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2008 Toyota 4Runner

12 messages,  Last post on Jan 31, 2008 at 11:19 PM

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#1 of 12 Questions about my 08 4runner by gmgarman1 Dec 05, 2007 (6:32 pm)
Three weeks ago I bought my first 08 sports edition 4runner. (Before I always had explorers) and I have a few questions and I hope someone can help me answer them. First how many miles does it take to break it in? Second when you put it in 4-wheel high do all 4runners make a loud clunk noise? (I always had all-wheel drive explorers). What is the best kind of oil, normal, synthetic, semi-synthetic to use? Also if anyone cares the vehicle listed for 37,500 and I paid 31,500 and it’s fully loaded for the sports edition. Anyone with answers is greatly appreciated, thanks!   Gary Replies to this message: bobgordon (Dec 06, 2007 4:15 am) tsu670 (Dec 06, 2007 6:59 am) bobgordon (Dec 07, 2007 3:27 am)
#2 of 12 Re: Questions about my 08 4runner [gmgarman1] by bobgordon Dec 06, 2007 (4:15 am)
Replying to: gmgarman1 (Dec 05, 2007 6:32 pm) First, congrats Gary on your new 4R...you'll love it!   Break-in (engine) is about 500 miles. Don't worry about the clunk when going into 4WD, that's normal. I use synthetic oil, Amsoil to be exact. I waited till I had about 2,000 miles before going full synthetic. I did the first oil/filter change (using dino oil) at 500 miles.   Sounds like a nice price paid!
#3 of 12 Re: Questions about my 08 4runner [gmgarman1] by tsu670 Dec 06, 2007 (6:59 am)
Replying to: gmgarman1 (Dec 05, 2007 6:32 pm) Our '08 only has 700 miles on it so far, but it doesn't make any sounds when shifting from 2-H to 4-H (and, believe me, with the weather we're getting we've had to use 4-wheel drive often). As the previous poster said, it might be normal, but you might want to have the dealer check it out just in case.   Break-in is 500 miles according to owner's manual. Also, the scheduled maintenance guide recommends oil changes every 5,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. The dealer provided a tour of the service facility for new Toyota owners, and I asked a mechanic about the first oil change. He said they are building engines so good these days that it can wait until 5,000 miles.   It took a couple of hours, but sitting down and reading the manuals that came with the vehicle really helped. Turned every page. Having not owned a 4-wheel drive vehicle before, I needed to reread the sections regarding 4-L and differential locking.   That was a heck of a buy you had on an '08 Sport Edition. Especially when the dollar is plummeting against the yen. I'm impressed!! Replies to this message: bobgordon (Dec 07, 2007 3:27 am)
#4 of 12 Re: Questions about my 08 4runner [tsu670] by bobgordon Dec 07, 2007 (3:27 am)
Replying to: tsu670 (Dec 06, 2007 6:59 am) The clunk might be the slip driveshaft for the front diff. That is a problem with the 4R's. Grease with a good synthetic grease.   I must, respectfully, disagree with the previous post. I've been in the auto/truck industry for over 30 years. While Toyota does make one heck of an engine, you still have metal parts floating around from machining of the engine. Even though new engines are washed to remove these filings, they are still present. In every engine made.... So yes, I always recommend to EVERYONE that the first oil change be done at 500 miles. 5000 miles is really pushing it for dino oil, I still recommend every 3000 miles.
#5 of 12 2008 4Runner Cargo area by batman47 Dec 08, 2007 (1:06 pm)
I was prepared to order a Mitsu Outlander XLS but changed my mind when I saw that the rear seats do not fold flat to keep level with the third seat that indeed folds flat into the car’s floor. A friend has recommend me to try the 4Runner with a third row of seats, but a review made by Edmunds said that the third seat does not fold flat in the 4 Runner. This is a terrible disappointment for me because I am looking for a “macho” image car with the second and third row of seats folding flat onto the car’s floor, something like the Subaru Tribeca. You guys that have already experience with 4Runner could you tell me if this is correct, i.e. third row does not fold flat. If there is a step left when the seats is folded, how much is it in inches? Is the third row of seats easily detached? Help much appreciated. Replies to this message: tsu670 (Dec 08, 2007 8:03 pm)
