Looking at a 4Runner, have questions...

[TheWanderer]

Currently driving an '04 Rav4 & looking to move up to an 03-04 4Runner for space & power reasons. Thus far the Rav has been flawless at 60,000miles without having had to put anything into it other that maintenance.

My questions are, on a bone stock 4Runner, what kind of mileage are you guys experiencing?

My Rav has been averaging 23US MPG or 10L/100km or 28Imperial MPG, so I'm curious what kind of cost increase I'll have there.

Otherwise, is there any problem areas I should be looking for?

Love my "J" built Toyotas, so nothing else is really an option for me!

 

[BROOKLYN]

as far as milage you will see a noticable difference, its a much bigger suv.
when it comes to maintance it doesnt require much. there arent many issues either. this truck is so solid that people on this forum search for reason to spend money.

 

[4runr30]

Before mods I was getting 18-19 city and 22 hwy, I thought that was pretty good for a mid size suv. That only lasted for a week though, before I added none air dynamic accessories.

 

[Nuke]

There are minor MPG differences between the V8 and V6. I've owned a '90 (2nd gen), '00 (3rd gen) and now '08 (4th gen) 4Runners; all V6's. In addition, I've owned 3 other Toyotas. I don't even begin to expect problems even by 200,000 miles.

Fuel economy has a lot to do with driving style so it's tough to get input from people. But I will say that all 3 of my 4Runners would get in the 20-24 MPG range on the highway (hand calculated, pump-to-pump) providing I kept the engine at or below 1800 RPM's. With my '08, that usually equates to about 60-65 MPH for me @ 24 MPG but I can never stay there. The fuel mileage drops significantly over 65. At a steady 70 MPH I average around 18-19 MPG.

Welcome to the world of 4Runners!

 

[peter78]

I keep records. In the last 10,000 miles, I got 19.23 MPG on my 2004 V6 2WD. A 2005 V6 got a 5 speed transmission and it may be slightly better. Take into account my 4Runner is 2WD, the 4WD model is geared the same, so I would expect about the same mileage, maybe a little worse. (It should be noted I use sythetic oil and drive fairly easy.)

I hardly ever go on highway, but it will break 20 MPG if you stay on the highway. I know the RAV4 is a different vehicle, but the newer RAV4 (2006+) has a good bit more room than your 04. If your going by just room, the newer RAV4's may be worth a look, especially the ones with the 3.5 V6.

Warning: If you do decide to go to the dark side and get a 4Runner, you will be hooked and will never go back being Luke Skywalker.

 

[TheWanderer]

Wow. In all honesty 22-24HWY is much better than I expected. My daily commute is only 25 miles & all highway at speeds of 60mph or less & other than having to deal with morons who can't figure out how to merge, I'm very light footed.

So that's good to know.

Any areas to look for as far as rust? Like near the plastic panels etc?

The truck I'm looking at has 62,000miles & has a history of a downstream 02 sensor code, otherwise clean bill of health.

I'm also looking for one because of the increased towing capacity.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Wow. In all honesty 22-24HWY is much better than I expected. My daily commute is only 25 miles & all highway at speeds of 60mph or less & other than having to deal with morons who can't figure out how to merge, I'm very light footed. My Atlanta commute is similar and my mpg display frequently reads 25+/- which means 22 or so. (The displays are optimistic.) I agree with the others that above 65-67mph is a mpg killer w/ the T4R.

So that's good to know.

Any areas to look for as far as rust? Like near the plastic panels etc? Look the tailgate over carefully and around the sunroof. The other "known" corrosion issue involves the front calipers. Frozen caliper pistons isn't a huge problem but some experience it.

The truck I'm looking at has 62,000miles & has a history of a downstream 02 sensor code, otherwise clean bill of health. Change the trans fluid. Great sticky in Maintenance that covers the procedure, special fluid etc. That's my soapbox issue

I'm also looking for one because of the increased towing capacity. They do tow very well for a mid-sized vehicle:bigok:

When testing the vehicle run the t-case through the modes too.

Good luck!
:cheers:

 

[TheWanderer]

Then I should have any trouble pulling a 4400lb boat?

The Rav's been a great little vehicle, but it's pretty limited on it's abilitys. The 1500lb towing capacity just isn't cutting it.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Then I should have any trouble pulling a 4400lb boat?

The Rav's been a great little vehicle, but it's pretty limited on it's abilitys. The 1500lb towing capacity just isn't cutting it.

Hmmm... The big question is the 4400lb boat; is it really 4400lbs or is it more? Is the 4400lb number full of gas, gear coolers etc? How much gear do you put in the T4R, how many passengers?

