Hello all, recently became interested in getting a 4runner. Right now im driving a handed down 96 ford exploder. Got it from my brother needless to say its seen better days, has about 175k on the motor and has the notorious death knock coming from the motor. I have a few questions on the 4runners. Are they reliable as people say they are? Pros and cons of them? Just general newbie questions. Sorry if this isnt the right place for this post. like i said im new! haha. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the addiction of Toyota.

Year? motor? all help to answer your questions but Toyota's in general are very reliable.

 

Ello, Ello. Like was said. Welcome to the addiction . In general the toyotas are greaaaat and reliable vehicles. Each engine has its quirks, but nothing too serious. We can tell you more about the vehicle if you tell us what year, engine, tranny, etc

 

they made 4Runners since '84 they have a lot better reputation than Ford exploders.
Pick your price range. the 3.0 V-6 is not one of toyota's better ideas.

 

Welcome to the Yota world. Like everyone said there's quirks but for me, their reliability makes all the difference. My 93 4Runner is going on 205,000 miles and it runs awesome. I will drive it until it dies and then I'll get another one.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for the warm welcome! im looking at the 4th gen 4runners possibly 03-07. I would like to get the v8, Auto trans seeing is how id like to eventually get into some small offroad stuff. but also have it as my daily driver as well. Id like to lift it a few inches, wheels tires, etc. im planning on keeping it a long time. I thought about dumping money into the exploder but i realized it wasnt worth it. Im not a v6 fan, my explorer has one in it and it has no go at all. feels like i have to stand on the pedal to make it move! lol
Thanks all!
Jeremy

 

only thing about 4runners is they dont have a bed. thats why i got a pickup. but now that i have a pickup.... i want a 4runner too!

 

You might like this link...

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f80/...edition-69073/

 

Sure they do. Its just carpeted and permanently covered.

 

toylocost thanks for the link! Ive seen that 4runner around on some of the threads on here. i think it was on one about modifications and FAQ's about 4th gen 4runners. Very detailed and helpful!

 

I had a '94 Mazda Navajo 4wd (same as a '91-'94 2 door Explorer) for over 8 years. It had about 180,000 miles on it when I totaled it, and it was still running strong. This was despite overheating it many times due to many failed electric cooling fan experiments. My only major malfunction was the Mazda built 5-speed manual transmission failure, at about 170,000 miles, and if I had changed the fluid regularly, that probably wouldn't have happened. Plus, the excessive heat from the engine/exhaust overheating the transmission at slow rock-crawling speeds, and towing my loaded trailer 850 miles to Kentucky and back at 80 MPH several times, and towing 100 miles 9-10 times a year here in Florida probably didn't help it.

Then I tried a new '06 Wrangler Unlimited. Although a nice vehicle, and a very good performer off road when stock, it wasn't a good daily driver. And it needed warranty work at 1100 miles, 3900 miles, and at 12,000 miles, which is when I traded it on my '06 Tacoma, which had 15,000 miles.

The only troubles I've had with my Tacoma is a premature failure of the right front wheel bearing (covered by the extended warranty), a failed power steering pump (caused by me doing donuts off road with the steering wheel turned full left for at least a minute at full throttle, covered by extended warranty), and a failure of 3 of the 4 catalytic converters (first it was one, then 2 more, and now I'm waiting for the 4th to fail), covered by the federally mandated emissions warranty.

All of my Tacoma issues were very recent, at about 61-62,000 miles. I'm so glad I bought the best 75,000 mile extended warranty that I could buy.

Overall though, I am pleased with my Tacoma. I've only had it stuck once, and that was in a deep washout in the mountains of eastern Kentucky that guys with 37" tire equipped Jeeps avoid. It's pulled me through and out of many places that I never thought it would.

 

Jeez! Haha. I want something reliable and will go forever. I dont mind putting money into a vehicle that has a great reputation and is known to not fall apart. Plus i like to be orginal. Seeing is how id be the first one in my family to drive a toyota suv! I priced lifting my explorer, engine swap etc. it would cost me about as much as it would for me to buy a used 4runner in good shape.

William, what part of kentucky are you talking about? I have family down there, thats why i ask.

 

Beattyville, in Lee county. It's about 60 miles north-northeast of London, and about 45 miles due north of Manchester.

My ex-wife is from there, and my current girlfriend lives there.

 

Ah. I see. im not real familiar with any places down there. Been there only a few times. I believe my family down there lives in pikeville? Not real sure on that one. But ill check and find out.

Question on the 4runner. My plan for it is to lift, wheels, tires, lights. Now for engine mods, ive heard of the TRD superchargers. Im not a real fan of superchargers in suv's but id like to get some more power out of the motor. IS there any other engine mods that will help out with horses? Im sorta new to the whole modifying vehicles thing btw!

Thanks!
Jeremy

 

Intake and exhaust will get you some but supercharger is the way to go. It will get about 70-80hp IIRC? Then you can do the 7th Injector kit from URD.