Toyota 4Runner

harry0

I just bought a 2001 millennium silver 4 Runner limited 4x4. I picked it up on Thursday and have 200 miles on it now. I really think this is a great SUV.I don't have any complaints except maybe the price. The sticker was 38,677.00 with(RH,SR,EJ,CB,C7,AL,GN.)less 4,111.00 (pres.day sale) total 34,566.00. I also bought 6yr 75000 extended platinum warranty for 735.00.
I was driving a 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee before I bought the 4 Runner. The Jeep is the WORST SUV I ever owned. I had to have the rotors machined 4 times and replaced twice.(I was told it was driver error,sudden stops etc.)I also would hear a loud THUMP or CLUNK when I put the car in reverse on if I was just sitting at a red light.I also had a HUM coming from the drive train area at speeds over 50 mph. I was told this was all normal for a jeep and that I was driving a truck not a Lexus. They also told me that if it really bothered me I should just turn up the radio.I turned up the radio and drove straight to the Toyota dealership and bought a 4 Runner.I still have 7 lease payments left on my Jeep,but its going to just sit in my driveway.
The 4 Runner drives and handles great and my wife loves the size on the car. 200 miles with no Hums, Thumps,and major shaking when I apply the brakes. This is the first time in 3 years I have smiled while driving my car.I must be driving a Lexus.

gazelle1

A lot of speculation but does anyone have any information on what Toyota is going to do with the 2002 4Runners? Same style - better engine? Or a little bigger like I hear about the 2002 pathfinders? Does anyone have any contacts in with Toyota for an answer? Appreciate a response. Thanks.

jf01

Gazelle1,
If you scroll up this topic you can see some responses on the 2002 4Runner. On engines though, cliffy1 has said that the engine will be the 3.4 with vvt-i.
Real reason I'm posting is because I'm wondering if anyone here has done anything to reduce wind or road noise in their 4Runner. Things like dynamat for road noise and better sound? Some kind of foam for wind noise? I'm just wondering.
Cliffy, I'm wondering if aftermarket speakers would void my basic warranty. It shouldn't affect drivetrain warranty right? What about an amplifier? I'm just curious because I'd like to get some aftermarket speakers, an amplifier, and sound deadening materials and am wondering if any of it would void my warranty (I have an extended warranty). Thanks.

hiluxsurf

You need to pull the "gear shift panel" first before the "center dash trim" can be removed.

1. Pull the aft part of the "gear shifter panel" by holding both sides. This panel has 4 clips, 2 aft and 2 forward. Do the aft ones first then the forward ones.

2. You can now pull the "center dash trim", working your way up starting from the bottom (this has 7 clips).

Installing it back, you need to do an extra step:

1. Just do the opposite, push the center dash trim from top to bottom, working your way downwards.

2. Extra step: You need to lift JUST the forward part of the "hand brake panel" up to put the "gear shift panel" back in. Push in the AFT part of the "gear shift panel" first to hook its clips back in, then push in the forward part where it meets the "center dash trim".

3. Lastly, you can now press in the "hand brake panel" back in.

mikee5

I have a 2000 4Runner, the cooling fan seems to be always on even when I start when it is ice cold. Is this normal. Also, the hood seems to rattle and shakes up and down at high speed. Have you experienced anything like this. I appreciate any comments if you're experiencing similar problems.

climber3

I have a 1997 4Runner SR5 (30.000 miles) manual transmission with the rear differential lock system and would like to replace the differential fluid with synthetic--either Redline or Amsoil. The manual calls for API GL-5 hypoid gear oil in the rear differential. Does anyone know which Redline and Amsoil products are equivalent. Thanks.
Michael

mantle7

Does anyone out there know if Toyota is planning to compete with other makes on the low interest rate that some are offering? I am in the market for a new vehicle but I would need low interest. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

cliffy1

You would only void the portion of the warranty that is affected by the aftermaket equipment you install. For instance, your speakers would have no affect on the operation of the moonroof, but it might have some on the factory amplifier.

woody72

I also have a '00 4Runner and the radiator fan does run all the time, not like some vehicles with an electric fan controlled by a thermostat that switches it on and off. The only other fan is the heater core fan which you control inside cab, I assume you were referring to the former not the latter. No problems with our hood at any speeds, check the latch mechanism, sounds like this is not closing all the way. Good luck, keep us posted.

