Looking at the 4th gens as the future offroad/overland rig. Advice?

So as soon as I learned about some 4runners having FULL time 4WD I was hooked. Honestly the 3rd gen is the best looking one in my opinion... but it is hard to find a good one at this point... and... today I learned that the 4th gen can be found with a V8 engine.

An eight cylinder engine.

A mother-flipping V8

V8V8V8V8V8V8V8V8V8


Holy shit, a V8 4runner. *Jeremy Clarkson screaming POOOWWAAAA*

So some of my first questions are... Is the 4th gen as reliable as the 3rd gen 4runner and 2nd gen taco? Is the v8 good or does it have any issues that make the v6 a better choice? Is there a model with the v8 and a rear locker? Does the v6/v8 have a timing chain? Can the 4th gens go as far as 350k + miles and beyond if maintained?

Also looking for advice in terms such as but not limited to:

-"Don't get X model/trim because it sucks ass"
-"Do get model/trim X because it the real deal"
-"X feature is very important, make sure you get it"
-"X feature is trash, avoid it at all costs"
-"Look for X and/or X when buying a used one"
-"Buy me a beer dammit"
-"XXX,XXX miles is worth around XXXX dollars on average"

Thanks guys!

 

There was no option for V8 with e-locker there was only one year sold with e-locker and it was V6 only. The V6 uses timing chain same engine as 2nd gen Tacoma. The V8 has a timing belt. It’s toyota they will go forever as long as they are maintained. If you want the V8 any year is good just check for rust! Prices will vary greatly depending on whether it’s early 4th gen 03-05 or late 4th gen 06-09 as well as region. Good luck can’t really go wrong with any of them.

 

Damn, gotta have lockers. Is it possible to add factory e lockers or would the axle have to be swapped? And a timing belt...? Ugh, why must the v8 have caveats... haha

 

do 05+ V8. They updated it to vvt-i and upped the output and efficiency.
I personally own a 05 V8 Limited. Love it. Long travel, 35s, front and rear 4.56 gears and front/rear ARB Air lockers.

V8 is timing belt and interference... do the timing belt every 100k and you're fine. No real issues with them to speak of, they're mechanically sound when maintained and not abused

 

Like Eric said if maintained the V8 is a great engine. Just as good as the 3.4s in 1st gens just a lot more power! Air lockers would be your best bet if you really want a locker.

 

Man I hate timing belts... I always do them slightly early.. a long time ago we had one break on a family car during one of our trips from Texas to Georgia, it was 20k short of its' interval and SOME HOW THE ENGINE SURVIVED. Luck I guess.

Okay that makes me feel good. I do like me some e-lockers though...haha.

*Click* - *thud* vroom!

 

Girlfriends daughter has a 2005 V8 4RUNNER with almost 300k, just oil changes and timing belt and I have a 2006 GX470 with 180k, no major problems on either, good engine.

 

Found a 2004 4Runner SR5 in my town, private seller. 330k miles but they are only asking 3300k

That is a bit much for me though...

But I also found a third gen that only has 127k miles for $5500..

Hmmm

 

Not sure if Harrop Eaton makes a locker for those Diffs... @Cruiser Brothers do you offer them for the 05 4th gen T4R's

 

3rd gens are much smaller more like a 1st gen Tacoma but that’s a good deal on one if it’s in good shape.

 

Yeah I love the look and feel of the 3rd gen. To me it feels/looks like a real off-road SUV.

 

A-Trac won't do for you? I like the V8 4Runners, fulltime 4WD, Torsen center differential. Sweet lowend power, decent fuel mileage, 23g fuel tank. Full Toyota factory tow package, external trans cooler, ClassIV hitch, 130A alternator.

Limiteds have nice factory leather. Before 2008 they didn't have a 'VSC Off' button, but if you go into 4Lo or lock the Center Diff the lamentable engine cutout is disabled.

 

I've watched and listened to enough people to know that there is no substitute for true lockers... haha. Honestly at this point, I may end up with a 3rd gen since there are no v8 4r's around me. Going to look at a 3rd gen this Friday/Saturday.
Though if these don't work out then I'm back to square 0. There just are none around me haha.

 

If you're looking to add a bunch of mods/accessories make sure you check the prices. My buddy with a 4th gen pays a significant premium and suffers from a limited selection. Also, the V8 actually makes less HP (more torque) than the V6 until 2005. After that, it's only a small HP and torque increase.

V6: 241 hp 297 ft lbs
pre 2005 V8: 235 hp 320 ft lbs
post 2005: 268 hp 315 ft lbs

With the added weight from the V8, it doesn't feel nearly as powerful as you might expect. I recommend testing driving both engines and comparing for yourself.

Another V8 issues is the exhaust manifold. They crack as the design uses very thin metal in order to meet the cold start emissions requirements. Replacement with OEM parts doesn't fix the issue, just buys you time, so the only real solution is aftermarket headers.

Also look if you have X-REAS or not. If you're going to upgrade the suspension later on, it's just more stuff you have to rip off.

 

Well the 3rd gen is my favorite and preferred choice. It's just that the availability and prices down here are insane.

And with 320 foot pounds of torque I can't imagine that it wouldn't feel amazing
But still... A 3rd gen is what I yearn for

 

So a flawless 3rd gen with the rear locker and full time 4wd goes for 7-10k here in Georgia. Damn it sucks

A questionable one without the rear locker or full-time 4wd still goes for 5-7k

A shite one goes for 4-5k

What prices do you guys have in your areas?

 

V6 sport is ideal, low maintenance. No timing belt or anything fancy. Although the 4th gens are starting to need timing chains (not lifetime usually stretch over time, near the 250,000km+ mark)

Xreas is easy to delete, but the rear air ride is not. Nor does the rear air ride actually create a better ride.

Good read. http://canadiangearhead.com/4th-gen-toyota-4runner-buyers-guide/

I almost bought one, but they aren't suited for larger drivers. I haaaaaaaaaaaated the window switch placement.

So v6's I see timing chains, xreas, and rear window problems.

V8's we see regular timing belt/water pumps, xreas, air ride issues, and rear window problems.

 

If it makes you feel better, I paid 7.5k for a '03 salvage title double cab tacoma (3rd gen equivalent) in CO.

 

It's just crazy because I keep seeing people online buying and selling them for like two or three grand but nothing wrong with them, or maybe like minor issues

I found another one that we're going to look at this weekend, 4500 for 220,000 miles