I just inherited a 2006 Limited V8 with only 22k miles, black and in mint condition both exterior and interior. It was kept in a garage the entire time and hardly driven! I’m beyond blessed right now.
Have a 4th gen 04 Sport V8 4.7L. Was without a car 3 1/2 years ago and drove 2hrs away on a whim to buy it with 165k miles for $9500. Best purchase I’ve ever made. I didn’t realize how lucky I was
I own the 2006 4Runner V8 Sport Edition. With 39,000 original miles. The best vehicle I have ever owned! I moved to Costa Rica, and shipped it to Costa Rica. 🏖 Costa Ricans are fascinated with the Toyota 4Runner. They admired it, as if it was a Ferrari.
Just picked up a 2004 v8. I fell instantly in love with everything about it. Sure it's got its quirks, but I just love how capable it is and I roll over curbs every chance I get. I know the exact feeling when hearing that v8 rev up. I don't even care that I get basically 10mpg city with my lead food.
Still have a 2004 4R Sport V8 I purchased in spring 2004. It’s got close to 280K miles on it and still runs very smooth. I’ve enjoyed my 4R by taking it to all over the eastern US for camping and hiking. I once towed 7K lbs moving from Tampa to northern VA doing 75 miles on average with no problem. But it has its share of issues that 4Gen 4Rs have, namely spots of rust on rear hatch, crack manifold, and stuck brake calipers. Still, I love driving this thing more than my wife’s Tesla Model 3 Performance. Unlike most owners, I love the XRES suspension which allows me to drive it like a sport car on highways. At one time I had TerraGrapplers on it and it was very nice set of tires. I will probably sell it in 2024 and will miss it.
I have a 2005 V8 Sport 4WD, bought new. Only 158000 miles. No accidents. Arizona driven, with zero rust. Friends with Big Two service manager...has same year and model 4Runner. Always maintained well. Simply Love it! ❤
I love this V8. It's almost hard to tell it's even running. It's so smooth. I also can't feel the shifts sometimes. It's crazy and I have almost 300k on it.
Mine is a 2004 with over 330k miles on it, and it drives like it just came off the showroom floor. Tight steering, super smooth shifts, just a joy to drive!
Great video, love your style when doing car reviews, you clearly have lots of knowledge but aren’t over the top and obnoxious like some others on RU-vid
I think when it comes to older Toyotas in general, it's the same principle as ford excursion, there just isn't much of a choice when it comes to picking a better alternative. Also I strongly agree with what you said, they are utilitarian, simple yet well build.
The blind spot mirrors and big sideview mirrors are there for towing! You can see the hitch hookup and see your trailer better! Cool features. Great review! (I have a V8 Sport!)
Great review! I have a 4th Gen V8 and by far the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I have had a lot. Mine is a limited and now 20 years old and still looks and works like new. I have had it for many years and plan on having it for many more years. I'm a nature / landscape photographer and it always gets me to where I need to go. Absolutely love it.
Have a 2003.v8 4x4.galactic grey color.that works with the Grey plastic all around.2"lift 31"tires.200k..super smooth.did resonator delete with 3"tip..sounds like a 80,s z28....pulls boat like a boss..my favorite SUV ever.
I'm new to the 4th gen, 03 V6 Limited 2WD here. I already want a 06-09 V8 but am still very happy with the V6. It's quiet and runs like a clock plus timing chain is reassuring. V6 had more horsepower than non-VVTi V8 so it is not gutless around town. So far, I'm averaging 17 mpg in mixed driving which is good enough for me.
The best thing about those 4runners either v8 or v6, is they're good at *everything*. It doesn't have any glaring deadly mechanical issues, rides decently, wheels decently and has quite an amount of space. It's on the second place of the vehicle of choice if there's an apocalypse, only topped by Land Cruiser. Personally I have a 07 V6 SR5 4WD, yeah the head unit feels like running in the 90s, but at least it has AUX and that's all I really need.
That's why you pick up a large capacity 5g iPad and connect it. Download media and hand it off to kids if you want in the back, or use it as a screen for all sorts of media that a CarPlay unit won't do. Its much more practical than installing 1k plus systems. All the overlanders figured this out years ago, and now with better cell service and some planning before traveling the iPad is the way to go. dash mount and roll.