jond3

i am currently looking at two 4runners. both are 4wd. one is a 98 limited. it is loaded with 40K miles and the asking price is $25K. I am also looking at a 2000 sr5 for $28K w/18k miles. i like both equally. the difference is the 2000 does not have a sunroof (has a moonroof), nor is it equipped w/a towing pkg. being a current 4runner owner, i am sold on toyota but am having a hard time w/petty issues.

akg

Has anyone heard when the 2002 newly restyled 4Runner will be released? Are there pictures available for internet viewing yet? Since the 4Runner is sandwiched in-between the new Highlander and Sequoia, I can't imagine there is much room for a price increase.

leonka

All,

I drive 96 4runner SR5 automatic and love it.

I was told by Toyota service rep, that (front)
differential and transfer case is the same thing.
Is it so?

Also, in winter there's cold "wind" blowing on the passenger side from under glove compartment and other front plastic panels. If I switch air to inside circulation it stops. Looks like outside air is coming into the truck directly?

Any ideas?

Leon

jere39

My '97 SR5 Manual 4wd developed an odd hesitation problem at about 58k miles. The hesitation is not on acceleration, but rather exhibits itself as a single brief "miss" at the point in time when I transition from acceleration to maintaining speed. For instance when accel from a stop to 45 mph, just as I reach 45 and feather off the throttle to maintain that speed I will experience a significant jolt as the ignition or fuel delivery seems to stop momentarily.
The service mgr suggested it should have the 60k service and tune-up and that would probably fix the problem. It didn't. I drove it through the winter with this problem happening about 20-30% of the time I first transition to cruising speed from a start. I took it back for the dealer to look at again, and of course he reports "problem could not be duplicated." I asked if there was not some diagnostic they could run and was told their diagnostics would not find anything that did not cause a check engine light. Any one have any ideas. A few observations:
It started as the temperatures in PA started dropping below freezing overnight, and is always more noticeable in the cold morning than the warmer afternoon.
This same start time is approximately when the good PA EPA force feed the county's around here Oxygenated gas that a) costs 10% more, and b) delivers about 10% worse gas mileage (the combination is a real pain).

The dealer has been pleasant enough in conversation about this, but I didn't buy conversation, and I'm not appeased by their recommendation that I bring it in again and again. I don't think dealers appreciate what a pain it is for a person with an actual job to schedule a substitute ride to work along with a two way shuttle to and from the dealer twice in one day.
Sorry for the long post, all ideas appreciated,
Jere

jf01

I have a 2000 2WD Limited. However, I also experience a slight "hesitation" at times. Often, after turning then trying to accelerate, the engine will seem like its trying to accelerate then stops to thinks about it, then accelerates again. I don't know if it is the transmission or something else. The hesitation isn't like a jerk, more like a momentary lapse in "accelerator communication" with the engine. I don't think it's a problem, I'm just wondering if anyone else has the same thing. On a related note, are transmissions jerky from 2nd to 3rd? It seems that my transmission shifts excessively hard around 30-40 mph.

dhum

Just bought a 2001 SR5. I noticed yesterday that
on each of the rear passenger doors at the bottom
of the door just above the running board and close to the rear wheel, there is
an area about 3"x5" that looks like a patch.
It is rectangular in shape and has the same color as the rest of the exterior body. Is this normal? Is it used to cover up something?

cliffy1

Your service guy is wrong. What he is talking about is a front wheel drive car where the transmission and differential are pretty much a single unit. On your SR5, you have a center transfer case and both front and rear differentials. I suggest finding a new service writer.

