Toyota 4Runner

salamon · March 2005

We are considering the SR5 4WD V6 with cloth seats. We are really impressed with the ride, quietness, and power of the vehicle with my only concern being the seat comfort as I thought the seats were kind of flat. How comfortable are the cloth seats after a couple of hours or more of driving.

tommmmy · March 2005

What ever you do, don't use abrasives on your car. To remove road tar, fresh paint or any petro-based crud, try Home Depot's orange-based cleaner. It's about $11 a gallon. I've used it on many painted and varnished surfaces without harm. It will remove fresh paint, but has no effect on cured paint. Amazing stuff that quickly cleans everything, even paint brushes. (I don't work for HD, and don't know anyone who does. Honest.)

nikiblue1 · March 2005

Does the new 2005 v8 require regular or premium gas?
What kind of mpg are you folks getting out there?
Thanks

tcpoob · March 2005

for v6, 89 grade at pump is ok. the manual adds
for better perf, use 91 or higher.
i suspect it's the same for V8.
my v6 4wd gives 15.5 ~ 17 calculated (not trip
computer). the mpg can be better but then it's
a mid sz suv.

ttto4runner · March 2005

in the 05, headroom is reduced almost an inch. just test drove the V8sport yesterday, and I didn't like the reduction in headroom.

beanctr · March 2005

Salamon,

I don't own a 4runner; however, I rented one over the weekend a few months back and felt the seats were comfortable although I wished they weren't situated so low to the floor. Suggest you find a Toyota dealer that rents 4Runners so you can really get a good idea if the seat will be comfortable to you. It's a nice vehicle.

grnwtrs · March 2005

I have the 2004 v-8 sport model. Last fill-up was 14mpg.I have only 7,500 miles on it. Purchaste 2/15/04. First 5000 miles got about 15-17 on trip 2,500 miles.

Consumers says that Toyota tends to overstate fuel economy. I don't complain. I got the power on the on ramps.

I use regular (cheap gas) factroy says use 91 ocatane. not me.

Can't beat the car.

gene

canddmeyer · March 2005

I feel the seats are good for extended trips. I've done several all day rides and have no issues with the cloth seating or my back. Passengers are happy too. The vehicle isn't so quiet and the ride is bumpy w/Dunslop tires, but that's my experience and opinion. My only complaint with the seats is that my driver seat isn't square with the steering wheel. I'm offset to one side of the steering wheel. Other posters have stated issues with their seats moving just a little, enough to complain about it.

Fyi-owners are happiest with Michelin tire equipped vehicles. The Bridgestone and Dunslop owners aren't as happy. Good luck.

newswords · March 2005

Actually, better reviews are coming in these days for Bridgestone REVO Dueler A/T's. See TireRack for customer comments- widely preferred now over Michelin Cross-Terrains and Dunlops. Be sure to note - REVO - not the others by Bridgestone. Very thick and aggressive tread pattern and wide stance - but ride smoothly.

I know - Bridgestone has had a bad rep - especially with the Firestone connection. I would normally have gone with the X-terrains - but I did a lot of research and discovered the REVO is truly a breakthrough. See TireRack ratings and other website reviews.

You will probably have to special order as this particular tire is fairly new and they've been in very limited supply, especially in sizes to fit the 4Runner.

Note - competition is heating up between tire dealers and Toyota. I was able to buy a set of four, at no extra cost, through my Toyota dealer direct from Bridgestone and avoid going to commercial tire outlets such as Firestone and Expert Tire. This way, I'm still able to get road hazard coverage and free rotations while making one stop at Toyota while my truck is in for scheduled maintenance.

I've replaced OEM's after 22K miles and drive the Revo's now - have gone through a very harsh winter on them in mountainous conditions - excellent in snow and ice and on very rough muddy roads. Also, surprised at how quiet and smooth they are on highway. MPG is about the same.

canddmeyer · March 2005

Yokohama now makes us some 17 inch tires. 265/65SR17. Yokohama Geolandar H/T-S G051 now rates higher via Tire Rack than any other tires I've read about for highway all-season tires. The Revo tops the off-road category. I'm a year or more away, but comments from anyone riding these or anything else are appreciated.

grnwtrs · March 2005

Thanks for the advice. The brush I have used on my 2004 sport 4-runner has been used about 1 year. The only marks,road tar,etc are on the rear passenger side. Nothing nowhere else.

This same brush with turtle wash/wax soap has been used on 3 other vehicles. Nary a scratch on them? H'mmm

Maybe Ford, chevrolet, and dodge have better paint jobs afterall.

