Should I avoid a 4th Gen V6?

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allmiller4u

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I am upgrading to a newer 4th gen 4runner and keep hearing alot about the V6 Head Gasket issues. I am currently looking at a 2004 4runner and a 2005 4runner both with around 130K miles and V6. Should I just completely avoid the V6 of this vintage or is this not a common enough problem to consider? .
 
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Range said:
You should avoid Toyotas in general. All of them are shitty. Go with a Jeep.
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Nice. Just wondering if a guy is better off looking for a V8. I have a 99 4runner with 270K miles trouble free. I want to stick with a V6 as I do not tow and the V8 models are considerably more expensive around me.
 
allmiller4u said:
I am upgrading to a newer 4th gen 4runner and keep hearing alot about the V6 Head Gasket issues. I am currently looking at a 2004 4runner and a 2005 4runner both with around 130K miles and V6. Should I just completely avoid the V6 of this vintage or is this not a common enough problem to consider? .
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Absolutely do not "avoid" them. I've had 178k miles on my 05 SR6 V6, now at 191k miles on my 06 SR5 V6 4X4. Neither motor has ever been touched aside from spark plugs and a water pump on my 06.
 
av8ter said:
Absolutely do not "avoid" them. I've had 178k miles on my 05 SR6 V6, now at 191k miles on my 06 SR5 V6 4X4. Neither motor has ever been touched aside from spark plugs and a water pump on my 06.
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Thanks. Just trying to make a educated decision before I purchase one.
 
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Sometimes, It's not just a question of towing, as it is having the available power/torque. Of course the V6 Guys will burn me at the stake for saying this lol

The V8 Does have a timing belt like your 3.4L (Although it's an interference engine unlike your 3.4L).

I personally like having the awd without having to switch back and forth.
 
I have an 07 so not sure if a good comparison. But it is an s5r v6 with 163k miles on it with no issues.

I can say that if you like to offroad or build a "rig" the extra 2 cylinders are nice.
 
allmiller4u said:
Nice. Just wondering if a guy is better off looking for a V8. I have a 99 4runner with 270K miles trouble free. I want to stick with a V6 as I do not tow and the V8 models are considerably more expensive around me.
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My 4runner is hands down the best vehicle I have ever owned. I'd go with the v8 tons of power, and the gas mileage is not a tremendous difference from the v6. The motor is bulletproof It'll last to 300k miles as long as you take care of maintenance. :cheer2:
 
allmiller4u said:
I am upgrading to a newer 4th gen 4runner and keep hearing alot about the V6 Head Gasket issues. I am currently looking at a 2004 4runner and a 2005 4runner both with around 130K miles and V6. Should I just completely avoid the V6 of this vintage or is this not a common enough problem to consider? .
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The short answer is yes, I would avoid V6… at least for 2003-2006 year models… (or at absolute minimum 2003-2005 with V6);
The answer would be different, if you are prepared (mentally, financially or technically) to change HG at some point after the purchase IMHO: it is not the matter of "if" as "when" you will be facing blown HG on V6 model;
 
My understanding is

that beginning in 06 there was a significant reduction in head gasket failure due to a redesigned gasket. Im in the hunt myself and am only looking @ 06 + V6s.
 
The gaskets were redesigned for the 06-09 years. If you are avoiding for that reason I believe the only years in question are 03-05.
 
progress4m said:
The short answer is yes, I would avoid V6… at least for 2003-2006 year models… (or at absolute minimum 2003-2005 with V6);
The answer would be different, if you are prepared (mentally, financially or technically) to change HG at some point after the purchase IMHO: it is not the matter of "if" as "when" you will be facing blown HG on V6 model;
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Thanks I will be sure to steer towards a V8 or 06+ vintage.
 
Remember when looking at vehicle forums you hear a lot more from the guys who have problems than those who don't. A failure like a blown headgasket will bring people onto the forum who otherwise may not have joined.
 
allmiller4u said:
I am upgrading to a newer 4th gen 4runner and keep hearing alot about the V6 Head Gasket issues. I am currently looking at a 2004 4runner and a 2005 4runner both with around 130K miles and V6. Should I just completely avoid the V6 of this vintage or is this not a common enough problem to consider? .
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I don't think you'll have a problem with the V6. There are plenty of people on here with 200k and zero issues.
 
V8 is the way to go :) and coming from a jeep person... Very unreliable, that's why I switched to the runner! It'd take 3 jeep 4.0's to compare to a 4Runner v6 or v8 ... And jeep (mopar in general) transmissions are crap!!!! Yota for life, from here out!
 
I have an 04 V6.

It kicks ass.

Mine has 175,000 miles and has had no issues, and the head gasket is fine.

I have 285s, and 4WD, and absolutely fly past people going up steep mountains on sketchy 2 lane roads.

I think the V8 is great. I couldn't find a white 4WD Sport with a V8 in good condition, and went with the V6.

I have never regretted it.

Either way you go, you'll be ok!
 
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