soon to be first time T4R owner looking for advice

[wadeanderson]

Hello, I am new to the group and I have been doing a little homework on what generation and model of 4runner I would like to buy. I have never owned one before but have always wanted one.

I decided I want to get a 4th generation because there is more room than the previous years and it looks better. I would consider a 5th generation but I really want a V8 this time for my SUV.

I have plenty of time to look until I find the one I want. I would like to have as many options as possible such as navigation and a back up camera. I would also like to feel confident going on some rough roads and on old logging roads with a 4x4.

Some questions I have would be about what I really need to get in the 4runner versus what I could upgrade.

What about the axles, is there a difference in the 4x4 axles like in the sport editions or limited? I got stuck one time when a right rear tire and a front left tire were spinning, if I had a 4x4 with locking axles I would not have gotten stuck. What options are there in the 4 runners?

I have seen terms like sport edition and trail edition, are those similar models but for different years?

How difficult would it be to upgrade other things such as adding nav with back up camera?

Any other advice for what to look for in buying one? Any known issues I need to be aware of?

thanks!
Wade

 

[kevinpt]

there is a 4th gen TRAIL with a rear locking diff. it was only an option in 09, there are also more options or changes that are 09 only as well. in the 09 the rear window switch is by the gear shifter. there are more unique things about the 09 but i cant think of them off the top of my head. i will say though that an 09 trail is hard to find

 

[CXS]

This should answer any question you have: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html

Post back if it doesn't.

 

[toyo]

All the different models use the same suspension, axles, and 4WD systems. Meaning the Sport is the same as a Limited and SR5.

 

[wadeanderson]

thanks for the info, I will spend a lot of time on that page with all the info.

I guess just about anything can be changed including adding a rear locking differential to anything I buy. I should probably just focus on getting the best deal for a red with grey/black interior, V8 and 4x4, that criteria narrows my choices considerably.

 

[toyo]

Yep, once you start narrowing your desires down it really gets slim pickings. On my latest 4R I wanted a V8, AWD, White. Not hell bent on a LTD but it would be nice. I am in the Atlanta area and there were 2 of them within 300 miles. I ended up finding mine in Raleigh, NC. I lucked out big time. It was a cream puff with only 56K miles on it plus it was a limited.

Good luck. Widen your search area as far as you can!

 

[Desert Fox]

All the different models use the same suspension, axles, and 4WD systems. Meaning the Sport is the same as a Limited and SR5.

Sport comes with XREAS suspension, it is optional on limited. That could be a big factor if a lift is in the picture.

There is a difference in the V8 4X4 system being full time instead of the V6 being selectable.

Sport also comes with larger brakes. The braking on my Sport is much better than it was on my Limited.

There may be other differences

@Gshadow can help with setting you up with camera and navigation system

 

[Bossman]

All the different models use the same suspension, axles, and 4WD systems. Meaning the Sport is the same as a Limited and SR5.

Hmm ... depending on the model and year the suspensions used are not the same.

Take the 2009 model year ...

SR5 and Limited V6 had rear coil springs as standard equipment.

Limited V8 had rear height control air suspension as standard equipment.

 

[wadeanderson]

Hmm ... depending on the model and year the suspensions used are not the same.

Take the 2009 model year ...

SR5 and Limited V6 had rear coil springs as standard equipment.

Limited V8 had rear height control air suspension as standard equipment.

I would not plan on lifting it. I like to go to some remote areas when I have traveled in areas of the Yukon and northern Alaska as well as desert regions of the southwest. I have only been stuck one time and I know if I had locking differentials that would not have happened.

Most of my driving will be on the interstate as I travel around from place to place but I want to have the ability to go on those "4WD only" roads and not worry about it.

Would the height control suspension be for cases of hauling a heavy load so the rear doesn't sag?

 

[Bossman]

Rear Height Control Air Suspension allows you to manually adjust the height of the rear air suspension to suit your needs.

In low mode, the suspension is lowered for easy loading and unloading of cargo and gear.

During off-road driving, the height can be raised to high mode to improve departure angle.

For improved ride comfort, an auto-leveling feature automatically adjusts the vehicle height for varying loads.

