Toyota 4Runner Review | 2003-2009 | 4th Gen

In this video I review a 2008 Toyota 4Runner SR5 which falls into the fourth generation model sold from the 2003 to 2009 model years. This review includes a summary of the 4runner, interior overview, technical specs and a test drive. For more car and truck reviews be sure to subscribe.
If you're located in the PNW and looking for a good deal on a used vehicle, take a look at Wholesale Auto Connection: www.wholesaleautoconnection.com/
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[@evefranky7606]

You can tell he definitely drives German cars. 120K on a 4runner is barley breaking in as in a VW/audi its time to drop 2-5k. These babies will go 300K no problem. I have a buddy who has 500K on his and still loves it

[@driftless1870]

Mine has 275k currently and I put something like 25k on it each year, as a daily driver and our adventure vehicle, with overlanding trips in all directions. The V8 has been reliable and capable for all our towing needs. I love this old beast.

[@thomasazzara5800]

I own a 2005 4runner I purchased new from the local T dealer. I've got 200,000 miles (250,000 km) on the odometer, and it runs like a "top" still. I do the oil changes every 5000 miles and use conventional. I tried synthetic (10 years ago) once and got drips and leaks immediately the same day - and drained the synthetic and replaced it with conventional. Conventional of any good brand is what I'll always use in this 18-year-old 4runner. I get a drop of oil a week i the garage floor... no big deal.

[@user-yk382p53jh]

'This truck will last, for, ever' -Scotty Kilmer

[@brianpetersen3429]

Good review. I've been driving my 2008 SR5 4Runner for 13 years now and it still looks and rides like new, with only normal dealer service. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Iowa winters are no problem.

[@patrickgroll2046]

We have a 2003 V8 4wd Limited and just as you say, it drives like a brand new car. The car hasn't been indoors one night in 19 years so the paint is a bit faded, but the bottom has been kept rust-free. The thing is built to essentially military specs -- every single system on the car works absolutely fine. Gas mileage is pretty mediocre, but other than that it's essentially the perfect car.

[@SlightReturn666]

The greatest thing about a 4th-gen 4Runner, especially a V8, is that it’s the ultimate sleeper. To the casual observer it looks more or less like a Highlander or RAV4. But it’s soooooooo much more heavy duty and capable. Absolutely love how understated these are

[@RB-je3yj]

My 2007 4runner just turned 300k! It runs like new! Zero issues! Oil change every 5k, differential oil every 30k, plugs every 30k! That's it!

[@RB-je3yj]

I have an 07 2wd 300k miles and will never part with it!!! I love my 4runner!

[@rampagedingo]

What's impressive about this vehicle is that the 5 speed auto on this generation 4runner is being used today on the 5th gen. All toyota did was make the 5 speed be compatible with the V6 as time goes on but its the same transmission.

[@wallywal6139]

Mine is an 05 SR5 with 78,000 rust free AZ miles. I bought it from the estate of the original owner last year and will never part with it. One of my best finds ever and solid as a rock.

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

Wow that’s cool! I just bought my from Florida and I’m currently having it transported on a semi as I wrote this comment. It’s a white 2005 SR5 with 94,000 miles. Have you done any upgrades or modifications to yours!

[@wallywal6139]

@@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327 It's stock original except for a new Pioneer Apple Carplay receiver and backup camera that I'm getting ready to install now.

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

@@wallywal6139 Any specific model stereo system of you recommend? Stores are probably getting ready to run specials for the holidays and I’d like to put a nice one in

[@wallywal6139]

@@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327 I've purchased a Pioneer AVH 2550NEX. I have a similar Pioneer in another vehicle and it's been great for a number of years.

[@MBsr5]

i had an 05 for 16years. Trust me never let it go

[@hjinlareal]

Best 4Runner ever!

[@timothybirdsong8076]

You forgot one really cool thing about the interior, if you take of the head rest of either front seat and scoot the seat all the way forward and set it back it does lay completely into a bed

[@RB-je3yj]

My 2007 4runner sr5 has 300k with no signs of slowing down!!! V6 2wd this truck is solid!

[@majorrichards7943]

Great job on your 4Runner I have a 2005 Toyota 4Runner it's 207,000 miles on it and it's pretty solid and I am trying to stay up with the upkeep of the vehicle. All all congrats to you.