You are correct, its best to live with it.

Thanks again

Gene

jaredmsd · March 2005

I'm suprised Kheintz hasn't replied to this yet, but: try a clay bar to remove road tar. It works like a charm and won't kill your finish. Zaino makes some good clay bars see link below (I tinyurl'd it for you). Of course there are other claybars that you might be able to find in stores if you don't want to mail order them. Also check out zaino's guide on how to take care of you paint, there is a lot of good instruction there about how NOT to scratch your paint. Here's the claybar link:
http://tinyurl.com/3g9zh (zaino.com)

stever · March 2005

Clay bars are great. Sometimes you can find Mother's and other brands at the auto parts stores for ~$10 US.

Store Bought Waxes Part II (No Zaino Posts)

Zaino Car Polishes/Products--Your Experiences (Part 2)

Steve, Host

wrenchspin2 · March 2005

Thanks canddmeyer, I thought it was just my imagination! Just recently got my 2005 and I have taken a few corners and thought I felt the seat move so slightly. I don't believe it did it brand new, although I took it easy on break-in and maybe just didn't notice it. I was going to take a look this weekend to see if a floor mount bolt had forgotten to be tightened or something. Anyone go to dealer and/or find out on their own what it is? Is it something I can tighten or no?

suvtime · March 2005

I must say that I was surprised at the lack of headroom in late model 4Runner's. I sat in one a few weeks ago at the Toronto auto show and my head was hitting the roof. Granted I'm fairly tall (6'4") and it was the Limited model so it had a sunroof, but still I think I should have fit.

Is there any taller guys out there buying 4Runners? Would a different trim line without a sunroof make that much difference?

Thanks

canddmeyer · March 2005

Sorry, I remember the complaints, but I don't remember the resolutions, if any, for those affected. You'll have to go back aways (3 months or more is my best guess) to look for those posts. It might be in this thread or the 'problems and solutions' thread. Myself, I never had the movement problem. I offered the info cuz I remembered reading about it here and thought the buyer might want to know. Hopefully someone will chime in again with their saga of the moving seat.

I just did a search of "seat" in the 'problems and solutions' thread and a few responses pop up. You might want to refer to those for any possible resolution.

iontrap · March 2005

There are two issues that I have with the 4Runner, lack of headroom and the short windshield. I'm 6'6" and wanted a Sport w/sunroof but couldn't fit no matter how I adjusted the seat, so I got an SR5 instead. There is enough headroom if the seat is adjusted all the way down.

Also, when I pull up to a red light, I have to lean to the right so that I can see the light change.

kullenberg · March 2005

I had the same problem and ordered a Sport w/o the sunroof. I had a sunroof on my previous vehicle, and didn't use it but maybe 3 times in 5 years.

black_tulip · March 2005

Based on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety(IIHS) report, 2000-03 Toyota 4 runner had the second best driver death report, second to only Mercedes E class. A quote:

"The Toyota 4Runner had only 12 driver deaths per million registered years during 2000- 03. This compares with 134 deaths per million for the two-door Ford Explorer and 119 per million for the Land Rover Discovery Series II. "

Read the story here

ronstoy · March 2005

I am 6' in height and width. I was rubbing the top of the sunroof with my head. It was a limited with sunroof. Do they make the limited without sunroof?

grnwtrs · March 2005

Thanks for the heads-up. I will definately check out the ZAINO Clay bars.

I took my 4-Runner into the dealer. He seemed to think it was a paint rub or whatever. Actually he said the rear was hit. But no damage below the taillight.

He had it touched up in several places. Wants me to come back 1 week from thrusday (3/17/05) for another touch up.

FREE OP CHARGE. That's is right. FREE Take that problem to your Ford or Gm dealer and see what happens.

Thanks for all your help.

suvtime · March 2005

Sorry to say that the Limited only come with a sunroof. But you can get a SR5 or sport version and add "package B" and that will get you some or most of the things (like leather seats) that you would find in the Limited.

Seems like when they designed the 4Runner they didn't think anyone over 5'5" would want one with the sunroof.

aheck · March 2005

Hi gang,

Been away from the forums really since I bought my 4Runner, but I thought I'd check in again and see if you had any suggestions.

I got a 2004 Limited with the sunroof. We'd now like to add a DVD system for viewing from the back seat. I looked on the ceiling behind the sunroof and there doesn't seem to be too much room to add one of the ceiling mount versions.

Has anyone added a system to a 4RUnner with a sunroof?

