Zuke79

An old coworker of mine is looking for a weekend warrior truck. She just got a TDI Jetta for her 100+ mile daily commute and wants to sell her 03 4Runner V8. I need something with more passenger room for the kids. My father in law just got a new truck so I can borrow his for hauling crap around. I love the T100 but the xtra cab space sucks with two kids back there. I have a company car that I drive to/from work and only need something for weekend trips. I also want to keep a 4x4 vehicle in case of heavy snow/zombie infestation. So we are looking at trading T100 for 4runner.

Hers-
2003 4runner SR5 4.7 V8 150k miles.
She had the timing belt/wp and full tune up done last summer at the stealership. She takes good care of it but it has its share of dings/paint scrapes since she is a kayak addict and drives it on trails every weekend. I don't really care about the cosmetic issues.

Mine
96 T100 SR5 3.4 v6 150k miles
Timing belt/wp were done at 100k miles. I have replaced the sway bar bushings, shocks and plugs+wires last summer. Runs great but lots of rust issues....joy...

She is looking for a few extra bucks her way maybe $2500-3000.

My family and I have owned lots of Toyota trucks and this would be the first SUV style. I know the old pick-ups and tacomas pretty well as far as mechanical issues and repair.

Here are my questions--
The V8 in the 4runner is rated pretty low on hp compared to the tundra... anyone know why?
The v8 models had full time 4wd is the system any good? Flaws/perks?
These 4runners are based on the Lexus 470, correct? How is aftermarket support?
What are the issues I should look for that are specific for this model year/ generation?

Thanks!

mastacox

1. The 2003 4.7 was rated at 235 hp because it came out several years before the 4th gen 4runners when the 3rd gens had the 3.4 V-6 rated at 185. When the 4th gens came out with the 245hp V-6, they had a few awkward years with the lower rated V-8 (until 2005 I think?) Same year tundras have 235 too.
2. It's fine, it can be driven on the road which is a big perk, and off-road you just lock the center diff. 3rd gens came with the multi-matic in 2000-2002 as well, people like it.
3. I wouldn't call it "based on them" but they share some driveline and frame components. Aftermarket support for 4th gens is strong now that they've been out for 7+ years.
4. Not sure, maybe some 4th gen gurus can pop in.