I found a V6 03 Limited 4WD, 1 owner, Clean Car Fax, 120,220 miles, for about 9,995. Before taxes and fee. It seems like a decent deal, but I'm going to try to negotiate a better price. I read there is a lot of problems with the 03, Should I avoid it? What are some of the things I should watch out for when I test drive it? It seems there are more problems with the V8s than V6 from what I can see
Should I avoid buying an 03 T4R?
- Thread starter kraziazn
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wsgoat
New member
120k is low miles for an '03. What problems have you heard about? The '03 will have a 4-speed trans with a dip stick, and some of the early trucks came with grey plastic over-fenders before getting body color over-fenders later in the year. Biggest things I would check for, would be frame rust, especially in the rad core support area and that 4hi/lo and the locking diff work properly. Check the CV boots for rips or tears. Ask for any maintenence receipts, the owner should have something. My wife drives an '03, purchased it new. It's been a great truck with no major issues beyond normal maintenence and fair wear and tear items.
4Runner010
New member
I Have a 03 bought it for 8200 if I remember correctly, mine has way more miles than that and its been great. definitely check the 4x4 and ripped boots shouldn't turn you away. They are fairly cheap and easy to do if you like to wrench on your rig. Good luck.
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
My 03' V8 (purchased from [MENTION=1474]vandert[/MENTION] recently), has a 5 speed AT w dipstick. Runs and handles great even with the 35" KO2s he stuffed under this thing. Not sure about V6, but the only problem the 8 cyl has is a timing belt that people neglect sometimes, resulting in interference issues when they fail. Hope it works out for you!
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Not doubting you, BUT from what I've seen and read all the 5 speed transmissions have a seal trans and no dipstick, was your trans modified??
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
Pretty sure the 03' V8 had the dipstick. I searched for an afternoon on this because I was way confused. Post #3.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96046-a750f-transmission-fluid-atf-ws-t-iv.html
AuSeeker
Elite Member
From what all I've seen and read is that some of the early 2003s with the V8 came with the 4 speed transmission, which has indeed a dipstick, the later 2003 V8s got the 5 speed sealed transmission and all 2004 V8s have the 5 speed transmission which none to my knowledge has a dipstick, the post you referred too is incorrect to the degree of not mentioning the 5 speed sealed trans in the later 2003 V8s.
Have you looked for a dipstick on your's?
If you indeed have the 5 speed and a dipstick it will be the first one I have seen or heard of and would love to know this because that would mean that all of us with the sealed 5 speed transmission could most likely change out the pan for adding the dipstick which I and most everyone else would love to have on our transmissions!!!
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4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
Hmmm curious. I do like a mystery lol.
carfax says it was purchased and registered in GA as a personal vehicle March of 03', with no car dealer mentioned. The next entry is a US Customs declaration that it was shipped here from Germany in Dec. of 03'. There are several entries as being registered in Washington DC after that. PO said it was a military owned vehicle and that the original owners manual indicated a German delivery.
I did a quick search but didn't find anything conclusive again but I thought I remember seeing that it was a half year change over to the sealed A750. Whether it was 03' or 04' I can't confirm that either. Wondering if this thing is rare and I should start a thread and see what everyone says.
Here are some pics I took this morning.
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AuSeeker
Elite Member
Well now that's extremely interesting, I would love to know more about why your's has the dipstick and it seems that all others 5 speeds transmission don't, does it say on the dipstick what type fluid to use, WS or Type T-IV , and also can use tell if the dipstick goes into the side of the pan or through the body of the transmission?
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
Sorry forgot about checking that. Just looked, T-IV. Gonna look at the the tube next.
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
[MENTION=168679]kraziazn[/MENTION] sorry we kinda hijacked your thread. Curious to know which transmission the 2003 your looking at has.
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No problem. All great info. But that 4runner was SOLD hours after it was posted online! And I missed it! Damn! Man, I have been in the market for a T4R, GX470, LX470, and Series 100 for a few awhile now. These cars sell like HOTCAKES if it is the right spec/mileage!
4RunnerAquasport
Senior Member
Yes sir! You have to jump quick. I've tried several times to get a 1st gen Tacoma extra cab here in Fla. People do not sell them and they don't last when you do see one in decent shape.
Gavin S.
New member
I think I have the same situation transmission-wise, not to mention the rust you should look out for.
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TechWrench
Senior Member
I have an '03 V8 Limited, production date 03/03. 2nd owner, and I know the original owner. It definitely has the 5-speed trans with a dipstick, and I have another friend that bought an '03 V8 shortly after I bought my 1st 4Runner, an "03 V6, and his V8 also had a dipstick. As I recall, it was in the '04 model year that the V8 was switched to the 'sealed' trans.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Run the 4X4 system through it's paces to insure everything is working properly, should be instructions on the driver's sunvisor, if not then read the owner's manual, this should be done once a month to keep the emtire system properly lubricated, it's sort of a "use it or lose it" type of situation with the 4th Gens.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/163282-4x4-psa-use-lose-monthly-reminder.html