On your question of outside air, if your vent selector is in the fresh position and no fan speed is selected, you will get outside air moving through the system. If your heat selector is set warm, it will be warmed before coming through. This does not happen in the recirculate setting but in the winter, you will fog your windows in this setting.

cliffy1

That is an anti chip panel. It is just stuck on in the most vulerable part of the fender flare to protect it from stone chips.

abbiem

Hi - I just leased my first SUV - 2001 4Runner. I test drove the Highlander and 4Runner and waited a month for a particular Highlander. When it arrived at the dealership, they discovered it was 4 cyl, not the 6 I was expecting. Long story short, I didn't want to pay for a fully-equipped Highlander (only way the 6 cyl 4x4 is coming in) so I went back to looking at the 4Runner, much better deal. I actually prefer the more "truck-like" feel. Whatever, I only have to drive my Sienna for ONE more day (great car - don't get me wrong - but after 6 yrs of minivans I feel a need to graduate). I am sure I will be back with questions for all of you experienced 4Runner drivers, thanks!

mkeyeswa

If you haven't already purchased, I would go for a new 4Runner. The prices you are looking at for used (25 - 28K) are very close to invoice on a new unit -- There are also $1500 dealer incentives on 2000 models, if any are available in your area.

I gave up looking at used units in August and purchased a new loaded SR5 w/leather, Limited fender flares, etc., for $30k and got factory 3.9% financing on top of that. It's a great vehicle!

mkeyeswa

You'd be interested in knowing that the 4Runner is sort of a Lexus. It is built on its own platform (not the Tacoma) and is built in a Lexus plant in Tahara, Japan -- The build quality is outstanding. In shopping for used 4Runners with 40-60k miles on them last summer, not one had a rattle of any kind.

prizma

My brand new 2001 SR5 by towing company's mistake was towed from the front (front wheels in the air) for about two miles to the towing company's yard (no dolly under back wheels). Apart from sctaches on the front fender I am worried about the transmission now, since the manual says tow from the front "may cause serious damage to the transmission". What might be the problem in this case and is there any way to check if something is wrong? The vehicle seems to be running fine so far. It is automatic 4x4.

tbird45

I am looking at a new SR5 and wanted some feed back from users of the new Active Trac system. I do a fair amount of 4 wheeling and wanted to know how it does in tough situations. I have a Jeep GC now that does pretty well but don't want to buy another one because of quality issues. Have owned two Land Cruisers over the years and am anxious to get back to a Toyota. Thanks for the input.

scottcar

How new does a 2001 4Runner SR5 have to be to get the new standare features as listed on the Toyota web site to include power windows,CD sound system, Remote keyless entry system, power antenna, floor mats, etc? Would I just look for these items on the sticker or is there a way to tell when it was built and assume all vehicles built after that date have the new standard features? Thank you for any replies.

abbiem

Hi scottcar,
I don't know how new it has to be, but I picked mine up yesterday and all of that stuff is listed under the Standard Features heading on the sticker.

eagle30

Does anyone have any information on the New Redesign that is coming in 2002? If you do please post, just want to get some information. Thanks again in advance.

dscottjr

I'm trying to decide whether to purchase a used or new 4runner. I definitely want a limited 4wd but I am confused about changes in model years.
Edmunds shows that in 99 the 4runner received a change to the electronic climate control system. And did this occur at the same time a change to the digital odometer did?? The dealer told me that happened in 2k.
Secondly, which years are the solid (not 2 tone) limited avail. Was it 98, 98-99, or 98-2k.
Lastly, was the new 4wd system I/ center miff. avail in 2k or is it new for 2001.
I'm trying to get everything I want for under 30k including the mileage being under 30k. You current owners could help me out a great deal by telling me what you have!! Thanks.

tomb43

My wife purchased our 5th 4Runner (a 2001) in October of 2000. By the end of the month (Oct) the cloth seats had accumulated a noticeable (an unsightly) amount of lint and fuzz. This is virtually impossible to remove, short of a roll of very sticky tape and several hours of hard work (every month or so). We notified the dealer, who notified the Toyota Regional Parts and Service manager. The answer from Toyota is it is a normal characteristic of the fabric and does not significantly affect the value, safety or operation of the vehicle. ( Essentially "Tough!")
Before you buy, make the dealership show you the long use demo or better yet, ask for 5 previous customers. This type of "defect" is not covered under the "Lemon Laws" because it "does significantly affect the value." Toyota offered $1000.00 towards a trade in on another vehicle... if we were willing take about a $4000.00 loss on the trade. Not what we expected from a $38,000 vehicle... but I guess it is Toyota's idea of value added.

