Joining the 4th Gen Family...

Finally picked up my 4th gen 4runner over the weekend ('05 V8 Limited). My parents bought it used in '09 (45k miles), & have had it ever since (currently at 167k miles). My mom was ready to let go of it, so I seized the opportunity & bought it from her... as I think it will be a fun project. No major issues... no rust... but it definitely needs some love. The paint is starting to oxidize, as expected from sitting out in the Florida sun the past few years, & octogenarians have a way of scraping things when pulling into the garage. Headlight housings are hazed & checked... A few dents in the hood, which should come out via PDR. Plenty of scratches & scrapes... front seat leather & foam need replaced... subwoofer is blown, as well as the upper rear speakers (I think). Front end is sloppy over bumps, so will check ball joints/tie rod ends this weekend. Soft brake pedal, so a brake job is on the list as well. One roof rack end cap missing... the other one buzzed (loudly) right above my head all the way back. Ran great during my 9-1/2 hour drive home. Kinda funny that my 3/4 ton Ram (gasser) gets better mileage. I averaged 17 on glass-smooth roads... but I knew what I was getting into. Once I get it mechanically up to snuff, will start with the mods... wheels/tires, headlights, and audio system... but first up is a good detailing! Lots of dog drool & spilled coffee inside... plenty of claying & paint correction outside. Let the fun begin! Will upload before/after pics sometime this weekend (hopefully)... after I get it smogged & tagged.

 

welcome

 

Welcome

Got pics ?

 

That model had the X-REAS suspension, the shocks are connected with a series of lines, to large expansion canisters (remote mount reservoirs) on the frame rails. These systems were notorious for leaking, and once they leak the oil/gas pressure out the shock is basically non existent and considered "blown"
You will most likely (they only tend to last about 150,000-180,000) have to replace the front and rear shock assemblies. Tons of ways to do it, the cheapest is to find a set of TRD Offroad Tacoma take-off front shocks and springs from someone doing a lift or coil-overs. Putting the TRD Offroad Tacoma shocks on the front of yours will net you a little lift, and a much better ride, and delete the X-REAS. You will then likely want to also purchase a set of rear shocks to your liking, seems most people go with Bilstein for the rears to match the fronts. Once you have swapped the shocks out as an assembly you will see a totally different ride. The front wheels wont flutter up and down like they do now that your shocks are essentially blown.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

looks good from a distance, but definitely needs some luv...

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome from CA.

Our stories are very similar, I also purchased my v8 4th gen from my parents, albeit with many more miles. Needed a lot of love inside and out. Here we are today!

 

Looks really nice! Dehaze the headlights and will look like a whole new machine

 

They're not hazed... they're crazed, cracked & chekked... no amount of polish will bring them back... already have replacements to go in.

 

Ooooop, chuckem in the garbage then lol

 

New headlights (for any car) make such a world of difference. I went with OEM replacements. I also upgraded to the 06-09 taillights.

 

Welcome!