@@SLHJR0390 You're right, now I'm satisfied with a simple wireless charging phone stand. Cheap enough to swap for a new one when it breaks, and versatile enough to navigate me around. Really got me thinking do we really need a full on head unit that has all the fancy features. Guess people have different needs.
I have a 2006 V8 4runner sport 4x4. 261k miles on the odometer, all original drivetrain, runs and drives like new still. Arguably one of the best powertrains ever made.
I just happened to stumble on your video. I bought my '08 4.7 Limited 4x4 4Runner in '07 after owning 3 Ford Exploders. Immediately I noticed a much better and solid ride. The transmission is a lot smoother and never had anything major to fix. The three Exploders I had previously had major issues. When I found out the 4Runner had a V8 4x4, I was all over that. I needed it to pull my boat. The other thing I noticed, I got better mileage with the 4.7L V8 than I ever got on all the V8 4.0L Exploders I had. I got about 13 mpg at best on the Exploders and I'm getting just under 17 mpg on my 4Runner. To this day she runs like a champ and purrs like a kitten. The best vehicle investment I've ever made. I'm keeping this one until she dies that's for sure. One last thing regarding the rear spoiler, the exhaust fumes does come in if you don't set the sunroof and tail gate window properly. It's hard to describe the combination but it can be easily done. When you finally get yours, you're gonna love it 🤙🤙
Excellent video for the 4th Gen 4Runner V8. Going to check one out this weekend as you just helped me make up my mind. Now if we can get the price right, I'll be driving a black one home soon!
In 2013, I flew to Vegas to buy my 07 Limited V8. It had 46700 there and now it just went over 84000. Lifted 2.5 front, 1.5 rear and has the 8 hole Trail wheels off a '12. Just put its third set of tires on today, in fact. So smooth! Running synthetic through everything.
Lol the air scoop on the back does not prevent exhaust from getting in with the rear window down. Hard acceleration sucks that right in. Love my 4th gen though 😍
Nice review! I'm looking into a new SUV in the next couple of years. Have a 2003 Jeep WJ Limited V8 with 160k miles. It's mostly been around my city unlike my college SUV, 1995 Ford Explorer XLT. And considering the abysmal state of Jeep the past 15+ years I'm surprised at how well it has held up. Just had to get engine gaskets and oil pan replaced for the first time ever. However, it needs a number of fixes that would probably total over the value of the vehicle so I'm going to upgrade. Haven't decided, but really leaning at looking for a rare 4th gen V8. Other thoughts are a 2020-2022 4Runner TRD Pro/Off Road Premium, GX470, or GX460. That V8 though...love having one in Jeep. Sure, I'm not going to beat a sports car on the interstate, but I can get around when needed. Acceleration isn't an issue. The sound.....ugh Toyota has to bring back V8s. EVs take more from the environment than the benefit, but no one wants to deal with that fact.
It's a tiny V8 though. Drive one, then drive a full sized Tahoe with an 8. It's only slightly more power than the V6 version but you get absolutely raped on gas.
Got a stock 07 V8 Ltd with 155k miles for 9k back in Jun '21, juuust before the chip shortage went crazy and used car prices shot up. Got really lucky with my timing, and although i may have to shell around 4k to replace the cracked manifold (inevitable in 4th gen v8s), I have absolutely no regrets.
@@gabrielshensky348 Was considering it,. but eventually I bought myself a beautifulpair of Magnaflow headers+cats. Also bought the muffler. Now i am saving up to finally get them installed, hopefully before Thanksgiving.
The 4th gen V8s seem to have gotten crazy crazy expensive over the last few months. A couple have come up on Bring A Trailer, and they've sold for well over $20k.
Yup, plus a timing belt vs timing chain. I bought my 07 V6 Limited 4wd in 2017 with 145k for 6 grand. Put a UDR supercharger for $7k and she now has 355 wheel hp and 340tq, easily beating the V8 in power and efficiency.
