Pre-Purchase Info, Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's

[J4s0nSm1th]

2005 V8 Advice?

Hey y’all I’m new to the forum and haven’t owned a car in roughly 8 years... reading everything I can but the wealth of knowledge here is far greater than i can absorb! Love it

Originally looked at 3rd gens but then I found this one. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

2005 Toyota 4Runner 4.7L V8 4wd Serviced and Loaded!! - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

 

[Tpweiss9953]

Info helped me a lot on my recent purchase.

 

[montijo505]

Hey y’all I’m new to the forum and haven’t owned a car in roughly 8 years... reading everything I can but the wealth of knowledge here is far greater than i can absorb! Love it



Originally looked at 3rd gens but then I found this one. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.



2005 Toyota 4Runner 4.7L V8 4wd Serviced and Loaded!! - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

I would keep looking. The price isn’t bad but sounds like it may have the exhaust tick which needs header replacement and will cost you at least $1000 on the lower end. Another thing to check with the V8’s is the timing belt/water pump service. It needs replacing every 90k miles and I don’t see that listed here. That’s another $800-$1k at least. I’m sure you can find a cleaner one for not all that much more. Good luck.


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[Diocletian]

Hopefully new owner here, great write up, been following it along!

I am currently in talks with a reputable dealer(I have a long history with them and know their management and service team very well) and I am about to purchase a 2006 SR5 V6 4x2 with 158k. Vehicle never left central Florida, looking at service history it has a good maintenance history as well.

I have the service team doing a full service, 4 brand new tires, brake pads, rotors, spark plugs, drive belts, oil and filter and flushing any fluids as needed. The car will be ready tomorrow or Thursday, then I will inspect the car with a fine tooth comb myself.

Initial impressions are very good, it looked cared for and I noticed it has a practically brand new $300+ head unit installed with a backup camera(which works great!). It’s a Kenwood ddx6705s and I’ve been noticing a lot of users here have similar head units to this one, would be nice if the previous owner was a prior member here but that’s a long shot.

I think I’d be making a good purchase here but anyone else think so?

 

[Bluesky 07]

Hopefully new owner here, great write up, been following it along!

I am currently in talks with a reputable dealer(I have a long history with them and know their management and service team very well) and I am about to purchase a 2006 SR5 V6 4x2 with 158k. Vehicle never left central Florida, looking at service history it has a good maintenance history as well.

I have the service team doing a full service, 4 brand new tires, brake pads, rotors, spark plugs, drive belts, oil and filter and flushing any fluids as needed. The car will be ready tomorrow or Thursday, then I will inspect the car with a fine tooth comb myself.

Initial impressions are very good, it looked cared for and I noticed it has a practically brand new $300+ head unit installed with a backup camera(which works great!). It’s a Kenwood ddx6705s and I’ve been noticing a lot of users here have similar head units to this one, would be nice if the previous owner was a prior member here but that’s a long shot.

I think I’d be making a good purchase here but anyone else think so?

Sounds good but what's the price? My only hesitation if it's a good financial deal is 4x2. I drove a 2WD Xterra for 11 years and I decided I would get 4WD when I sold it and bought my 4R. But that experience taught me that if your vehicle gets you where you want to go and you don't need 4WD to get there, that's fine. Hope it works out for you.

 

[Diocletian]

Sounds good but what's the price? My only hesitation if it's a good financial deal is 4x2. I drove a 2WD Xterra for 11 years and I decided I would get 4WD when I sold it and bought my 4R. But that experience taught me that if your vehicle gets you where you want to go and you don't need 4WD to get there, that's fine. Hope it works out for you.

They want 8k OTD. Unfortunately the market is bone dry for 4WD(or people try to sell a beat up 05 with 200k+ for $9000, and that's private party) but that's not a big selling point for me. I have a 2004 RWD Xterra and a 2018 Mustang GT Premium (running E85). So I'm more than fine with just 2WD, its just not really needed in central Florida anyway, and even with 2WD you can have some fun here.

 

[AuSeeker]

Hopefully new owner here, great write up, been following it along!

I am currently in talks with a reputable dealer(I have a long history with them and know their management and service team very well) and I am about to purchase a 2006 SR5 V6 4x2 with 158k. Vehicle never left central Florida, looking at service history it has a good maintenance history as well.

I have the service team doing a full service, 4 brand new tires, brake pads, rotors, spark plugs, drive belts, oil and filter and flushing any fluids as needed. The car will be ready tomorrow or Thursday, then I will inspect the car with a fine tooth comb myself.

Initial impressions are very good, it looked cared for and I noticed it has a practically brand new $300+ head unit installed with a backup camera(which works great!). It’s a Kenwood ddx6705s and I’ve been noticing a lot of users here have similar head units to this one, would be nice if the previous owner was a prior member here but that’s a long shot.

