This is my first 4runner ever. Picked it up yesterday and so far I absolutely love it! Taking it on a trail out in CO today.

I know this sub doesn't get a lot of love for 1st gens but fuck prove me wrong.

So I bought my beauty at the beginning of the year. Been going well. However the nightmare was set when I had to use Westlake financial to purchase it. I come to Y'all in hopes to find a way out of them so they don't try to make it seem like im not paying my bill. Ever since capital one got bought out literally everything has been a nightmare. I have the money... they just don't wanna take it. And when I call them to find out why, they tell me what I already know. Its coming back as non sufficient funds even though I sent the full amount. Funny sticker i put for attention 😅

Dobinson 2/1 with new uppers as well and 285s. Super happy with it.

My 2012 4Runner is officially done for. 54k miles and the transmission is toast. Just got word back from the shop, they said they’d never seen anything like it before.

A couple days ago my transmission started shifting horribly. It was shifting so hard my traction control flicked on and my seat belt kept locking. It’s improved since then but still has very noticeable rough shifting.

The shop didn’t even have it 3 hours. Very open and closed case. They said in my situation they’d just dump it at Carmax and run. I don’t have nearly enough money to replace such a major part.

I’m going to get a second opinion, but this shop is the highest rated shop in my entire state.

This is my 4th Toyota and third 4Runner to have transmission issues early on. Guess my luck with the A750 is just terrible. I baby the hell out of my cars and take wonderful care of them. Really sucks.

Louisiana 4Runner owner here:

We tried a “moderate” overland trail in Moab and I can’t sing the praises of the 4Runner enough.

It got us from Louisiana to Utah in comfort and handled this (frankly it was probably an easy trail by all reckoning but it was my first ever) trail with ease.

The whole time I had a smile on my face and I believe it was the final puzzle piece for being satisfied with my purchase.

Here’s a video of us on the trail where I rubbed the spare tire lol. Never took it out of 4-Hi and didn’t need to use any additional off-road tools the ORP offers.

Thanks for letting me share!

I have a lift and 33s on my yoter, i tow pretty frequently up mountain passes. And of course i love the noise….whats the consensus on superchargers here?

Hi everyone. I need to buy a pet barrier for my 5th gen, and all the conversations are 2-5 years old.

I'm looking at getting one for folded down rear seats. Where should I get one from that won't tear up the interior? I don't mind mounting brackets, but I only have 65k miles on this truck, don't want to replace the interior early. Thought about getting a fabric net, not carrying a black bear.

My 4Runner (281k) has started to run hot when I’ve sat idling. I’ve only noticed it twice once about a month or so ago after sitting in a drive thru and yesterday waiting in line for gas. It also seems to happen on particularly hot days, yesterday got up to 88. When I start moving again the gauge will quickly return to normal temps. Then once I sit it will creep back up. I don’t appear to be burning any coolant (no white or sweet smelling exhaust), when the engine is cold my fan clutch spins but does have resistance, my heat is great inside so I don’t think it’s the thermostat. I felt my upper rad hose yesterday after parking and it was quite hot. My coolant was a little low in the burp tank so I filled that. Any ideas here? Temp switch maybe? The gauge isn’t erratic like an oil pressure switch will get but it will go from normal temps to hot quickly. Thanks

I checked out a 2015 trail premium today and saw that it was leaking something from somewhere. Kind of looks like its coming from the power steering pump as the thing is covered in oil (i know its not engine oil). The leak seems relatively small and slow as the bottom side of the skid plates was not covered in oil but I live in a desert so sand can make things look very dry.

Was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this or if other leaks can cause something similar? Im primarily worried about the timing chain cover gasket leak that ive heard is not a fun one to deal with. Trying to get the car in for a PPI because of this but many shops nearby dont have availability for serval days.

Other than this, the car was perfect and at a decent price. 16k at 200k miles (i know a little high but ive been told they are reliable). It has better than average maintenance history as well. Thank you for the help!

Tried to get the best photos i could.

2016 4Runner, 105,000 miles, vehicle is getting a little worn feeling on the highway, getting a lot more road input transmitted through the steering wheel. Drives straight, no pull, just feel a lot of the road changes.

Just changed tires and did nothing.

Thinking it’s getting some wear with the suspension joints? LCA & UCA?

Hesitant to change as it is very slight right now, but would a slight wear in the LCA & UCA bushings cause this?

How much are you guys getting quoted to undercoat the frame? I went to an in town guy who quoted my ‘23 4Runner $1k flat and then went to a well known shop that quoted me $1800. I’m located in the Northeast and just bought my 4Runner which was initally from NY. I do have some rust on the welding points but nothing too crazy.

Want to share a story here… I had a 2024 4 runner TRD pro with lift kit, bull bar, winch and super charger. Drove it back and forth from the cottage for 2 years and last year a big snow storm came in on the highway and an 18 wheeler smashed into the back of me at full speed, my windows blew out and my car slid. I went head first into the concrete median separating the oncoming and did a 360. I then watched about 20 cars slide and pile up into that truck that hit me as it jackknived. Before I hit the wall I put my arm over my friends chest and yelled brace.

