Whats your opinion on 05 vs 06+ models?

[Illestreker]

I had a 3rd gen for a couple years, was pretty active on this site learning and modding then ended up selling it to buy a full-size pickup. Only took a few months to realize it felt like I made a mistake. I've come to the conclusion I can achieve everything I want with a 4th gen V8 4x4/AWD.

I've pretty much decided to only search for 05+ for the revised V8 but I'm looking for some opinions if you think the 06+ with the round fenders is a better buy than an 05? Is that the only thing that changed, the fenders? are there equal number of offroad bumpers made for 05 vs. 06+?

And.. whats the general consensus, what looks better original 4th gen body style or 06+?

Just looking for a little feedback to help aid in my 4runner search.

Thanks!!

 

[JSeligman2828]

I had a 3rd gen for a couple years, was pretty active on this site learning and modding then ended up selling it to buy a full-size pickup. Only took a few months to realize it felt like I made a mistake. I've come to the conclusion I can achieve everything I want with a 4th gen V8 4x4/AWD.

I've pretty much decided to only search for 05+ for the revised V8 but I'm looking for some opinions if you think the 06+ with the round fenders is a better buy than an 05? Is that the only thing that changed, the fenders? are there equal number of offroad bumpers made for 05 vs. 06+?

And.. whats the general consensus, what looks better original 4th gen body style or 06+?

Just looking for a little feedback to help aid in my 4runner search.

Thanks!!

Hi there,

I'll throw my 2 piece in but I've literally owned my 05 limited v8 4x4 for a week now. I was also in the market for an 05-09 preferably 06+ but found a great deal for an 05 I couldn't pass up on.


Here are some things I've noticed that the 05 doesn't have that I wish it did.

1. Aux input (at least for mine)
2. The front grill just looks less cool and aggressive then the 06/07+ models.
3. Headlights in the 06+ are LED's I believe.

For the most information I recommend going to JA's site at Toyota 4Runner History 2003

 

[paperchasin]

I'm always a proponent of buying as new a vehicle as you can afford. This is simply because newer vehicles tend to have newer technologies as well as revisions/updates from previous model years. When I was searching for a Runner, I made it a point to get an 06+. Exterior-wise, 06+ have projector headlights, and led tail lights, which I felt I "needed." You typically only see minor changes in exterior styling and radio technology within the same generation of any vehicle. Anything "new" isn't usually introduced until the next generation model, which in the case of the 4Runner, 2010.

 

[Xrider237]

when buying a vehicle ~10yrs old i would look for one that has been properly maintained and in good condition at a good price...whether or not you have round fenders, vvti or led lights are down the list of priorities imho

 

[Illestreker]

when buying a vehicle ~10yrs old i would look for one that has been properly maintained and in good condition at a good price...whether or not you have round fenders, vvti or led lights are down the list of priorities imho

Thanks for your advice but this is already a given. I know what to look for as far as a properly maintained vehicle or not. I'm very cautious when it comes to buying used especially much older vehicles. My question is in regards to the specific year models in which I stated, and their minor differences and if its worth holding out for "06+" for the sleeker looking fenders, LED tails, and projector headlights, etc.

Would I buy the right 05 if it was the right truck, price, etc. Hell yeah! BUT, specifally looking for 06+ might still be higher on my radar.

 

[T4R2014]

I would be looking at only 03-04 V8's. Why? The non-VVTi V8 can be supercharged. :bounce:

 

[Illestreker]

I would be looking at only 03-04 V8's. Why? The non-VVTi V8 can be supercharged. :bounce:

Hahaha I see what you did there :thumb3: I supercharged my 3rd gen and IMO it was still a dog especially driving in the mountains here in Colorado. But a supercharged V8 may be a different story.

Whats the going rate for a blower on the 03-04 V8 4runners? ive heard there pretty damn hard to find. As far as getting one for the 3rd gens, there pretty easy to come by.

 

[Xrider237]

Hahaha I see what you did there :thumb3: I supercharged my 3rd gen and IMO it was still a dog especially driving in the mountains here in Colorado. But a supercharged V8 may be a different story.

Whats the going rate for a blower on the 03-04 V8 4runners? ive heard there pretty damn hard to find. As far as getting one for the 3rd gens, there pretty easy to come by.

^^^i'd be interested to see what they are going for nowadays- they used to be $$$...but here's my 2c...if you are buying an older model to begin with and want it to last last awhile and be reliable and smooth in the meantime, i would reconsider the supercharger- you may open up a can of worms and could turn into a nightmare and cost you 1,000's - the V8 eliminates the need to add a SC...BUT if you have the funds and are willing to do whats necessary and understand the risks then i say go for it- i wish i had a 2nd runner (and the $$ lol) as a play truck where i could add one- i bet it hauls ass

 

[nathanours]

I like the older (05 and back) better than the newer ones. I like the more angular fender flares, especially if you are going to add an angular bumper. I also don't like chrome around the grill, and it seems like the older ones have less. Just my opinion of course. Mine's an 05 v8.

 

[Illestreker]

I like the older (05 and back) better than the newer ones. I like the more angular fender flares, especially if you are going to add an angular bumper. I also don't like chrome around the grill, and it seems like the older ones have less. Just my opinion of course. Mine's an 05 v8.

Your truck looks pretty damn good, Nice build! Also I suppose headlights/taillights could be swapped if need be.

 

[yosh2000]

differences:

05:
DTRL and projector fogs in front bumper
Red reflectors on rear bumper

06+:
projector halogen headlights w DTRL in headlight
different grille
round halogen fogs in bumper
LED tails
updated NAV unit and available options (bluetooth and i think aux input)
rounded fenders as mentioned

thats all i can think off at the moment

i personally limited my search to an 05, as i wanted the updated engine with flat fender wells. found a killer deal on one with under 100k that just had $2,500 work done at the dealer (timing belt, water pump, plugs, seals, etc) and was owned by an older woman that just used it to trailer her kayak to the mtns.

There is an SC and fit kit currently in the for sale section that is listed at $2,750, fyi. im still trying to convince my wife i need it! also read where a dude fitted the SC to a VVTI 4.7 tundra with a simple spacer (i think it just needs to clear the air pump on top of the engine), so i think it could fit the later year 4runners.

 

[Sporin]

I actually like the look of the '05's but there are enough niceties and upgrades in the '06+ that I went looking for one.

Ultimately, at my small budget, I found a much cleaner '05 for the money than any of the '06+ that I looked at.

Sounds dumb but the biggest annoyance for me is the lack of an AUX in on the 05. Changing out the stereo on a JBL-equipped truck like money is a bit more complicated and costly as well so I'm making due with a cassette adapter, which sucks.

My next 4runner will either be a clean, low mileage 2008 V8 from somewhere dry and rust free; or a 5th gen.

 

[rjb75]

I actually like the look of the '05's but there are enough niceties and upgrades in the '06+ that I went looking for one.

Ultimately, at my small budget, I found a much cleaner '05 for the money than any of the '06+ that I looked at.

Sounds dumb but the biggest annoyance for me is the lack of an AUX in on the 05. Changing out the stereo on a JBL-equipped truck like money is a bit more complicated and costly as well so I'm making due with a cassette adapter, which sucks.

My next 4runner will either be a clean, low mileage 2008 V8 from somewhere dry and rust free; or a 5th gen.

I also hate the lack of the AUX port in my 04. I swapped in a older single DIN with the jack I had lying around as a temporary fix until I get the funds together for a nice touch screen setup.