I think I’d be making a good purchase here but anyone else think so?

Be sure to check the "Build Date" it's on the VIN sticker (top right corner of the sticker) on the driver's door jamb, you want one that has a build date of 12/05 or later, any build date before the 12/05 makes the V6 prone to possibly having the head gasket failing, Toyota redesigned the V6 head gaskets for 12/05 and onward, if the build date is before 12/05 check to see if the head gaskets have been replaced (replacement head gaskets would be of the new design).

Other than that it should be a good deal if you like what you see after your inspection/test drive.

 

[Bluesky 07]

They want 8k OTD. Unfortunately the market is bone dry for 4WD(or people try to sell a beat up 05 with 200k+ for $9000, and that's private party) but that's not a big selling point for me. I have a 2004 RWD Xterra and a 2018 Mustang GT Premium (running E85). So I'm more than fine with just 2WD, its just not really needed in central Florida anyway, and even with 2WD you can have some fun here.

Seems reasonable if you end up paying that. How does it compare to KBB?

About the market, I totally get it. We looked for over a year to find a 4Runner meeting only two must-haves, 4WD and a sunroof. Lucked out in also getting the silver color I wanted and a Sport Edition. Kinda paid for it, about $19K OTD in 2014 for an ‘07 w/ 96K miles, but it was pristine and I’ve loved every minute of owning it. The mountains up here make 4WD a necessity if you’re into the trails but For Florida, it’s the same situation as when I had my first Xterra, a 2000, in Texas. The one I had here was an ‘02 and was pretty good off the pavement all things considered.

 

[Diocletian]

Be sure to check the "Build Date" it's on the VIN sticker (top right corner of the sticker) on the driver's door jamb, you want one that has a build date of 12/05 or later, any build date before the 12/05 makes the V6 prone to possibly having the head gasket failing, Toyota redesigned the V6 head gaskets for 12/05 and onward, if the build date is before 12/05 check to see if the head gaskets have been replaced (replacement head gaskets would be of the new design).

Other than that it should be a good deal if you like what you see after your inspection/test drive.

Yep, I looked at the VIN and build date in the door jamb, it was built in 2006 so I am good there. I got a text last night that it should be ready today for me to put it through it’s paces this evening. I’ll be keeping my eyes and ears peeled!

 

[Diocletian]

Seems reasonable if you end up paying that. How does it compare to KBB?

About the market, I totally get it. We looked for over a year to find a 4Runner meeting only two must-haves, 4WD and a sunroof. Lucked out in also getting the silver color I wanted and a Sport Edition. Kinda paid for it, about $19K OTD in 2014 for an ‘07 w/ 96K miles, but it was pristine and I’ve loved every minute of owning it. The mountains up here make 4WD a necessity if you’re into the trails but For Florida, it’s the same situation as when I had my first Xterra, a 2000, in Texas. The one I had here was an ‘02 and was pretty good off the pavement all things considered.

They are within the median price on KBB, I’m satisfied with the price. I love my 04 Xterra but its been on borrowed time, it has the dreaded knock sensor issue. After over 175k on the clock it’s now just constantly fouling my up and downstream O2 sensors, which are becoming expensive and annoying to replace. The cat is now bad on it too and I just get gassed driving it around on my long commutes. I could do a knock sensor relocation but that’s not really solving the problem and I should just sell it while its still worth a couple grand.

I am gonna miss effortlessly sliding it around corners though lol

 

[Billynath1988]

I have a 4thGen, V8 with the center locking diff. I am attempting to find some info on adding a rear locking diff too. I know I've read in this forum about some people taking the rear locking diff from the FJ and just swapping it. However, the the FJ is a V6.... and I am willing to bet this could cause me a headache.(though not confirmed, I'd be willing to bet the swap was to a V6 4Runner too) I know there are plenty of aftermarket options when it comes to diff lockers, either air or electric, but my intent is to try and see if the FJ swap option is viable for the V8. Anyone have any insights or opinions they'd like to share? I'm all in. Thanks all!

v6 and v8 4runners use the same diff and gear ratio 05 and newer. which is the same as all FJ's up to 2010. Everything after 2010 used larger, and stronger 8.2 which is also a direct swap into your 4runner along with the factory toyota Elocker which can be wired up as well.. There is countless diagrams and articles for setting this up in your truck and would be a great upgrade.
*Manual and automatic FJ's use different gear ration's. Make sure you match

 

[Diocletian]

So I took another look at the build date on the 2006 I was looking at, I thought it said 10/06...but it's 10/05. That really sucks. They said they did not see any issues with it leaking/losing coolant and it isn't idling rough on cold starts and isn't throwing codes. But man is this really making me reconsider purchasing it, I don't know. I could buy it and flush the coolant with the recommended toyota coolant first, and then look for a reputable shop to do the replacement and eat the $1500 for piece of mind I guess.