[@univenpecalipre]

I also have a 2WD but 2004. 127K Texas / California miles...never an issue just service

[@Erated78]

Great video - I appreciate your honesty throughout the video. I am heavily leaning towards buying a 2009 model and you’ve helped me with that decision - cheers

[@Cowboysfromhell32]

Don’t do it unless you want endless headache and a constant check engine light on

[@mghg5519]

I put Bilstein 5100’s and FJ Cruiser springs and gained almost 2” of ground clearance all the way around on my 08 Limited 4.0 w 92k mi on it and no frame rust. (they don’t rust if you take care of them.) The Bilsteins and FJ springs greatly helps w off roading (approach and departure angle) . A rear locker would be nice (like the 3rd gen) but the 4th gen is plenty capable. The 3rd generation ( I have a 99 Limited) is nice but here in Colorado the 3.4 is a gutless turd at altitude and the engine screaming at 3k+ rpm to maintain 80mph is ridiculous not to mention how poor the fuel economy becomes while the 3.4 attempts to maintain highway speed on 70 and I-25. The 4th generation is a way better, quieter, more refined, way more powerful, and more solid feeling structure and better daily driver than the 3rd gen. I’m sure people will hate on my comments but that’s my opinion.

[@girl600podcast]

Enjoyed hearing from an owner of the 3rd and 5 the gens.

[@ericcarbonell9927]

I’ve been considering buying either the 3rd or 4th gen. Thanks for the concise and informative comparison.

[@jmith47]

@@ericcarbonell9927what’d you end up choosing? I’m trying to decide between a third and fourth gen now

[@johntaylor1947]

I have owned over 30 personal drivers most were SUVs and the 05 4 runner I have now is by far the best SUV I have owned. It is at 190k and still drives like a new car the only repairs I have had is rotors and pads.

[@majorrichards7943]

Paint the frame.

[@Arcticfox7]

Mikey... Welcome back, buddy!

[@RoadNoise29100]

Great video! Very helpful!

[@crashsoome]

AS ALWAYS VID IS AWSOME

[@Alberto_Gonzalez-Burgos]

great video. thanks dude

[@davidshapshovich8784]

Sorry for your loss mike

[@girl600podcast]

Enjoyed the info. Love 3 n 5 gens but I'm comparing.

[@Downtownmtb]

One great feature I love on my 2007 4Runner Limited V8 is the garbage bag holder built into the rear of the center console. Life changing to have a place for trash!

[@Robsbrd99]

I've got an 08 just like yours with 60k miles. It's got Bilsteins, FJ springs and Michelins. Will probably outlive me.

[@rtorano1]

I have 2003 Sport with over 250K in miles love this vehicle.

[@imranabbasi7871]

I love your Toyota 4runner I am big fan

[@rdgale2000]

This is the first time I've been the first to comment! Great job on the review. I hope things are getting back to normal with the lose of your Dad. Maybe James could take some of your calm delivery and put it in to his videos. Keep up the great work. Our thoughts and prays will always be with you and your family.

[@michaeldaugherty1933]

Very good video informative

[@tomcarr1226]

Love my 04 V8 4X4 limited....

[@misterpimlott6330]

I like them with the back spoiler wing thing

[@SlightReturn666]

Agreed. It’s an iconic look, plus the spoiler really helps with keeping exhaust fumes out of the rear window.

[@CarnutMM]

In 2005 the SAE revised how HP was measured in all automotive engines which is why many vehicles particularly imports showed different HP numbers for the same engines. Nissan 4.0 went from 265 to 261. Toyota lost more horsepower after the standardization because they measured it differently.

[@viral_videos_4_you_]

If you still have that 4 runner I’ll buy it!!!

[@leese5159]

Nice video Mike! I did a real world MPG test on both the V6 & V8 4th Gen 4runner on my channel for anyone interested! Impressive how close they are. Great trucks.

[@missravenbellewhatthehell]

Looking at an 08 with 190 miles for 10 k very clean no rust but it's 2wd , I don't intend on using it truly off road style just want to pull a small trailer to camp occasionally so I don't think it's a deal breaker does any one have any advice on things to ask and get proof of as far as negotiating price

[@lowellcrabb151]

Is this car wider than the FJ? It overlaps with the early FJ's and I'm wondering which is easier to modify for rock and trail riding like I have been doing with my Polaris RZR.

[@DrivenCompanion]

I think they're about the same width. I'd go with the FJ myself if you're looking primarily to use it as an off-roader.

[@heatherfreer6813]

Very beautiful truck

[@Liberty4Ever]

After the new 4WD Tacoma I bought had frame perforation at 90,000 miles and a completely corroded frame that scrapped the truck at 139,000 miles and Toyota boned me on their manufacturing defect, I was very careful to buy a 2005 4Runner with no frame corrosion. Those aren't easy to find around here. I'll be using Fluid Film and Surface Shield to prevent the frame from rusting. I only have 200 miles on my new-to-me 4Runner V6 Limited, but I'm digging it so far. The fuel economy is worse than my old Tacoma.

