Want to get a 4R - need advice

I’m looking for a late 90’s early 2000’s 4Runner but I am not sure if there are trims, engines, features or likewise that I should be looking for. If it’s great I wanna hear about it. If it isn’t great I also wanna hear about it. What should I be looking for and what should I be avoiding?

Edit: So I can keep all advice straight here is what has come in

1: Look for 2001 and up
2: No older than 03 because of steering changes and 4.0L engine

 

I’d look for 2001 and up, I think the third generation ended in 02? Mostly equipped with the 3.4l, they also had a tendency for pink milkshake.

 

I personally would not go any older than 2003 - they redesigned the ball joints (from tension to compression type) and the steering rack (from 'push' to 'pull,' I believe it's called), plus they debuted the 4.0L V6 that year, which was a VAST improvement over the 3.4L and just as reliable, IMHO.

 

Good to know! Thanks y’all! A little bit of research says be on the look out for rust spots as well!

 

I have a 4th gen, 4.0 engine, 4wd SR5 and it is easily of on the best vehicles I have ever owned. 4.0 motor is great in the SUV, super reliable, plenty of pep and power, acceptable MPG. Look around on the roads- there is a reason there are so many 4th gen 4runners still on the road.

The 4th gens are very reliable little tanks.

 

I have a 5th gen and I think it is far superior in quality to the Tundra. Fun to drive and very capable vehicle. You might like that you can get a third row of seating too. Yeah you lose cargo, but a big hitch basket solves that problem easily. Throw on some airbags, E rated tires, auxiliary tranny cooler, and the frame mounted Drawtite hitch made for the Lexus and the rig will pull a load with a weight distribution hitch as well. No regrets, and I have pushed mine hard around the Rockies and Sierra Nevada areas too.

 

Wife and I had 04 4runner in Arizona, hands down best vehicle either of us ever had.

 

I unfortunately had a completely different experience with my 5th Gen. I wish I could have your sediment but I don’t.

I would still purchase one over a Tacoma though…

I purchased a brand new 2017 4Runner that I had to dump at 45k after 2.5 years of ownership. I had such severe rust that the body had to be removed from the frame (that was my final straw). The rear brakes sounded pretty bad and wore out at 25k. The fronts were fine until the day I dumped it. I did tow a little but nothing serious and Toyota was never able to find a problem. My driver’s seat developed small holes at about a year and a half. I don’t smoke and am meticulous about keeping my vehicles clean.

Personally, I find the quality to be equal. The door panels do sound more “tinny” on the Tundra. My 1989 bomb proof V6 4Runner sounded like a tuna can but I put that truck through hell.

I also own a Japanese built Rav4 and it’s no better or worse than the Tundra IMHO.

I hated towing my ATV on a 5x8 trailer with my 4Runner due to the constant gear hunting at low speeds. The Tundra suspension is also significantly smoother on the streets of NYC. My wife prefers the Tundra even over her Highlander.

 

I don't live in high salt area. Also I do use Fluid film on my vehicles, plus I attach a garden hose to my hot water only valve in my garage and rinse them with hot water immediately after any salt exposure. I forget to mention, I also added the Tekonsha P3 electric brake controller to my rig using the available plug and play harness. The panels are substantial steel and the fuel door is also (Tundra is plastic). As for the seats, I have always used good quality seat covers on my vehicles. So IMO, your decisions may have been a factor in your bad experience.

 

I think the seats in our 5th gen 4R suck!!!! Tempted to get seat jackers to see if it helps. I was also able to score an entire interior oem seat cover fabric set, so once the boys are older and out of car seats, it will be like new again!

 

I agree that living in a salt state is tough on any vehicle. But the severe rust I had was on all painted portions. Above the windshield, all the door sills, and around the rear hatch but on the body.

I have never had any vehicle that new rust that bad before. Again I would buy another one. In regards to the seats, yes I could have put a seat cover on, but again never see a seat wear out that new. I only weight 180 pounds…

Over the long term I would actually agree with that some of the decisions I made was the cause. But I highly disagree that a 2.5 year period should have caused it.

In the 4Runners defense, Toyota actually sent a QC manager out for a separate customer the same day I was at the dealership. He overheard my conversation about the rust. He did a walk around with me while he documented everything. He said it was very rare to see anything remotely close to the problems I had. To me it seemed he was genuinely in awe of it. After we were down he gave me his direct line but the dealership went above and beyond in my case.

 

My 05 v8 limited 4th gen is by far the most reliable thing I've ever owned...hit 90k miles last month and just did a full service on TB, WP pulleys, drain and fill transmission, rear end and transfer case...I also replaced the suspension with icon resi-shocks and redid the front brakes and calipers...should be good until my 6 year old starts to drive...my vote is for the v8...only 1-2 mpg difference to the v6 but you get torque and, IMHO, more reliability!

 

Extra points for the picture too! Hoping the one I might be looking at has that low of mileage!

 

Nice “rig”
Also another flaw, yet small with the 4.0 is the timing chain inspection cover leak.
Our 2010 leaks from there but nothing that I’m worried about.
I can’t imagine how much fun a 4R with a V8 is!!!
Also I really wish ours didn’t have a sun roof, it’s a great place for leaks when the gutter drains clog up, which is super annoying because we never use it, so the motor struggles sometimes

 

Not trying to start an argument, but I will tell you another thing I failed to mention earlier. I use good old fashioned yellow carnauba wax on the painted surfaces of my vehicles about 3-5 times per year and try to wash them weekly with Meguire's yellow wash and wax. Not saying it's perfect, just saying there are methods to help protect painted surfaces. That said, many people don't keep vehicles for decades like I do, so they don't have the same incentives. I suppose it's also possible that some type of acid or similar was spilled on the roadway in your area and mixed into rain or snow that you drove through unknowingly and then it began to consume your vehicle. Not likely, but it is a possibility. I say that because much like you said it should not have happened. On top of that, you said the other party was also somewhat shocked too. Look around at others in your area and talk to folks, that should help you nail down what really happened.

 

Love my sunroof! Open that with all five windows and l feel like I'm in a jeep without any of the jeep headaches!

 

All good brother, just taking it as a simple discussion…

 

I owned a 2000 4Runner SR5 until March of this year when my 2021 Tundra was released from the power steering “stop sale” and I was finally able to take possession. My 4Runner was equipped with the 3.4 V-6, 5 speed manual (millennial anti-theft device) 4 wheel drive and a rear locker. Best truck I’ve ever owned. If you can find one, I’d highly recommend it.

 

Did you end up getting a 4Runner they are hard to find

 

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