Holy grail of 4th gens

What do you guys consider the holy grail of 4th gens? I am interested in purchasing a 4th gen, and currently own a 3rd gen. I just would like a little more info on what to stray from in a 4th gen and what to look for. Ideally what is the best year, options, lockers? etc...

 

Depends on what youll be using it for. For me i liked the look of the Sports with the V8 and full time 4wd. They actually did better on fuel than the 6 in the real world and were much safer IMO with the FT 4wd. Liked it better than my 5g for sure.

 

The V8’s are unique amongst all 4Runners. Other than that I liked mine because it’s an early V6 with a serviceable auto and sunroof.

 

I had the V6 '03 a few yrs ago and was REALLY great. had to sell at that time and missed having it. so a few yrs later (now) cam across another '03 V8 Sport and LOVE IT! just be aware of the timing belt /water pump change at about 1K recommended (will cost$$).

 

Had an 05' Limited with the V8.... loved it

 

Like Hyper said, depends on your use. After researching, im very happy i was able to find a later in the year generation (2009). Have the projector headlights, less engine problems, nicer interior. The V8's are nice, but working on a V6 seems easier with the way the engine bay is setup. The Trail Edition is probably the biggest Unicorn of them all. I couldnt be happier with my runner though, it was in immaculate condition, had one owner and great service records. Only bad thing was that I was in need of a vehicle while we got hit hard by Hurricane Harvey so prices were a lot higher.

 

06 and up V8 limited.
All wheel drive with L4 and center diff lock.
Stupid reliable. Leather. Fully loaded.
Projector headlights.

One of the best engines you'll find in a Toyota. 2uz-fe 4.7L V8 with VVt-i

More get up and go than the 4.0L V6 and ironically better economy to boot.

 

Hoping I don't get flamed but, here is an "out of the box" suggestion... Check out the GX470 which is called a Land Cruiser Prado in other parts of the world but is actually a 4Runner V8 with some luxury options thrown in, 3rd row seats, and a taller roof. It has FT 4wd with 4H and 4L and a center diff lock. Lockers were never an option for these though . Because it is not a Toyota, they can be found for substantially cheaper than a Toyota 4Runner, the same is often true for the LX450 and LX470. I am new to 4x4 and new to Toyota but recently bought a GX for $8k with 160k on the clock and was a southern truck and very well maintained. I am thrilled with it. I bought mine because I like the idea of a mechanical 4wd selector rather than an electronic actuator. I love the VVT-i motor with the 5 speed tranny and it does okay on MPG (not great though). Just a suggestion.

 

They are nice trucks, Ive seen builds of them. Just like the V8 4Runner with a little more class. Id rock one.

 

I agree... nice rigs they are.

 

One odd feature worth mentioning is it has a rear door instead of a hatch. AND, it opens the wrong way (hinged on passenger side). One benefit to this however, it I can open the rear door and step on the trunk floor to reach my roof rack.

 

05+ with the VVTi V8, great torque and fun to drive. Plane on replace both exhaust manifolds if it is 150k plus miles. Pretty common problem. I ended up doing full exhaust, headers with cats plus second set of cats and magma flow stainless cat back.

 

Oh I think 09 had a one year only 4th gen Trail Edition with rear locker. Only came in V6 however.

 

I'm pretty happy with my 08 Urban Runner. It's in fantastic shape with only 147k on the clock. The V6 is crazy reliable and the vehicle goes anywhere. This is my first and last 4runner as I won't let this one go.

 

I drive a 04 SR5 V8 which I find pretty rare.

 

You notice any difference in fuel economy after doing this? Just curious, mine is 15years old but only has 100k miles, so it'll need to be done soon i imagine...

 

Not long before I bought mine in December 2017, I saw a 2009 Lexus GX470 for sale with less than 10,000 miles and an odometer picture to prove it. They wanted twenty-some-grand for it but compared to a new 4Runner or a one-year-old model with that many miles... it would have been quite a deal. Someone snapped it up quickly because it didn't last long on the website.

If ever there'd be a holy grail, that'd be it... a seriously low-mileage piece in near-new condition.

 

Pics?

 

I have an 06 limited 2wheel drive v8. I love it. Just changed original timing belt water pump, whole front end of motor at 218k miles. I did so it only cost me 1500 in parts. Toyota wanted 3500$
Just replaced u joints at 228k

 

05 Limited V8. Love it to death! Only just hit 150k so Im rockin this thing till I die

Having said that if you find a GX470 the slight upgrade in body and interior is nice too

 

I owned one. It was awesome and definitely a unicorn as I never saw another one in person to this day. Not many of them were produced compared to all the other 4th gen models.

 

My brother-in-law had a 2008-09 (?) 4Runner with the V8 4WD that he bought with 79K miles. We went to visit him in SC in 2019 and he had 179K miles on it then. He loved it, with his only complaint being the V8 because it sucked too much gas. He traded it in with 275K miles and got a Hyundai Tuscon hybrid, which in comparison felt like a cheap, tinny POS. He regrets his choices.

 

06 and up V8 Sport Edition 4WD

The last time Toyota offered a V8 in such a small SUV.

I've got an 08 V6 Sport and it's a beast. Just keeps going strong with no major problems. Easy to work on. Gets better gas mileage than the V8 and little cheaper to repair.

If you're not towing anything, find the V6.

If you're towing or doing really hard work with it, find the V8.

 

I agree, when it comes to limited production "awesome" vehicles the Urban Runner was what i think tops the cake. It had the best of the best of every model. It has the hood scoop and TRD mechanical LSD from the sport. It has the color matched door handles, mirrors, grille, rear spoiler and 18" wheels from the Limited. It has the skid plates from an offroad. It has suede and leather interior and had the TomTom navigation from the factory. With the tube side steps and roof rack it was quite the catch and very easy on the eyes. I saw my first one brand new off the lot in 2008 at a local bank and stopped and stared at it and told the woman if she ever sold it i wanted it BAD. I eventually was able to buy it from her and its been my daily driver for 10 years. It has about 245,000 miles today and i absolutely love it.

 

Only thing i dislike about my 08 SR5 V6 is the rear deck hatch with it's motor locking and the goog on the opening device.

 

Recently picked up this 09 v8 4wd sport edition with 220k miles.. there are LITERALLY no others for sale in this trim in all California. I absolutely looove it. Gets 14-15 mpg runs smoooooth no engine lights. Swapped out that xreas suspension for some billies and ome springs, total chaos uca, new moog lca , moog say links, new hubs w/koyo bearings, upgraded brakes to 5th gen oem brakes & calipers, rebuilt gx 470 axles with yota boots and diff drop. I will never let this ol girl go!!

 

Next 33's , steel whinch front bumper, skids, prinsu rack, and kings if the budget is right lol.

 

What needs to be done on the 4th gens to fit 33's comfortably?

 

Define "comfortably"
You mean a pavement pounder riding roads and looking pretty?
You mean a pavement pounder that climbs over a curb every now and again?
You mean a pavement pounder that goes to an occasional offroad park?
You mean a pavement pounder that you can drive to Moab and Sand Hollow and make it back home with the bumper still attached?

 

First one currently, but maybe second and third as time goes on and it becomes less my 'family' vehicle.