetic since it'll last longer. else, don't bother wasting $ on synthetic if you plan to change your oil often.

welcome aboard! just look thru some older threads and you'll find most all of these q's answered. I just didn't want you to go and find em since sometimes it's a pain in the rear (even for me). Plus reading again and again is all part of the fun

good luck!

 

[hre814]

I won't go over all the answers, since I agree with all the above. But mine DID come with a ball for the hitch. I have a 2004 V8 Limited. Is is a Limited thing where they only give it to you? I don't know.

Herman

 

[mason4runner]

My 04 V-8 Sport came with the drop hitch, 2" ball & pin. It was all together in the box. hmmmm???? Maybe it's the difference with the V6 vs V8, since they have different receivers.

 

[darktiger]

My v8 Sports Edition came with ball/hitch. Congrats on your purchase, post some pics...

 

[MAC4Runner]

My T4R came with the ball and hitch as well...............

 

[srpage]

My 2003 SR5 V6 also came with the ball and hitch so it is not a "Limited" or "V8" thing.

I wonder if some of the dealers decide to pocket the hitches for sale later?

 

[tkr128]

Mine also came with the ball mount kit. I still haven't opened the box.

 

[dcampen]

Mine came with the ball as well, in a cardboard box in the compartment on the right, rear of the vehicle (as you are looking into it from the tailgate).

 

[DawgRunner]

:iagree:

Yep, mine too.

 

[bluewolf]

I got the stinger, but I don't think a ball came with it. You don't know what size ball you need anyway, until you get a trailer. They don't cost much... $8 to $10.

 

[fish]

Re: Just bought 04 4runner; newbie ?s

had 2 miles on it when we bought it blue SR5 V6 (daz all we need)

Congrats on the new toy.

1. any recommendations on breaking in the engine?

Follow the instructions in the manual. Very simple, very painless.

2. does toyota NOT include the actual ball on the towing hitch?

Yes. They do NOT include the ball...or at least they didn't with my Limited. Just the ballmount and pin.

3. is it safe to go 1 tire size larger? I have 265/65 17s. can I go 275/65 17? will it rub? I want it just a lil taller.

Yes, it will rub. "They" say you can run a 265-70x17, but I don't know first hand. Looks pretty tight without a lift.

4. wat's a bull vs safari bar?

Both mostly poseur add-ons that will break the legs of any pedestrians you hit. How many thickets are you going to run through in an urban environment?

5. if I buy a small 4x6 trailer, will I need a tag for it?

Check your state DMV regs.

6. do u recommend reg, plus or premium fuel? reg or synthetic oil?

Read your manual and use the suggested stuff.

cheers. :

 

[bool]

I didn't get a ball with mine or a drop hitch and pin. I did get all the cargo nets though. They were stuffed in my rear compartments over the wheel wells. I also had the first aid kit in my glove compartment. I should check the jack compartment for the drop hitch since I have a Limited.