[@TheDayisMineTrebeck]

My 04 v6 Lmt had 180k when bought in 2018. Got 14/18mpg. First oil change used some motor medic, engine flush, switched to 5 qts pennzoil high mileage synthetic and half a quart of Mr. Marvels (since 5.5 quarts to change). Then dumped in Liqui Moli Ceratec. Get 17/22 now. If your idle is over 650 at stoplights with no AC, your engine is dirty.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@@TheDayisMineTrebeck - Thank you for taking the time to respond. I knew the 4Runner mileage would be low so I wasn't too surprised but I continue to be disappointed as there is no good reason that it should be this bad. The idle RPM struck me as low but I'm not sure it's as low as 650 RPMs. I'll get a more accurate reading. I was contemplating an engine flush at the next oil change (soon) and it almost certainly has comvemtional oil and I always use synthetic oil to prevent varnish and sludge. I'll look unto the LiqiMoly engine treatment. I use their motor oil in my motorcycle and I believe they make good products. Hopefully, I can get another mile per gallon. With gasoline prices over $3 per gallon, that could quickly recoup money spent to improve mileage.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@Nicholas Hall - I looked at a LOT of used 4Runners before finding one with no frame corrosion. Almost all of the used 4th Gen 4Runners around here are rust buckets. I'm in central Kentucky. I spent a day in southern Ohio looking at 4Runners and it was a wasted day. They were all completely rusted out underneath. I assume Ohio sprays brine on their roads because the bodies looked good but the frames were all rust. Half of them had black spray paint over the rusted frames. I could tap the frame with my finger and the paint came off with big chunks of flaking rust... and they were asking $13000 for those rust buckets. The frame was the first thing I examined and I walked away. Nothing else mattered if the frame was rusted. I sprayed the Surface Shield on the frame of the 4Runner that I bought, as well as the lower body panels, wheel wells, transfer case, differentials, drive shaft, and even fasteners inside the engine compartment. It smelled funny when the overspray got hot but I didn't care. I'll spray it again next fall. I might have it repainted. I might go crazy and spray it with black bed liner! Probably not, but I might mask off the leading edge of the hood and use bed liner on that. It has a lot of missing paint chips that I've covered with Toyota's touch up pen.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@Nicholas Hall - The Carfax on my 4Runner showed that it lived half of its life in Arizona and Florida. No used car lot will voluntarily advertise frame rust but many will provide a Carfax and that can narrow the search. I contacted a few car lots and asked if they'd send me a focused high resolution picture of the frame in the rear, because I didn't want to drive 150 miles to poke my head under the truck, see frame corrosion, and drive home. The ones that wouldn't do that were almost certainly selling rust buckets. I actually bought my 4Runner from a Toyota stealership, which is something I never thought I'd do. They were a 150 mile round trip for me. They not only snapped a picture of the frame, they had the mechanic put it on a lift and they sent me eight well lit detailed pictures showing the entire frame and undercarriage. There were the usual difficulties I have when dealing with car salespeople. We're so different we might as well be a different species, but they were trying, in their own way, to address my concerns. In the end, I grew tired of the delays and miscommunications, they knocked $1000 off the price and I agreed to fix the cracked dash myself. That was a manufacturing defect but the second owner didn't have the dash replaced for free, probably because they didn't get the notification. I'm not aware of a frame corrosion defect on the 4Runners. I thought those rusted frames were from 15 years of salted roads. Half of the Tacomas and Tundras for several years had frame corrosion defects because DANA Corporation didn't dip the frames. My 2005 4Runner was made in Japan and the frame looks almost new.

[@Liberty4Ever]

@Nicholas Hall - Good luck with your search! hopefully, with the rapidly rising interest rates, used car prices will become less insane for cash buyers. If I couldn't find a Gen 4 without rust, I'd be inclined to buy a Gen 5. I'd also be willing to drive south for a good one with a solid frame, but that's a major hassle. I'm liking my 4Runner. I tend to prefer more nimble vehicles. The V6 4Runner has a big truck feel to it and the automatic and power everything feels a bit like I'm piloting a land barge relative to driving my 4 cylinder 4WD manual transmission Tacoma, but the 4Runner is a beast. Being automatic, my wife can drive it, so that's a plus. I filed the back (under the cargo shelf) with all sorts of emergency and recovery equipment. It's a gray man SHTF-mobile. It looks like a Suzy Soccermom SUV on the outside but it's very capable off road. I'm going to add a modest 3" lift and larger off road tires next year when the current tires are ready to be replaced but not add any obvious off road mods. Probably add some amateur radio equipment for long distance communications. 4 channel digital video recording any time the vehicle is in motion. GPS tracking like I have on my motorcycle so I can locate it if stolen. Upgraded security system to silently page me if someone breaks into the vehicle.

[@averagedriving3979]

It is not exactly part time because you can using 4wd on pavement. It is basically the limited 4wd system but with 2wd that you can save some fuels at day to day driving just like super select 4wd, I love it.