I'm torn!

 

[AuSeeker]

So I took another look at the build date on the 2006 I was looking at, I thought it said 10/06...but it's 10/05. That really sucks. They said they did not see any issues with it leaking/losing coolant and it isn't idling rough on cold starts and isn't throwing codes. But man is this really making me reconsider purchasing it, I don't know. I could buy it and flush the coolant with the recommended toyota coolant first, and then look for a reputable shop to do the replacement and eat the $1500 for piece of mind I guess.

I'm torn!

The good news is not all early 4Runner V6s end up with failing head gaskets....BUT....the bad news is the higher the mileage the higher the risk that...THAT...they could fail sooner than later, it could be never, it could be a few years or they could fail the day after you buy it.

 

[Diocletian]

After looking at a few more 4Runner's within 50 miles of me(all of which were GARBAGE) I ended up getting it. I took it to 2 trusted mechanics, did tests for head gasket issues and it passed all of them, its even using the new pink coolant. Whoever had the vehicle before(1 owner) definitely was meticulous with maintenance because other than some wear items, everyone who has touched it says the car is mint. I am inclined to agree! It drives like its brand new, it's quiet, fires right up with no hesitation, just a well maintained car. I figure for $8000 OTD I'd be much happier with this than my Xterra that was starting to go tits up on me anyway. I have a small nest egg set aside should the dreaded hg issue arise, just hope it takes a couple years before it comes to that at least!

Or never. Never would be good too

 

[Bluesky 07]

After looking at a few more 4Runner's within 50 miles of me(all of which were GARBAGE) I ended up getting it. I took it to 2 trusted mechanics, did tests for head gasket issues and it passed all of them, its even using the new pink coolant. Whoever had the vehicle before(1 owner) definitely was meticulous with maintenance because other than some wear items, everyone who has touched it says the car is mint. I am inclined to agree! It drives like its brand new, it's quiet, fires right up with no hesitation, just a well maintained car. I figure for $8000 OTD I'd be much happier with this than my Xterra that was starting to go tits up on me anyway. I have a small nest egg set aside should the dreaded hg issue arise, just hope it takes a couple years before it comes to that at least!

Or never. Never would be good too

Congrats! Pics?

 

[Diocletian]

Congrats! Pics?

Posted them in the "what did you do with your 4Runner" thread I'll post them here too. I will be giving it a good wash and wax this weekend. Firmware upgraded the headunit, which is only 6 months old. Bluetooth and Android Auto work great, the backup cam also works good!

 

[rwelch53]

Posted them in the "what did you do with your 4Runner" thread I'll post them here too. I will be giving it a good wash and wax this weekend. Firmware upgraded the headunit, which is only 6 months old. Bluetooth and Android Auto work great, the backup cam also works good!

Congrats...that thing is real clean man! I bought a 164K '06 SR5 V6 2wd for $8000 otd in Orlando back in May, and you are dead on as far as how crazy the prices are out here...I looked for months before finding mine. Mine unfortunately did not have much service history with it, but David Maus Toyota here by me in Sanford gave it a real clean bill of health, and I love it.:dancin:

 

[Byte Me]

Great thread, wish I'd found it before I bought my '03 but still tons of great info! Thanks. Have already replaced all the interior lighting bulbs w/ LEDs - huge improvement (not the in dash or buttons just the door, license plate, map and dome lights). Replaced the factory radio and door speakers as well, another big improvement that was quite easy - especially if you buy from Crutchfield and get the pre-wired package for $25 it's a no brainer!

 

[rebelrouzer]

I have been looking everywhere to find another 4runner to replace my 03 that some guy decided to side swipe and total. I have driven 100 miles in every direction and looked at a ton of rust belt rotters that were all promises. I did find a 2005 V8 limited loaded. Good frame and body, has 227k on it and i got him down to 5800 out the door but its got the tick and will need a windshield eventually because of a crack. Am I being dumb for thinking of getting it for that price, with the miles and what it needs?

I looked up the vin and it has always been taken to toyota for service, even oil changes. It has had the timing belt replaced at 197k.

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[That_Titanium_4RNR]

I have been looking everywhere to find another 4runner to replace my 03 that some guy decided to side swipe and total. I have driven 100 miles in every direction and looked at a ton of rust belt rotters that were all promises. I did find a 2005 V8 limited loaded. Good frame and body, has 227k on it and i got him down to 5800 out the door but its got the tick and will need a windshield eventually because of a crack. Am I being dumb for thinking of getting it for that price, with the miles and what it needs?

I looked up the vin and it has always been taken to toyota for service, even oil changes. It has had the timing belt replaced at 197k.

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That's not a bad price all things considered. Especially if it's been maintained.