Looking at 4runners, a little advice. (1 Viewer)

[kybishop]

I am looking at the Toyota 4runner for my wife, somewhere around a 2003-2006. I can see some changes in 2005 with the grill and driving lights. I never have driven or owned one, just started looking.

Looking for something that will hold more gear and with bigger back seat than the Outback wagon we have. Taking a big camping trip down to the Keys this spring and my Land Cruiser still needs a good bit of things done before it is ready for a trip that long. I don't think I will have the time to get to it all before April.

Anyway, as far as the 4runner of this generation goes; What are your guys opinion of it and what models best to look at? Probably tow a jet ski and may tow our boat every once in a while. The boat is a 21 foot Sea Ray Cuddy that weighs in about 5000 lbs total trailer and all.

If I tow the boat I would need to go with the V8 with it's towing capacity of around 7000lbs. Looking for opinions on reliability and longevity of the V6 vs V8 and what options you guys think would be best to have. The sport model, air suspension and that sort of thing.

The mpg relative to SUV's is pretty decent. About the same as our 6 cylinder Outback, just slightly less.

Also, if anyone can direct me to a good 4runner forum that would be helpful.

Thanks for any input.

KB

 

[MacLean216]

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[Haggis]

My Dad has an 04 that he keeps at a cabin and I get to drive every summer. He has the V6 that seems to pull pretty good. He tows a 5,000lb boat to the lake with no problems. No problems whatsoever at 60,000mi

 

[Jacket]

The 2005 V8 also got a boost in power numbers, so if you are towing there is another compelling reason to look at 2005+. That V8 is the same 4.7 platform that the 100 series, Tundra and Sequoia run, and it's reliability is excellent. The 4.0 V6 is a nice motor, but if towing is a priority (which you have indicated) the V8 would seem the better choice.

You'll immediately notice it's not nearly as roomy as an 80 or 100, but compared to the Subaru you'll gain some space.

 

[The Jade Bean]

The expedition rig we are building to ship to Honduras for our company is a 2005 SR5 V8, tow package and 3rd row seating. We love it! My mom has pretty much the same thing, but a 2006. I believe the tow rating is actually 7,500lbs for the V8. I used it to pull a 1976 FJ40 on a 16x7' trailer from Chicago to Texas going an average of 70mph in the rain. We get an average of 16mpg. The 4Runner is built after the Prado and is pretty much the same platform as the FJCruiser. Hope that helps.
~Daniel




Edit: I was wrong about the towing capacity, it is only 7,000lbs with V8 full-time 4WD and 7,300lbs with V8 RWD.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I could be wrong but I think the 05-up trucks also all got the later 5 speed automatic instead of a 4 speed. I've looked around a bit at 4th gen 4Runners to replace our 3rd gen that's got 220k on it but for what a nice low mileage one costs we decided to just keep running ours. From what I've gathered from looking and talking to the parts guys at the local dealer you don't want one with the active suspension, and you do want the 5 speed automatic. And the V8's are a lot thirstier than the V6. I have the same 4.0/auto combo in my Tacoma and it tows far better than I expected. I've hauled a heavy open steel trailer with Fox Mustangs and my BMW on it a few times.

 

[The Jade Bean]

I could be wrong but I think the 05-up trucks also all got the later 5 speed automatic instead of a 4 speed. I've looked around a bit at 4th gen 4Runners to replace our 3rd gen that's got 220k on it but for what a nice low mileage one costs we decided to just keep running ours. From what I've gathered from looking and talking to the parts guys at the local dealer you don't want one with the active suspension, and you do want the 5 speed automatic. And the V8's are a lot thirstier than the V6. I have the same 4.0/auto combo in my Tacoma and it tows far better than I expected. I've hauled a heavy open steel trailer with Fox Mustangs and my BMW on it a few times.

My 05 does have the 5 speed transmission, but I can only find active suspension on the 5th gen 4Runners. Interesting stuff...

 

[Duane]

I think the V8 are full time 4 wheel drive where the V6's are a normal selectable setup.
The 4.7 is a timing belt interference engine. Sure like it in our 03 Sequoia but yup it can burn gas alright.
The 4.0 litre V6 has a chain I believe.
05 up got a 5 speed tranny
06 up round wheel wells
not sure I would want the sport model with the XREAS suspension..sounds more like an asphalt feature than a useful offroad feature.

 

[The Jade Bean]

The 4.7 is a timing belt interference engine. Sure like it in our 03 Sequoia but yup it can burn gas alright.

I get an average 16mpg on my 4.7L Runner and sometimes if I don't keep my foot on the peddle I can get it upwards of 20mpg. Now the 4.7L in my Tundra I had was happy to just give me 14mpg on average and that was when it felt generous, but that was a lot more mass to move around.

