Toyota 4Runner

cliffy1 · January 2003

For those who don't know, Steveb84 is an inventory manager at a dealership in IL. He has access to the "locator" section of Dealer Daily which is our secure site with Toyota. If he says it doesn't exist, it doesn't exist.

Jared, you are back to a factory order if you want to avoid the moonroof.

cliffy1 · January 2003

Our posts crossed. I know the person at Carson you spoke to. She is completely trustworthy in the order process. She will give you straight answers and will not sugar coat it. Very seriously, there is not another dealer in the country that knows the order process as well as she does. At least none that I am aware of.

As to the double decker system, I hate it. It can't be easily removed and it takes away cargo space. Yes, you can load on two tiers but I see that as a minor benefit. As long as you are ordering, I would skip it.

jaredmsd · January 2003

Thanks, for the advice, thats b.s. that you can't easily remove it. Who would want a permanent shelf in the back of their truck, what a crock. Anyway, one of the other internet sales people mentioned her and said that no one has more knowledge of build orders than her in california, possibly the U.S.. It makes me feel better now that two people have confirmed this.

BTW, I was wondering, folks like cliffy and steveb obviously work at dealers/distributers, I was wondering.. do you come on these boards for fun and to help out, or is this part of your work? In my mind, if it's just for fun, Toyota or <insert car manu. here> would be really smart to pay people 'in the know' to come on here and help out customers; squash rumors; and help out on purchasing (such as me). Well either way, thanks for taking the time, because as you probably know, getting straight information from a dealer is often harder than it should be.

-Jared

cliffy1 · January 2003

I come here because I have too much free time on my hands. In the beginning, over three years ago, I did some prospecting. I couldn't directly solicit for business but when people found out who and where I was, it generated business. I usually sold 3 or 4 cars a month due to my participation here. Now that I am in finance and not sales, it is purely a recreation.

Toyota is well aware of what happens here. They have been trying for over a year now to figure out how to manage information that goes out here. They haven't figured out exactly how to do it without a pack of lawyers involved. Because nothing I, Steve or Ken says here is any official policy from Toyota and because we are not paid by TMS to be here, that becomes a non-issue.

This site actually played a large role last year in the "sludge" issue. Toyota did directly participate here in an official capacity. In certain circumstances, they will get directly involved.

pat84 · January 2003

I have the double decked cargo system. It can be folded flat and is out of of the way and gives a flat floor. It does not look like it is removable. I have mine permanently folded down.
As for the moon roof, if you are tall enough (I am 6-1) and you have the driver's seat all the way back, you have more head room because your head is under the moon roof which actually is higher than the other areas of the head liner.
Also, with the 10 speaker stereo, the back up side view mirrors aren't there. They turned into speakers. I would definitely go for the 10 speaker system.
I survived 3 motorcycles. I always turn and look before I change lanes or back up. I learned mirrors are only part of what's back there anyway.
I have the Sport, it has LO range and locking differential in addition to it being full time 4 WD. Locking the differential disables the VSC.

cliffy1 · January 2003

While you can fold the cargo deck flat, it still takes up about three or four inches of height in the floor. That's the issue I have with them.

beagles3 · January 2003

In my 3rd gen I can fold down the back seats and cart things such as my lawnmower (21 in) to the shop, mtn bike, etc...Can you carry such a thing in the 4th gen?

steveb84 · January 2003

When I was 100% in sales, I was finding more and more customers getting misleading information off the net. Some people believe that anything that appears on their monitor is gospel. I don't contribute as much as I'd like, but cliffy and toyotaken do a fantastic job. Quite often I learn things here that I don't find through other channels. (and cliffy, I'm in WI, not IL)

Have a super day !!!!

Steve

tidester · January 2003

...but cliffy and toyotaken do a fantastic job...

Agreed! :-)

tidester, host

pat84 · January 2003

I didn't measure it, but I think it's not over an inch higher. I'll check it out today. If it's 3-4 inches that really is unsat. It was part of an options package. I do like the compass and auto dim mirror. I had my doubts about it at first.

toyotaken · January 2003

The rear seats do still fold down. They are similar, but not identical to the older version in the way that they do. They are not 60/40 in their split so that the rear seats have an armrest and after you fold up the seat cushions, you can fold down the seatbacks without removing the headrests. The cargo area is quite a bit wider, although I believe it is a bit shallower in depth and is about the same height, so larger items such as lawn-mowers and the like should still have no problem.

