Thinking of buy a 4thgen4runr

[4thgenfinatic]

Will be used on the beach for fishing and a good amount of hwy driving, what would you guys recommend? Limited, Sport, SR, trail?



The vehicle/suspension will be enhanced/raised to accomadate bigger rims/tires. Like a 285/75r16. Because of the highway miles and beach use, was thinking a soft walled radial the like michelin, or maybe bfg at...that likes PSI from 8-10psi on the beach going no more than 15 mph.

So v8 for the extra torque? Or is the v6 better hp/weight raio? I read the "before you buy" thread, but was hoping to hear from the experts.

Anything I left out, a bunch Im sure. Tell me about traction control, differential, things to look out for?

 

[4thgenfinatic]

An idea

Thinking 2009, V8, sport edition, lift it, rims tires, low miles. Whatcha guys think?

 

[kcdehart]

Will be used on the beach for fishing and a good amount of hwy driving, what would you guys recommend? Limited, Sport, SR, trail?



The vehicle/suspension will be enhanced/raised to accomadate bigger rims/tires. Like a 285/75r16. Because of the highway miles and beach use, was thinking a soft walled radial the like michelin, or maybe bfg at...that likes PSI from 8-10psi on the beach going no more than 15 mph.

So v8 for the extra torque? Or is the v6 better hp/weight raio? I read the "before you buy" thread, but was hoping to hear from the experts.

Anything I left out, a bunch Im sure. Tell me about traction control, differential, things to look out for?

With the different editions, it really comes down to what creature comforts you want and how you want it to look. I'm a fan of the hood scoop, the black cloth interior and the XREAS suspension (great for on-road cornering) so really wanted a Sport (so that's what I got). The Sport also has larger front brakes and a few other things I can't remember at the moment. Limited had most of the Sport features as options but also had more creature comforts. I wish you the best of luck finding a Trail if you want one lol.

That said, if you plan to raise it, the XREAS suspension probably isn't important.

The only real advantage that the V6 has over the V8 is that it's a timing chain instead of a timing belt that needs to be changed every 90k. Watch out for pre-'05 V6s as some have been known to have headgasket issues.

Speaking for the V6 as that's what I have experience with:
In 2WD the traction control doesn't let you do anything. In 4WD it lets you slide around a good bit more but kicks in and manipulates the brakes as soon as you get off of the throttle. And seeing as the 4WD (without the diff locked) is essentially the AWD of the V8 there's no harm in running it any time there might be something slick on the road. It can be run in the dry just fine, as well, though there's no real advantage.

Hope I was able to answer at least a couple of your questions!

 

[TeamLord]

I personally feel that any trim level of that year will be suitable for what you need. I'd go with the v8. It has more torque and power and the MPG are better than the v6. I'm currently running a 2003 v6 and at some point it will be replaced for a 2009 v8. The 2009 trail edition does include the rear electronic locker- but they seem really hard to find.

Good luck! Whatever you get, as long as it's a T4R, it won't disappoint you!

 

[jfry008]

With the different editions, it really comes down to what creature comforts you want and how you want it to look. I'm a fan of the hood scoop, the black cloth interior and the XREAS suspension (great for on-road cornering) so really wanted a Sport (so that's what I got). The Sport also has larger front brakes and a few other things I can't remember at the moment. Limited had most of the Sport features as options but also had more creature comforts. I wish you the best of luck finding a Trail if you want one lol.

That said, if you plan to raise it, the XREAS suspension probably isn't important.

The only real advantage that the V6 has over the V8 is that it's a timing chain instead of a timing belt that needs to be changed every 90k. Watch out for pre-'05 V6s as some have been known to have headgasket issues.

Speaking for the V6 as that's what I have experience with:
In 2WD the traction control doesn't let you do anything. In 4WD it lets you slide around a good bit more but kicks in and manipulates the brakes as soon as you get off of the throttle. And seeing as the 4WD (without the diff locked) is essentially the AWD of the V8 there's no harm in running it any time there might be something slick on the road. It can be run in the dry just fine, as well, though there's no real advantage.

Hope I was able to answer at least a couple of your questions!

