Advice needed: 4th Gen 4Runner

So I am looking at selling my truck and getting a 4th gen 4Runner. I found two that look reasonable. I have not looked at them in person yet.
1st choice: 2006 SR5 V8 4WD / 190K on odometer. Looks clean and nice in pictures. Not sure if the timing belt has been replaced. Is it possible to pull off one of the covers to inspect the timing belt? Is there anything else that I should be looking at with the V8?
2nd choic: 2008 SR5 V6 4WD / 130K on odometer. Looks clean, but in a couple of the pictures it looks like it has some rust on the frame and suspension. Did the V6's have the same head gasket issue as the Tacomas? I am assuming yes because its the same engine.
Is 190K on the V8 high? It averages to like 10,500 a year. That is basically what I am doing now.
Is there anything I should be looking for when checking these out? Anything to stay away from?
What about the 4WD system. I guess the V8 is AWD technically.
Thanks for any help.

 

Posting on the 4 runner forum might help you more.

 

V8

 

The 4.0 head gasket issue was resolved by late 2006.
The 4.7 is a great engine. They can last a long time if taken care of.
You might be able to pull the upper timing cover and take a look at the belt.
But best I remember, there's a lot of "stuff" in front of the cover. So it might not be "easy".

I can't tell you what one to buy. They are both good options.
Have the one you like best inspected at a shop. It's will be well worth your money.

 

I guess a lot depends on how they were taken care of..Lots of miles to trust if they were serviced well...or how they were driven. You need to have an inspection done by a mechanic who knows these vehicles.

 

Driver side cover is fairly easy to take off, or unbolt and move enough to look at the timing belt on the V8. Regardless of how it looks, I would suggest swapping it out, along with the waterpump and maybe fan bracket, just so you know it's been done and when.

The V8 4WD trucks are AWD. The transfer case is the major area of concern. If it wasn't used regularly, it's very possible that the actuators are fubar. About $600 just for a new actuator and they aren't an easy replacement. Case has to be split. The better option is to replace the whole transfer case with a manual shift one from an FJ cruiser, 5th gen 4runner or any other later model Toyota vehicle that came with the manual, J-shift tcase. It's a direct bolt-on, other than needing the front and rear driveshafts resized. Runs around $1000 in all for the complete replacement, if you do it yourself. Lasts much longer, is way more reliable too. I have almost 56k miles on my swap now, issue free.

190k miles on the V8 4Runner is nothing. With proper maintenance, they will last a very long time. I have over 347k miles on my 2003 now and it's my daily driver.

 

I wouldn't be scared of a 190k mile 2UZ-FE. They're very reliable when taken care of and I believe there are 2 documented over 1 million miles. A 2006 will have the SAIS which is a common failure point but there are companies that manufacture kits to help with that. Definitely plan on doing the timing belt and Id go ahead and install a SAIS bypass. I'll also say torque converter shudder is a common issue on the V8s but it's hit or miss. Some people never have it, some people have it as a minor issue that can be resolved with a transmission fluid additive, some people (such as myself) only get rid of it with a transmission rebuild. Best I can tell this isn't really a reliability issue but I do tow with mine every once in a while so I wanted it fixed. I've heard this is an issue on FJ Cruisers so the V6 4Runner may also have this.

It really depends on what you want though. I absolutely love my V8. It's not a daily so I'm not worried about fuel mileage and with a Mangaflow it makes really nice sounds anywhere over 2,500 RPM. I know I can tow a small tractor if I need to and I do enjoy the full time 4WD/AWD when I get off of paved surfaces and when we get snow/ice.