Ken

pat84 · January 2003

I did a little research. The Jeep 4 WD wrangler has 8.8 inches of ground clearance compared to the 9.1 inches of ground clearance of the 4 Runner.
I have owned 2 Jeep CJ-5's, I got one stuck in a swamp. Even in low, 4 WD all I was doing was churning water on all 4 tires, resting on the skid plate. It took me and 2 friends 2 days to get it out. We had to cut down a tree, cut part of it off and lever the jeep out onto solid ground a little at a time, front then back. No tow would even attempt it. The trees were far beyond the range of the winch cable. I was much younger and crazier then.
NowI have an extra 3 tenths of an inch to play with.

10scgirl · January 2003

Hi,
I read a previous post indicating some irregularities with the Titanium paint - can someone please describe the problems and what the fix was from Toyota or the dealer? Thanks

sovang · January 2003

I live in Colorado and many gas stations do not have 87 octane (85 only). Can I put 85 octane gas in the 03 4runner?

Second question is can bigger tires (i.e., 275/70/16) fit on the 2003 4runner?

Thanks.

nippononly · January 2003

I don't think you can put 85 octane in the Runner. Where it says in the manual to use at least 87 is not a recommendation, it is a requirement.

I didn't know there was anywhere in the U.S. selling less than 87 octane...

vmaturo · January 2003

I'm thinking of moving to the San Diego area and was wondering what would I have to do to my Florida purchased NON CA emissions 5 year old car car?

Will I have to get it modified?......

And will I have a period of time to do it?....

And does it cost much?.....

Your thoughts?......Thanks

nippononly · January 2003

new Runner is 50 state emissions, and if memory serves, the 3rd gen was too, so if yours was bought in the last few years, you can drive it straight into California without a hitch. When you go to register it, though, it will have to pass a smog check.

stever · January 2003

Sovang, it may just an altitude thing, and 85 could be fine. Or maybe not :-) Colorado's Octane Secret.

California DMV has a FAQ about "nonresident" vehicles.

Steve, Host

chris_in_boise · January 2003

To follow up on an earlier thread about buying a car from another city and driving it home, that's what I just did!

Two weeks ago I bought my 2003 4Runner Sport V8 from an out-of-town dealer.

I live in Boise, Idaho and the dealership is in the Salt Lake City, Utah. (Larry H. Miller Toyota.)

I was about to make a deal with a Boise-area dealer for a 4Runner that would have cost me $1000 over invoice, plus $300 to have it shipped from somewhere else in the Pacific Northwest.

I had earlier sent a few e-mails to the Salt Lake dealers, hoping to get a better price since there's more competition there.

I was surprised when one Salt Lake dealer called and offered me a GREAT DEAL on a 4Runner. Plus, it was the color I wanted and had the options I wanted, unlike the one the local dealer was going to sell me.

I asked the Salt Lake dealer to type up a sheet of paper with the details of the deal, showing all of the costs and fees, including the final "out the door" price, had him and the sales manager sign it and fax it to me.

With that in hand, I bought a one-way airplane ticket for Salt Lake, flew down there, signed the paperwork, then spent the next six hours driving back to Boise.

In retrospect, the only thing I would do differently is not set the 4Runner's cruise control for the drive back. The manual says to drive at different speeds for the first 1,000 miles, and I was doing exactly 75 mph the whole way.

stever · January 2003

That's funny (and congrats btw), but isn't there a Larry Miller franchise here too (I'm also in Boise). Or maybe they don't do Toyota here?

Steve, Host

peter78 · January 2003

Chris in Boise, I bet it is cold in Boise. It sounds like you had a good trip back from Salt Lake.

A little off subject, I am a knife collector and I noticed that Buck Knives are moving from San Diego to Post Falls, Idaho. Wherever the heck that is. (They build excellent knives.) I am surprised such a large company is moving to Idaho. Talk about a shock going from San Diego to Idaho. How cold is it now in Boise?

