1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Ownership experience so far - 2023 SR5P

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by dsnow, Mar 18, 2023.

  1. Mar 18, 2023 at 11:42 AM
    #1
    dsnow

    dsnow [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2023
    Member:
    #31305
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2023 SR5P
    I picked up my 2023 SR5P from the dealer on March 7th. I absolutely love it so far. I had a 2020 2-door Wrangler previously, and I was looking for more room to carry people and things. The 4Runner is much more comfortable, and it is a much nicer space to spend time in all around compared to the Wrangler.

    I have added a few things so far:

    • I added the all black "Trail" running boards. I am really happy with how they look.
    • I added some Weathertech HP floor liners to the front and back seats, I looked around at some other options, but I had the HP's previously, and I really liked them. They are easy to clean with just a microfiber cloth since they don't have such deep ridges like some other options have.
    • I updated the interior incandescent bulbs to LEDs, this was a huge improvement on visibility in the dark and was well worth the expense. It was easy to change out all 11 bulbs, took probably 1/2 hour.
    • I added a tray to go in the top of the cavernous center console to hold smaller items, I got it off of Amazon and it was really worth it to have a spot for items that I use often, and there is still lots of room underneath for all kinds of other things.
    I am old school, and although it is likely irrational, I can't let engine oil or rear differential fluid stay in a new vehicle past 1000 miles. Probably something that was ingrained in to my psyche at a young age, but it makes me sleep better after changing them early. I hit 750 miles, and I knew I was going to be really busy in the coming weeks and probably wouldn't have a chance to get to it for awhile, so I changed both the oil and rear dif fluid.

    I ordered some oil, oil filters, oil drain plug gaskets, and the differential crush washers along with the running boards from a dealer that is pretty close that was linked from the Toyota parts site, there was free shipping since it was over $75 and they came just a few days after ordering. The price was really nice compared to MSRP on all those parts.

    For the oil change the worst part was getting the front skid plate back on, it actually came off easily, I probably just got lucky. Putting it back on took a lot of cuss words and attempts, but finally got it. For the filter, I didn't worry about trying to drain the oil out of it first, I just spun it off, cleaned it up and replaced the filter and o-ring, and put it back on. Was way easier than I thought it would be. I think trying to deal with draining it first would have made it much more difficult. For this first oil change I used the Toyota GTMO 0w20, it was really nice to get it shipped for free, and it was just over $6 a quart. Lately in the Walmart's near my house, it has been difficult to find any 0w20, they have basically every other weight of oil, but the 0w20 seems to be in high demand. I will now keep my eyes open and try to get a stash built up when I find it. I will be one that does my oil changes every 5k going forward.

    The rear dif was pretty easy to service. The only issue I had, that I haven't really seen mentioned in the various threads, was that the crush washer on the drain bolt was painted to the bolt and difficult to get loose. At first I spent a long time trying to find it in the pan thinking it must have fallen it because with my old eyes, I didn't notice it was painted to the plug. I used a little razor blade to get it loose easily. I have seen this in the past on few vehicles, but figured I would mention here, it would be easy to not notice and make the mistake of adding a new washer on top and getting in to trouble. I didn't think to take a picture of it before I got it loose, but here is what it looked like after:

    IMG-0378.jpg
    Thanks to everyone for all the great content that has been contributed here, has helped me a lot.

    EM100015.jpg
     
  2. Mar 18, 2023 at 12:28 PM
    #2
    JET4

    JET4 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2018
    Member:
    #8147
    Messages:
    3,595
    Gender:
    Male
    Southeast, Va.
    welcome
     
  3. Mar 18, 2023 at 11:41 PM
    #3
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    Welcome!
     
  4. Mar 19, 2023 at 3:35 AM
    #4
    Steely123

    Steely123 What's the new trend? I'll do it!

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2022
    Member:
    #27323
    Messages:
    2,549
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgetown, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 4runner SR5 premium
    Welcome
     
  5. Mar 19, 2023 at 4:45 AM
    #5
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,192
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    Welcome!
    Going through the fluids is a good idea. Some will say unnecessary at such an early life cycle, but there are a few reported instances of low levels in a brand new vehicle. I'm OCD about the engine oil and change at every 3k miles, regardless of what the manual says. For some reason this triggers a little ridicule on the forums, but I am also tough on my vehicles, so what can it hurt? Except my wallet...

