I like the physical size of the 4th gen but the styling leaves me cold. It looks like something Nissan would make - which means it will appear quite dated soon. Throw in the lower clearance (to satisfy insurance companies) and complicated 4WD system and there probably won't be any out on the hard trails soon. I may change my opinion when I see one with 33's under it and flexing like crazy on a trail. So far it looks like Toyota is going after the soccer moms and has forgotten about people who like to wheel. The exception is XREAS but that seems like a very expensive system and that could lead to very big repair bills. I'd rather have a simple 2wd/4wd transfer case with lower gearing like the Rubicon has.

 

No the V6 nor V8 do not need premium gas.

Yeah the 4th gen sucks on every level.

 

If i had the money and the opportunity to get a 4th gen just like Doug's then i'd get it. not that i dislike my rig but because I love all 4runners, they are different beasts but 4th gen is the most refined one. I like their quieter ride and interior fit-n-finish, i think most of you would agree that previous 4runners lack taste interior wise. generic-looking interior did need some work. And Exterior wise.........let's just say i wouldnt buy 4runners for looks alone. ANY truk can be more capable than the next one, its just a matter of how much $$$$$ you spend and how far you are willing to take ur truck away from the factory specs. It shouldnt be about "mine is better than yours" , more like "i have more money to burn" in my opinion.

 

My neighbor at my apartment had a 01 3rd gen. It was pretty cool because we parked by each other. She traded it in for a 03 4th gen. It is dark blue with the gray cladding. At first, I didn't like it, but now I don't think its bad. I still like the looks of mine better, but if I were to buy a new SUV, it would be either the 4Runner V8 or the Sequoia.

 

guys, guys, guys!

breaks my heart to see us having a little family feud, regardless of misinterpretations and misunderstandings! well, im glad to read at the end that all is well in YT land.

anyways, the 4th gens are sorta growing on me, esp the silver limiteds. If, for example, my 3rd gen is hit and damaged beyond repair, i'll probably buy a 4th gen. three 3rd gens would be one too many 3rd gens!

i think the major point in this babbling is that regardless of generation, ITS A TOYOTA 4RUNNER! i could think of lesser vehicles, including the Ford Exploder and the Ford Expedition.

(jgs- does that answer your question?)

bob

 

JGS:

> I need to see some more 4th gen pics!
You'll find these here and there, just do a search for 2003 or 4th gen and you'll find something

> It is a rumor about the V6 needing premium gas right?
No both engines use 87 octane. But if you want you can add premium

> Where is the JBL sythesis subwoofer located?
Passenger side rear panel. They have an 8" JBL. You can try to fit something in there but the space is very limited that the sound will not be effective. I have 2 10" JL's in the back (taking up way too much space) but hey atleast it sounds good. I've tried to add one of the 10" in the side panel but unfortunately, there's really no room for it so I decided to give up on that idea. Maybe someone can make a custom one for all of us

What is the opinion of the double decker cargo system?
Just basically makes your cargo into a shelf.

Can't wait to see those 4th gen lift pics. How long away are we from having some 4th gen SAWs??
Last I heard was that Sway-A-Way was working on SAW's for the 4th gen but no word on when they will be done. I have personally seen the Downey's version of their coilovers and it looks dope Unfortunately, they don't have the rear kit ready so I'm just waiting

Will there be a 4.0L supercharger? The next Tacoma is rumored to get this engine. Whats the hp rating of the 4.7L with the blower?
No superchager on the 4.0L's yet (but I'm sure toyota will make one eventually). Tacoma will sport the same 4.0L engine. the v8's SC output is the same for all 4.7L so look up any info on SC from the tundra and it should give you a relative figure.


Hope this helps...

 

Someone said they needed more 4th gen pics? I'd be happy to oblige. Anything to show off my camera



Sorry for the size, it's already 1/3 of what it was.

 

You know what they say, sometimes size does matter.
Even the 4th has less headroom than most forgien and domestic cars.
But the 3rd all around seems to have the space of a lifted tercel.
And since the vast majority of the time it is not used for off roading this is where toyota seems to have made improvements in comfort, size, power and handling. I love the extra power and handling to get around the others in traffic.

 

Another reason the 4th generation is remarkably different is the desire of Toyota to move the 4Runner into the 'Marquee Toyota SUV nameplate' position. The Land Cruiser is being discontinued here in the States in '05 or '06. The Runner will fill the upper end product offering from Toyota. The LC changed radically from its humble beginnings to what it is today. Same marketing plan with the 4Runner.

The FJ Cruiser will be the 'cheap' or entry level rock crawler, trail rig that started with the original Runner and Land Cruiser. If you want a vehicle that is easily modified and priced to take trail scars, then the new FJ will be your ticket.

The 4th generation Runner is what it is. I owned a '02 Sport 4x4, I almost cried when I traded her for an '03 Sport 4x4. But what sold me was the drastic improvements to driving refinement, cabin comfort and the V8 and full-time 4x4. No need to bash other peoples choice's, there are some mods on members rigs that I find to be hilarious and overkill for their actual usage. But I hold my finger......

This is America, eight service people were killed yesterday in Iraq protecting your freedom to open speech. B4 you bash, remember to look in the mirror.

ps. I was one of the vocal anti 4th generation people when it was released. Then I drove it.

