Does anybody have or had a 4 Runner of this era. I'm looking for a description of the transfer case. Low range BOF solid rear axle. V6 vs V8 ? Anything to be wary of? TIA
Please school me on 2002-05 4 Runner
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02s are a different generation than 03-05.
I have an '05 with the V6. Bought it brand new in April 2005.
The only major issue are headgaskets with the earlier V6s. The underlying issue was supposedly corrected in late 2005. Mine failed at 88k miles. Did the work myself and had about $1k in the fix.
All of them suffer from front caliper issues. They rust and freeze up. Mine lasted 100k miles, which is longer than most. I rebuilt the originals, not trusting rebuilders with these.
The 4.7 V8 has a timing belt, V6 a chain. The V6 models have 2wd high mode (as well as 4hi and 4lo), the V8s are AWD, with high and low.
I have an '05 with the V6. Bought it brand new in April 2005.
The only major issue are headgaskets with the earlier V6s. The underlying issue was supposedly corrected in late 2005. Mine failed at 88k miles. Did the work myself and had about $1k in the fix.
All of them suffer from front caliper issues. They rust and freeze up. Mine lasted 100k miles, which is longer than most. I rebuilt the originals, not trusting rebuilders with these.
The 4.7 V8 has a timing belt, V6 a chain. The V6 models have 2wd high mode (as well as 4hi and 4lo), the V8s are AWD, with high and low.
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The 4.7 V8 is one of the best motors you can buy IMHO. Even with the timing belt maintenance. I owned an '05 with the V8 and pulled a 21 foot travel trailer with it. My wife was very said when we traded it in on a half-ton truck so we could get a bigger trailer.
We put almost 100,000 miles on it-the only issue was a poorly designed sunroof.
We put almost 100,000 miles on it-the only issue was a poorly designed sunroof.
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Rust. Pretty common for the bumpers to go first.
The 3.4L V6 is "bulletproof", but so is the 4.7L V8. I believe the 3.4 is non-interference, but the 4.7 is interference for some years (not sure here); I guess the addition of VVT made 'em interference. The 4 speed auto behind the V6 is stout, but mpg-thirsty; manual is a rare option. V8 I think was 5 speed automatic all years?
There was some sort of active damper option; active or just plain fancy. And expensive to replace (but I suspect cheapo shocks will swap in).
I looked at one once; found out that three child seats would not fit across the back. It also lacked a 3 point seatbelt in the center. It got ruled off my shopping list. Not sure what year that was.
The 3.4L V6 is "bulletproof", but so is the 4.7L V8. I believe the 3.4 is non-interference, but the 4.7 is interference for some years (not sure here); I guess the addition of VVT made 'em interference. The 4 speed auto behind the V6 is stout, but mpg-thirsty; manual is a rare option. V8 I think was 5 speed automatic all years?
There was some sort of active damper option; active or just plain fancy. And expensive to replace (but I suspect cheapo shocks will swap in).
I looked at one once; found out that three child seats would not fit across the back. It also lacked a 3 point seatbelt in the center. It got ruled off my shopping list. Not sure what year that was.
The 4.7 is interference but not a VVT-i engine
Originally Posted By: mehullica
The 4.7 is interference but not a VVT-i engine
05+ is VVTi.
One of the great mysteries of the universe seems to be whether or not the 4.7 is an interference design. I don't know if it or not, either. I have seen what supton said above before, though (non vvti = no, vvti = yes).
The 4.7 is interference but not a VVT-i engine
05+ is VVTi.
One of the great mysteries of the universe seems to be whether or not the 4.7 is an interference design. I don't know if it or not, either. I have seen what supton said above before, though (non vvti = no, vvti = yes).
Originally Posted By: supton
Rust. Pretty common for the bumpers to go first.
The 3.4L V6 is "bulletproof", but so is the 4.7L V8. I believe the 3.4 is non-interference, but the 4.7 is interference for some years (not sure here); I guess the addition of VVT made 'em interference. The 4 speed auto behind the V6 is stout, but mpg-thirsty; manual is a rare option. V8 I think was 5 speed automatic all years?
There was some sort of active damper option; active or just plain fancy. And expensive to replace (but I suspect cheapo shocks will swap in).
I looked at one once; found out that three child seats would not fit across the back. It also lacked a 3 point seatbelt in the center. It got ruled off my shopping list. Not sure what year that was.
Your referring to the "X-Reas" suspension. It wasn't that great. Regular shocks/coliovers could be bolted in with out issue.
Rust. Pretty common for the bumpers to go first.
The 3.4L V6 is "bulletproof", but so is the 4.7L V8. I believe the 3.4 is non-interference, but the 4.7 is interference for some years (not sure here); I guess the addition of VVT made 'em interference. The 4 speed auto behind the V6 is stout, but mpg-thirsty; manual is a rare option. V8 I think was 5 speed automatic all years?
There was some sort of active damper option; active or just plain fancy. And expensive to replace (but I suspect cheapo shocks will swap in).
I looked at one once; found out that three child seats would not fit across the back. It also lacked a 3 point seatbelt in the center. It got ruled off my shopping list. Not sure what year that was.
Your referring to the "X-Reas" suspension. It wasn't that great. Regular shocks/coliovers could be bolted in with out issue.
Thanks to all responders. Looks like I have found the 3rd millennium replacement for the terminally rusted 528e. It will be a 2nd vehicle so, MPG isn't a major issue. Only 2 car seats is fine.
Lots of threads about rotted frames and rust problems posted on Toyota and 4runner forums. Being from MA thats something to research. I would be checking the frame on any 10+ yo local vehicle.
In CA I bought a 2003 V8 in 2013 with 165,000 miles. No oil drips, no weird noises, perfect. In the past 60,000 miles I replaced the timing belt at 200,000 miles and a leaky radiator. As I actually use low range on occasion, the automatic actuator on the transfer case started to leak (after probably never having been used by the soccer-mom), but no other issues. Took off the X-REAS shocks and replaced with regular.
The v8 is as powerful and smooth as anything ever put in a truck. 5 speed auto is rock solid. I tow a trailer over a 6000' pass w/ steep grade and it pulls like it isn't even there - 12 mpg. Around town it gets 15 - 16mpg, at best 17-18 on the highway.
For my money, best vehicle of its kind. Just take the time to find the right one. I would go v8 any day even with the timing belt.
The v8 is as powerful and smooth as anything ever put in a truck. 5 speed auto is rock solid. I tow a trailer over a 6000' pass w/ steep grade and it pulls like it isn't even there - 12 mpg. Around town it gets 15 - 16mpg, at best 17-18 on the highway.
For my money, best vehicle of its kind. Just take the time to find the right one. I would go v8 any day even with the timing belt.
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