Also, 2008 & 2009 come with a traction control off button

 

[kcdehart]

Also, 2008 & 2009 come with a traction control off button

Jealous

 

[jfry008]

Jealous

I try to keep my finger off of it on pavement, so I don't eat up my rear tires.
In the snow is another story! Weeeeee :rockon:

 

[4thgenfinatic]

I personally feel that any trim level of that year will be suitable for what you need. I'd go with the v8. It has more torque and power and the MPG are better than the v6. I'm currently running a 2003 v6 and at some point it will be replaced for a 2009 v8. The 2009 trail edition does include the rear electronic locker- but they seem really hard to find.

Good luck! Whatever you get, as long as it's a T4R, it won't disappoint you!

Everything Im looking at is going to have less than 75000 mi. Sounds like I need to find 09 trail with a V8. Back seats are going to be down most of the time, but I do like a nice seat to drive in, however, seat covers will be utilized.

More often than not, when traveling/fishing the back seats will be down. I plan to use this area as a bunk on one side and fishing tackle, say a milk crate or two's worth on the other.

 

[4thgenfinatic]

Couple other questions

Couple more questions. Specifically for the 06-09 models.

If I cant find a 2009 trail edition with a V8, how much power can I get outta that V6 with say, intake, exhaust, ignition, performance chip, without going all crazy with a turbo, super, or tearing into the engine, i.e. Intake, heads, cams. Same question for the V8? How much more trq will those mods get me?

If I cant find a trail edition, (locking diff) whats the next best thing in the 06-09 to turn into a beach buggy, and more importantly why if you would be as so kind?

 

[Inv4drZm]

Couple more questions. Specifically for the 06-09 models.

If I cant find a 2009 trail edition with a V8, how much power can I get outta that V6 with say, intake, exhaust, ignition, performance chip, without going all crazy with a turbo, super, or tearing into the engine, i.e. Intake, heads, cams. Same question for the V8? How much more trq will those mods get me?

If I cant find a trail edition, (locking diff) whats the next best thing in the 06-09 to turn into a beach buggy, and more importantly why if you would be as so kind?

Intake, exhaust, whatever else bolt-on crap has been dynoed with the V8 at like 20hp max. Probably less gains with the V6. With the V8, you will lose high end torque with a intake unless you tune it. Just look at it like Toyota already performance-tuned it from the factory.

For mods, just start with tires/wheels and a lift.

 

[jfry008]

T4R already come with ATRAC, which is capable of getting out of most common wheel slip situations.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/5036-how-does-atrac-work.html

 

[p nut]

Couple more questions. Specifically for the 06-09 models.

If I cant find a 2009 trail edition with a V8, how much power can I get outta that V6 with say, intake, exhaust, ignition, performance chip, without going all crazy with a turbo, super, or tearing into the engine, i.e. Intake, heads, cams. Same question for the V8? How much more trq will those mods get me?

Dude, are you building a fishing rig, or a Honda Civic?

For the uses you're describing, any of the 4Runner trims will work. In stock form. Why do you need 33" tires to drive on the highway? MPG plummets 10-20%.

Do yourself a favor and forget the lift, tires, IHE, etc. Just drive the thing for a while and see if you really need any of that. :bigok:

By the way, the TE never came in V8.

 

[kcdehart]

Dude, are you building a fishing rig, or a Honda Civic?

For the uses you're describing, any of the 4Runner trims will work. In stock form. Why do you need 33" tires to drive on the highway? MPG plummets 10-20%.

Do yourself a favor and forget the lift, tires, IHE, etc. Just drive the thing for a while and see if you really need any of that. :bigok:

By the way, the TE never came in V8.

+1. If you want to make power and race around, you're in the wrong platform. There really isn't any aftermarket support like that for these because there's no demand for it.

The V6 has plenty of power (technically more than the V8, iirc). If you want torque, buy a V8. Any gains from something like an intake or exhaust will be at the high end of the RPM range. I hardly ever need to take my V6 4R over 3k RPM.

Tires, particularly heavy LT tires, murder gas mileage. I get maybe 18-19mpg on the highway (though I'd probably get higher if I went 65-70 instead of 80 ) and 15-16 mixed town/highway. And I only have E rated 265/70-17 General Grabbers (31.6").

 

[black4vcobra]

+1. If you want to make power and race around, you're in the wrong platform. There really isn't any aftermarket support like that for these because there's no demand for it.