Maybe when they move they can all buy 4Runners.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=319b1d8a8951be- - fdc21e47596b63c59a&threadid=238267

tidester · January 2003

Boise is pretty mild - you have to get up into the mountains and the Eastern end of the state (where I am) before you get into serious winter. Right now things are a bit unusual with warm weather all over the west.

And I have no idea where Post Falls is - Steve??

tidester, host

stever · January 2003

Post Falls is close (20 miles) to Spokane and 100 miles from the Canadian border. Small town, real winters, lots of retirees, trout and elk.

We're running 30 at night and 45 during the day at the moment here in Boise and ordinarily you have to drive 25 miles to the snow. Very nice :-)

I love San Diego and would move in two shakes, but my wife is from there and wants to live other places. The Buck people who make the move will miss the Old Globe, Horton Plaza and the beaches, but northern Idaho is pretty special too. They'll go nuts buying 20 acre spreads for what a condo near the Hob Nob Hill restaurant would cost.

Lots of good ground to cruise around in a 4Runner too! Dang, I'm ready for a road trip....

Steve, Host

sideshot · January 2003

http://www.toyotaoffroad.net/tando/034runner/034runner_page1.htm

pat84 · January 2003

I measured the height of the folded shelf. I got 1 3/4 inches thick. That was to the top of the carpet that it sits on. I have no intention of using it. The implication is that its useful for hauling groceries. I really had other things in mind for the 4 Runner.

For tire equivalence, I posted this before.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Some caution should be exercised in changing tire size. It may cause problems with ABS.

nippononly · January 2003

should be fine as long as all four tires are the same size, and you don't have two brand new ones and two bald ones.

I bet the 275's will fit in the wheel wells of the new Runner - it looks like there is plenty of space under there.

ackurv1 · January 2003

Does anyone know if the JBL Synthesis system in the 2003 4Runner Limited will play MP3s encoded on a CD-R? The dealer did not know the answer, and I forgot to bring my test CD with MP3s that I normally bring when test driving.

When I test drove the Lexus RX300, I found out that this vehicle will play MP3 CDs, even though none of the literature specified this.

brestle · January 2003

Lots of talk here about the V6 versus V8 and I thought I would throw in my 2 cents (since most people are giving the V8 advice, I thought I would go for the other side of the coin).

I was standing in the lot looking at virtually the same vehicle in both V6 and V8. I walked away with the V6 Limited 4WD. The reasons why:

1. First and foremost, I did not want to be driving around in 4WD all the time. I live in Southern California and while I often drive up to the mountains (and will be moving back to the mountains in 2 years), I did not want to be 4WD full-time. Even though it is a great 4WD system, I can still feel the difference when I switch between H2 and H4. Due to the fact that 90-95% of my driving does not need 4WD, I couldn't justify burning the extra gas and putting the extra wear and tear on the vehicle for no reason.

2. Speaking of gas, I know many here have said it is only 1 or 2 MPG difference (in my case 2, V6 in H2 versus a V8 in H4). Even if Toyota's estimates are accurate, for me the costs added up. $800 more for the V8, 2 MPG less, higher insurance, and more wear-and-tear. Not worth the $$$ to me.

3. My trade-in was a 1996 4Runner and this new V6 is light years beyond the old engine. I couldn't be happier with all the new power. While the V6 is comparatively less powered than the V8, it is still an incredibly smooth engine. I'm not towing anything either...

4. Driving the V6 has been wonderful for the first 500 miles. I don't feel like the engine is ever straining for power. I live on a pretty steep hill and the truck effortlessly cruises up it. The old 1996 had to be virtually floored.

Just some thoughts...to each their own. The V6 is a wonderful engine for me...I couldn't be happier...

mrwhipple · January 2003

brestle - could you tell if there was any difference in the ride between the V6 (part-time) & the V8 (full-time) ? Kind of curious if the full-time system rides or drives differently form the part-time system, and by how much.

V8 - 2 nice things about the setup is the 1st gear is lower in the tranny. Nice for creeping off-road or pulling.

