need advice on 4th gen 4runner (1 Viewer)

[bryan89]

hi all,
I normally reside in the first gen 4runner forum, but my friend is contemplating getting a 4th gen 4runner (either 2008 or 2009). I have searched this forum and found nothing but good things to say about them.

does anyone have any complaints about these rigs? weak links or design flaws that are just down right dumb that easily get overlooked until you have driven it for a while? or are they the greatest daily driver 4wd since sliced bread?

i mean personally, i like the look of them. good gas mileage. and possibly electric locker? what could be bad?

thanks in advance

 

[NorCalBorn]

Nothing overall to complain about seeing as I have friends with them. Visually and build wise I love them way more than the 5th Gen, although a bit smaller inside than the 2nd and 3rd Gens the better engine makes up for it.

It would be worthwhile to visit the toyota120.com board and do a little more research to catch anything people miss posting up about in here.

 

[Duane]

not enough of us poor folks driving that new of rides

Good friends have an 04 and I know they aren't that impressed with the mileage around town... but then a 4 Litre likely should burn more than a 3.4 around the city.

I'm ok with taking my 96 through a creek..not sure I want to take an 08 where my 96 has been

 

[phsycle]

What is your friend's plan with the rig? They're pretty capable in stock trim, with the weak point being ground clearance. However, they can be made into VERY capable rigs with just a few simple mods. ATRAC works great.

The MPG should be the same with the old 3.4L's. The 4.0 is great. Especially with the excellent 5-speed transmissions from 05+ (V6).

 

[Jacket]

2008 is 5 years into the model, so they've got most of the bugs worked out. I think there's a 2009 4Runner trail edition that you can get with an elocker, but otherwise the 4th gen didn't come with that option.

 

[bryan89]

What is your friend's plan with the rig? They're pretty capable in stock trim, with the weak point being ground clearance. However, they can be made into VERY capable rigs with just a few simple mods. ATRAC works great.

The MPG should be the same with the old 3.4L's. The 4.0 is great. Especially with the excellent 5-speed transmissions from 05+ (V6).

phsycle- she would be using it primarily as a daily driver / kid hauler as she is a nanny. also for weekend camping trips and such. no serious wheeling at all.
i just wanted her to get the elocker one cause its cool!!! and i want one.

 

[phsycle]

phsycle- she would be using it primarily as a daily driver / kid hauler as she is a nanny. also for weekend camping trips and such. no serious wheeling at all.
i just wanted her to get the elocker one cause its cool!!! and i want one.

Yeah, that would be cool. Hwever, they're rare and fwiw, when I had my Tacoma, I rarely used the elocker. And that was with a fair amount of wheeling. With my current Land Cruiser, I opted for one without the locker, but with ATRAC. It works awesome. She will have this feature with any 4Runner she gets. But even that would probably be something she will never use. I doubt she'd even go 4lo. Just get her a Sport Edition, as it has that cool hood scoop.