Pros / Cons of 4th Gen. What year to buy?

[sonerick]

Some V6's have had head gasket failures, if you search here and over on toyota120 you will find several examples.

That being said, I have a 2005 V6 Sport Edition with 132k miles and love it. I've had to replace the water pump (leaking from weep hole), front calipers (seized pistons), and perform normal preventative maintenance, but nothing too major.

 

[berettashot117]

I really appreciate all of your input. What is the normal maintenance interval on the 04+ "sealed" trannys? I don't always do my own oil changes and transmission services (I do when I have the time), but would like to be able to vs having to take it to the dealership.

I reviewed a link that someone posted that showed their is a size difference in the 3rd gens and 4th gens. For you guys that have owned both generations...can you tell a noticeable difference in the interior room? I can haul my entire family in my 99', but I get a lot of complaining about their not being enough room in the backseat.. .

I also read somewhere that the v8's require premium fuel?

Diff fluid change regularity is debatable. do a search.
The 4.7 recommends 91 octane or above, but dosent require it.

 

[Arcking]

I also read somewhere that the v8's require premium fuel?

I've got an '08, and per the owners manual it does NOT require premium fuel.
Src: http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35897U/pdf/gas.pdf

 

[berettashot117]

I've got an '08, and per the owners manual it does NOT require premium fuel.
Src: http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35897U/pdf/gas.pdf

My manual says this in addition to yours

 

[Red]

One thing to consider when looking is 4Runners equiped with rear air suspension, it may make a difference to you and it may not. It all depends what you want to do with your 4Runner.

It's good for towing but makes suspension upgrade a bit more difficult although not impossible.

just something to consider.

I think only V8 Limiteds have RAS.

 

[Xetabur]

I've been looking at 04 and 05 4Runners lately and recently drove an 04 just to see how well they hold up with some miles on them. I've owned and driven lots of Toyotas but never a V8. The 04 limited that I drove last weekend was smooth and had lots of power. The V8 idled smoother than my brand new 2012 Tacoma 4.0. I couldn't believe it. I'm seriously considering trading in my 2000 T4R Sport and some cash for an 04 or 05 limited/Sport. I also like the fact that the VIN starts with a J.

 

[LTDSC]

I've been looking at 04 and 05 4Runners lately and recently drove an 04 just to see how well they hold up with some miles on them. I've owned and driven lots of Toyotas but never a V8. The 04 limited that I drove last weekend was smooth and had lots of power. The V8 idled smoother than my brand new 2012 Tacoma 4.0. I couldn't believe it. I'm seriously considering trading in my 2000 T4R Sport and some cash for an 04 or 05 limited/Sport. I also like the fact that the VIN starts with a J.

mine is an 03 with the v8 and 100k miles (almost). I dont regret buying it one bit. I love it.

I can always add the LED tails if i wanted.

 

[Zuke]

Great advice, put a couple things awry.. you can get the color matched grill on any model as a dealer option, and if you only hear your "cracked manifold" in reverse, then man that's not a cracked manifold your hearing.

I hear it when the engine is cold and its louder when cold and in reverse (like backing out the driveway in the morning). Dealer confirmed it was cracked passenger side manifold and gave me some laughable estimate. I didn't know the colored grill was a dealer option, I just see the 04+ SR5 models with the chrome grills and think yuck...

 

[AKmoney]

When I went shopping for mine earlier this summer I wanted the V8 due to its increased towing capacity over the V6. I don't currently own a boat or anything that I need to tow but I like having the option. Why not maximize the capability of the vehicle, especially when the V8 has a very small gas mileage penalty compared to the V6? I will say though that my 4Runner isn't a daily driver. I have an '07 335i that I use for that (there's quite a MPG difference!).

Originally I was looking for '05+ models because they had more power but what I found was that finding clean, well maintained examples of 4Runners that were V8/4x4s were very few and far between or well outside my budget (mid-teens max). I looked at an '06 that was thrashed (bashed in rear bumper and scratches everywhere despite the owner saying it was in "great" condition) and found another one where the Carfax report showed it had twice the mileage than what was shown on the odometer. In the end, I would up with an '04 because this particular unit was a single owner car, extremely clean, had a full service history, a spotless Carfax report and everything worked on it. The previous owner had also recently done the timing belt/water pump service. You may find it a lot more cost effective to go with a slightly older model that's had this service done than with a newer one with <90K miles and an impending ~$1K maintenance bill.

BTW, the V8 is an extremely smooth and refined powerplant. Most people can't believe how quiet and smooth my 4Runner is despite its age and having 100K miles on it.

Good luck!

 

[HURRICANES]

I found an 04 V8 on ebay with 107K miles for around $12.9. Here is a link to it: Toyota : 4Runner LIMITED 4WD in Toyota | eBay Motors

If the link doesn't work it item number:
170958755136

I bought my 99' from this same auto dealer (dealt with owner)and its been great. The only trouble with this one is the dealer (employee this time) doesn't want to take the time to really answer my questions. I had requested the carfax and he said he sent it by fax twice, but I never received anything. I ended up calling earlier today and he read some of the info off to me. Said it was a three owner.. owned in VA & MD. Also noted was an accident involving front driver & passenger side. I think the three owner & accident info is why he didn't want to send the carfax. I asked if it still had the vin tag on the front bumper and he couldn't give a answer. I assume the 4th gens still have these. It could be fine, but I don't know if I'm willing to buy another sight unseen. No idea on the timing belt either. Anyone in the Knoxville area who is bored and wants to go check it out?

