by "RPM esq." (rpm3)
Published 05/31/2017 at 19:16
by "RPM esq." (rpm3)
Published 05/31/2017 at 19:16
Tags: TOYOTA
; GOOD IDEAS
; 4RUNNER
STARS: 0
If I were to buy a mid-2000s 4.7 V8-powered Toyota SUV, such as a 4th-gen 4Runner or one of its bigger brothers, what is the highest mileage (with a reasonably good maintenance history) I should consider? Pretty high, right? Like, anything under 200k with a good history should be fine?
This would be a part-time vehicle for inclement weather commuting, camping and road trips, carting around dogs, etc., so I would be driving it fairly regularly but not adding a ton of miles per year in the future. Or should I be looking for a V6? I know so little...
Here’s a neat overland build for your time.
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
05/31/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 0
If that’s the same 4.7 the Tundra used, I know of at least one that’s done a million miles.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
05/31/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 0
I think those Tundras had a 5.6
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 19:26, STARS: 1
They offered the 4.0 6, the 4.7, and the 5.7 in 2007...hard to know which that one is.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
05/31/2017 at 19:28, STARS: 0
~100k doesn’t hurt.
"Logansteno: Bought a VW?" (logansteno)
05/31/2017 at 19:28, STARS: 2
It’s the 4.7, I should’ve linked a different article I found after that one.
"vicali" (vicali)
05/31/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 1
200K is a good guide, over that and it’s got to be a well maintained garage queen or it’s going to start having $$ fixes. Maybe not engine but for sure something, susp, body, etc, etc.. especially if it’s modded or offroaded.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/227854-%2A%2A-rickrunner-build%2A%2A.html
Limited 4th gen with the 4.7 is one of my current faves.. 3rd gens are getting rusty and 5th gens are still too spendy.
"LongbowMkII" (longbowmkii)
05/31/2017 at 19:30, STARS: 1
I was about to say 17mpg if you’re lucky, but then realized you were talking about a whole different mileage haha.
Drivetrain should be stout.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 19:32, STARS: 0
This will probably be the
more
fuel-efficient option, sadly.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 19:34, STARS: 0
I really like the Limiteds but will probably get a base SR5 because (a) they’re cheaper and (b) one or two less electrical gizmos to break...I can live with manual unheated cloth seats in my winter/dog car.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 19:36, STARS: 0
100k as a ceiling? Have you seen what low-mileage Toyota trucks and SUVs go for? I intend to keep these kidneys, my friend.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
05/31/2017 at 19:39, STARS: 1
Not as a ceiling, just in that area. But personally I think at 200k things starts to get a little sketchy.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
05/31/2017 at 19:44, STARS: 3
They do on most other cars. Not on these.
-Sincerely, prefers cars with under 100k on them but just bought a 4.7 Cruiser with 170k on it without a second thought.
"benjrblant" (benjblant)
05/31/2017 at 19:46, STARS: 1
It’s the same 4.7l that most Tundras and the 100 series LC received. Not sure if it came out of the same factory, IIRC the runners and LC engines were assembled in Japan, Tundra and Sequoias were assembled in US. I’d be more concerned about how the vehicle was used and what kind of maintenance it received.
"TheHondaBro" (wwaveform)
05/31/2017 at 19:47, STARS: 0
I test-drove an SC400 with 200k miles and it had a lot of problems. Of course it was most likely a negligent owner, but at a lower mileage you can eliminate most of those kinds of problems.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
05/31/2017 at 19:53, STARS: 1
I have the same engine in my GX470 make sure the timing belt was changed at 90k. Those are one of the pricier maintenance points. I bought mine with 143 and now has 149 no issues to speak of. (Fingers crossed)
"That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms" (thatbastardkurtis5)
05/31/2017 at 19:59, STARS: 1
I always feel better at 170k than 200 to start, but if the maintenance is up to date and the price is right I wouldn’t ignore trucks with 200k. 170 would be my answer though, my Cruiser has 179k and all the non-engine stuff is still really good...that’s when I expect that kind of stuff to be worn out. The engine is also really good, but 1FZ-FE, so not what you’re looking for.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 20:03, STARS: 1
I looked at a nice Cruiser yesterday with around 170k and very nearly bought it before deciding I (a) was leaning more toward something a little smaller this time and (b) really didn’t want a 15-year-old touchscreen for climate control.
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 20:05, STARS: 0
Drove one yesterday with over 180k that had its timing belt changed a few months ago, felt very tight...might buy it.
"iSureWilll" (isurewilll)
05/31/2017 at 20:12, STARS: 0
I bought a 4th gen 4runner with the v6 in january. Since then I’ve put on around 6k miles. AMA
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/31/2017 at 20:17, STARS: 0
Like most things it’s the condition and care not the miles. V6 is the easier engine to take care of owing to the timing chain. Known issues are secondary air injection and driveline shunt
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 20:17, STARS: 0
I should have asked about that engine too, while I’m at it...how many miles?