 

If you wanted to see more pics, here's a pic of mine (actually I just wanted to test and see if I could get a pic to display )

 

Silver doesn't look half bad form that angle. Still don't like the rear straight on view. I haven't seen those wheels before - they are pretty nice.

 

I did some research:

4.0-liter DOHC 24-valve EFI VVT-i V6
245 hp @ 5,200 rpm/282 lb.-ft. @ 3,800 rpm

4.7-liter DOHC 32-valve EFI V8
235 hp @ 4,800 rpm/320 lb.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm

TRD Supercharged 4.7-liter DOHC 32-valve EFI V8
353 hp @ 5,200 rpm/439 lb.-ft. @ ?,??? rpm

Based on TRD's specs from
Supercharger, 4.7L V8, 2UZFE
HP & TORQUE GAIN
• Peak to peak gain: 112 HP gain (46%) [= 347 HP]
• Best gain: 118 HP @ 5,200 RPM (50%) [= 353 HP]
• Peak to peak gain: + 79 lb-ft torque (25%) [= 399 lb-ft]
• Best gain: 119 lb-ft torque (50%) [= 439 lb-ft]

Too bad it's a $4,000+ option

 

My GF and I are going to the Toyota dealer today to look at the 2004 4Runners....maybe do a test drive and figure out what I want and what I'm gonna start saving for. [Note to self - GF reminds me I must also save for her ring...I don't see her saving for anything for me!! TRD superchar....nevermind] I don't really have to worry about coming home with one TODAY, because I found out from my brother that he already got a Double Cab Tacoma for himself and a Highlander (yuk) for his wife's parents and employees are limited to two purchases a year or something. So hopefully begining of next year I'll finally get my 4 Runner!!

I can't wait to get out of my 4 banger Jeep Wrangler ('95 with no ac in FL). It only has 61,000 mi but it has "custom body panels" from off roading. I'm also sick of the floppy-flop top. It's basically worth nothing...maybe I should keep it as a 2nd vehicle?

Isn't it sad that I've been reading these forms for almost a year and I don't even have a Yota??

 

Since I would be getting a black 4R, I am thinking I might have the silver rear bumper cover and silver front parts panted black too....any thoughts?

See pic for what I am talking about. (Note to sil23 I borrowed some of your pics! On Galatic Grey it looks good, but might be too flashy for me on black)

 

Victor... thanks... those wheels on mine are the standard 17" ones that come with (and are only available on) the Sport Edition.

 

Looked at the 4Runners yesterday! The stealership only had 2003 models, I told the guy I was looking for a 2004 SR5 with the Appearance Package and he's like "just get one of these 2003 Limited$ I have $itting here"....um no thank$. What was real sad is that I knew more about the truck than he did. He stopped trying to talk BS to me and made small talk with my GF while I crawled all over the vehicle pointing things out to her. It was funny.

My brother bummed me out...said I might not be able to find a heavily optioned SR5 V6 4x4 the way I want it. Said only certain combinations are ever ordered from Toyota...might have to upgrade to a V8 or a Limited anyways to get everything I want. He said I might be able to find a SR5 V6 4x4 with moonroof and everything else, and then just have leather seats added at the port or something. I'm still gonna try!!

 

Model: 4Runner SR5 4WD Color: Black Interior: Stone Leather

(Must haves)
115v Ac Power Point $100
Ash Tray/Cigarette Lighter $99
Black Roof Rack & Cross Bar $220
Double Decker Cargo System w/Trunk & Deck $125
Lthr Wrap Steering Wheel w/Cruise & Audio $220
Electrochromic Mirror w/Compass $199
Leather Faced Seats (w/gyat) $1398
Power Tilt/Slide Moonroof $900

(Wants)
Cargo Net $69
Daytime Running Lights $40
Garage Door Opener w/Homelink $125
Remote Security System $389
16" Aluminum Alloy Wheels W/ $0
Black Grille Guard $299
Cargo Liner (w/Cargo Mngmnt) $109
Carpet/Trunk Mats (req. DD Cargo System) $225
Deluxe 3-in-1 w/ 6 speakers $0
Window Tint $149

Base Price $29,445
Options $4,666
Freight $575
Total Price $34,686
60 Month Retail Payment $604mo

 

It sounds like a Sport Edition would be cheaper than loading up a SR5 with all the options.
Leather can be a dealer-installed option

$34,700 sounds like alot of money for a SR5. That is just about what you could get a 03 Limited for right now.

 

Well the funny thing is most of those options I wanted would still be considered options in the other packages (except for leather on Limited). Plus I want the black roof rack on the SR5, not the silver one on the Limiteds. I should be okay - the only real different thing I want on the SR5 is the moonroof and I've seen those. I'll probably just have to get leather installed. Everything else looks like it could be added later if need be.

I thought the Sport only came with that perforated suede, and what I saw of it I didn't like. I don't need X-REAS (gonna lift one day) and since the scoop isn't functional so I don't have "scoop envy" either.

My brother said we will order it the way I want it and he can check the port to see if they ever come over like that.

I'm gonna have a heart attack when I trade out my 123hp 4 banger for the 245hp V6!!

 

If your changing the seats to leather, the 'perforated suede' seats in the Sport wouldn't matter.