jf01

I happen to have 4Runner sales brochures from 1997 on. For solid color paint schemes on limiteds, I think you have to go back to 1998. That's the last year I've ever seen for solid black on black. As for the digital odometer and electronic climate control, the brochure for the 1999 4RUnner shows both on a limited. About the 4WD, sorry, but I don't know what you mean. I do know that a new Multi-Mode 4WD system was put on the limited last year (2000). I think this information is correct and am fairly certain, but I wouldn't wholly and entirely rely on it.

dscottjr

I think the last part of my post above was meesed up when I spell checked it. I was referring to the locking rear-differential still being an option. It changed diff to miff. I guess the new system came out this year on '01s but was the locker still avail. on 00?? Thanks for your post jf01. I think I understand it a little better now!!

cliffy1

It doesn't have to be new at all. Every Runner shipped into the country this year had all the equipment on it but it was listed as options. When the change came, Toyota came to every dealership and removed the old window stickers and replaced them with the new ones which moved several items from the option list to the standard list.

akg

Hey out there!!! Two of us now have posted concerneing the 2002 redesign. Any info, any online pictures? Any idea when it will preview?

rward99

Rdavis2710 you might want to check the brake pads and shoes. As they wear they get thinner and the brake cylinder pistons will move further out, requiring more fluid. The low brake fluid may just mean it's time for new brake pads/shoes.

When the new pads/shoes are put on the pistons will be forced back inside the cylinders, pushing the brake fluid back into the master cylinder, causing it to go above the maximum line.

If this is not the case then there might be a leak in the brake lines, wheel cylinders, master cylinder. The fluid has to be going somewhere.

cliffy1

I haven't been ignoring your questions but I don't have anything on the 2002. All I know is that my District Manager told me it will be restyled and will not be out until February of 2002. That is later than normal for a new model introduction but they did the same thing in '96. If I get further details, I'll post them.

pal82

I bought a new 2000 4Runner LTD last July. I test drove nearly every SUV at the Edmunds Live auto show a few weeks prior and was sold on the 4Runner. I love it and haven't had any problems other than the infamous gas gauge problem - the annoying low fuel light which comes on with 5 to 6 gallons of gas (supposedly) in the tank.

But to get to my point, about 6 weeks after I bought my Runner, I was entering onto the highway when something hit my windshield in the lower right corner on the passenger side. I assume it was a rock, but was very surprised that tiny slivers of glass scattered inside the vehicle. Some even got into my hair (I was driving). The point of impact on the outside was very small - my pinky couldn't fit into it - but the object didn't completely penetrate the windshield. I took pictures of the damage before having it replaced.

Question to Cliffy - is this typical for the glass to to shatter like that? I thought windshields were made of tempered glass designed not to do that.

I had the windshield replaced at the dealership with a Toyota windshield, but here it is only 6 months later and another object coming from the road hit my windshield and has caused a crack which is slowly creeping across the windshield. Could Toyota's windshields be of poor quality or are SUVs more prone to this type of thing because they sit up high? I've only had to replace the windshield in my Honda Accord twice in the 9 1/2 years I've owned it. Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks.

cliffy1

Just sounds like a case of bad luck to me. safety glass is designed to stay in place in an impact but small slivers will sometimes pop loose. We did have a problem back in '96 with cracks appearing without any other damage but that is long since done. It wasn't a glass issue but a fit issue.

arris

My new 2001 4Runner has a heated rear window and heated mirrors.My rear side window on the passenger's side has wires in it like it would be heated,but does not appear to defrost at all when I push the button on the dash. What is the purpose of this side window?

cliffy1

Those lines are not defrosters. They are part of the diversity antennae. You have the main one in the front plus the windshield mounted one. The stereo will use whichever one has the strongest signal.

arris

Thanks for the reply Cliffy. I appreciate it. We love our 4runner. Our first import.

harry0

I was cleaning the windows the other day and I noticed the wires on the rear side window also.
I thought they were defrosters also. Thanks for the antenna info Cliffy 1.
I just put my first 1000 miles on my 2001 4 Runner. I am delighted to say that all is well. The 4 Runner rides so much better than my soon to be ex 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee. I'm really impressed on how quiet the ride is.The is my first Toyota,but it won't be my last. Toyota has brought pleasure back to driving.

