Your choice out of 05,06,07.08

[Fullrutt]

If you had your choice out of a Toyota 4x4 V8 4runner of years 05 to 08 which would it be.. I'm wanting to buy one for a hobby to build so I can drive to and from my hunting or fishing lodges. I just can't decide what year to buy. I'm a newbie been reading up on alot of all your threads and now decided to buy a 4runner..

Thanks for any advice

 

[kenm09]

In 2006 they "refreshed" the generation you are looking at... updated headlights, LED tails, little things here and there...someone else will probably be able to comment more on this. Same 4.7L V8 in all that you are searching which is outstanding.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Moved to 4th gen T4R's

 

[Stuck CAPS]

If you had your choice out of a Toyota 4x4 V8 4runner of years 05 to 08 which would it be.. I'm wanting to buy one for a hobby to build so I can drive to and from my hunting or fishing lodges. I just can't decide what year to buy. I'm a newbie been reading up on alot of all your threads and now decided to buy a 4runner..

Thanks for any advice

I'd say '08, because it'll have the latest of everything in it, and it will also potentially have the lowest mileage on it.

 

[hearno]

I like the design of the 2005. The 03-04 are meh... The 2006 and up had the weird looking foglights and chrome in places I don't like chrome. The projectors and led tails don't concern me at all. If I really wanted to upgrade - it's easy enough to do. Esp the tails. As far as nav/bluetooth etc, also a really easy fix to upgrade the headunit. When I started looking, I was set on a 2005 Sport V6, black on black. That's exactly what I got. If you find one where the timing belt is already replaced, that's a big plus. Also the exhaust manifolds are something to be weary of.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/16125-2005-vs-2006-a.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96476-2005-vs-2006-a.html

 

[Relentless]

If you're buying to modify, lift, tires, armor, etc I would go 05. From what I've seen, the body refresh made the wheel Wells slightly smaller, and the older style looks less bulky to me. Also if you find a low mileage 05 you can use the money saved to go toward building it up quicker or more.
I could be biased though, we own an 05 as my girlfriends daily driver and within 2 months of buying its lifted with 35s under it and partially armored too .

 

[KingPrat]

I like the design of the 2005. The 03-04 are meh...

I'm missing something here.....? :wow:

03-05 were all the same body style. Refresh happened on '06 with the round fogs and the DRLs integrated into the headlight housing with halogen projectors, LED tails, etc.

Update in 05 on the V8 was VVT-i. You could get side/curtain airbags on 03-05 I believe, it was on option. They switched to a sealed transmission in 04. I'm not sure of any other updates in 05 over the 03 and 04 models.

I was excited about an 06+ when I was initially looking, but there are certain things about the 03-05s that are appealing to me. I would spend some time in the picture thread and go through different years and see which one appeals to you most, and go with it.

Either way, you will be very happy with your purchase.

 

[NJshadow93]

I'd go with an '08 since they have the factory VSC Off switch. Other than that, they're all the same except for the design on the '05.

 

[Spenser]

I have an '07 Sport V6 and the only thing I wish it came with stock (besides an elocker -- wishful thinking) is the VSC kill switch, which as noted above appeared in '08.

 

[kevinpt]

why not an 09? an 09 has the rear window switch moved to center console, and could even come stock with rear locker

 

[JB.]

If you had your choice out of a Toyota 4x4 V8 4runner of years 05 to 08 which would it be.. I'm wanting to buy one for a hobby to build so I can drive to and from my hunting or fishing lodges. I just can't decide what year to buy. I'm a newbie been reading up on alot of all your threads and now decided to buy a 4runner..

Thanks for any advice

'05 has slightly less body overhang front and rear. Electronic cabin interfaces, etc, were modernized (well, made less archaic) in '06.

The VSC off switch in 08 is kind of nice but the center diff lock button works well (they both disable engine dethrottling). Kind of depends on how you view the whole 4wd on pavement thing.

Personally, I don't think the year would likely be a big enough factor to drive the decision if I were in your shoes. I'd just be looking for a good truck.

 

[gshadow325]

If you had your choice out of a Toyota 4x4 V8 4runner of years 05 to 08 which would it be.. I'm wanting to buy one for a hobby to build so I can drive to and from my hunting or fishing lodges. I just can't decide what year to buy. I'm a newbie been reading up on alot of all your threads and now decided to buy a 4runner..

Thanks for any advice

As a hobby to build. Does your hobby have a budget? I know mine does, so i opted for a 03 i found cheap and local

03/04 Going for ~$8-14k
08/09 Going for ~$20-28k

price depends on mileage and options. I could care less about the projector headlamps and led tails found in newer facelifted 4runners. i read somewhere we can make our own dsc switch mod, found here on t4r.org

 

[hearno]

I'm missing something here.....? :wow:

For me, I liked the 5 speed trans for the V6 - doesn't apply to op obviously. And the gray cladding on some of the 03s - only looked good on the silver to me.

 

[KingPrat]

'05 has slightly less body overhang front and rear. .

I cannot find anything that clarifies this. All dimensions seem to be the same 03-05 - 109" wheelbase, 189" overall length. 4wd models had a 32* approach angle and 24* departure angle.

2006 got (from what I can find) a slightly stretched wheelbase: 110" v 109", both have similar lengths. That would lend to slightly less overhang, but not by much...

 

[JB.]

I cannot find anything that clarifies this. All dimensions seem to be the same 03-05 - 109" wheelbase, 189" overall length. 4wd models had a 32* approach angle and 24* departure angle.

2006 got (from what I can find) a slightly stretched wheelbase: 110" v 109", both have similar lengths. That would lend to slightly less overhang, but not by much...

Wheelbase on all years is 109.8

The overhang thing is not quantified anywhere. It's just a visual assessment that is likely too mild to really matter much and may even be wrong if measured carefully. In retrospect, it probably wasn't even worth bringing up.

 

[oljedi11950]

09 v8 trailrunner I mean if your asking !

 

[CXS]

I like the '05 because that's what I have. I think you should just get the best deal you can and you'll be very happy. IMHO it's not worth narrowing it down to a specific year because you may overlook a great deal.

 

[macoyle]

I would go 06+ just for the updates and it makes the truck look newer. Even if you get the 05, head light and tail upgrade is very simple and fairly cheap-

Good luck!

 

[WXman]

I bought a 2004 because even though none of the V8 model years were problematic, the 03-04 is more simplistic without the VVT, etc. and there's simply fewer solenoids and fancy crap to go wrong later. So I'm betting they'll last longer on average. Also, some of the computer nannies were less intrusive early in the generation. Heck, I ditched all my TPMS sensors and didn't even get a light/beep. And finally, they can be had for close to $10K whereas the newer 4th gens are still selling for way too much money. I guess I also don't like the rounded wheel wells on the newer ones. Doesn't look as rugged and tough.

 

[boondoggle]

I like the wheel wells on the O5 compared to later models. Prefer the grill on the 06+ though. However, don't care for the 'humped' spoiler.

They all share the same drivetrain. Most changes are cosmetic.

Interiors got updated on the later models. The big interior update, ergonomically, is the placement of the turn signal indicators. On my 04 they're above the speedo, hidden behind the steering wheel. On later models they moved them below the speedo. Not sure what year they did that.

Tubular roof racks and side steps came around in 06.

Great info here. http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist42006.html

I love my 04 but have thought about upgrading to a newer model in a couple of years. Never sold a vehicle just to buy a newer version of the same vehicle before.

Whichever one you get will be a winner. These are great trucks. Let us know which way you go.