The other is since the drivetrain is always in 4WD, the traction control is applied to all 4 wheels. The V6 doesn't benefit from this unless you keep it in the 4WD mode all the time. Otherwise you're just getting 2-wheel traction control in the rear.

kilimanjaro · January 2003

I have a question on 4Runner body. Is it body on ladder frame like most American mid/large SUVs or does it have passenger cabin with fron rear crumble zones like modern passenger cars.

Thanks in advance.

Kilimanjaro

toyotaken · January 2003

Actually, it is a combination of the two. The 4Runner actually has a fully-boxed ladder frame under the whole vehicle. Now I say fully-boxed because this is not normal for most SUV's, even those which do have ladder frames. This adds a great deal of torsional (twisting) rigidity. I was told by one of the engineers from Toyota that the body on top of this ladder frame has enough rigidity that they could have just put the suspension and engine into it and it would have been stronger than most other vehicles on the road now as well.

So to answer your question, it does have a full ladder frame along with a unibody with crumple zones and door beams. Along with that, they actually designed the front bumper to be safer to cars on the road as well.

Hope this helps.

Ken

brestle · January 2003

mrwhipple - I actually can tell a difference in the ride. When I switch into H4, it just feels a bit stiffer.

2 very valid points you have. I don't do any off-roading or much towing so that first gear being lower doesn't impact me much.

The Traction Control issue is very true. Again, for me in So Cal, it is bright and sunny most of the time. Not much need for the TC on all 4. When I drive up to the mountains or if it is pouring rain, I'll switch into H4...best of both worlds for me.

tmh3 · January 2003

If a dealer has a vehicle "in transit", what would be the maximum amount of time to expect it to arrive at the dealership.

toyotaken · January 2003

For the most part if it is "in transit" it is somewhere within about 1 week away from the dealer. This isn't set in stone, so don't use that as gospel, but most times, that is the case.

Ken

mrwhipple · January 2003

Thanks for the info on the ride comparison.

Its nice to have so much sun out here in SoCal most of the year.

Where did you purchase from?

intmed99 · January 2003

To be fair, most SUVs nowadays have fully-boxed frame.

chris_in_boise · January 2003

You guessed right...the Larry Miller dealerships here in Boise aren't Toyota.

This 2003 4Runner is my first 4WD vehicle, and I'm itching for spring to dry things out so that I explore around here.

Ever since I moved here from San Diego 11 years ago, I've been collecting books, maps, magazine and newspaper articles about places to explore in Idaho. Now I don't have to settle for reading about it; I finally have a vehicle in which to do it. I feel like a kid in a candy shop.

We took it up to a sledding hill near Idaho City last weekend to let my daughter have some fun.

That's just dipping my toe in the water. I've got about 30 other off-road trips to beautiful forests, hot springs, ghost towns, etc., etc. that I want to take.

I think my ultimate trip (for now) will be driving the Magruder Corridor road. Have you been on it?

For anyone who doesn't know about it, here are some information links:

http://www.bitterroot.net/usdafs/magruder1.html
http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/magruderbrochure.pdf

Have you been on it? Do you have any favorite trails around here?

stever · January 2003

Heh, my wife grew up in San Diego. She's been dragging Magruder Corridor brochures home for 2 years now :-) Just need ~5 days to do it right.

Amazing single track roads around American Bar, and the roads to Silver City (and the Owyhee Scenic Byway loop around it), Atlanta and Bear Valley are fun. Lots of trails behind town too you know.

Now be quiet before the hoards discover Idaho!

Steve, Host

jf01 · January 2003

I can't answer your question (maybe someone else can) but was wondering what headunit was in the RX that you were able to play MP3 CDs. Was it one w/ navigation?

carjim · January 2003

Can any of you from the Dallas or Ft.Worth area recommend a dealership? I am interested in a 4Runner Sport, though I have not driven one yet. I may look at a Pathfinder, but from reading this board, the 4Runner seems to be more advanced.

sovang · January 2003

In case you missed it, there are a couple of pictures of a 03 4runner dressed in off-road outfit.

http://www.velocityjrnl.com/jrnl/2003/vmd8845ml.html

chris_in_boise · January 2003

American Bar? Where's that?

