Need advice - Buying 04 4runner

S

Stroth

New member
I am looking for some help / advice and stumbled upon this forum.

I am currently driving an 02 rav4 with 180K on it. It used to be my wife's car. I cannot stand the thing. It is just too small for me.

About the max I can afford right now is around 10k. I can't believe how high the resale values are on these things. Is 10k a reasonable price? I am looking to dump the rav4 and get an 04 or 05 4runner. There are a few within an hour of me that look promising. I figure I can at least enjoy driving the 4runner for a few years for short money instead of hating life in the rav 4.

Are their specific year classes of 4runner that are better, or more desired?

Anything I should look for in particular when I shop around?

I need something that can take a beating, drive on a beach a few times a year, handle the snow cold and miserable winters we have here in MA and hopefully make it to at least 200K. Oh, and with a wife two kids and a dog, this truck will need to get to the grocery store, soccer games, and whatever else my family has planned.

Thanks for any insight and information.
 
Register to hide this ad
Get it up on a lift, remove the skid plate and spare tire, and carefully check the frame for rust. I'm also in eastern MA and the frame of my '03 4Runner rusted to oblivion and had to be replaced.

Check to make sure that the 4WD system works - make sure you can shift into and out of 4lo. Also make sure that the center diff will lock and unlock.

For a V6, have a mechanic check for intake manifold leaks.

If you are looking at a V6, I would look for the later models with the 5-speed transmission. I'm not a fan of the 4-speed. I think they changed to the 5-speed in 2006.

If you are on a budget, you need to consider the fuel economy. Gas isn't going to stay at $2.5/gal. I get ~14.5 mpg on my '03 V8. Figure a couple more for the V6.

Also, you need to realize that the 4Runner will not drive like a car the way the RAV4 or Highlander would. It is a solid rear axle, body-on-frame truck, and it drives like one. Every time I drive a car it reminds me just how badly the 4Runner drives. I had a Camry for two weeks while Toyota replaced my frame, and it amazed me at how much better the Camry drove than my 4Runner. And the Camry is not a sporty car by any stretch of imagination.

I put up with the 4Runner's behavior because I need to take it offroad.
 
Last edited:
2004 has the old 4 speed auto, 2005 has the current 5 speed. I had a 2004 v6 sport 2wd & it was the best car I've owned. the only issue was the downshifts on the highway while towing were rough. the 05 had led tail lights & tube style rack/steps also.
 
A 2004 V8 has the 5 speed A750F.

2005 was a transition year.

All are great. I bought mine with ~100k on it. Drives like new. Maintenance is your friend. Check the service records at toyota.com/owners.

Read about the various model year changes here:

Toyota 4Runner History 2003

and

4Runner

And a bunch of other pre-purchase info here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html

This has been the best vehicle I've owned and I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. I expect it to have it at least another 5 years/100k miles before thinking about getting a newer vehicle. Even then it will probably stay in the family.
 
dawudih said:
2004 has the old 4 speed auto, 2005 has the current 5 speed. I had a 2004 v6 sport 2wd & it was the best car I've owned. the only issue was the downshifts on the highway while towing were rough. the 05 had led tail lights & tube style rack/steps also.
Click to expand...

Check your stats......04 V8= 5sp. Led = 2006+ Tube rack/running boards = 06+ sports/urban runners
 
OK, just to clear this up, the OP doesn't specify whether he is looking at an '04 V6 or V8.

V8 always had the 5-speed, regardless of the year.

'03 and '04 V6 had the 4-speed. In '05, the V6 was given the 5-speed. There are folks with '03 and '04 V6 who like the 4-speed. I prefer the 5-speed. Drive both and see what you like.
 
Lots of great info here. Thank you!

Prior to driving the rav4 I drove a 2000 tundra that I got in 2003 and just traded in for my wife's highlander. Yes, I know. I should have never gotten rid of that truck! The bed was all rusted out though and it would have been very tough to pass inspection.

I miss the ride of that truck and how bulletproof it was and want some of that back with the 4runner. I do very little highway driving, mostly suburban roads. I think I would prefer the v6 over the v8. Filling up that tundra was not much fun.

I have a good friend who is a mechanic and I know he will take a look at something for me.

I am not sure if you are allowed to post links on this forum. But, here is one I am currently looking at:

Used 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 at Waltham Auto Gallery
 
Stroth said:
Lots of great info here. Thank you!

Prior to driving the rav4 I drove a 2000 tundra that I got in 2003 and just traded in for my wife's highlander. Yes, I know. I should have never gotten rid of that truck! The bed was all rusted out though and it would have been very tough to pass inspection.

I miss the ride of that truck and how bulletproof it was and want some of that back with the 4runner. I do very little highway driving, mostly suburban roads. I think I would prefer the v6 over the v8. Filling up that tundra was not much fun.

