I’m looking at mid to late 2000s 4Runners for an occasional driver. I know they'll drive forever.

Are there any known issues I should look at in buying?

Mr Jones,

If you are looking at 4th Gen, avoid the V8 engine. Had issues with cracked exhaust manifolds.

And while not necessarily and issue, wear items such as water pump and timing belt will definitely require replacemenr on shcedule. So depending on the mileage of your purchase, recent replacement of those type parts could save you doing it sooner rather than later.

Now that ive typed out that previous paragraph it sounds horribly like common sense! I guess what i was getting at it is that while toyota engines and drivetrain have always impressed me, common wear items like the ones mention and brake calipers, etc. Will not shock anyone with longer than expected life spans. The more of these you can get close to new the better.

FWIW im on my second Toyota, first one brought such a premium in Hawaii that at 3years old i was able to sell it for more than I paid. The one i bought with the proceeds will likely retire with me. Im really liking the 4runner.

I own a 2007 V8 4Runner, it’s actually my 6th 4Runner. It’s been my favorite. She’s about to roll 200k on the odometer. The V8 is certainly not something to avoid, whether you want or can find a V8 version is another story. The 4.7 V8 is the same that was in the Land Cruiser for that era. The Lexus GX uses the same engine but detuned to 4.6l. The only thing that’s broken on mine was the air injection pump. It wasn’t cheap to fix, but literally nothing else has “broken” on it, just maintenance. I definitely recommend them as solid vehicles.

You're probably looking at 4th Gen which were 2003-2009.

Check for rust on the frame. Number 1 problem in Toyota's

CV boots may be leaking and if they are it's not a deal killer, just know how to negotiate around that.

I'd give it a really good look underneath because we in the Toyota community actually use our vehicles off-road unlike some of the other mall crawlers.

Depending on trim, may have air suspension....just don't. They always leak and you won't like it anyway. Speaking of suspension XREAS is a pain too when it goes.

The 4.0 Liter V-6 is noisy. It's normal. 03-06's head gaskets were a problem.

The 4.7 Liter V-8 can be if it has a cracked exhaust manifold. Doug Thorley headers can be used to replace.

Brake calipers can stick. The pins are the issue (more specifically, corrosion)

The transfer case actuator can get stuck too. Most of the time it requires a teardown & rebuild. Typically caused by mud/water getting inside the actuator.

Water pump/timing belts really do need to be replaced every 100K.

Outside of the issues above they're boring and reliable. Really one of the best vehicles on the road. Good luck

The V8 is a fantastic motor and would be my go to for sure.
Pretty much check for typical rust and service records. The 4.7L V8 has a timing belt and should be done around 80k.

Let’s build it and hit Land Between the Lakes for some off roading!!!

Very hard to find that do not have a ton of miles. Prices are high. I am very patient and have looked for one for several years. Never came across one I wanted to buy. Had one nice low mileage Lexus version. Horrible rust issue. Would not have know had I knew what to look for.

Finally bought a Honda Ridgeline of the same vintage.

Good luck and don't buy the Land Crusier unless you are a good mechanic. They are very expensive to pay someone else to fix.

The 4.7 motor had ingratiated exhaust / cat converters .mine cracked... 3000.00 to fix..

plus its a gas pig... v6 just as good


Avoid the V8

^^^
I'm happy with the 2008 4.0 V6 version.
Shadow Micah is the best color.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Mr Jones,

If you are looking at 4th Gen, avoid the V8 engine. Had issues with cracked exhaust manifolds.

And while not necessarily and issue, wear items such as water pump and timing belt will definitely require replacemenr on shcedule. So depending on the mileage of your purchase, recent replacement of those type parts could save you doing it sooner rather than later.

Now that ive typed out that previous paragraph it sounds horribly like common sense! I guess what i was getting at it is that while toyota engines and drivetrain have always impressed me, common wear items like the ones mention and brake calipers, etc. Will not shock anyone with longer than expected life spans. The more of these you can get close to new the better.

FWIW im on my second Toyota, first one brought such a premium in Hawaii that at 3years old i was able to sell it for more than I paid. The one i bought with the proceeds will likely retire with me. Im really liking the 4runner.

And just to add to the unknown... My 4th Gen with the V8 ran great. >250K miles

Had my 03 V8 over seven years now. Just went over 284k and still goin strong. It’s been the best car I’ve ever bought.

I am a Chevy guy through and through, but I have great respect for the 4Runner. One night at work we had a kid put one into a woodline, bounced it off a couple of trees, rolled it onto its side, down a ditch, and into a creek. Kid crawled out the passenger side window and was waiting for us when we got there, unhurt.

Wrecker got there, rolled it back upright and pulled it out...it had some paint rash, some sheet metal dents and a broken headlight. Water from the creek was running out everywhere. All the doors opened and closed just fine, and the headlights even worked, including the busted one. It fired right up and ran like a sewing machine...family came and drove it home. And it already had 250k+ on the clock when the wreck happened. I was duly impressed...If they had enough seats in them for my family of 6, I'd own one.

How do you feel about right hand drive? I've been lusting for several things here..

https://www.japaneseclassics.com/inventory/

quote:

Originally posted by JohnO:
plus its a gas pig... v6 just as good

Avoid the V8

I will look at this from the opposite direction: a friend of mine is on his 6th 4Runner, with an '02 and a pair of '08s. One of the pair has the V6, the other the V8. The V8 is a brute when towing, and the fuel penalty is only 1mpg in regular driving.

The only time he's had a 4Runner "break" is when someone else has run into one. Between his '08s, there's a collective 400K or so miles, trouble-free.

My parents had 2
2003 V6 SR5 4wd
2005 V8 Limited 4wd

Of the 2, I preferred the V6.

The V8 had torque for days & was silky smooth, but was more of a fuel drinker.

The V8 is also full time 4wd, where the V6 was able to be put into 2wd (and could be driven on the road in 4hi as well).

Only issue I recall on the V8 was a crack in the upper coolant line where it met the engine, just a slight weep. The trans was also starting to slip when they got rid of it.

Their V6 was issue free & was used pretty extensively to pull a fairly heavy trailer (with air bags in the rear). No drivetrain issues with it & drove like it was on rails in the rain in 4hi on Michelin LTXs.

Personally, I also prefer that body style over the later models (TRD Pro excluded).

You might also look into the Lexus GX460. Similar size, but does have the V8 as the only option.

quote:

Originally posted by Plugugly:
How do you feel about right hand drive? I've been lusting for several things here..

https://www.japaneseclassics.com/inventory/

they have some fantastic vehicles thru that store,