Good place to start

I just joined and am on the lookout for a 4th gen 4Runner here in the PNW. If has always been in the area, will not have to worry about rust. I was a tech/service manager in KC, Mo. for years before moving here, and dealt with lots of rust problems.

Have found a few 200k+ miles rigs for a fair price but as soon as the mileage goes below the 150k mark, the rig appears to be made of gold. I have the money to buy a nice rig and do want to stick with the 2008 or 2009 model years but I refuse to pay a ridiculous price.

As a retired tech, I have the means to inspect them before a purchase and have educated myself about what to look for on the 1GR-FE engines. Hope to find one that does not have the dreaded timing cover oil leak.

Anyway, if anyone knows of one for sale in the PNW, please let me know. Thanks for allowing my membership here and hope to help when can.
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Thoughts on the V8 available in a 2004 4Runner? Dependable? Reliable? Leak monster? Known mechanical weaknesses? There is one here in the PNW for about $10k listing, OBO.

I am familiar with the 4.0 1GR-FE engines but not so much the V8 engines. Thanks in advance.

I should have mentioned that during my years in the shops, I am aware of the V8 cracked manifolds caused by the thin metal and catalytic converter design. I am wondering about any other known issues to be aware of. Again, thanks.

 

My friend was givin one for free. Even had a new engine but the 4WD didn’t work?

 

I have a 2004 v8 4runner with 242k miles on it. Nothing mechanical wrong with it or has ever been wrong with it (nothing out of the ordinary maintenance). I am aware (at least have read about the cracking manifolds) but have not experienced that. Granted, one could crack tomorrow i suppose... but otherwise its been a fantastic vehicle for the time i've owned mine, besides being a major gas guzzler, lol.

Check out my thread on Tacomaworld: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/my-2004-limited-v8-4runner.798243/

 

Thanks for the link about the same year V8. The one that is listed close is on my radar for viewing in the next couple days. Getting some answers to questions before driving 40 miles to see it.

 

I'm biased but knowing both engines somewhat, I would go for the 2UZ over the 1GR any day. The 2UZ V8 is the most reliable engine ever produced by Toyota, with many examples going 1 million miles and more. The only weak links are the timing belt and exhaust manifolds. But if you stick with the maintenance interval on the belt, along with the water pump (Aisin TKT-021 kit covers it) every 90k miles and stick with OEM exhaust manifolds, unless you go headers, you won't have any real issues. Valve covers leak and need to be re-sealed but that's common for Toyota engines. Starter is under the intake and can be a job to replace but they usually last for a good amount of time. Stick with Denso/OEM for replacement sensors and coils and mostly OEM parts for everything else to retain as much reliability as possible.

Over 340k miles on my 03 V8 right now. Runs like new still, maybe even better since I've swapped the VVTI intake onto it and 12 hole injectors. Gas mileage is meh but so is the mpgs for the 1GR. The V8 has better torque.

The main issues with the 4th gen 4Runners are the shitty solenoid shifted transfer case (V8 has a locking center diff, V6 does not) and rust. Transfer case is a relatively easy swap to a FJ Cruiser manual case to resolve that issue. You can do the swap for about $1000 total if you do the work yourself. Driveshafts need modified or replaced with new length ones but that's factored into the cost.

Transmissions rarely have issues and don't buy into the "lifetime fluid" BS. Change the fluid and the internal filter/strainer. 30k or so interval and you're good.

 

Thanks a bunch for the info. As a retired ASE Master Tech, I truly know the value of maintenance and OEM parts. My dad taught me, "Maintenance pays and breakdowns cost."

 

Knowledge always pays back in dividends.

 

Yep. When I ran shops, I had techs that I interviewed that said they knew it all. I knew better. I am an ASE Master Tech and I don't know it all but I know where to look for the info I would need. I know how to process the incoming info and use it to benefit me and my customers. I still turn wrenches at home and charge what I want and fix it my way and choose what I want to do and use the parts I dictate. At 70, I still get around like a 40 year old and love the work. You are correct @RumHamRunner73, knowledge is power.