I have a good friend who is a mechanic and I know he will take a look at something for me.

I am not sure if you are allowed to post links on this forum. But, here is one I am currently looking at:

Used 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 at Waltham Auto Gallery
Click to expand...

That looks like a pretty good deal assuming it's been maintained well and that title is clean.
 
Stroth said:
I miss the ride of that truck and how bulletproof it was and want some of that back with the 4runner. I do very little highway driving, mostly suburban roads. I think I would prefer the v6 over the v8. Filling up that tundra was not much fun.
Click to expand...

I think you won't get much better mpg in the V6. Maybe 1-3 mpg. Of course, if gas goes back to $4 then every little bit helps.

While acceleration is similar with both engines, I prefer the character of the V8. It has a lot of low-end torque right off the line, so it is able to scoot with very low revs and very little noise. It is pretty effortless. The V6 you have to rev and I find that its sound just isn't as refined. There are a lot of V6 fans here who disagree with me, so try them both and see which one you prefer.
 
That looks like a nice one, especially with the heated leather seats. If you can get the price down I think it would be a good buy. I bought an 04 V8 with 147K for 7500 bucks two years ago. They wanted 9,000 for it but I bargained down to 7500 because it needed a timing belt and the check engine light was coming on. The only other things it has needed since then was a new exhaust, and power steering lines and transmission cooler lines- all related to RUST underneath. I would have your mechanic take off the front skid plate and take a look at those lines which are located near each other behind the radiator. If you do get it- there is a guy outside of Concord NH (HEATH) who sprays heated chain saw oil underneath for rust protection. Thats all he does, car after car! Mine will be going back this summer for a second application.
 
Hapeacres said:
That looks like a nice one, especially with the heated leather seats. If you can get the price down I think it would be a good buy. I bought an 04 V8 with 147K for 7500 bucks two years ago. They wanted 9,000 for it but I bargained down to 7500 because it needed a timing belt and the check engine light was coming on. The only other things it has needed since then was a new exhaust, and power steering lines and transmission cooler lines- all related to RUST underneath. I would have your mechanic take off the front skid plate and take a look at those lines which are located near each other behind the radiator. If you do get it- there is a guy outside of Concord NH (HEATH) who sprays heated chain saw oil underneath for rust protection. Thats all he does, car after car! Mine will be going back this summer for a second application.
Click to expand...


how do you tell if the truck has heated seats? I don't see any buttons anywhere for them?

Newbie here - so just wondering.
 
mace4runner said:
how do you tell if the truck has heated seats? I don't see any buttons anywhere for them?
Click to expand...

I've never seen an SR5 with heated seats. The Limited has heated seats from the factory. There is a dial for each seat on the center console, between the shift lever and the center console storage. You can see the driver side dial in this image:

photo.php
 
M1911 said:
I've never seen an SR5 with heated seats. The Limited has heated seats from the factory. There is a dial for each seat on the center console, between the shift lever and the center console storage. You can see the driver side dial in this image:

photo.php
Click to expand...

My SR5 has heated seats, they are aftermarket though. Didn't know that when I bought the truck but they work fine.

Pretty sure it's this kit Amazon.com: Sports Imports LLC Deluxe Carbon Fiber Dual Temp Universal Seat Heater Kit: Automotive
 
stumped?

Well now I have thoroughly confused myself.
.
I was in the area and test drove the truck in the earlier link. Everything looked good on it and then I took it for a ride...

Now, before I go further. I will say that I am 6'3 with an long torso (only 30' pant inseams). My hair was touching the roof? I also felt like my vision was impaired and that I was basically looking through the top 25% of the windshield.

Are any of you over 6' 2"? Is this something others have reported, or am I just out of my mind.

As for the ride, these things feel like they could go through anything!

Now my search goes on.... Maybe I need to drive a different year or something? Or start researching vehicles with high cabin clearance....

I wanted this truck to work too. UGH UGH UGH
 
Stroth said:
Well now I have thoroughly confused myself.
.
I was in the area and test drove the truck in the earlier link. Everything looked good on it and then I took it for a ride...

Now, before I go further. I will say that I am 6'3 with an long torso (only 30' pant inseams). My hair was touching the roof? I also felt like my vision was impaired and that I was basically looking through the top 25% of the windshield.

Are any of you over 6' 2"? Is this something others have reported, or am I just out of my mind.

As for the ride, these things feel like they could go through anything!

Now my search goes on.... Maybe I need to drive a different year or something? Or start researching vehicles with high cabin clearance....

I wanted this truck to work too. UGH UGH UGH
Click to expand...

This might sound like a stupid question , but did you lower the seat all the way? I'm 6'4" and don't have the " head rub" issue in my '03 Sport.
 
I think it was the sunroof. I have to find another one without the sunroof and see if that makes a difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 324 (members: 2, guests: 322)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,075
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top