Thanks!
Aaron

91n01furrunna · March 2005

Been running a fine 1991 SR5 since 94 with 180,000. Finally updated to a 2001 SR5. Keeping the 91 for fun. Been learning a lot about the 2001 on this fine forum. Two minor issues with the 2001 so far. I miss my oil pressure gauge. Cant understand why Toyo took that out. Gonna have to put one in. Ashtray light is out. Cant seem to figure out how to replace the little green bulb in there. Anyone have the same issue at some time? Otherwise, love this truck.

tcpoob · March 2005

5th plc out of 6
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article_id=9264

rawrunr · March 2005

Hi Board,
I'm a newbie. I have a 2003 Titanium Metallic SR5 V6 and just love it. 1 month old and 21k and I'm sure somewhere this issue has come up. For my benefit, has anyone had the annoying check engine, VSC Trac on, off amber lights come on and stay on, no matter how many extra miles you drive or attempts you make to reset it? What did you do? Did the dealer have a solution..

Thanks..

ddw5 · March 2005

My '03 did same. They had to replace one of the VSC sensors under warranty.

rawrunr · March 2005

Thanks, ddw5.

djod49 · March 2005

Hello all: Just got an '05 SR5 and noticed about a week later that there are no assist grips on the driver's side above the door. Just a couple of covers where the ends might fit in. Anybody know if this is normal, or just on the SR5? How about ordering some after market & installing? Love this '05 (previously owned '95 & '99 SR5's. & this one beat them hands down), but think the lack of grips above the door looks a little cheesy.

ivxiv · March 2005

i just bought a 91 4runner. whats the biggest tires i can put on with stock susp. and is the 4 banger enuff to push um?? the back window sucks and is so slow. the swich went out in the console and i replaced it but still really slow??? oh and the lights are dim???? stuck in the snow/lol

whatsachevy · March 2005

I am taking delivery of an '05 SR5 4Runner 4X4 with the 4.7 V-8 on Saturday. I know Toyota recommends 91 octane in both the V-6 and V-8 engines. Has anyone had any experiences with running 87 or 89 octane in a newer V-8 and, if so, did you notice any changes in performance or mpg? Did this include city, highway and/or towing?

tcpoob · March 2005

i have 05 SR5 and know exactly what you're talking about. i think that's just the way it is as i've seen other same model 4Runners with those "covers".

i thought there's a grip on the driver side on the front-left, instead of the top left where those "covers" you mentioned are located.

rcline · March 2005

98 4 runner with 3 disc cd changer that I'd like to replace. I think I'll need to replace the "dash" that the stereo sits in, too.

Anyone had any experience with this? The stereo just blows and the cd changer doesn't work at all.

Thanks!

jaredmsd · March 2005

Trusting Car And Driver to do an offroad test is like trusting Off-Road Magazine to do a supercar comparo, it just doesn't work. Look what they said about the 4Runner, basically said it felt amazing on the trail, had good footing, great engine, limited slip was nice, but they complained about the Air Conditioning controls and the positioning of the fuel door lever? WTF? Next article please. I'll trust fourwheeler's 4Wheeler of the year 2003 winner 4runner/lx470.

slarry · March 2005

Yes the drivers side many times does not have the assist grip....but a simple fix. Very easy install, just pick it up at your dealer or order from Partznet.com. Your dealer will probably match the Partznet price. Make certain you get the right color to match your interior.

tcpoob · March 2005

> I'll trust fourwheeler's 4Wheeler of the year 2003 winner 4runner/lx470.

agreed. fyi, it's gx470. lx470 is actually the
land cruiser based lexus SUV, also great.

jaredmsd · March 2005

Thanks, I noticed it after my edit button expired. And if any of you are interested in what a GX470 can do when it is modified, check out fourwheelers TraiLex project car. Probably the ONLY lexus to ever cross the Rubicon.

kheintz1 · March 2005

Especially if your vehicle was recently purchased, I think you should insist that the dealer install any missing assist grips, free of charge.

tn_mountaineer · March 2005

I just got 05 Sport Edition with a sunroof about a month ago and love it. I'm 6'-5" and fit in it. There's not much extra headroom, about an inch or so. This is my first 4Runner and I was really suprised that I was able to fit in it after reading about it's limited cabin room. I also considered a GMC Envoy and could not even fit in one with a sunroof. I do agree with the about the low roof/windshield. At some stoplights I have to lean forward to see the light, but as anyone tall knows, you have to do that in a lot of cars.