    You probably know this already, but keep all receipts for oil and filters, as well as record mileage and dates for warranty purposes.

    Is your Premium a 4x2 or 4x4?
     
  6. Mar 19, 2023 at 6:01 AM
    #6
    dsnow

    dsnow [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2023
    Member:
    #31305
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2023 SR5P
    Thanks for all the welcomes, mine is 4x4, I plan to do the front differential and transfer case a little further down the road, and the transmission a little further beyond that.
     
    MI-FL off roader likes this.
  7. Mar 19, 2023 at 6:05 AM
    #7
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    I don’t understand how levels can be low if the dealer does the proper PDI, but we all know how dealers are these days. Oil changes I do 3,000 miles if conventional or synthetic blend, 5,000 if full synthetic. First oil change at 1,000 miles for the engine.
     
  8. Mar 19, 2023 at 6:07 AM
    #8
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    Good luck and enjoy the new vehicle! Hopefully you don’t have any of the dreaded issues you will probably see floating around this forum.
     
  9. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:03 AM
    #9
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,192
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    You may have already read this, but If you have the dial 4x4 switch in the console, that is the electronic actuated transfer case and it will need to be engaged several times a year to keep it from having issues. They have had problems in the past properly engaging if left dormant too long.
    Same with the front diff ADD (automatic diff disconnect) and the electronic locking rear diff actuators as well.
     
    BearBio likes this.
  10. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:08 AM
    #10
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    And to keep the front differential properly lubed drive in a straight line if dry conditions for 10 miles a month per manual
     
  11. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:12 AM
    #11
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,192
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    I have a Limited, so I didn't realize the manual calls for engagement that frequent.
    I swapped my 4th gen V8 out to a manual t-case to eliminate any future problems.
     
  12. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:13 AM
    #12
    Steve40th

    Steve40th New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2019
    Member:
    #11462
    Messages:
    298
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    sTEVE
    Very nice. What LED interior lights did you go with?
     
  13. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:13 AM
    #13
    Tmiesowicz

    Tmiesowicz New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2021
    Member:
    #24881
    Messages:
    1,254
    Gender:
    Male
    The better half of New York
    Vehicle:
    2022 sr5 premium 4x4 (sold) 2022 ram classic tradesman 5.7L 4x4 (current)
    Not sure how that goes in the limited then!
     
  14. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:16 AM
    #14
    MI-FL off roader

    MI-FL off roader T4R Hobby/Addict

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2015
    Member:
    #878
    Messages:
    1,192
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Brett
    Merritt Island, FL
    Vehicle:
    03' SR5 Sport - 12' Limited
    Too many mods and too much money
    LE's are full time AWD, so the diff doesn't have the ADD. The t-case/center diff lock needs to have the same exercise though.
     
  15. Mar 19, 2023 at 7:29 AM
    #15
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2019
    Member:
    #12421
    Messages:
    6,230
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ralph
    Bisbee AZ
    Vehicle:
    2020 Black 4Runner Venture 1967 FJ40 Land Cruiser
    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    Welcome from Arizona! Nice intro.
     
  16. Mar 19, 2023 at 9:06 AM
    #16
    steelevo

    steelevo Not so new anymore...

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2022
    Member:
    #29845
    Messages:
    1,889
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2023 4Runner TRD Pro Solar Octane
    Welcome
     
  17. Mar 19, 2023 at 9:20 AM
    #17
    Klinsman55

    Klinsman55 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15122
    Messages:
    213
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    K
    Northern NV
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    Falken Wildpeak AT3W 265/70R17 36PSI. KDSS. Tokico suspension. MTM camera system
    I second this question. What LED lights did you go with?
     
  18. Mar 19, 2023 at 9:22 AM
    #18
    Klinsman55

    Klinsman55 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2020
    Member:
    #15122
    Messages:
    213
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    K
    Northern NV
    Vehicle:
    2023 ORP
    Falken Wildpeak AT3W 265/70R17 36PSI. KDSS. Tokico suspension. MTM camera system

    The Wrangler is great OffRoad. Pretty uncomfortable and loud as a a daily driver. Rented one a few times. There was no way I could get one as a daily driver.