#6 of 12 Off road 4Runner attributes: by batman47 Dec 08, 2007 (1:27 pm)
I am more than puzzled when I review the specification of items that help the ride of off road cars when the car indeed adventures off road. These items are: Transfer case, center differential, limited slip differential centre, locking differential, locking hubs and descent control. A reviewer in Edmunds said that the Nissan Pathfinder competes with the 4Runner in off road ability but when I review these items (“off road”) the Nissan has only: Transfer case, and locking hubs. So, how can the Nissan compete with the 4 Runner? What the Nissan has is the same as the crossover Highlander. What does the Nissan have that replaces all these items to make it equal to the 4Runner? Replies to this message: tsu670 (Dec 08, 2007 8:12 pm)
#7 of 12 Re: 2008 4Runner Cargo area [batman47] by tsu670 Dec 08, 2007 (8:03 pm)
Replying to: batman47 (Dec 08, 2007 1:06 pm) The third row seats in a 4Runner do not fold flat. Actually, they're kind of weird. They fold up to the side rear windows. Probably not what you want at all. I understand they aren't difficult to remove.   My wife and I were disappointed at all the entries that had the towing capacity we needed whose second row seats didn't fold entirely flat (we didn't really want third row seats). The pictures on websites and brochures are deceiving. They look flat, but when you actually see them in person, well, it's a different story.   We needed something that would hold both kennels for our golden retrievers. The 4Runner's second row doesn't fold 100% flat, but at 95% its better than a Ford Exploder and close enough that I could put a towel under one edge as a shim to make that one kennel perfectly level.   The Subaru crossover is nice, and the Chrysler Sto 'n 'Go would have been perfect, but we wanted a 4-wheel drive with an honest-to-goodness truck chassis for towing a boat and getting it out of the launch area.
#8 of 12 Re: Off road 4Runner attributes: [batman47] by tsu670 Dec 08, 2007 (8:12 pm)
Replying to: batman47 (Dec 08, 2007 1:27 pm) Your questions require an in-depth analysis of 4-wheel drive systems, and I doubt if there are too many here prepared to provide that for you. If you are thinking of investing the kind of money a 4Runner costs, it might be best to get that information from real authorities on the subject by doing some hard research.   Overall, there's really no comparison between an all-wheel drive crossover built on a car "chassis" (eg, Highlander) and a 4-wheel drive built on a truck chassis (eg, Pathfinder, 4Runner).
#9 of 12 4Runner Questions on Gas and Towing by dcoppock Dec 14, 2007 (8:38 am)
I am about to buy a 2008 V8 2wd 4runner. Does the V8 use regular gas? Also I'll be towing a 7ft wide x 21ft long vee front trailer that weighs about 5500 to 6000 lbs. The V8 is supposed to have a rated towing capacity of 7300 lbs. Does anyone have experience towing a trailer in this size range? Is the power adequate? And is it stable? Does it bring the back of the 4runner way down? I have been pulling it with a V8 Grand Cherokee and it has been ok as long as the weight in the trailer is distributed properly.Any thoughts would be appreciated.   Dave Replies to this message: nedzel (Dec 14, 2007 3:09 pm)
#10 of 12 Re: 4Runner Questions on Gas and Towing [dcoppock] by nedzel Dec 14, 2007 (3:09 pm)
Replying to: dcoppock (Dec 14, 2007 8:38 am) The V8 is fine with regular gas. You'll get more power with premium, however.   I haven't towed that much with my 4Runner. When I got mine, the Limited trim model had the option of air-suspension in the rear. With your towing needs, I would definitely get the air suspension.   But with the weight you are going to tow, I'd be looking at a bigger vehicle.

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