Best 4runner Forum

Buying my wife a new 4runner. Need to find a good forum for it like I have here for Tundra. I know there are other 4runner owners on here so wanted advice on best forum.

 

I’m trying to find one for my wife as well but I wanted to wait til the next gen comes out

 

has the most write-ups, detailed mods, best build and adventure threads, and generally the best info.

But if you start a thread on a common topic without searching, they will roast you alive.

They are a far less laid-back bunch than here.

 

Yeah, we do that here too. So would not have it any other way.

 

I love the current gen. Looks like a storm trooper helmet to me and despite lack of power the drivetrain is bullet proof.

 

Pretty much. I used to post there (same username) when I owned my '00 4Runner. I mean, as long as you actually *tried* to search for the answer and made that clear, it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't like StackExchange, where pretty much *ANY* question, no matter how much research done results in "Well THAT was a stupid question."

(Those of you who are nerds know what I mean. LOL)

 

Several years ago it was but I'm not sure if that's still true.

 

Yes, but here we at least have fun with it. They don’t at t4r.org.

 

I spent some time on there. They have some fantastic sticky threads full of knowledge. Im ready now!

 

I have an 18 and power is sufficient. It is not a racecar, but it does fine and I have no problems crossing the rockies at 85-105 mph fully loaded. Gas mileage..who cares!

 

Pedal Commander makes a huge difference. Makes driving my wife’s 4R soooooo much more enjoyable.

 

Might be an unpopular opinion here, but if you're okay with an older model I would recommend buying a 4th gen with *relatively* low miles. They can still be found with some digging and patience. Toyota really outdid themselves with the 2003-2009 4R, and they are the best model years IMHO. I know it's not the strategy for everyone, but if you're okay with your own mods and maybe some additional preventative maintenance you can have yourself a sweet setup for 1/4-1/3 the price of buying new. The single biggest drawback to this I think is the lack of new safety features if that's something you're looking for.

I've looked around a good bit at these (I own a 2003 myself) and you can find -let's say- a 2008 - limited - 4WD - 120k miles - leather seats - onboard gps -V6 or V8 for $12,000. Add $1k in mods to modernize like a new stereo, backup camera, and whatever else and you'd have yourself a pretty sweet setup that's about as reliable as it gets for an SUV. Can count on 250k miles, if not 350. Just my 2 cents. If anyone does this or already has a 4th gen, I would recommend the 4th gen page at Toyota 4Runners Forum. In my experience this is the single best source of 4th gen information out there.

 

4runners.com
By far the best and most active

 

Best one I’ve found, been a member for 7 years.

Love my 14 4Runner, still the best value suv on the market and I agree about Pedal Commander, makes a huge difference.

 

That's why I don't like the FJ forum

 

One thing my Tundra gained me was a community of people that had a common interest of
Tundras and Good people

 

This.
i would refine that a little more to the last three years - 07-09, though 09's are very rare... i think they must've curtailed production during the 2008 financial slammer, and never picked up because of the nearness of the redesign.
A late 4th gen 4x4 is on my list, but until then I will keep my 2007 2wd SR5 indefinitely - I bought it with 130k clean miles on the clock, today at 213k and only issue is one I caused by dramatically overfilling the gas tank. That's a no-no... one shot is all it takes to ruin the evap emissions canister. At 213K it is rolling better than it every has thanks to persistence on tires and balance, and is getting the highest MPG it ever has. Still on original plugs etc. Just changing oil every time the system tells me to. Interior still looks as clean as when I bought it - which was VERY clean. Paint suddenly gave way a year ago - this is a WEAK spot in the 4th Gens. Sun exposure destroys the clear coat and it begins to 'fuzz', and that fuzz is destructive - get it caught in a rag or whatever while you're trying to take care of it, and works against you.

They are, in my view, underpriced considering the reputation, aftermarket support, etc

I am just buying a 2013 Sequoia Limited with 142K, clean as the proverbial pin, one-owner, spotless carfax. But on the whole, the 5.7 train does not quite have the awesome rep of my 4runner, so I'm cautious.

 

I agree with the model year refinement. Toyota made some improvements to at least the V6 in the 05 or 06 model to improve the head gasket, which was one of the only weaknesses of an otherwise bulletproof 4L V6. Heck, mine is still fine with the original HG at 260k miles. I don't know as much about the V8...maybe cracked exhaust manifold? That sounds right but I don't have time to confirm right now. Also you get a few slight improvements...HIDs, led brake lights...etc. These 4Rs are definitely still undervalued IMO especially when you compare to similar used Tacomas...although with the current direction of the used market this may not be the case for long.

This may be a moot point, but Toyota also just crammed a ton of small features in this generation, some of which didn't make it into the 5th gen. 9mm glovebox, trashbag holder in the rear, slide out tray in the rear and unfolding tray in the front, front seat can recline into a single seat with the rear bench... These all may seem kind of silly, but it wasn't until I drove another midsize SUV that I really missed this stuff. So yeah, do yourself a favor. Go buy a clean 4th gen and never get rid of it lol.

 

I agree the 4th gen is often overlooked. Many 5th gens do come with a sliding rear cargo tray.

What's a 9mm glovebox?

 

And hey...maybe this is in the 5th gen too...I've just seen a few threads of 5th gen owners complaining that some of this stuff was removed. Need a 5th gen owner to confirm or not.



Y'know, a secret glovebox in your glovebox for whatever you want.