    Bronco is a little better and probably falls in between wranglers and 4Runner in terms of comfort and daily driver use
     
  19. Mar 19, 2023 at 9:37 AM
    #19
    BearBio

    BearBio New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2021
    Member:
    #21264
    Messages:
    1,056
    First Name:
    Greg
    Vehicle:
    2019, Dark Blue SR5
    Roof rack, side bars
    I third it!
     
  20. Mar 19, 2023 at 9:38 AM
    #20
    TrailGuy2016

    TrailGuy2016 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2021
    Member:
    #20262
    Messages:
    312
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Trail Premium, Silver
    Raptor lights, TRD front grille, RCI Metalworks skid plates

    I highly recommend getting this front engine skid: https://rcimetalworks.com/product/10-19-4runner-front-skid-plate/

    You never have to remove it for oil changes and it's thicker than the stock version.
     
    Texrun50 and Tradbow like this.
  21. Mar 19, 2023 at 9:46 AM
    #21
    BearBio

    BearBio New Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2021
    Member:
    #21264
    Messages:
    1,056
    First Name:
    Greg
    Vehicle:
    2019, Dark Blue SR5
    Roof rack, side bars
  22. Mar 19, 2023 at 10:01 AM
    #22
    MusashiSushi

    MusashiSushi New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2023
    Member:
    #30456
    Messages:
    119
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    Colorado Springs, CO
    Vehicle:
    2023 4Runner SR5 Premium Black/Black
    Elka 2.5 DC 3" lift, SPC UCA's, Toytech rear springs, ARB Diff Breather, RSG Rock Sliders & front Skid. C4 front bumper with High Clearance sides and Warn Winch.
    Welcome and great introduction. I picked up an SR5 Premium 4x4 on December 30th and love it too. Already have a list of things I want to do.
     
  23. Mar 19, 2023 at 11:01 AM
    #23
    supercrawler

    supercrawler New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2023
    Member:
    #30811
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    allen
    Vehicle:
    2023 4runnerTRD Offload Premium
    stock
    Purchased Jan 15 2023 this is what i did so far, Never smell the dirt yet until some modified KDSS.

    KakaoTalk_20230318_195820498.jpg
    KakaoTalk_20230319_104825895.jpg
    KakaoTalk_20230319_105345374.jpg
    KakaoTalk_20230319_105345374_01.jpg
     
    Texrun50 and Gharddog03 like this.
  24. Mar 19, 2023 at 1:28 PM
    #24
    dsnow

    dsnow [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2023
    Member:
    #31305
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2023 SR5P
    One of my friends convinced me that the cheap LED sets from Amazon would burn out quick, and that I should go with VLEDs, so I did. It was pricey, hopefully it will be worth it and they will last. As easy as it was, I probably should have just went with the cheap ones even if I have to replace them from time to time. I got the white 5.5K variant, I am really happy with the results, so I am not going to worry about the price.
     
  25. Mar 23, 2023 at 8:18 AM
    #25
    McSpazatron

    McSpazatron New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19810
    Messages:
    4,612
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 4runner OR
    Dobinson IMS Warn Bumper CaliRaised Sliders 285/70 K02s
    LEDs that fail don’t just burn out, they can short. Which is a problem because interior lights arent fused. A short in any of those LED can burn out the body control module/computer. Dont cheap out on these. Or better yet, be selective in the ones you change to led to minimize the risk.

    When regular incandescent lights fail, they fail open circuit. That’s probably why fusing these circuits wasnt an anticipated need.
     
  26. Mar 23, 2023 at 8:59 AM
    #26
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
    Looks great! Curious - did you put clear film between the wind fairing and the roof? I see it has some edging guard on it, but appears to be touching the roof.
     
  27. Mar 23, 2023 at 11:32 AM
    #27
    Curlystooge

    Curlystooge Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2022
    Member:
    #25595
    Messages:
    161
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2022 limited in magnetic grey
    Great looking T4R, why the spare on the back?
     
  28. Mar 25, 2023 at 5:30 AM
    #28
    supercrawler

    supercrawler New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2023
    Member:
    #30811
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    allen
    Vehicle:
    2023 4runnerTRD Offload Premium
    stock
    Good eye,,
    It vary touching the roof panel
     

Products Discussed in

To Top