Anyone know much about 4th gen 4runners? '03-'09

[DerekM]

It is time for a bigger car. I browse KSL classifieds regularly and I thought it would be easy to find a nice 4runner for my wife to dd and take it on camping trips. My Jeep is too small until I can get a trailer to haul everything. It seems like as soon as I was ready to pick one up, they are impossible to find!

My wife says it has to be a Limited, so leather is a must. Navigation and a sunroof is high on her priority list. I would like to find one with low miles and under $15k. This is what I have so far:

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/10956680 It has everything my wife requires but the miles are pretty high. Is 160k too high of mileage?

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/10071811 This one looks good, but its all the way in Rexburg!

Those are the only two I was able to find in the past week. The rest I found are either sold, or unable to contact. Maybe there is a good dealer that can find one at an auction or something?

I don't know if I want to drive to Rexburg and decide its not clean enough, or if it has issues. I understand the water pump and timing belt need to be changed at 100k on the V8, but it seems like there have been head gasket issues on the V6. Is there anything in particular I should look for?

I have also considered the newer Grand Cherokee, I think '05-'09 but I don't know that much about those. Are they as reliable as a 4runner?

Any input would help me out

 

[Greg]

We have an '03 4Runner Limited with a V8, it's my wifes DD. It's a great vehicle, we bought it with 45k miles and it's getting close to 100k now... not a single problem along the way. I really like it, the 4.7l has enough power to tow a decent load and gets great mileage for a V8. The 4.7l V8 isn't big, but in the mid-sized 4Runner it's a lot of power... it's seriously fast!

I put a 2" Old Man Emu lift on ours, stock they look too low IMO. - http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?65334-Install-amp-Review-OME-lift-on-03-Toyota-4Runner

Not sure if you're interested in offroad ability... but they're quite capable! The ATRAC traction control system works pretty well, you have to get used to it though... if you lift a tire, it will get you thru, you just have to stay on the throttle. The DAC (Downhill Assist Control) also works great in steep, loose terrain.

The traction control is also amazing in the snow or on a loose, gravel road. It's hard to loose control of... I love the idea of it for my wife.

The brakes are kind of odd... they make a groaning noise under braking and you get a little feedback in the pedal, feels almost like the ABS is going off. I'm still not totally used to it. The brakes work fine, just feel & sound strange.

Our 4Runner isn't a 'trail vehicle', as my wife likes to remind me... but it has seen some trail time.

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?91696-San-Juans-CO-July-2012

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?90153-Daytrip-to-Poison-Spring-Canyon-and-the-San-Rafael-Swell

http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.ph...-Capitol-Reef-NP-and-the-Swell-Late-Winter-09

What else do you want to know?

 

[DerekM]

Yes, that is exactly what I plan to do once I find one! I think the 2" makes it look more proportionate. I few that I drove had airbags in the rear. Is it possible to remove the air bags? Or install a lift with the air bags there? I don't care for them because I don't plan on towing much.

I wish I could find one exactly like yours. Maybe I'm being too impatient.

 

[DerekM]

So it looks like we are going to look at, and possibly pick this one up tomorrow: http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/10071811

I am a bit concerned because it does have xreas and ras, but I would like to lift it 2" in the future if possible?

It hasn't had the timing belt done, or the water pump. I wonder if I could do it myself or if I should have it done by a shop?

 

[sixstringsteve]

wow, that's a steal. I was going to say there's no way you'll find a limited for under $15k with low miles, but you just did!

 

[DerekM]

Well I just checked Nada and it books at 14,400. I offered the guy $14000 and he said he would. I'm concerned that it's not that great of a deal. Especially with it needing a new timing belt and water pump.

I have been looking at this one also: http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/9955921 but the guy I've been talking to is kind of a flake. He said someone busted the rear window so he took it to midvale to get it fixed. He said it would be back this morning, but when I called him he acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. He said it would be back tomorrow morning.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Great rigs, I've spent a fair amount of time with them on the trails and plenty of time under them doing misc installs, solid platforms. The XREAS system can be deleted but it is a fair amount of extra work and you'll have to get tricky with dash lights and such. I've not done the delete but I've done plenty of similar AHC deletes on the 100 Series platform (sent one home today with a fresh OME install) and they work out nicely. Aftermarket options are really strong, rear bumper options are a bit lacking but there are plenty of options for all the regular 'trail' gear, from lockers to suspension, even snorkels and such.