I also noticed that the rear view mirror is not attached to the windshield. This makes it alot easier to clean the inside windshield.(you don't have to clean around the mirror.)This is a small point,but it's the little things that add up.

cliffy1

I've been selling Toyotas since '94 and have run into customers who were told by their salesman that those wires were a defroster. They are shocked to learn the truth and mad at their ill-informed salesman.

arris

When towing my boat,motor,and trailer(which is less than 1000lbs.)should I use the ect power switch? Or just not haul it in overdrive or both?
You're the expert Cliffy.

bartman7

Can anyone tell me about their experience towing a boat (or anything about 4000#) with a 4Runner. I'd like to go with the 4Runner if it will do the job because of the reliability. I'm considering a couple of 97s, but I'm not sure how well it performs or if the repeated towing takes a toll on it. Can I take a 4 year old 4Runner with 50k miles and expect another 100 out of it, towing a boat every weekend in the summer? Otherwise I need to look at the V8 market or a JGC with that strong in-line 6. That steers me towards American made vehicles and lower reliability. Please give me experience and/or rationale to reconsider the 4 Runner.

cliffy1

I'll try to answer both previous questions at once. The Runner is built with a frame, unlike the Jeep which is built on a car type body. This means it is much more appropriate for towing. All the load is absorbed by the frame, rather than the body, which means less stress on all the welds, door seals and structural cross members.

When towing any load, I prefer the use the power mode on the transmission. If the load is over 1000 pounds, I would also turn off the overdrive. If you don't, you run the risk of overheating the transmission, even though you have a transmission oil cooler.

farrouck

Hello friends, to anybody in contact with toyota, please, please tell the company to address the inadequate dust proofing of the past and current 4Runner models, my father owns a 1990 and I own a 1998 model. In both generations when you travel on dusty roads, dust enters the cabin very easily, even if you put the HVAC in recirculation mode and do not turn it on.

I really hope that the next generation 4Runner measures up well against the competition in areas other than durability and reliability, for which Toyota is famous for.

stever

hmmmm, I always turn the fan on in recirc mode to "pressurize" the cabin and help keep the dust out?

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards

henmobile

Has anyone experienced a problem with their driver's side seat belt not retracting completely or quickly enough after it has been unbuckled? My seat belt has gotten caught in the door several times and twice the metal has slashed through the material that covers the door panel. Might the belt not be functioning correctly when buckled? Does anyone think I might be able to get Toyota to replace the door panel covering at their expense?

henmobile

In response to message #265, I posted a message many months ago with this same concern. I have gone to two dealerships and both gave me the same answer: the problem could not be duplicated. I know I'm not crazy, and the hesitation can be quite annoying. Does anyone have a possible explanation that I might offer to the service department? Thanks.

farrouck

Response to message #296. I have the same problem with the driver side seat belt. Let us hope that Toyota fixes that problem for the next gen 4Runner.

hobbybaas

Hi Everyone,

My employer has asked me to do some research on new tires for her 97 4 Runner. She is looking for All Terrain tires, that would mostly be used in the Northern California area. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

jere39

Thanks henmobile (#297), at least for providing evidence that I am not alone, or making this up. As the weather warms up here in PA, the hesitation incidences are reducing. I've been driving the few miles west of here to buy non-oxygenated gas and I really cannot report that helps. The common denominator seems to be an onset last fall at around 60k miles, and when the temperature started dropping. It gradually got worse (more frequent) through the winter, and is finally getting better. My 90 pathfinder had a data port on a computer module under the drivers seat. I was told, though I never had reason to confirm, that a Nissan dealer could attach a data recorder to it so that it would record various data metrics while I drove it, so that the dealer service tech could replay and diagnose events that did not happen on test drives, but were happening according to owners. My local Toyota dealer claims never to have heard of such a thing, and assures me no Toyota ever had such a capability. They further assert that there would be no evidence on such a tape, unless the check engine light was lit anyway.

Any ideas: additives, a second tune-up, kidnapping a service manager and holding him hostage in my back seat till he witnesses it too, I'll try anything.

Thanks,
Jere