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/31/2017 at 20:22, STARS: 0
The million miler was the 4.7 model not the 5.7, they offered both for a while
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
05/31/2017 at 20:33, STARS: 0
I’ve only ever seen ones with 5.7 badging. Huh.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/31/2017 at 20:40, STARS: 0
They even offered the 4.0 for a while but they stopped that nonsense when they got rid of their dreams of competing with the domestics
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 20:44, STARS: 0
At the moment it looks like my options are basically $14k-ish for a V6 with around 150k and uncertain history, or under $10k for a V8 with almost 190k but a good maintenance history including a recent timing belt service...I’m inclined to go with the latter.
"BJ" (benjamin-bignell)
05/31/2017 at 20:49, STARS: 0
It’s been alluded to, but to clarify: the 4.0L V6 uses a timing chain, the 4.7L V8 uses a timing belt. The service interval on the belt is 90,000 miles, whereas the interval on the chain is something much, much greater (like 300,000 miles or something). If you get the V8, you must confirm the last timing belt maintenance. The dealer will charge a lot, but an independent shop will do it for much less and complete part kits can be had on Amazon for peanuts if you DIY.
In Canada at least: The earlier V6 models only came with a 4-speed automatic, this was upgraded to the 5-speed around 2006. The V6 models have 2WD and 4WD Hi/Lo. The V8 models all came with the 5-speed and have full-time AWD with selectable Hi/Lo range. The centre differential is lockable.
If you’re looking for max towing power, the 2005+ V8 is your best bet; it was upgraded and has significantly better numbers than the previous year.
The recommended fuel for the V8 is premium, but it runs very well on regular for everyday puttering about. I don’t know about the V6.
If you want features like HID headlights, these came as an option starting around 2006.
The optional JBL sound system isn’t worth the premium, according to the general consensus. I think it sounds pretty good when it’s cranked up loud, but at volumes where you can converse with your passengers, it’s flat and uninteresting.
I would avoid trucks with the rear air suspension and XREAS system, unless you want a Limited with all the features, and then you have no choice AFAIK. The non-XREAS suspension is simpler to upgrade later (Bilstein shocks, lift kits, etc).
You can check the stats on Fuelly to see what people are getting for emm-pee-gees, but expect mileage to be roughly 14/19 city/highway with either engine. The later V6s with the 5-speed might be a bit better.
And finally, to your original question: acceptable mileage will depend on where you live and how the truck lived with the previous owner. If you live in Arizona and the driver was a soccer mom who didn’t ignore basic service, I’d look at trucks with 200,000+ miles. If you live somewhere with winter and salty roads, shoot for the lowest miles you can afford, in conjunction with a good maintenance history.
In summary: if you’re towing a lot or just must have MAX POWER from a V8, and you can handle the higher maintenance requirements of the timing belt, get a 2005+ with the V8. Otherwise, get any V6 model that suits your needs. For the mileage, it depends...
"iSureWilll" (isurewilll)
05/31/2017 at 21:13, STARS: 0
I bought for about 8.5k. 2004 sport. Originally it was a Missouri truck and I bought it in north Jersey. Lifted 3" with 285/70s. Had 162k in January and I have around 169k now. I get around 15-16mpg most of the time but if you baby it on the highway I can get around 19mpg.
So far I’ve put on new front axles, front UCAs, and front brakes. In ‘05 they switched to a 5spd auto but mine is the 4spd auto. It gets out of its own way... slowly, but it moves pretty good when you floor it on the highway.
The early models were ‘03-’05. Laters were ‘06-’09. The late model 4runners got rounded fended flares instead of boxy, led tail lights, projector headlights, and a VSC off button. Only thing I know to watch for on the v8s is the timing belt.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
05/31/2017 at 21:20, STARS: 0
If they have proof about that timing I would trust the engine to 300k. Be seen multiple people say that 4.7 is good that long.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
05/31/2017 at 21:20, STARS: 1
Sounds good. Check out gx470s too, they can be much cheaper than 4runners
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 22:26, STARS: 1
This is a good list based on my research too—only caveat is that while the facelift was in ‘06 the ‘05s got the mechanical upgrades (valve timing on the engines and 5-speed trans for the V6). And a cool rig!
"RPM esq." (rpm3)
05/31/2017 at 22:30, STARS: 0
Great post, thanks! I have no towing needs and I live in the PNW so rust should not be an issue...except that every used car dealer knows Toyotas are incredibly popular here and brings them over from east coast auctions in droves. Local ones definitely carry a premium.
FWIW, the V6 transmission changeover appears to have happened at the same time as the V8 upgrade in 2005.
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
06/01/2017 at 07:30, STARS: 0
Some corrections: 2006 brought projector halogen lights, standard across the range. No HID options on the 4Runner or GX470 equivalent.
Some 4Runner V8's were 2WD. All GX470's were V8 AWD
I ran mine on mid-grade, it had less hesitation up hills. Never noticed an improvement going with premium.
Source: I had a 2007 V8 4x4 4runner, and recently got a 2008 GX470
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
06/01/2017 at 07:53, STARS: 1
This engine was in the million-mile Tundra