 

[DerekM]

Great rigs, I've spent a fair amount of time with them on the trails and plenty of time under them doing misc installs, solid platforms. The XREAS system can be deleted but it is a fair amount of extra work and you'll have to get tricky with dash lights and such. I've not done the delete but I've done plenty of similar AHC deletes on the 100 Series platform (sent one home today with a fresh OME install) and they work out nicely. Aftermarket options are really strong, rear bumper options are a bit lacking but there are plenty of options for all the regular 'trail' gear, from lockers to suspension, even snorkels and such.

What about the rear airbag suspension? Can that be deleted?

 

[Greg]

Yes, that is exactly what I plan to do once I find one! I think the 2" makes it look more proportionate. I few that I drove had airbags in the rear. Is it possible to remove the air bags? Or install a lift with the air bags there? I don't care for them because I don't plan on towing much.

I wish I could find one exactly like yours. Maybe I'm being too impatient.

2" OME suspension looks perfect, I really love how well the suspension works and rides. Ours is a bit stiff in the rear, we ordered Heavy springs... but when it's loaded up with gear or towing a trailer, the stiffer springs really help firm things up out back.

I don't know about the air bags, but ours did have the XREAS system. I did the delete, it's essentially a hydraulic system that ties the shocks together. It's like disconnecting brake lines, from shocks. It can get messy, I got sprayed. No lights at all.

Take your time finding the right one, no need to rush. We found ours on KSL with 45k miles and it was $14k... we got it for a steal!

 

[Greg]

For your questions and drooling at amazing builds of 4th Gen 4Runners, look here - http://www.toyota120.com/forum/index.php

 

[cruiseroutfit]

What about the rear airbag suspension? Can that be deleted?

I think anything can be deleted, just takes time and money

The AHC systems on the 100 Series Land Cruisers is very comprehensive, electronic height sensors at each corner, hydraulic controlled shocks each with their own valving system, reservoir and a master pump under the hood. It can all be deleted without harming some of the integrated systems (VSC for example) and zero lights on the dash to deal with. Just takes twice as much time as a standard suspension install

I don't know about the air bags, but ours did have the XREAS system. I did the delete, it's essentially a hydraulic system that ties the shocks together. It's like disconnecting brake lines, from shocks. It can get messy, I got sprayed. No lights at all.

Good to know, I assumed it would throw a light on the dash or a MIL light but it might not be as computer controlled as some.

 

[MOODY]

I have a 2004 with the V8. I have been using it more frequently off road and on long distance trips. I -really- like the vehicle. With my family of four, it is a bit snug (coming from a 80 series cruiser and Tundra) but with the Yakima box on top we are fine. We have put about 40k on ours and we only have had to do the regular maintenance. Just did the timing belt and water pump at 90k. There are some really nice ones that pop up already built for 15-17k.

 

[MOODY]

Aftermarket options are really strong, rear bumper options are a bit lacking but there are plenty of options for all the regular 'trail' gear, from lockers to suspension, even snorkels and such.

Snorkels? For the V8?


Next to my pal's 100 series:

Loaded with kids and gear:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Snorkels? For the V8?...

Yup, its been done. Safari Snorkel doesn't have a direct application but it has been done with some custom work. Say when

 

[DerekM]

I have a 2004 with the V8. I have been using it more frequently off road and on long distance trips. I -really- like the vehicle. With my family of four, it is a bit snug (coming from a 80 series cruiser and Tundra) but with the Yakima box on top we are fine. We have put about 40k on ours and we only have had to do the regular maintenance. Just did the timing belt and water pump at 90k. There are some really nice ones that pop up already built for 15-17k.

Were you able to do the timing belt and water pump yourself?

 

[DerekM]

I need some input. This is still the main 4runner im looking at: http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/10071811 It needs a new timing belt and may as well do the water pump. Is this something I can do on my own? Or do I need to pay a shop/dealer to do it?

 

[MOODY]

I had Karl Malone Toyota do mine at 90k. They were doing a special, so it cost me right around 400 with the water pump. I wouldn't have any idea how to do something like a timing belt, so I suppose you have to gauge your mechanical ability....

 

[DerekM]

So just an update. We drove to Rexburg yesterday and did end up buying the 4 runner there. I was able to talk them down because they said the timing belt and water pump hasn't been done yet. It is very clean and runs awesome! Plus it had every option included, It has XREAS and RAS so I will have to figure out how to disable the rear susp airbags so I can lift it 2 inches. But the most important thing is that my wife is in love with it.

It wasn't until we got it home that my father in law noticed this:

It blows my mind that the previous owner took it to the dealer for all maintenance but didn't know the timing belt had been done! I feel so relieved that I don't have to worry about it now!

 

[Greg]

Nice, looks like a winner! Too funny about the timing belt, you won there for sure!

 

[MOODY]

Nice, looks like a winner! Too funny about the timing belt, you won there for sure!

Ditto that. Saved some coin.