[@majorrichards7943]

Did Tyler forerunners agree vehicle to have. And the longevity is great as long as you stay up on with maintenance.

[@carlosemiliomonsalve9511]

Great vídeo pal, how many miles the V6 can last?

[@alecmartin0180]

It depends if it’s the facelift or pre-facelift. The pre-facelift 4th-gens with the V6 suffered from head gasket problems around 100-150k miles. The facelift 4th-gens with the V6 didn’t have those issues after Toyota improved the head gasket design, and they’ll probably last 300k+ without any major issues.

[@majorrichards7943]

I would get it fixed.

[@majorrichards7943]

The Toyota 4Runner is a great truck to have. I think it's worth it.

[@Seattle808]

2008 V8 here I wouldn’t trade it for anything

[@matthorton1906]

05 v8 limited love this thing

[@kevchandrika]

2006 V8 4WD here and same will not give it away

[@kevchandrika]

@@gianni9046 yes, I keep up with any fluid exchange that is necessary

[@Nicholas-ut1dw]

Are 2006-2009 basically same?

[@SlightReturn666]

@@Nicholas-ut1dw they have more power and nicer head and tail lights. Mine is a 2003 and even without VVT it has way more than adequate power

[@hectormedina9009]

Luxury features

[@jameskocks4734]

2005 with the 4.7. its very clean with a clean carfax. im on the fence on whether i want to sell it. i love it but its worth 12k easily and i have another car.

[@SlightReturn666]

I wouldn’t sell it if you don’t need to. Awfully hard to find a better all-around car than a V8runner

[@jameskocks4734]

@@SlightReturn666 100% agreed. im keeping it. it needs some ac work done so the returns wont be that great if i have to spend some money now.

[@bluv5185]

Just bought an 07 limited v8 with 96k miles on it. Got it around thanksgiving.

[@sogys9748]

How much did it cost?

[@hectormedina9009]

1984 5th generation

[@PNWXOverland]

That rig is barely broken in...lol

[@NMETSGChan]

You forgot the frame rots just by looking at it!

[@SlightReturn666]

Gotta get it rustproofed by someone who’s _good_

[@ImYoutubing247]

I need one these but there’s so expensive

[@DrivenCompanion]

Yes they are. Nissan Xterra could be worth a look if you want something similar for less money.

[@kevchandrika]

You won’t regret paying the money for it. You’ll enjoy that vehicle. I over paid for mine, bought mine from CarMax. I fell in love with it and coughed up $19k for something that was 10yrs old with 94k miles on it, one owner and in immaculate condition. Do it you won’t regret it

[@kevchandrika]

@@DrivenCompanion disliked your comment because nothing compares to a T4R 😂

[@ImYoutubing247]

@@kevchandrika that’s insane. I’ve seen them for $9k/$10k with 150,000 miles

[@Unplugged704]

@@ImYoutubing247 I still see some with almost 200k and still around $15k. Dealers know these are in demand especially the V8s

[@chalifamamoon]

I have 2003 model 3.4 V 6 engine with 4 speed automatic

[@SaadRahimu]

2003 has 4.0L V6 not 3.4L.

[@joeblow9931]

my 05 is a rattling rust bucket!

[@majorrichards7943]

Check the frame.

[@CaptainFALKEN]

This is the most soccer mom looking generation 4runner, but the interior and vvt i are really the same as the 2nd gen tacomas. I prefer the look of the 3rd gen, but has the most problems unfortunately. I have a 09 DCLB sport Taco with these same wheels and a 99 4runner limited gold with mud tires.

[@loveoneanotherasihaveloved8327]

Who cares it’s a bad ass 4 Runner

[@SlightReturn666]

The bland soccer mom-ness is what makes them so great! To a casual observer it just looks like any old midsize suv. To those in the know, it’s one of the best trucks ever built. And if it has the optional V8 it can accelerate like a muscle car!

[@PhelpsLife]

I think it looks sporty and sweet. Especially the front end.

[@gelawamalaidze1647]

Hello friend 👋😍I dream of such a car and please help me to buy it;!🙏🏻🙏🏻♥️Thanks in advance I am waiting for your reply!🙏🏻🖐️

[@hectormedina9009]

Wider stance

[@jaysonyang1441]

Review fail

[@Cowboysfromhell32]

Worst car in the history of all automobiles DO NOT get one

[@BrianL1412]

😂

[@brianb5810]

😂😂

[@Thecherokee4x4]

MPG on my 04 4runner V8 is about 13 city and 21 to 22 hwy driving normal. I like the flat style cut around the wheels vs the rounded.

[@jpm1544]

Agreed Im looking for one now and prefer the 03-05 look but will swap in the 06+ tail lights