Looking for first 4Runner

W

whiteblur

New member
Hey Everyone!:hello:

The wife and I are looking to purchase our first 4Runner in the next few months. Looking for some insight on what to look for as far as problems areas and what features are nice to have.

I will be doing some towing, around a 20-23' boat and a small trailer from time to time. Will the V8 or V6 be a better buy for long term durability?

Read just a little about the Xreas?? system on these suvs. Should I try to stay away from it if possible?

Thank you everyone in advance! Hope to get some great information.
 
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If you are going to tow a boat obviously the V8 would be a better choice. The V8 has a belt and the 6 has a chain.. I bought the 6 mainly because I did not want to tear into the motor to change the belt..

If you plan on lifting the truck stay away from Xreas, IMHO, you can only put a spacer lift on with Xreas in place. I have a spacer lift on my 04 sport and haven't noticed any change in the Xreas handling.. When my Xreas craps out I will put a 2.5 full suspension lift on and rip Xreas out!

Either way you will love the Runner they are durable and solid rigs friend.
 
I have an '08 V6 and tow a 17' glass bass boat. Although the 6 does a decent job, it's a little lackluster on moderate to steep grades. I'd get the V8 if I had to do it over again.

This is my 3rd T4R and 6th Toyota overall. Considering that almost each of my previous Toyotas had over 200,000 miles and were still in very good condition with little maintenance required when I sold it, I really can't complain.
 
I've got 2wd and I sometimes find it taking a minute to get any traction on the boat ramp after dropping the jet ski's into the water. It should be rectified once I get new tires, but just food for thought as to why you may want 4wd. For me, I wouldn't use 4wd enough to justify the extra cost and increased maintenance.
 
04 with V6, 150k, XREAS and I occassionally tow a small trailer, 2500 lbs...

Yes the V6 struggles a little on steep inclines, XREAS appears to be a love/hate, I have had no issues with mine.

If I could go back and do it again I would have bought the V8, my initial concern was gas mileage but the power is nice. I recently drove the 8 for the 1st time and fell in love!

Good Luck whatever you decide, but certainly drive both engines before you do.
 
The only thing that has me concerned about the V8 is the extra maintenance involved. I am a traveling service technician and not home all the time, when I am home time is of the essence. I have replaced timing belts and chains before, but is the V8 really worth the hassle? I've also read something about the oil changes being a PITA??
 
Whats good price ranges for 04s-06s with V8s, 4x4, and say 60k-80k miles?

Im sort of lurking for one right now and will not pounce unless I find a steal...but Im not sure whats a steal of a price on these kinds of 4runners!

See some higher mileage ones with 120-150k miles for $12ish range give or take, and the lower mileage ones it seems folks can ask $16k all the way to nearly $20k! Then click on a dealer site holy smokes it goes up even more!
 
I have the 05 with the V6. I tow a small pop-up (2800 lbs) during the summer. It's not an issue at all. I have no complaints with the V6 what-so-ever.

And as for the extra maintenance costs of a timing belt....I tend to keep my vehicles over 300k miles...and I'm going to dread when I have to tear into the engine to replace the timing chain. Timing chain is lot more complicated then changing a belt.
 
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