 

[kybishop]

Thanks guys, all good information.

I was comparing the specs to our 2006 Outback specs and was a bit surprised. The only things the 4runner stands out far and above on is the towing capacity and payload. But, still considering it.

The Outback specs have more front and rear headroom, ever so slightly. Almost 2 inches more front leg room in the outback. Slightly less rear leg room. About 3 cubic feet less cargo space in the outback.

Ground clearance was only about a half an inch less on the Outback, 8.9 to 8.4. This of course does not tell the whole story as the 4runner would flex a heck of a lot better and be no comparison on the trails. But the Outback traction wise is incredible. Power is very impressive and handling I would imagine to be quite a bit better than the 4runner.

The outback is hard to find any fault in as build quality and everything about it is excellent. The one fault and it can be a big one, is the rear suspension. This rear suspension issue was one of the main reasons I was looking at options. They can be very weak and also cause control issues in the slippery stuff. You must keep it aligned right and upgrade shocks to correct this. Hard to find heavy duty overload springs. 4runner better out of the box with loads I am sure.

Anyway, the 4runner would definitely tow worlds better, handle heavy cargo a lot better and extra loads on top and out back better. Space is very similar size wise which surprised me. Our Outback is the LL Bean with the big moon roof and is very comfortable. Gets close to 19 MPG in town and 24 or so highway. About 250 hp I think in the six. Towing is rated at 2500 lbs, fine for a jet ski but not much more.

I will look more at these and your information is very helpful on what years to consider and options. We may need to drive some and see. My wife loves this Outback and I don't dislike it. I was just looking at an option for carrying gear better and towing better.

 

[Jacket]

If it's your wife's DD, then she needs to make the call. We had an Outback years ago that was my wife's, but when she had a baby I "gave" her my 4Runner and I used the Subby as a commuter. She hated the 4Runner - too "truck like" - and it was sold 6 months later. I think some people (women) like the idea of a big truck to hide behind and keep them safe (the soccer moms that drive Suburbans), and others feel like they lose some sense of control and feel when they get into a taller, more rigid truck versus a car.

Regardless of the specs, the driving style of the two vehicles are much different and I think that's where your wife will have to weigh in and decide if she wants to move up to a 4Runner.

 

[The Jade Bean]

Regardless of the specs, the driving style of the two vehicles are much different.

x2 agreed...

 

[weejub]

If it's your wife's DD, then she needs to make the call. We had an Outback years ago that was my wife's, but when she had a baby I "gave" her my 4Runner and I used the Subby as a commuter. She hated the 4Runner - too "truck like" - and it was sold 6 months later. I think some people (women) like the idea of a big truck to hide behind and keep them safe (the soccer moms that drive Suburbans), and others feel like they lose some sense of control and feel when they get into a taller, more rigid truck versus a car.

Regardless of the specs, the driving style of the two vehicles are much different and I think that's where your wife will have to weigh in and decide if she wants to move up to a 4Runner.

You know Psychologists make good money giving advice like that

 

[Duane]

I'm not sure how many miles you can put on a Subby before spending dollars fixing things.
That is one of the reasons I drive a Toyota, at least older ones, is that I have no fear buying one with 120,000 miles on it.
Our 96 4runner has 200,000 miles on it and we sold the BJ60 Landcruiser with over 450,000 miles on it.

The wife likes driving the runners to sit up higher for the visibility. We bought the Sequoia for long trips and I like the idea of the traction control on a rear wheel drive vehicle for her and the side air bags.
Most of the fatalities seem to be in sedans or smaller vehicles and with the number of lifted quad cab pickups running around I feel we have a better chance in something taller and bigger. Also for the visibility as I think it's easier for somebody to spot a 4runner than a Camry or Accord.

 

[Jacket]

You know Psychologists make good money giving advice like that

My wife says I can't communicate worth a s***....

 

[weejub]

My wife says I can't communicate worth a s***....

She's a keeper - - if she says you are a great communicator your doing something wrong.

 

[MOTOV8R]

We went from a 2000 subi to a 2004 4Runner 4.7L, wife still misses the subi, but she does love the ARB on the front of the 4Runner for merging into traffic and there is a lot more room behind the rear seat for our pup. Even if you don't want much lift I'd go with some OME springs/shocks much better ride in my opinion. You mention the specs being similar for size, I know my wife felt like the subi was smaller and easier to handle. My understanding is that nearly all of the v8 4runners came with fulltime 4WD. This was a big plus for my wife as it handles well in the snow. I'd make sure you really need the 4Runner over the subi, since the gals really seem to love the subi's. Have you checked out any rear suspension improvements to the subi, kyb struts, replacing the springs?