The V6 has plenty of power (technically more than the V8, iirc). If you want torque, buy a V8. Any gains from something like an intake or exhaust will be at the high end of the RPM range. I hardly ever need to take my V6 4R over 3k RPM.

Tires, particularly heavy LT tires, murder gas mileage. I get maybe 18-19mpg on the highway (though I'd probably get higher if I went 65-70 instead of 80 ) and 15-16 mixed town/highway. And I only have E rated 265/70-17 General Grabbers (31.6").

In the 03-04's the V6 has more horsepower at 245 vs 235 for the V8, but the V8 was upgraded for 05 with VVT-I and power was increased to 270. Interestingly, power went down for both motors in 06 but that was only because of the changes in the way SAE required power to be measured.

 

[4thgenfinatic]

Thank you

Everyone. I want the V8 for the low end torque. I didnt know if I could get similar performance from the V6. Hence the intake/exhaust questions.

A friend of mine who drives the beach regularly, went with 2.5" front and 2.0" rear to accomadate slightly bigger tires. He says he wishes he would have got the Coilovers. He also did UCA, LCA.

I am thinking FJ springs, shocks 5100 maybe coilover, UCA,LCA, and rear spacers. I probably dont need 285s under me.

I know stock isnt going to cut it.

 

[Inv4drZm]

Everyone. I want the V8 for the low end torque. I didnt know if I could get similar performance from the V6. Hence the intake/exhaust questions.

A friend of mine who drives the beach regularly, went with 2.5" front and 2.0" rear to accomadate slightly bigger tires. He says he wishes he would have got the Coilovers. He also did UCA, LCA.

I am thinking FJ springs, shocks 5100 maybe coilover, UCA,LCA, and rear spacers. I probably dont need 285s under me.

I know stock isnt going to cut it.

You definitely don't need a new LCA, and if you actually mean lower links, you don't need those either. You won't need a new UCA if you don't go over 2" of lift in the front, from what most people recommend. This is simply to get your alignment numbers back to stock.

Believe it or not, for driving on the beach, you shouldn't get stuck with a stock 4runner with a decent set of tires.

However, if when you say "stock isn't going to cut it," you mean you want the look of a lifted truck, by all means go for it. I'm just saying you don't have to spend the extra money, the stock form will pull through for you.

 

[4thgenfinatic]

It will plow sand stock. I have to raise it just to not plow. I am going to keep it for awhile.

In the FAQ on suspension, little to no offroad=spacers, shocks, springs. Moderate= i forget and moderate to heavy go coilover


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[LTDSC]

It will plow sand stock. I have to raise it just to not plow. I am going to keep it for awhile.

In the FAQ on suspension, little to no offroad=spacers, shocks, springs. Moderate= i forget and moderate to heavy go coilover


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you do know the 2-3" wont make a damn bit of difference from stock if stock "plows the sand".

I drove my 4runner stock in Pismo and went everywhere, its not a fkn honda.

 

[4thgenfinatic]

you do know the 2-3" wont make a damn bit of difference from stock if stock "plows the sand".

I drove my 4runner stock in Pismo and went everywhere, its not a fkn honda.

It will for the purpose I need it to. Clearance is the issue. Im just wondering, cause I would be keeping it. So I am thinking long term. If I put spacers and springs on today, and down the road upgrade if needed, or if I would be better suited spending the extra now on something like a kit. What would you do if you were buying a 4th gen with 60k mi on it today? Start with fresh springs and spacers/shocks and go from there?


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[4thgenfinatic]

You definitely don't need a new LCA, and if you actually mean lower links, you don't need those either. You won't need a new UCA if you don't go over 2" of lift in the front, from what most people recommend. This is simply to get your alignment numbers back to stock.



Believe it or not, for driving on the beach, you shouldn't get stuck with a stock 4runner with a decent set of tires.



However, if when you say "stock isn't going to cut it," you mean you want the look of a lifted truck, by all means go for it. I'm just saying you don't have to spend the extra money, the stock form will pull through for you.

Im no stranger to the beach. Seen plenty stock 4runr. They plow a little in the deep ruts. I want the look and advantages of a lifted suspension. Question is like what fram used to say, "pay me now or pay me later" in reference to the above quote.



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