I think I'm going to go get myself a new 4Runner today. My father in law sells Toyotas and there is 0% on the runner for 36 mos.
I have a '02 LTD TRD supercharged wtrans cooler and TRD exaust. It has about 40K on it.
My question is this. The new 4th gen, what should I stay away from and what should I look for options and trim level wise. Should I go V8? I don't tow anything so if it gets terrible mileage I'd rather have the 6, However!! there is a matter of power. I don't want less power than what I've got now. I'd like to lift it a bit too is there anything that I should NOT get suspension wise?
Any other help and direction is welcome. This will be my fifth 4Runner
Thanks

 

WHY?

Sounds like your 4Runner is awesome, why bother buying one that's a few years newer???

 

If you are going to lift it dont get the x-reas suspension unless you want to pay for it then take it off when you go to lift it.

If you are not going to tow the 6 should be fine. If you tow get the 8. The six is quite responsive.

 

Drive the V6 and the V8 back to back.... Then buy the V8.

Agree with Vegas, you don't want XREAS if you're going to lift it.

 

I believe the v6 recommends premium BUT will do fine with regular, the v8 uses regular. I don't think that mpg;s are really that far apart. I'd go with the v8, mileage is going to suck either way.

 

Its harder to fit bigger tires than 32" in the 4th gen.

Aftermarket stuff is real slow on the 4th gen. We are only now getting to bullbars and the FJ has theirs already!

06 has slightly different side cladding to the earlier 4th gens which makes some sliders for the 4th gens not fit.

 

everyone brings up a good point on many different levels. ultimately it all depends on what your goal is with your 4runner. If you are considering the 4th gen, what is making you want to move to that and leave the sc'd 3rd gen behind? there are many unanswered questions that will affect your final decision on getting the 4runner.

some thoughts based on your power requests. neither v6 or v8 has a production sc on the market. the v8 did have one when first released but was discontinued by Toyota for possible mechanical failures. URD is currently in development for a v6 sc though so do keep that in mind. I've read that output on that sc is pretty amazing w/ basic upgrades.

both grades do come standard with the 5A/T so you're in good hands on the power band. both only require regular but premium can be added for added benefits. v8 comes standard with full time 4x4 (no 2hi) if you get the 4wd version while the v6 only comes with part time 4x4 (2hi/4hi) if you get the 4wd version.

With the power and drivetrain in mind, your mpg will vary according to your configuration (v6 2wd, 4wd, v8 2wd, 4wd). If you compare the two engines with the appropriate drivetrain, you will only see a 1-2 mpg different but some experience slightly more or less. This is a rough approximation that everyone can agree upon. The big difference is how heavy you are on the skinny pedal

lifts: although many will say "if you plan to lift don't get xreas" you can "technically" get a lift for the xreas. The only downside is the installation is slightly more difficult and your lift selections are greatly diminished. It can be done but honestly you will be happier if you did not get it and just get some aftermarket lift kits that'll greatly improve and if not equal the xreas feel (only applies to coilover applications) - this is all heresay based on other owners who have removed their xreas in place of aftermarket coilovers up front and coil and shock in the rear.

so the bottom line... what's your goal with your new found future 4runner if you do plan to purchase it? giving us some more details will greatly help us fine tune some of the suggestions we may have.

good luck!

 

The plan is to lift the truck slightly. 3 inch max I'm thinking. I have to fit it under the garage door still too. I'd like to stick 33 inchers. V6 vs V8 , I'm going to have to drive each one to see what I like best. I looked at Toyota's site and the MPG are crap on both. One of the reasons to sell my truck is to get the same power as the supercharged 3rd gen with out the added stress of a supercharger. I like the new look of the trucks better since they've rounded the fenders some. I can also get away from the leather seats and all the LTD crap.
I will own the truck and if I buy brand new and get what I want it'll be a keeper for a few years.

 

I drove both a V8 and a V6 yesterday, also looked at the FJ. THe FJ is kinda cool but not enough like the original to be cool and to cheap looking to stand on it's own for me. The V6 runner is out. It felt like a dog. The V8 didn't exactly roast the tires but it had good power. My 3rd gen felt more powerfull and lighter with perhaps less torque. I really liked the LTD to my suprize but it had a few of the options that I have no use for or plan to buy aftermarket $2400 for GPS come on now. I think I may look for the least optioned V8 LTD 4X4 I can find. I actually would love to have the sport with leather seating but I don't want to pay for the xreas just to take it off later.

 

Yeah, definately pass on the FJ. Personally, I really hate those things. Not bad trucks, but compared to what they used to be...Toyota really flopped on that one. Much like GM with the Impala and the GTO.

Anyway, I'm also looking at the V8. My S/C'ed 4Runner is great, but I'd like something newer, since I can just "feel" some issues coming up with my current truck. I hate leather seats (which I have right now), so I think I'm going to opt for the Sport package. Power of the 4.7 V8 would be nice, too. MPG is 1mpg lower than the V6, so no-brainer there.

Good luck on your purchase.

 

Question: You can not order a sport package without Xreas correct?
If so the $ difference between a LTD and a Sport is not THAT much. If I get a LTD without nav or Xreas it'll only be a few grand more. I do like the nurf bars and "hood scoop" on the sport. Can the LTD be had with some of the sport options?
The reason I come here first and not the dealer is because the tend to want to sell what they have there.