Do you mean American Falls?

stever · January 2003

Amer. Bar is up off 95 sort of between White Bird and Hells Canyon -- follows the Salmon on its way to the Snake. Just a bunch of ranches and little roads with steep drop-offs. We got lost 4 or 5 times in there in one afternoon even with the Idaho Atlas, but the locals are friendly.

But if you miss a turn in your 4Runner admiring the scenery, you're gonna roll about 1,000+ feet to the bottom of some of the drop-offs :-)

Steve, Host

brestle · January 2003

Bought my 'Runner from Irvine Toyota. Had a great experience with their Internet Department!

tl586 · January 2003

Hey Carjim,

I highly recommend Texas Toyota in Grapevine, off of Hwy 121. I was just there today and they have a large selection of the new 4Runners. I think I saw about 3 or 4 4Runner Sport on their lot.

I bought my Highlander from them and most of their sales people are pretty nice and helpful too.

Whatever you do AVOID Toyota of Dallas- they're pigs and will try to RIP you OFF, believe me I went there once and vow to NEVER EVER come back!!!!

bear64 · January 2003

I can recommend Fowler Toyota. It a smaller dealership and the sales folks are nice. Fowler also gave me the lowest price I could find in their initial offer for the 4Runner I am purchasing. All of the other dealerships I spoke with (Toyota of Dallas, Toyota of Plano, Sport City Toyota) were anywhere from $1200-$1700 higher on their initial offers. Fowler gave me a great price without any haggling. The other dealers came down on price only after I told them about the deal I had worked with Fowler. I came across Fowler as they are one of the dealers which work with Costco members.

I can reiterate a recommendation to stay away from Toyota of Dallas. I would also avoid Sport City Toyota. Both dealers play the numbers game with you for hours. I personally spent several hours at Sport City negotiating to purchase a Camry for my wife. I was at the dealership well past midnight before I finally took delivery of the car. I wish I had know about Fowler then.

pat84 · January 2003

The owners manual says :
The following products may not; be playable on your CD player.
Copy protected CD
CD-R
CD-RW
CD-ROM.

"May not" means it may work, too. It may not be worth the risk, however.
I love coming down squarely on both sides of an issue.

tmh3 · January 2003

Thank you, Ken.

The dealer told me "...a couple of days", but its been a couple of weeks.

For the moment, I will pry my trigger finger off the panic button and just sit and wait for the call.

triplenet · January 2003

Has anyone heard when the cladding "repair" will be available? I saw 3 SR5's this weekend with theirs painted. It did look better, but it is still a goofy shape. Another dealer told me he's heard of a dealer about 200 miles away painting them for $700. I'll be in the market late spring, so hope they get a fix by then.

I seem to be like many on this board who really don't want a sunroof. I've had them for years, but usually the cover is closed. They are great the first few spring days, but not worth the cost or space to me.

I visited with a dealer I know quite well and while possible to order a 4Runner without sunroof, his opinion was that it's not practical since the 4Runner is built in Japan, time delay in delivery was a problem. I had them price a Sequoia SR5 w/o sunroof and equipped to my specs, but it looks like it will still be about $2K more than a 4Runner LTD.

I've seen quite a few questions on buying out of region. I'm on the edge of a region (I think it's Gulf or southeast) by 25 miles. I bought a '02 loaded TRD 4wd Tacoma out of region because of the unneeded distributor added options
made quite a price diff without adding any usefullness to the truck. Just call around or visit the dealers in person, but be reasonable in your calling distance. I've never had any trouble getting any car serviced no matter where it was purchased.

Thanks

ackurv1 · January 2003

jf01 - The Lexus I test drove was an 02 with Nav.

pat84 - Thanks for the info. I would take that to mean that those media types should work, but because of all the different variables in burning CD's that they don't want to commit.

Anyway, I'll probably pay a visit to the dealer tomorrow and test it out. The only issue is that I've ordered a Limited with Nav, and they don't have any on the lot, so the stereo units will be different.

Toyota 4Runner

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles