"Yoda' '08 4Runner

[Senor_Taylor]

Also, towing is fun, but I'm not sure if the trailer I was using to haul some furniture had touchy brakes or what, but the module in the 4Runner seemed to go from 0 to 100% braking, locking up the trailer I was using. I don't have a trailer (yet) but just interested if anyone knows ways to adjust it. I'm guessing my load was too light which was probably the bigger factor. I can't imagine people tow much with these things, 7000lbs just doesn't seem like that much considering this is built on a truck platform.

If the trailer was light, you need to adjust how much force the brake controller exerts on the trailer brakes. There should be some +/- buttons that let you adjust it, as well as a slider that will give you 100% brakes when applied (for emergency use, normally). The idea is to get up to about 20 mph, pull that slider, and have the trailer almost lock the wheels but back it down a click or two. That's a good starting point, then adjust as necessary based on load/weight.

7k lbs is a LOT for a 4Runner. Yes, it's based on the Tacoma and has a real frame, but weight is also dependent on wheelbase, braking ability, and weight of tow vehicle. My Range Rover is rated for 7700 and has another ~5" of wheelbase on the 4Runner, which will go a long way with stability. 

People have used 4Runners to pull smaller cars (Civics, Integras, E30s) on open trailers but I would be very cautious beyond that - moreso due to the wheelbase than anything else.

Excuse me sir, it's actually a 3.4" difference, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I refuse to believe 3 inches makes your range rover that much more capable of towing. Maybe more power, and bigger brakes, but I don't buy the wheelbase argument. That said, 7000 is way too much for a 4runner, (or a Range Rover) for my comfort. I can only imagine the strain on those transmissions, and it'd be a yearly trans fluid change for me if I was doing it often. Also, 4Runners after the 3rd gen are only loosely based on the Tacoma. The car frame box may be similar, but all of the suspension and drivetrain is different (except the V6 4runner, ew). I'm actually not sure of one single part that can be traded between my4Runner and a comparable Tacoma. I'm interested to see how you do with an enclosed.

[V1GiLaNtE]

You should never be towing that much with 4Runner with out utilizing a weight distributing hitch. It's clearly marked on the factory hitch the towing limits with/without.

[Jake]

Oh yeah, WDH or bust.

Whatever enclosed I buy will be all aluminum and have a proper hitch setup on it. Should be alright but not going longer than 20' due to truck vs trailer lengths and it becoming a sail in crosswinds.

[Tyler.M]

Oh yeah, WDH or bust.

Whatever enclosed I buy will be all aluminum and have a proper hitch setup on it. Should be alright but not going longer than 20' due to truck vs trailer lengths and it becoming a sail in crosswinds.

I've done 0 research on hitches. I have what looks to be an upgraded aftermarket hitch but I don't know what brand as I can't find any branding on it anywhere. Looks beefier than the stock hitch though. I'll do some investigatin' and see if I can figure it out. 

My only towing intentions at the get go was a short enclosed for motorcycles, some tools and a race suit or two. Maybe also an xbox with a little flatscreen    That's still going to happen I think, I just need uh, motorcycles, a short enclosed and a racesuit 

[Tyler.M]

In true 4Runner fashion, I have not had to post any updates because I haven't had to do any work to it. It's at 179,000 miles now and you know. It's a 4Runner. After the nuclear apocalypse there will be Sinatra, Cockroaches and probably Cockroaches driving 4Runners listening to Sinatra.

But.... that's not exactly true. It hasn't stranded me but I've had to do a few things:

I did have to do the exhaust manifold. Both of them. The first was in 2017 and then in 2018 when it wouldn't pass inspection. The V8's are renowned for developing exhaust leaks on the exhaust manifold. I had had the shop do it but that particular job sucks and I'm okay with footing the markup to avoid going into a primal rage.

Both front rotors and brakes have had to be replaced. Also a huge design flaw, the stock rotors get warped easily and crack under regular driving. A lot of people convert over to the Tacoma brakes and rotors and this fixes the issue. I may do that if it starts to happen again.

I got wheels and tires because mine looked awful. Brand new rims from Toyota cost me a grand total of $850 and I ordered them off Amazon AND got free shipping. Take that socialists, capitalism rocks (don't @ me, is a joke).

And things still to do:

Some interior lights and bits have gone out. I need to replace them. I have the stuff to do it but I just keep forgetting because it's a boring project.

My rear hatch handle is all gummy and gross. I also have the stuff to replace it but I also keep forgetting because it's a boring project.

Timing chain needs to be done. Last time it was done was 95,000 by the previous owner so I'm due at 185,000. Might as well do water pump too and replace belts. That's also a shop job.

Air conditioning has a leak somewhere that I can't diagnose. I'll recharge it in the summer about once a month so the leak is significant.

The head unit is very 2008 in that it is very wrong and run off a CD. There are times I'm driving around Harrisonburg on a new road and GPS thinks I'm in the middle of a cow pasture. This is more of a convenience thing but I really need to update the head unit at some point.

The goal is to get this truck to 400k. Perfect ski truck and tows light things pretty well, which is all I need it for. I just wish I got better than 16.4 MPG but... the new ones don't fair much better.

[Senor_Taylor]

Jason did the timing belt for mine for a STUPID good price. Reach out to him.