I have the 03 v8 bought it $6k two years ago with 140k miles, though it’s not 4wd it runs great!!! I’ve taken it to Yellowstone, Zion, Mt. Rushmore and still running strong!!!
I bought one of these for $700 that was sitting at a church and looked abandoned. Had the rear plastic bumper and trim above the rear tire broken and the keys were missing. Need a battery and new key. Started up and drove it away. It 230k and now it has 280k and runs like a champ. I lifted it 3 front and 2 rear, so gas sucks but I drive my other car for the gas mileage. Best Buy I’ve ever made, hands down!
2005 v8 owner here, I think the v8 is especially nice for running bigger tires. With 33s it doesn’t ever feel bogged on the highway or in town. The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the ground clearance.
Just got rid of my 1999 4Runner with over 300k miles. It had suspension work/big wheels and was Manuel. Now I want an automatic stock 4Runner since I’m living in the city now, looking at a v8 like this
Actually at least where I’m at, the 1st gen Sequoias are cheaper than the 4R. And having had a 4th gen 4R, I’d rather have the sequoia. Standard V8, same 4x4 system, and they’re slightly bigger but not too big where it’ll be unmanageable on trails. Super comfortable I love my Sequoia ❤
Land Cruisers are so legendary the prices are insane. On Japanese auctions you can get a Lexus LS 460 easily for half that of a Land Cruiser 200 with the 4.6L V8 even though the new prices were probably very similar.
The later 4.7 v8s have 263hp and 323 lb-ft of torque on paper, and that's because Toyota switched to using the SAE standards to rate power. In reality they made closer to 280hp.
I have a 2004 V8 Limited, which I love, on the highway gives great MPG for having the 4.7L, last Saturday a small pick up crashed from behind, straigh into the hitch it went, nothing happened to my bumper, it felt like a little bump, the 4Runner didn't move an inch which was perfect since I had another SUV in front of me, the other guy had his front bumper, headlights, grill and hood lock broken from the hit. If I was driving any other car, the damage would have been bigger
Awesome video! I have a 2007 Sport Edition V8. 190k and I’ve had it for 4 years I got it with 100k on it from a family friend who was the original owner. It’s in excellent condition and I’ve worked really hard to maintain it while putting so many miles on it. I also put a Gibson exhaust and K&N CAI, so it sounds really good. I will never, ever sell it.
@@fredd298 it’s not loud, just very deep. I also drive like a Gramma so if anyone is gonna get annoyed at me it’ll be because of how slow I’m going not how loud my car is
Great review, 4th gen 4 runners are the best! I will say the climate control buttons become second nature once you get used to them. The best part is you don't have to look at what you press it becomes muscle memory! I definitely have come to appreciate that design cue.
What transmission and transfer case are you running with (assume the 2UZ-FE) and any mods done to the tranny or Tcase? Is the Tcase an electronic actuated unit or (FJ Cruiser swapped) ?? nice rig!
Hey Daniel, the vehicle is full time 4wd for electronic actuator knob to switch into 4lo. No modifications just new fluid to keep everything running smooth!
@@8151noname hey man, I am not totally sure to be honest. I bought it like that as the previous owner added the bar with aftermarket hella off road lights sitting on the crossbar. Definitely feels like extra protection whenever I am driving👍🏼
@@Pristine4x4 when you see how the brush guard is mounted, you understand why it doesn’t only NOT protect your truck when you hit a deer or get in a crash, it will multiply the damage. The brush bar is really for protecting your headlights and grille from brush, not a collision. So for most city dwellers, it’s is for looks only and to mount the off-road lights (which are also for looks only since you’re a city dweller).😅
well if you think that's something you should try the old Mitsubishi Montero Sport 2002 they will make those four runners look like Volkswagen Beetles the old ones
I'm in the market for one. I think I want to avoid that xreas suspension and also make sure that timing belt has been changed if I grab the V8. Interference motor I believe so that is huge. Also, the earlier V8 models had issues with manifold cracking or leaks and that is an expensive repair.
Yes! This one is fully refreshed new timing belt water pump pulleys belts tensioners etc. As well as a new suspension all around struts shocks control arms upper and lower end links air bags.