Where do you live? Where do you tow? If you are out west and at any substantial elevation I'd look for a V8 unless it's a 1 or two short tows a year. The V6 will do it well enough but if you oversize the tires or use the full payload ability you'll appreciate the extra power.

In that weight range the trailer needs to be braked. Airlift 1000 or the Firestone equivalent for leveling the loaded vehicle is a nice, cheap addition too.

 

[vando45]

Our boat, trailer, etc. weighs about 4500 lbs. and our V8 4Runner does a great job towing it. Wouldn't want to tow up any hills with a V6.

 

[TheWanderer]

I'm talking 4400lbs loaded, no cargo, trips back & forth importing from the US, 800 miles round trip. I'm on flat land up here, so hills aren't an issue, mostly in Manitoba, North Dakota & Minnesota. Was going to definitely do the air bags & levelling.

I'd been contemplating a full size truck, but just can't justify the fact that they are such money pit POS's.

I love my J built Toyotas, between the Rav & my wife's Yaris, they've been great. Inlaws have an 06 Camry and a 2010 Rav.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I love my J built Toyotas, between the Rav & my wife's Yaris, they've been great. Inlaws have an 06 Camry and a 2010 Rav.

:iagree: 'J' stuff is special.



If it's flat you should be fine... The V8 would be better though. I'd consider an aux trans cooler too. The V8 model comes with an external cooler.


The best way to plan loading is to consider the two big limits, the tow capacity and the GCWR. Obeying those two limits allows you to figure it easily. A 4wd, V6 T4R has a curb weight of 4600lbs +/- a bit. That leaves about 5k for a 'payload'. Mechanically speaking it looks like Toyota ok'd even more that that with a WDH hitch.

 

[TheWanderer]

OK, I think I'm safe weight limit wise....we're talking towing like that 3-4 times a year, so that should be fine. I'd really prefer the V6 for mileage & ease of service issues.

Time to go put an offer in on one....

 

[Tempsho]

I'm talking 4400lbs loaded, no cargo, trips back & forth importing from the US, 800 miles round trip. I'm on flat land up here, so hills aren't an issue, mostly in Manitoba, North Dakota & Minnesota. Was going to definitely do the air bags & levelling.

What are you using now to pull 4400lbs? With the V8 4wd 4Runner, taking it easy on the highway you can still get 19-20 mpg. So if you dont mind sacraficing a couple more mpg vs the V6, the V8 would be the way to go.

Where abouts in Manitoba do you travel? (just a curious Manitoban asking)

 

[peter78]

OK, I think I'm safe weight limit wise....we're talking towing like that 3-4 times a year, so that should be fine. I'd really prefer the V6 for mileage & ease of service issues.

Time to go put an offer in on one....

I see where you are going with this, so uor right, the RAV4 will not be any good at towing. My average of 19 MPG includes some towing. I get about 16 or 17 towing about 2,200 pounds. I would think you would get under 15 MPG when you tow 4,500 pounds.

I agree that the V8 would be better, but keep in mind that the 3rd generation can tow 5,000 pounds and it has a 183 HP V6. The 4.0 V6 should be OK, better than the 3rd gen., but there will be times, the engine will work to keep it going.

One thing, if you get a V6 4th gen. 4Runner, you can get a distributing hitch on the rig and with that much weight, I would recommend it. You will have to take the old weight carring hitch off and put the new one on.

 

[Nuke]

I went from a 2nd gen to a 3rd gen and now a 4th gen; all V6's; towing campers and boats. The 4th gen with the 4.0L V6 is very capable but I wouldn't want to be pulling 4400 lbs any distance with a V6 if I had the choice of a V8. Don't get me wrong; the V6 does very well but my loads nowadays are not much more than 2200 lbs. I'd definitely go with the V8 if I were in your shoes. Plus, the fuel mileage isn't much lower.

 

[TheWanderer]

What are you using now to pull 4400lbs? With the V8 4wd 4Runner, taking it easy on the highway you can still get 19-20 mpg. So if you dont mind sacraficing a couple more mpg vs the V6, the V8 would be the way to go.

Where abouts in Manitoba do you travel? (just a curious Manitoban asking)

In MB I'm just back & forth from St Andrews to Lac Du Bonnet, I make a few trips per summer down to the Minneapolis area & import a few quads per summer, but I'd like to bring back a few under 19-feet boat.

I dragged my 17' Yamaha Jet Boat back from there with the Rav, it's about 1900 loaded.