No more Land Rover

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Tartan Army

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Well, after 13 years of swearing by Land Rover I have come to my senses and am now looking for a Toyota. I like the 4th gen 03-09 models. I know that there are some cosmetic changes from 06-09 but is there anything else?

I do a fair amount of off road trail driving and like to run bigger tires, ome suspensions, diff locks, and various types of other kit.

What 4th gen model would best suit this? Do they come with diff lockers or are there aftermarket lockers?

thanks.

Sorry if this topic gets addressed on a weekly basis, I didnt have time to look through all of the posts
 
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For exact details on changes from year to year check out this site: Toyota Reviews - New 2011 Toyota Reviews, Used Toyota Reviews and Comparisons: New Car Test Drive

Mechanically all V8s are full-time 4wd with a change to VVT in 2005 for some added HP and torque. Also the V8s have a 5 speed trans vs 4.
The V6s are pretty much the same engine through the years with a change to a 5 speed trans from a 4 in 2005. Overall the consensus is that most prefer the 5 speed for better hwy mileage. I run right about 2000rpm doing 75mph.
Also the sport and some limited editions come with a hydraulic shock system XREAS. More on that here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/perfo...superchargers-more/1076-xreas-suspension.html
However many remove the system post 100k in favor of bilstein shocks.
As for lockers I don't recall the exact year/option but I think there was a limited release option of a rear locker. However most all 4th gens have the center locker option standard as well as hill descent control. Many also have a VSC (vehicle stability control) off button. If not it's easy enough mod to add one yourself from what I have read on here.
 
Tartan Army said:
Well, after 13 years of swearing by Land Rover I have come to my senses and am now looking for a Toyota. I like the 4th gen 03-09 models. I know that there are some cosmetic changes from 06-09 but is there anything else?

I do a fair amount of off road trail driving and like to run bigger tires, ome suspensions, diff locks, and various types of other kit.

What 4th gen model would best suit this? Do they come with diff lockers or are there aftermarket lockers?

thanks.

Sorry if this topic gets addressed on a weekly basis, I didnt have time to look through all of the posts
Click to expand...

Probably the best bet for you is an '09 Trail Edition. You'll get the rear locking diff in addition to the center locking diff (this is on ALL 4th gen 4Runners), which combined with ATRAC makes it pretty the most offroad capable 4Runner ever. Unfortunately, the Trail Edition was only available in the '09 model year and they are pretty rare.
 
Thanks for the info. As far as the engine choices, the V8 offers more hp/torque and more fuel consumption than the V6. Is one engine better/more reliable than the other?
 
Tartan Army said:
Thanks for the info. As far as the engine choices, the V8 offers more hp/torque and more fuel consumption than the V6. Is one engine better/more reliable than the other?
Click to expand...

On paper, the mileage difference between the two is very minimal.

The v6 has a timing chain that you don't have to replace. The v8 has a belt which has to be replaced as part of regular maintenance. Both are great and reliable engines, there's only been a few v6 failures on this site, can't recall seeing one about a v8 failing.

Either way, depending on what your wants/needs are, either will treat you just fine.
 
Tartan Army said:
Thanks for the info. As far as the engine choices, the V8 offers more hp/torque and more fuel consumption than the V6. Is one engine better/more reliable than the other?
Click to expand...

If you decide to go for a Trail Edition, you have no choice but the V6.

Either way, both engines are excellent and very reliable. I prefer (and chose) the V6 because of its better fuel economy and the fact that it has both full-time 4wd and a 2wd mode. The timing chain is an added bonus too.
 
some models have x-reas suspension, you might look into if you want that too. I am glad I don't have it but something to consider.

Also I thought that the v6 got updated in 2006 to the vvt-i
 
ridefast said:
some models have x-reas suspension, you might look into if you want that too. I am glad I don't have it but something to consider.

Also I thought that the v6 got updated in 2006 to the vvt-i
Click to expand...

You might be thinking about the V8 engine, which got upgraded in the 2005 model year. The V6 engine has been the same for the entire run (2003-2009), but the V6 model's transmission went from a 4-speed automatic to a 5-speed automatic in the 2005 model year.
 
I drove LR for 13 years. The one''s I drove where either heavy armored or lightly armored. LR's are a great vehicles but have many failure points. One I found out about right away: The first time I attempted to drive off I found the previous driver had applied the parking brake (Handbrake.) and, because of the inboard brake setup, snapped one of the rear half-shafts!
I also had the gear lever snap off, overheating of the V8 LR when the AC was running, oil burning like a destroyer putting down smoke, no heat in winter, no cool in summer and water leaks round the doors.
 
Offroad a well running Land Rover cannot be touched. They are absolutely amazing. However, like many of you said, It's all the little annoyances and breakdowns that drive their owners insane.

Thanks for the info. I'm leaning towards the V6 but will have to drive a V8 as well
 
I bought the V8 and have no regrets at all. It is a really nice driving engine with lots of power to get this heavy truck up and moving. The deciding factor for me is that it is also AWD and after 16 odd years of driving only AWD vehicles I'll never got back.
 
Zulu95 said:
I bought the V8 and have no regrets at all. It is a really nice driving engine with lots of power to get this heavy truck up and moving. The deciding factor for me is that it is also AWD and after 16 odd years of driving only AWD vehicles I'll never got back.
Click to expand...

Not sure if you realize this or not, but the V6 has a full-time 4wd mode (AWD mode) and a 2wd mode. The V8 is full-time 4wd only, no 2wd mode.
 
I have an 04 4Runner with the V6 and it has plenty of power. But I am used to a Jeep on 33's and 35's and a 4 cylinder little Chevy so what seem like allot of power to me really maybe not that much. I can get about 22-24 mpg on high way and usually average around 20mpg. It makes for a good tow vehicle for my 3k camper.

I do not off-road my Runner very much, I have another vehicle I use for that. The issue I have with the 4Runner is the traction aids, the IFS and so much metal and glass. When I wheel I want to be able to spin my tires to clear the mud out of them. With the traction control and the power cut off whatever crap it makes that basically impossible, there may be ways to get around this. Because of the traction aids, the IFS and the huge body I would never consider turning my Runner into and off-road rig for the typed wheeling I do. That is not to say the 4 Runner is not a capable machine but just not for me.

The traction assist stuff does do an excellent job in the snow. On snowy or icy roads (unless the snow is deep) my stock 4 Runner kicks but over my “off-road” vehicle even with all its mods.
 
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