714cut · March 2005

The sport package or package B does not give you leather seats in Canada. Only way to get leather is in the limited.

suvtime · March 2005

I'm sorry, you're right. I was thinking about the Highlander which I'm pretty sure is available with leather if you order the V6 and package B.

mkang · March 2005

I have a V8 limited 2004 4Runner, and am interested in pulling my 03 highlander cross country with a car dolly. Is this possible? Uhaul does not think so online, but the car and dolly weight would not exceed the 7000 ibs.

nikiblue1 · March 2005

Don't forget the GVW=Weight of the vehicle+your cargo (passengers+supplies/bags)+ trailer weight +tow car weight. Don't forget the vehicle toung weight.
I used to have a pathfinder and purchased a trailer which was within the towing capacity, but when I loaded it up to go camping, my tounge weight and trailer weight was in excess of GVW...it wasn't the safest thing to do. I purchased the weight dist. hitch which helped tremendously.

grnwtrs · March 2005

I have a 04 sport V-8 4runner. Purchased 2/15/04 and currently have 7325 miles on it. Includes the dreaded skywindow.

With about 1850 miles on it. took a trip to Seattle Wa from San Francisco Bay Area in mid June 04. Used regular gas (87? or 89? octance) exclusively. Over the 2700 + miles averaged slighty better than 17 mpg. Most miles were highway. A week or so around Seattle for city miles, perhaps a couple of hundred.

Last week showed 14.1 mpg around the bay area. Still used the so-called regular gas. I have the 7325 miles on it. I keep[ a book on all vehicles for maintenance and fillups.

I would save my money and use TECHRON starting at the 7,000 mile marker, and every 2500-3000 miles thereafter. I have excellent results with old 7.5l ford F-250 towing and even older 1976 toyota pickup

See Costco for best prices on Techron.

DISCLAIMER: no financial interest in Cheveron or Costco. OR any fuel products company for that matter or Toyota!

Gene

bigdaddydaim · March 2005

I am from NJ and wonder if I can order heated turn signal mirrors for 2005 4runner limited. They are not available in NJ region. I plan on purchasing truck in 3-4 weeks. I see them available in SE region.

cooch · March 2005

I bought a 2004 SR5 4WD 4 Runner. I have always been accustomed to the standard 4 WD system where you are usually in 2 WD and can engage 4WD in either low or high. The one I have is All Wheel drive with either low or high. I assume it is in 4WD all the time. I use 4WD very infrequently. Why do they make the All Wheel drive model? I assume it has poorer gas mileage and tire wear. I was not aware of this when I bought the truck. Please give me some info on this situation as I feel helpless........... Thanks to all.... Cooch

tcpoob · March 2005

i gather you bought the V8 model, which doesn't provide a 2wd (rwd) setting, unlike the V6 4WD system. either system is fine. think about it this way: the v8 probably only uses about 2 mpg more gas. so it aint bad. more importantly, you have a greater traction than rwd/2wd and don't have to worry about switching to 4wd in hazardous conditions. it's a good thing. one theory goes sometimes, it may be too late to switch into 4wd from 2/rwd when it's done on demand. as to tire wear, it may not be as simple as you put it. some say 4wd may provide more even wear. so in short, while having the additonal choice of 2wd/rwd may be fun for some, your system is perfectly just fine.

simbah · March 2005

I have an 03'V8 Ltd with 34K miles. I have used all three grades of fuel over the past three years. I use the 89 (mid) grade fuel predominantly. I have noticed a discernable 'ping' when I use the lower 87 grade. This is observed when inter-dispersed between filling up with 89 or 91 grade where I do not observe the engine'ping'. I honestly can't say that I observed any real change in performance, or signifcant mpg changes....this is probably in part due to my style of driving and changes between mostly city at stretches to mostly long distance highway. I vary between 16-18 mpg mixed driving. No towing experience to comment on.

simbah · March 2005

...on my awd V8 i rotated the tires every 5k upto 20K miles , then at next 10k (34K miles on truck now)...i see no penalty for AWD on the tires. I'll definetly get another 5-6 k easily on these before change out. I had a 99 4runner with the selectible 4WD and it was pretty hairy on wet roads including rain, particularly in corners with good tires...the awd is great.....

newportflier · March 2005

Jaredmsd is right! The Car and Driver offroad test is a joke as is their geriatric staff. The 4runner is a great vehicle; the controls work fine the the filler door is not an issue. Stay with the "car" part and leave the driving to those who know. Funny, in the same issue the mail was heavily against the C+D staff on the Mustang vs. GTO. They clearly are off the road in more than one area. Wonder if they have heard of Edmund's?

Toyota 4Runner

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