 

[berettashot117]

I hear it when the engine is cold and its louder when cold and in reverse (like backing out the driveway in the morning). Dealer confirmed it was cracked passenger side manifold and gave me some laughable estimate. I didn't know the colored grill was a dealer option, I just see the 04+ SR5 models with the chrome grills and think yuck...

well the motor only spins in one direction, so I'm sorry but having a cracked manifold that clicks when the transmission is in reverse but not drive is NOT a cracked manifold.

 

[NJshadow93]

well the motor only spins in one direction, so I'm sorry but having a cracked manifold that clicks when the transmission is in reverse but not drive is NOT a cracked manifold.

I'm betting the noise would amplify the same amount putting it in drive as well. I'm sure the extra load on the engine makes the sound a little louder while the engine is cold. Put it in drive and see if it makes the same noise you hear when it's in reverse. Back into your driveway so you have to put it in drive to get out and you will see. But berettashot117 is right, it would tick either way when the engine is cold.

 

[Arcking]

I'm betting the noise would amplify the same amount putting it in drive as well. I'm sure the extra load on the engine makes the sound a little louder while the engine is cold. Put it in drive and see if it makes the same noise you hear when it's in reverse. Back into your driveway so you have to put it in drive to get out and you will see. But berettashot117 is right, it would tick either way when the engine is cold.

That's case with mine - I've noticed an amplified ticking when in reverse, specifically with your foot on the brake. However, the same noise is present in drive when the engine is still cold. I'm guessing this is a result of a cracked manifold, but the dealership didn't seem interested in diagnosing the problem.

 

[DougNuts]

well the motor only spins in one direction, so I'm sorry but having a cracked manifold that clicks when the transmission is in reverse but not drive is NOT a cracked manifold.

He said, in the section you quoted, that it is *louder* in reverse, not only audible in reverse.

I'm glad Hurricanes started this thread but I don't understand 1) why an iron block is believed to last longer than aluminum and 2) why guys with only 100k are talking like that's a lot of miles. Where are the 200-300k people at?

 

[Arcking]

2) why guys with only 100k are talking like that's a lot of miles. Where are the 200-300k people at?

Here's where you'll find the higher mileage 4th gens:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/37419-highest-mileage-4th-gen.html

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

He said, in the section you quoted, that it is *louder* in reverse, not only audible in reverse.

I'm glad Hurricanes started this thread but I don't understand 1) why an iron block is believed to last longer than aluminum and 2) why guys with only 100k are talking like that's a lot of miles. Where are the 200-300k people at?

When aluminum gets hot it warps.

 

[DougNuts]

When aluminum gets hot it warps.

I know aluminum very well, I'm looking for the reason(s) an iron block is more durable. Are you not worried about aluminum heads on that iron block? How about those aluminum pistons?

The answer is that the iron block should theoretically distort less over the life of the engine, but a properly designed aluminum block should still outlast the life of the bearings and rings.

 

[CXS]

I found an 04 V8 on ebay with 107K miles for around $12.9. Here is a link to it: Toyota : 4Runner LIMITED 4WD in Toyota | eBay Motors

If the link doesn't work it item number:
170958755136

I bought my 99' from this same auto dealer (dealt with owner)and its been great. The only trouble with this one is the dealer (employee this time) doesn't want to take the time to really answer my questions. I had requested the carfax and he said he sent it by fax twice, but I never received anything. I ended up calling earlier today and he read some of the info off to me. Said it was a three owner.. owned in VA & MD. Also noted was an accident involving front driver & passenger side. I think the three owner & accident info is why he didn't want to send the carfax. I asked if it still had the vin tag on the front bumper and he couldn't give a answer. I assume the 4th gens still have these. It could be fine, but I don't know if I'm willing to buy another sight unseen. No idea on the timing belt either. Anyone in the Knoxville area who is bored and wants to go check it out?

Just pull a CarFax yourself, I don't remember if you can search the Toyota Owner website for info via the VIN number but between the two you should be able to some good info.

 

[Zuke]

I'm betting the noise would amplify the same amount putting it in drive as well. I'm sure the extra load on the engine makes the sound a little louder while the engine is cold. Put it in drive and see if it makes the same noise you hear when it's in reverse. Back into your driveway so you have to put it in drive to get out and you will see. But berettashot117 is right, it would tick either way when the engine is cold.

I don't know how you guys missed it but in both of my post I said it does tick in drive and in park until the engine is warm (1 min or so). I said the tick is louder in reverse probably from the Doppler effect or the lower geared strain on the engine in while in reverse. If you read this thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/93178-exhaust-manifold-leak-tick.html multiple members with the cracked manifold also state they hear it louder in reverse. Other than the fading exhaust tick my 4.7 is smooth and still has lots of life left in it at 160k miles.

 

[sonerick]

I know aluminum very well, I'm looking for the reason(s) an iron block is more durable. Are you not worried about aluminum heads on that iron block? How about those aluminum pistons?

The answer is that the iron block should theoretically distort less over the life of the engine, but a properly designed aluminum block should still outlast the life of the bearings and rings.

I don't think anyone is trying to argue that an iron block lasts longer than aluminum or vice-versa.

I think people are merely pointing out the fact that there have been several instances of V6's (1GRFE) with head gasket issues and virtually none with the V8's (2UZ). By your logic, this suggests that the V6 isn't a properly designed aluminum block.

If one were to be concerned about durability, purchasing a 4Runner with the V8 might ease those worries a bit. After all this a thread started to get some input on buying a new 4Runner, not a thread started to open a V6 vs. V8 debate or an iron vs. aluminum debate.

I have a V6 and am happy with it. I will not be happy if the HG blows.