Every system went off I the car alerting authorities I was in an accident and my friend who was with me and I both looked at eachother - we were completely unharmed. I then remembered my dog (German shepherd) was in the trunk and I called him and thankfully he popped up and was not harmed even though the whole rear hatch was smashed in.

I noticed that the bull bar made us bounce off the concrete when we hit and shoved us back because it was connected to the subframe - it didn’t crumple the hood and didn’t set off the airbags which was surprising.

Both of us walked away completely unharmed - two days later I walked into a Toyota dealership and said I needed to replace my 4Runner. They didn’t have one so I went next door to Lexus and got a GX500 overland and did the same modifications to it less the supercharger.

After that experience I will never own a car other than a Toyota or a Lexus.

Took me a while to share this - didn’t know this group existed but know you, your friends and dog are in good hands. Stay safe out there.

Hey everyone! I’m considering trading in my 2024 Honda HR-V for a 2015 Toyota 4Runner Trail Premium and would appreciate some advice from current and previous owners. I’m located in Washington.

Vehicle details:
Year: 2015
Trim: Trail Premium
Engine: 4.0L V6
Drivetrain: 4WD
Mileage: Approximately 120,856 miles
Negotiated purchase price: $27,000
Vehicle history: Clean Carfax with no reported accidents or major title issues

Existing modifications and features:
3inch lift
Aftermarket TRD-style wheels
265/70R17 tires with almost brand-new tread, reportedly installed within the past year
Rear ladder
Roof rack with mounted light bar
Tow package/towing equipment

One of the biggest reasons I’m interested in this particular 4Runner is that it already has several aftermarket modifications I would have wanted to add myself. The tires also appear to have plenty of tread left, which is a nice bonus.

I’m currently driving a 2024 Honda HR-V. I know I’ll be giving up some newer technology and convenience features by switching to an older vehicle, but honestly, I don’t mind. I’m more interested in the 4Runner’s capability, reliability, and overall driving experience.

The Carfax looks clean and includes service records, but I know that doesn’t necessarily guarantee the vehicle is mechanically sound.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on a few things:
Does $27,000 seem reasonable for a 2015 Trail Premium with approximately 121,000 miles in Washington, with the aftermarket stuff?
What common issues should I look for on a 2015 4Runner at this mileage? (I didn’t really see anything that popped out)

Would you pursue this particular vehicle, or keep looking for something newer or with fewer miles? Is the price right?

I wanted to share here as I looked for people’s input and advice before I got our 2026 4Runner undercoated.

After calling a lot of local shops and gathering information I decided to go with Mass Mobile undercoating in Holden, MA. The owner Todd has been great to work with and took the time to explain everything and provide clear up front pricing.

I went with the Boss Wax system from NHOU which is a permanent dry to touch wax on outer frame parts that stays flexible and oil fogging on all inner frame and body panel surfaces. Todd also does annual oil undercoating with NHOU product as well.

Looking forward to keeping this thing rust free and bringing it back to Todd at Mass Mobile undercoating for fogging and wax check in 2 years to see how it’s holding up!

This wasn’t a planned meet up. Just a random stop at Sprouts on my way to the airport. 🤙🏽

I forgot to add the year & Trim of my 4runner on my first post. Sorry guys.

I've had 2 instances where I've been on a rather steep hill where my 4runner has rolled backwards & started beeping. It must have a safety feature that kicks in because when it's beeping it starts trying to pull itself forward without me giving it gas. Is this normal? I drove manual up until a few years ago so I was used to it on that. I don't think my jeep compass did this. I've had the runner since June. I love it. I just want to make sure this isn't something I need to get looked at.

I currently have a couple friends on the market for a used 5th gen, and man do I feel bad for anyone in that position right now. These prices continue to balloon out of proportion. Case in point, I present to you a 2015 SR5 with 200k miles, at a ford dealership, for $18,200.

It’s just completely laughable. I’m glad I bought my 5th gen when I did, for roughly the same price and 60k less miles.

gotta show love to cutting edge builds 🤝

Daily driving is simple, but switching the rig into camping mode on a Friday afternoon always involves a bit of reorganizing to avoid bringing along useless clutter and weight.

Beyond packing the camp kitchen and recovery kit, I’m trying to dial in a better system for keeping the interior from getting wrecked by muddy trail boots, wet gear, and dusty firewood.

For floor and cargo protection, are people running deep-dish molded liners (Husky, WeatherTech, 3W, etc.) so you can just yank them out and hose everything down post-trip, or do you just rely on rubber totes and moving blankets over the carpet? (Especially curious how people deal with the sliding cargo tray vs. flat floor layout).

What’s one routine tweak, organizer, or pack-out rule you swear by before heading out?

Hope someone would have some advice or any ideas. I live in aAaska so alot of snow/ice/rain and unfortunately my garage where i would be parking my 4runner doesnt have a drain and the snow and water just melts and goes everywhere.

So im looking for a floor mat/pad or something that i could park on or in and keep all the water contained to let air dry instead of spreading everywhere.

Preferably something tuff and tear proof as i do have studs. Thanks in advice everyone!