Problems to Look for

Big Tool · #1 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 01:43 AM

Hi 4 runner guys.
I currently have a Polaris Ranger 6 seater. "The Big Long ONe" we use it at our hunting camp for packing people around to there stands. I am in the land business and use it pretty often when showing property so that I don't scratch up my Tundra.

Our Company just hired a new guy who is going to be selling a lot of land we have in West Texas and one of the conditions of his contract is that we provide him with one of the Polaris Rigs.

Dad was talking about buying him a new one which runs about 15k by time you option it all out.

I told dad to just give him ours and for us to buy one of the new Jeep Wrangler 4dr's 4x4's. They can be bought for around the same price and honestly are not much bigger. It would be nice having heat during the the winter and air during the summer, and we already have a yamaha rhino and 4 wheelers we use on tighter trails.

After looking at several of the wranglers I started cross shopping with the 4 runners, and the Toyotas can actually be bought cheaper due to the fact that the jeep we need has only been made since 07 where as the 4runner has been basically the same since 03

I know my brother in law had a 04 4 runner and it was absolutely flawless until he traded it in and it had well over 100k miles.

What should I be looking for to avoid?? Is the 4wd system reliable?? Does the v6 have the same timing belt problems as the 4.7???

This is going to basically be a trail rig I will probably not be driving over 100 miles at a time.

Here is one I was looking at. Kinda worried about the V8. Fuel mileage dosent matter, but reliability does. Also worried that it may weigh more and not do as good off road.
Toyota : 4Runner:eBay Motors (item 150353309407 end time Jun-30-09 08:46:31 PDT)

canddmeyer · #2 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 04:32 AM

The only negative I've seen with the 4Runner is being unable to turn off the traction control. So if the vehicle will see mud, avoid it, as the vehicle won't spin the tires for forward or backwards momentum. I heard this may have changed with the 2008 model.... supposedly a switch has been added for that purpose, but don't quote me on it.

I have a 2003 V6 4x4. I'm confident driving it in anything but mud. No problem with timing chains or belts, and the 4wd is reliable.

JBK23 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-22-2009, 09:30 AM

If you get that one have them replace those rusted calipers that does not look good from my point of view. !

Big Tool · #4 (**permalink**) 06-23-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canddmeyer

The only negative I've seen with the 4Runner is being unable to turn off the traction control. So if the vehicle will see mud, avoid it, as the vehicle won't spin the tires for forward or backwards momentum. I heard this may have changed with the 2008 model.... supposedly a switch has been added for that purpose, but don't quote me on it.

I have a 2003 V6 4x4. I'm confident driving it in anything but mud. No problem with timing chains or belts, and the 4wd is reliable.

Dosen't it disable the VSC when you engage the Center diff lock???

I think i'm set on the v8 but but am wondering how much it would cost to have the stinkin timing belt changed out.