New to 4Runners....looking at a Gen 4 for my 1st....

I'm shopping for my first 4Runner. I'm a little torn between the Gen 3's and a Gen 4. Leaning Gen 4 just because I like the idea of a bit more HP in the 4.0 and the timing chain vs belt. One less expensive maintenance item to deal with. I don't like the looks of the 2003-2005 so I'm shopping for a 2006+. Is there any pro to going 2008/9 over an '06/'07? I haven't discounted the V8 yet but again, timing belt. Plans are to use the 4Runner as a recreational vehicle for camping trips, some overlanding, and light off-roading. It's not going to be a daily driver though I'm sure I'll drive it to work or on family outings now and then.

Anything in particular to look out for when shopping for a Gen 4? I know the normal stuff....rust, overall condition, generally how it runs and shifts and any obvious leaks.

 

Welcome

 

welcome

 

I would say in the V6 versus V8 debate, drive the V8. It's going to drive a heck of a lot nicer than the 6-cylinder, which will make dealing with a timing belt every 100K more palatable.

 

Anyone with a V8 is going to recommend a V8. I get it but drive both and make your own call. It's also tough to be picky when so few solid 4WD 4Runners with reasonably clean frames can be found. FWIW, I bought my 2007 V6 Sport Edition in 2014 with 96K miles. Took me a year to find it and only then b/c I went outside metro Atlanta and found one in Greenville, SC. Today I'm at 254K miles with no regrets.

 

247k on my v8. Had the timing belt done with some other stuff recently, it wasn’t terrible as far as costs go. Depending on how much you drive that’s like a once a decade or more maintenance item.

 

I think the big struggle would be finding an '08-'09 worth buying since sales those years were bad and with it being the last years of full-time 4WD before it went Limited-only I bet folks cling to it. 2009 was the lowest sales since '88 according to Wikipedia's chart.

(And a nugget I like to dispense is that technically, there were more 2009 Kia Borrego's sold than 2009 4Runner's, and think about how rare the Borrego is/was. Granted, I think the 2009 Borrego's run went a little longer than the 4Runner's but I'm not sure on that.)

Anything you get though is going to want/need some TLC. I personally don't really care for the extra V8 oomph and fuel use so I wouldn't pay extra for it but you can still make sure to check when the belt was done.

Any car stuff can apply so I'd want to get a professional to look at it.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

Gen3 and Gen 4 here. While I prefer the looks of the Gen 3 my 08 v6 Gen 4 drives much nicer and is more comfortable on long road trips.

 

I did find a really clean looking '08 V6 with 160k miles. I can't say how it is mechanically as I've not seen it in person. It's 250 miles away. But price seems good (maybe too good?) at $10k. It's at a dealership and they do offer free shipping so it's something I am going to at least as some questions about and see where it goes.

 

That is a good point. Since this wouldn't be my daily, in reality, it would probably take me quite a long time to hit 90k+ miles and have to start worrying about the belt.

 

4th gen

If you're towing, get the V8.

If not, get the V6.

My 4th gen nearing 200k and engine is purring like a kitten. Incredible machine that just keeps going as long as you keep up maintenance. Engine is so easy to work on, and OEM parts are reasonably priced.

 

At this age, V6 typically have a timing cover leak. V8 typically have cracked exhaust manifolds. Both typically will have steering rack leaks. Watch for rear hatch rust caused by the roll-down window (bane of every 4Runner generation up to 2024).

Less expensive problems (under $1k) to consider:
The AWD models have lower instances of transfer case actuator shaft leaks, and don't have the flaky ADD actuator on the front diff.

 

I had an 03 SR5 with 438,000 miles on it, incredible engine. Didn’t use much oil either. I recently ruined the engine (I think it is anyway) after the radiator blew a hole and engine overheated. I was in a construction zone and couldn’t pull over….anyway. Mine had a gear oil leak that was coming from where the electronic shifter bolts the transfer case. I would keep it topped off, it was a very slow leak. The back hatch, as someone else mentioned, developed rust along the bottom right of center because the window trim along the bottom disintegrated. That causes the locking mechanism to get sticky and not work properly if you don’t keep it lubricated. Key hole on back door has never worked. Had to replace front calipers and axels. Shifter mechanism will get gunk, dirt and dried coke in it and will may cause issues. I tried to force mine into a lower gear onetime and something inside, under the console, broke. It still works fine it just won’t stay in the 4th position 2nd position, also will shift very easily from drive to 4 if you just look at it funny but…not that big of an issue. Power steering leaks from both sides where the hose transitions to hard pipe. Exhaust system was getting in pretty rough shape. Frame was developing a lot of rust. Everything still worked on it, AC, cruise , radio. I was having to add engine coolant to it occasionally, never could figure out where it was coming from so I decided to put a new radiator cap on it, a couple of weeks later the radiator blew a hole right out the right side front upper part. I neglected it, never flushed the coolant, never changed gear oil, never changed the transmission fluid, never changed the shocks, water pump, timing chain/belt. I did replace the alternator at around 420,000 miles,replaced spark plugs at around 400,000. Replaced both front axles at around 225,000, replaced serpentine belt, replaced a few bulbs on the climate buttons, replaced calipers and rotors. I used to change the oil about every 9,000 miles are so but I drive A LOT so I started using synthetic and using a quality oil filter and started stretching the time between oil changes to about 30,000 miles, went 50,000 one time . It had a bit of an oil leak, probably from the valve cover. I kept the u-joints and spline shafts greased. There are a few odds and ends that I probably forgot but….that thing spoiled me, it was an absolute beast of a vehicle, so, when it bit the dust I went and found another one, 03, Limited, black, V8, 221,000 when I bought it. I still have the SR5, I have been scavenging random parts from it, for the Limited. I may put another engine in it at some point.