 

[toyo]

Hmm ... depending on the model and year the suspensions used are not the same.

Take the 2009 model year ...

SR5 and Limited V6 had rear coil springs as standard equipment.

Limited V8 had rear height control air suspension as standard equipment.

In regards to his question there is not a "stronger" drivetrain such as does one model have stronger axles, etc. Of course the suspensions are slightly different on the various models. I believe he already knew that.

The rear air suspension was not standard on the V8 Limited. Available has an option only. Thankfully mine does not have that option.

 

[Bossman]

The rear air suspension was not standard on the V8 Limited. Available has an option only. Thankfully mine does not have that option.

I will clarify my earlier post that the rear air suspension was standard equipment on 2009 V8 Limited Canadian models - I have no information on U.S. models.

Point being, be sure to do your research when shopping around for your 4Runner to see what options it does come with. Height control switches will be in the centre console between the seats.

 

[toyo]

I will clarify my earlier post that the rear air suspension was standard equipment on 2009 V8 Limited Canadian models - I have no information on U.S. models.

Point being, be sure to do your research when shopping around for your 4Runner to see what options it does come with. Height control switches will be in the centre console between the seats.

You damn Canucks! LOL

 

[birdmann]

Also, make sure the 4wd shifts and works. The transfer case shift actuators go bad if they don't get used. And they are about $2k or more to have fixed.

 

[wadeanderson]

Also, make sure the 4wd shifts and works. The transfer case shift actuators go bad if they don't get used. And they are about $2k or more to have fixed.

Thank you very much, that is very useful information to know.

 

[birdmann]

Happy to help! Did you end up finding anything worthwhile?

 

[wadeanderson]

Happy to help! Did you end up finding anything worthwhile?

not yet, I am still waiting for the right one to come along.
I have learned to ask lots of questions before buying something and then have patience until the right thing comes along. I have had buyers remorse many times in the past.

I know I want a 2003 - 2009 so I can get a V8, one thing I do not know about is how the torque and horsepower ratings differ:
in 2003 - 2004: 235 hp (175 kW) and 320 lb·ft (434 N·m)
2005 - 2009: 260 hp (194 kW) and 306 lb·ft (415 N·m)

Am I correct in assuming torque has more to do with pulling power?
It seems the '03 and '04 has more torque but he newer ones had more horsepower.

Is it possible to add more torque on a newer engine or add more horsepower on one of the older ones?
I thought that somehow torque and horsepower were related but my knowledge is very limited in this area.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

not yet, I am still waiting for the right one to come along.
I have learned to ask lots of questions before buying something and then have patience until the right thing comes along. I have had buyers remorse many times in the past.

I know I want a 2003 - 2009 so I can get a V8, one thing I do not know about is how the torque and horsepower ratings differ:
in 2003 - 2004: 235 hp (175 kW) and 320 lb·ft (434 N·m)
2005 - 2009: 260 hp (194 kW) and 306 lb·ft (415 N·m)

Am I correct in assuming torque has more to do with pulling power?
It seems the '03 and '04 has more torque but he newer ones had more horsepower.

Is it possible to add more torque on a newer engine or add more horsepower on one of the older ones?
I thought that somehow torque and horsepower were related but my knowledge is very limited in this area.

a simple way to think about hp and tq is:

torque is what gets you going

horsepower is what keeps you going

there are very few power adders that actually do anything other than act as noise adders. if you want serious gains forced induction is the way to go, stuff like cold air intakes and exhausts are seat of the pants power, nothing serious.

some possible options to free up maybe a few horsepower would be things like headers/ y-pipe, which urd performance makes, Theres a couple machinists on tacomaworld that make intake manifold spacers for the v6 that have actually shown dyno results that add approx 15hp.

 

[wadeanderson]

I have a question about buying sight unseen.

anyone ever buy a vehicle in another state and have it shipped to them?

There seems to be some good deals on the east coast and I was wondering about the process. I would have to find someone local in that area to hire to inspect the vehicle and then have it shipped.

Anyone know what that might cost and where I might look to find this information?

thanks!

 

[toyo]

Around $300 to $400.00 I believe. If you find one around the Atlanta area let me know and I'll try to help you out.