Looking at a 04 4Runner, need the good and bad

So my Tacoma was totaled. Looking at a 04 4Runner as a replacement. I have a 04 sequoia. What’s the good and bad on that year 4Runner? Thanks

 

Sorry to hear about the Tacoma.

Is the 4Runner a V6 or V8?

V8 needs upkeep on the timing belt, every 90k miles or so. Exhaust manifolds crack, almost without fail. Otherwise, pretty strong.

V6, assuming it's a 4WD model, can have issues with it not going into 4WD if it's been in 2WD for a prolonged period of time without going into 4x4.

Both have awful driver side seats and will likely need the padding replaced. The rear wipers fail, usually with the nut on the motor arm and you have to replace both. Headlights get super hazy (but that's to be expected of a 15+ year-old truck).

'04 is pre transmission changeover so it's a 4-speed auto rather than the 5-speed. Good trans, just not as good as the 5-speed. Wouldn't hesitate to buy it if the service records are good and it passes a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

 

it's the 4.7 v8. Just like my sequoia. You ain't lying bout the seats. My sequoia driver side is done. Going to have to drive down and check it out. How's the aftermarket for these 4runners? First mod is bumpers, people cant drive in Florida..worst than bay area California.

 

You're not wrong one of the reasons I have armor in Florida.

As for the 4th gen 4Runners they're great, one of the best vehicles Toyota ever designed.

An earlier year (like the 04 you're looking at) I believe will still have the A340E trans, which is okay but a little weak for that 4.7 V8. I believe they put the larger trans in starting in 06.

The 4.7 is a million mile motor I wish it was available in the Tacoma and with a manual trans unfortunately neither exist.

The 4.7 is a little thirsty but it's not bad.

Things to look for:

Rust naturally.
When the Water pump and timing belt were last changed if it's the v8.

 

Bad is the air ride and the xreas. Both can and should be deleted.

The 4.7 has leaky manifolds on cold start like your big SUV.

Radiators, water pumps, timing belts all similar to the Sequoia for maintenance.

I never liked the ergonomics of the 4th gen and ended up with an xterra while shopping for one.

 

So it's gonna have that lovely tick on start up..the song of its people.

 

This is a good guide to read for the 4th gens - https://canadiangearhead.com/4th-gen-toyota-4runner-buyers-guide/

This is probably an even better guide - https://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist42004.html

For the V8s, this is incorrect. All V8 4runners have the 5 speed transmission. It was only the early V6 that had the 4 speeds. 2004 does not have a trans dipstick like my 2003 V8 has, making fluid changes more challenging.

Driver side seat foam is still available from the factory, so not really a big issue there.

Exhaust tick on cold start up for the V8 is there. It's not too bad on my 03 with almost 300k miles on it. Doug Thorley headers are available to fix this.

Timing belt is every 90K miles and is not a bad job, very similar to doing it on the 3.4 in the Tacoma.

5th gen front shock/spring assembly is a direct swap to the 4th gen 4Runner, so you can freshen up the suspension for cheap and get a little lift out of it at the same time. Combined with a 1" body lift, I have 285/70/17s under my truck now.

FJ Cruiser (around 2007, whatever gen that is) rear coil springs are a direct swap and net a little lift as well.

The real concern would be the transfer case. They have electronic actuator motors that are prone to failure if they have not been used on the regular. Not a cheap nor easy fix either. Slightly cheaper and easier (IMO) fix is to swap in a FJ Cruiser J-shift tcase from an automatic equipped cruiser. Can't use the one from a manual cruiser, won't fit.

Aftermarket for the 4th gen is decent. Lots of options for bumpers and other armor out there. Sherpa makes a gorgeous roof rack for the truck too.

I've done a lot of stuff to my 4th gen 4runner that most have not, feel free to hit me up with questions. Also check out my build thread as a lot of stuff is covered there.

 

Missed this in my previous response.

The V8 4Runners all had the 5 speed A750E(F) transmission. 2003 still had a dipstick, 2004 up don't have a dipstick but you can still change the fluid. They say 2004 up uses WS ATF, unlike the T-IV ATF in the 2003 but I recommend Valvoline MaxLife™ Multi-Vehicle ATF. That's what I am currently running in both the transmission and power steering in my 2003, without issues. Actually a lot of people are using this fluid if you check on forums.

Gas mileage is on-par with the V6 actually. I regularly see around 17mpg, even with my larger 285/70s.

 

Ah, didn't know that! Probably brainwashed by my prior '05 V6.

 

Great choice! As @xtremewlr stated it'll have the 5-speed auto which is pretty good. The V8's are full-time 4wd with a center locking diff (think Land Cruier 80, 100 series) so the front end feels "heavier" on the steering feel than the V6's or your Sequoia.

As noted check the actuator function to make sure its working properly (and also for leaks! My '03 had a small leak at the actuator that left unchecked ended up draining the t-case and causing the chain to overheat and stretch).

If its a Sport or Limited it'll have the dreaded Xreas shocks which pretty much always leak (FJC/5th gen 4R stuff bolts on and provides ~1/2" of lift if you're looking for cheap replacements). Aftermarket support is pretty good with several companies offering armor/racks/ suspension goodies.

Having had both a 1st gen Sequoia ('06 Limited) and a 4th gen ('03 Sport V8) they drive very different. The Sequoia felt more "truck" like and for sure had more punch off the line (VVTi motor in the '06 vs the non-VVTi motor in the 4th gen). The 4th gen felt "tighter" and drove more car-like by comparison but also had that soild feel that the Japanese made trucks seem to have. End of the day both were good rigs but I miss the Sequoia more due to the added space and it not being yet another 4R rolling around.

 

Thanks for the info. Now to do some homework. Just marathoned to my sons in Tennessee to drop his dogs and his crap from California