No shame on outsourcing the header work. They SUCK on this chassis.

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[Tyler.M]

Here she is, with the new shoes. A bit wider than the 18's and a little more meaty. I like it. The front left rubs a bit on full lock in reverse to the right and I want to avoid a lift if possible. I've just been too lazy to get under it and see if I can open up more space.

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Jason did the timing belt for mine for a STUPID good price. Reach out to him.

No shame on outsourcing the header work. They SUCK on this chassis.

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I need to, he helped out a lot with the GTO. would you PM me his contact info? I couldn't find him on facespacebook

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[ScottyB]

love the TRD wheels. Cooper discoverers?

[Tyler.M]

love the TRD wheels.  Cooper discoverers?

Yup. Cooper Discoverer A/T3 4S

[Jake]

Glad it's still kicking! The new Toyota trucks aren't really much of an improvement over what you already have, IMO. Fix the little things and get a modern head unit that supports CarPlay/Android Auto and rock on.

[Tyler.M]

Glad it's still kicking! The new Toyota trucks aren't really much of an improvement over what you already have, IMO. Fix the little things and get a modern head unit that supports CarPlay/Android Auto and rock on.

Love the looks but it's amazing how similar the drivetrains still are, at least from what I can tell. In a lot of ways I'd rather have the V8 anyways.

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[Jake]

4Runner still has the 4.0L, Tacoma gets the 3.5L V6. I've heard complain-y things about the 3.5 and its characteristics when paired to the automatic.

[ScottyB]

4Runner still has the 4.0L, Tacoma gets the 3.5L V6. I've heard complain-y things about the 3.5 and its characteristics when paired to the automatic.

between the atkinson cycle and D4S, it was really just shoved into the Taco for the MPG.  it seems almost everyone wishes it had the objectively less advanced 4.0 1GR-FE instead.  far more simple, just as powerful for a .5L penalty.

wish they still put the V8 in the smaller trucks but both V6's should get the job done for a lot of miles.

[Senor_Taylor]

You can probably message him on instagram or here. He doesn't have facebook anymore.

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[RawrImAMonster]

Pretty sure I'm going to be looking at buying one of these before too long. I want another SUV for road trips/going to lowes but I'm scared to buy another Xterra based on how poorly my last one treated me.

I'll trade you a drive of the GTI if I can take this thing for a quick spin. I hate going to dealers to test drive stuff.

[Muffinizer]

I have a set of coopers on my GX470 and IMO they're really uncomfortable on the road compared to highway tires. Also I just went through everything that you described except for the exhaust manifolds...I know thats coming eventually. Next up is suspension since its totally blown but I'm not sure if I can lift it much because it needs to fit in parking garages

[Senor_Taylor]

I have a set of coopers on my GX470 and IMO they're really uncomfortable on the road compared to highway tires. Also I just went through everything that you described except for the exhaust manifolds...I know thats coming eventually. Next up is suspension since its totally blown but I'm not sure if I can lift it much because it needs to fit in parking garages

Get the doug thorley headers, gain some power, and not worry about cracked headers again.

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[Tyler.M]

Pretty sure I'm going to be looking at buying one of these before too long.  I want another SUV for road trips/going to lowes but I'm scared to buy another Xterra based on how poorly my last one treated me.

I'll trade you a drive of the GTI if I can take this thing for a quick spin.  I hate going to dealers to test drive stuff.

Anytime, that way I can get you Frank (or Fred?) back.

[NTIman]

4Runner still has the 4.0L, Tacoma gets the 3.5L V6. I've heard complain-y things about the 3.5 and its characteristics when paired to the automatic.

between the atkinson cycle and D4S, it was really just shoved into the Taco for the MPG.  it seems almost everyone wishes it had the objectively less advanced 4.0 1GR-FE instead.  far more simple, just as powerful for a .5L penalty.

wish they still put the V8 in the smaller trucks but both V6's should get the job done for a lot of miles.

The 3.5 liter D4S engines are trash. Along with the rest of what they're paired to in the Tacoma. Those engines are notorious for valve seat failure. Toyota really managed to fuck them up when they brought out the 3rd generation.

BUT. The 3.5 liters also suck in the Highlanders, Camrys, Avalons, and Siennas. And don't get me started on Toyotas new 8-speed transmission. 

I swear I'm pretty sure that after the collapse of GM and Chrysler during the Great Recession, Toyota scooped up their "finest" engineers, because our quality has gone to the shitter, and problems that used to be fixed nearly immediately go unresolved for years now.

[Jake]

The 3.5 liter D4S engines are trash. Along with the rest of what they're paired to in the Tacoma. Those engines are notorious for valve seat failure. Toyota really managed to fuck them up when they brought out the 3rd generation.

BUT. The 3.5 liters also suck in the Highlanders, Camrys, Avalons, and Siennas. And don't get me started on Toyotas new 8-speed transmission. 

I swear I'm pretty sure that after the collapse of GM and Chrysler during the Great Recession, Toyota scooped up their "finest" engineers, because our quality has gone to the shitter, and problems that used to be fixed nearly immediately go unresolved for years now.

Tell me more about the 3.5 and 8AT combo. I liked it in the Camry TRD but was infuriated by the transmission's programming in what is supposed to be a vaguely sporty car.