 

Yes, XReas is standard on the Sport. Even if you get a base priced LTD, you're still about $4-5000 higher than the Sport. To me, that's money I can use for a lift, tires, etc.

I also like the nurf bars and hood scoop (which I'm sure you can get on the limited). The only thing I like about the limited is the 18" wheels. But after I get a lift, I'd be putting on some AM 18" wheels anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter. There are too many little items on my current LTD that makes my truck look too "mom-ish." i.e. running boards, gold trim, two-tone paint, wood grain interior, etc. I swore the next 4Runner I bought, it wasn't going to be a limited.

I don't think the LTD is a bad buy, but it's not something I'm willing to pay another $5000 for.

 

My current '02 LTD has only chrome trim and silver paint but I have the wood grain dash too. I have a lift that I've had for 2 years and never put on. I'm thinking of slapping that on there and getting bigger tires to see if I like it. The special financing has ended I think so I'm in no rush now. The main thing I was looing to do is to get some better power without the added stress of a supercharger like on my current truck. If I were to finance 3 years the $4K more for a LTD would only be about $1300 a year or a litle over $100 mor a month ant the 0% interest. I may just end up going with a sport with leather seating and sell the Xreas as soon as I can.

 

The 0% for 36months has ended? It's still effective in my region.

http://www.buyatoyota.com/specials/s...specialId=5736

Anyway, I am probably going to hop up to the Sport V8 this month. 120,000 supercharged miles on my current rig has me worried a bit.

 

120K yikes. Do you have anything besided the S/C? fuel mods etc? I have about 20K S/C miles on mine and 40K total but it still wories me. Just checked on 0% still good here too. I guess the dealer told me the wrong thing? imagine that

 

No fuel mods. She's been holding up well. I looked at the V8 Sport yesterday, and I like it a lot. I'm not so sure about the XReas suspension, though. I'm thinking it's just another thing to break after the warranty. Plus, they said that it's not lift friendly. I wonder if it's too difficult to take out? Otherwise, I liked the seats, the nurf bars, and of course, V8 power.

 

I have an 04 sport. I originally had a spacer lift which worked great for providing some additional clearance but did nothing for load carrying (camping) which is when I needed the extra height. I evetually pulled the XREAS (easy) and went for OME which carries loads better and gives the extra clearnce. A side benefit is the truck handles better with the OME than the XREAS I believe.

Selling your XREAS should not be too much a problem but don't plan on getting much for it. For $800 people can switch to OME setup so a few hundred for a used XREAS would seem about the best you can expect.

Hope this helps inform you.

Cheers
Mark

 

How do you feel the V8 compares to the supercharged 6? When I drove the 8 it felt heavy and lumbering to me. It's hard to really compare due to my truck making more noise with exaust and intake mods so it sounds faster and may be fooling my butt dyno.

 

Well, this year I've got a V8 Ltd...however, On flat road...it runs great...fast, on hill side....If I want go faster, I had to push gas pedal harder than what I thought would need to be anyway it responded alittle slow/ felt that my runner is heavy..

Funny thing is on this monday, I disconnected my battery in order to install a 6k HID Xenon light in my headlight. After finished installation, went out for test drive and then what I found was not only my lowbeam is 2X brighter and also my T4R runs faster...I mean it's got more responds than b4. Try it...you will love it. that is if you get the 4runner V8.
Plus, IF you get a magnaflow Catback system...you will hear loud sound too. Feel more faster. Cuz likely you gonna gain 5hp more than stock.

 

I figure its time to chime in since I just moved from a 3rd gen SR5 to the 4rth gen V6 Ltd.

Likes
1 Power. Not Bad......considering my old V6 with headers and exhuast. I can still keep up with my bro's S/C and other upgrades to the nuts 4runner. Its also nice that I can run regular fuel.

2 Ride. X-Reas is a bonus. Handles way better on the H-WAY. I actually look fwd to long drives.

3. Seats. I think Im one of the few who actually like them.

5. Full time 4x4. Its nice not having to shift back and forth from part time and 2wd during the winter.

6. Resale value.



Dislikes

1.NEEDS A LIFT! The new runner is just too low. I already have trail carnage.

2. All that plastic fenders. Yuck. Scratches way too easily.

3. Build quality, I've already taken the new runner in for rattles to be fixed by the TSB. You figure they'd fix it by now. The fit and finish to me is not on par as it used to be.

4. Lack of tire options for the 18" wheels.

5. High premium price compared to other vehicles.

6. Styling................. you like it or you hate it. I had to wait a few years for the styling change a bit for me to bite.

7. Too many beeping noises and complex 4wd system. I really don't feel as safe in bush with all these electrical dodads built in the new runner.

8. The new assisted braking system is crazy. I just love just love coming down the hill and the tapping the brakes to a screaching stop. They are way to sensitive. As well, does anyone else feel the vibrations underneath the brake pedals ? This is not ABS.


I may sound bias against the my new runner, its because I really am. I miss my old truck. But the new runner suits my new needs today. If I wanted to a version of my old runner I would have bought the FJ.