I posted a similar thread on YotaTech, but there seems to be little traffic for the 4th gen forum.
Took the plunge and bought a 2008 4Runner with a V8 from a Lexus dealer. The truck has 40,000 miles with one more year of power train warranty. I loved my '99, but I need more power. I do miss the manual trans though. I made a list of couple things that I dislike, or that are wrong, or may be normal. I apologize in advanced if some of these have been discussed in the past. Is a long list and I found some threads, but not direct answers. If any of these is a common issue please direct me in the right direction. If you have any suggestions about any of these I am all ears. Thank you.
1- There is a slight snap or jerk when the truck comes to a stop, or when you come slowly out of the stop. It does not happen all the time. Could it be the transmission shifting into 1st gear? I found several threads suggesting to grease the drive shaft, but that does not seem to fix it. Thoughts?
2- the first couple times I tried to switch from 4H to 4L it seems that the 4L did not engage. I had the beeping and flashing 4L. After couple times it worked. Is this expected, say, from a truck that was not used in 4L much?
3- The truck has Michelin Cross Terrain tires. Are these standard with the 4Runner from factory? They are 17".
4- When I close the door there is a vibration coming from the roof, probably the moonroof. Is this normal? the moonroof does not seem as sturdy as the one in my '99. Couple threads talk about greasing some of the components. I will have to try this one.
5 -Under the car, the transmission skid plate has a plastic flap that is cantiliver facing back with a slight bent downwards. I think this is a bad design. If I am backing up in mud or snow, it will act like a shovel and sink the car more. Any mods for this? Should it be taken out?
6- There is no skid plate under the radiators in the front grille. Is the Toyota skid plate worth it, thouhts??
7- Is the little radiator in front, a trans or oil cooler? I was not clear on this. Some say trans, some say oil. Maybe they refer to trans oil...
8- It was impossible to find one without some rust on the underside, specially the rear axle and suspesion components. All the ones I saw had some rust. My '99 always had rust there too. I know up here they use salt on the road during winter, which does not help. I think this is a common Toyota issue.
9 -I hate the fact that the only 12V power supply is in the middle of the console. My '99 had two, and there were in the front of the console. If you have a radar detector I don't want the wires to go through the whole console. This is screming a mod. I think I will have to wire two extra outlets on the drawer that pops out below the A/C control area.
9- I also hate that the passenger window does not have auto up or down as the '99.
10- Almost forgot. I turned the steering all the way to the left and as I turned I heard a duble clunk couple times. It did not clunk to the right. An issue with the CV? If so, I hope it is covered under the powertrain warranty.
Sorry for the long list. Let me know if you have any ideas or mod suggestions.
Thanks.
______________
New: 2008 4Runner V8
For sale: 1999 5-Speed SR5 4Runner (tall OEM springs+shocks front; Rear: OME 906 rear + Nitro 60028; ISR and deckplate mods w/True-Flow filter; P265/75R16 Bridgeston Dueler A/T Revos)
Before: 1994 5-Speed SR5 4Runner
Then (in Venezuela):
1987 Land Cruiser FJ70
1979 Land Cruiser FJ40
Took the plunge and bought a 2008 4Runner with a V8 from a Lexus dealer. The truck has 40,000 miles with one more year of power train warranty. I loved my '99, but I need more power. I do miss the manual trans though. I made a list of couple things that I dislike, or that are wrong, or may be normal. I apologize in advanced if some of these have been discussed in the past. Is a long list and I found some threads, but not direct answers. If any of these is a common issue please direct me in the right direction. If you have any suggestions about any of these I am all ears. Thank you.
1- There is a slight snap or jerk when the truck comes to a stop, or when you come slowly out of the stop. It does not happen all the time. Could it be the transmission shifting into 1st gear? I found several threads suggesting to grease the drive shaft, but that does not seem to fix it. Thoughts?
2- the first couple times I tried to switch from 4H to 4L it seems that the 4L did not engage. I had the beeping and flashing 4L. After couple times it worked. Is this expected, say, from a truck that was not used in 4L much?
3- The truck has Michelin Cross Terrain tires. Are these standard with the 4Runner from factory? They are 17".
4- When I close the door there is a vibration coming from the roof, probably the moonroof. Is this normal? the moonroof does not seem as sturdy as the one in my '99. Couple threads talk about greasing some of the components. I will have to try this one.
5 -Under the car, the transmission skid plate has a plastic flap that is cantiliver facing back with a slight bent downwards. I think this is a bad design. If I am backing up in mud or snow, it will act like a shovel and sink the car more. Any mods for this? Should it be taken out?
6- There is no skid plate under the radiators in the front grille. Is the Toyota skid plate worth it, thouhts??
7- Is the little radiator in front, a trans or oil cooler? I was not clear on this. Some say trans, some say oil. Maybe they refer to trans oil...
8- It was impossible to find one without some rust on the underside, specially the rear axle and suspesion components. All the ones I saw had some rust. My '99 always had rust there too. I know up here they use salt on the road during winter, which does not help. I think this is a common Toyota issue.
9 -I hate the fact that the only 12V power supply is in the middle of the console. My '99 had two, and there were in the front of the console. If you have a radar detector I don't want the wires to go through the whole console. This is screming a mod. I think I will have to wire two extra outlets on the drawer that pops out below the A/C control area.
9- I also hate that the passenger window does not have auto up or down as the '99.
10- Almost forgot. I turned the steering all the way to the left and as I turned I heard a duble clunk couple times. It did not clunk to the right. An issue with the CV? If so, I hope it is covered under the powertrain warranty.
Sorry for the long list. Let me know if you have any ideas or mod suggestions.
Thanks.
______________
New: 2008 4Runner V8
For sale: 1999 5-Speed SR5 4Runner (tall OEM springs+shocks front; Rear: OME 906 rear + Nitro 60028; ISR and deckplate mods w/True-Flow filter; P265/75R16 Bridgeston Dueler A/T Revos)
Before: 1994 5-Speed SR5 4Runner
Then (in Venezuela):
1987 Land Cruiser FJ70
1979 Land Cruiser FJ40
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