Toyota 4Runner History and Cylinder Head Replacement

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Categories: Cylinder Head Tips

 

History of the Toyota 4Runner

One of the biggest names in car manufacturing is unarguably the Toyota brand. Having produced many different recognizable cars and trucks, Toyota is a world class company in the vehicle manufacturing and design scene. In the United States the Toyota 4Runner is a household name when it comes to SUVs and easily recognizable on the road. It made its start in 1984 as a modification of the Toyota (Hilux) Pickup and evolved into one of the most durable and sought out SUVs on the market today in the U.S. and Canada.

Around that time, many other SUVs were hitting the market, but Toyota tried to make their own standout by boasting about the 4Runner having the highest ground clearance of any small SUV and a removable top. Over the years, the Toyota 4Runner has evolved through 5 generations with the most recent being the 5th generation, which was kickstarted in 2009. The 5th generation has a new 4.0L V6 engine featuring Dual VVTi, capable of producing 270 hp and 278 Ib per foot of torque.

 

4Runner Awards and Recognitions

  • JD Power Top 10 Consumer Rated SUV in 2020
  • 2014 SmartChoice Retained Value by IntelliChoice
  • Best Resale Value: Top 10 for 8 Years in a Row (2013-2020) by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com

 

Toyota 4Runner U.S. Sales Chart

2005 – 103,830

2006 – 103,086

2007 – 87,718

2008 – 47,878

2009 – 19,675

2010 – 46,531

2011 – 44,316

2012 – 48,753

2013 – 48,735

2014 – 77,006

2015 – 97,034

2016 – 111,952

2017 – 128,296

2018 – 139,694

2019 – 131,864

2020 – 129,052

2005 to 2020 Total: 1,365,420 4Runner vehicles sold

Data Source: goodcarbadcar.net

 

Toyota 4Runner High Mileage Stories

Indeed, the Toyota 4Runner has been on the market for many years through different generations and has had time to accumulate miles. There are many instances of owners taking care of their 4Runner over the years allowing it to be healthy even with hundreds of thousands of miles.

For example, this Internet thread here shows many owners sharing their stories with some claiming their 4Runner has over 300k miles! Another owner named Sandy wrote to this WordPress blog and states their car has over 550k miles, which is an outstanding milestone / achievement. A common thread between these stories is people really researching the best ways to take care of their car by doing things as regular oil changes and maintenance.

 

Toyota 4Runner Videos

Watch the videos below of passionate 4Runner owners talking about just why these vehicles are so dependable and desired even with a high mileage.

 

2005 Toyota 4Runner (SR5) Video

 

2004 Toyota 4Runner

 

Importance of Cylinder Heads in a Toyota 4Runner (or any vehicle)

Cylinder heads are an essential part of your vehicle and are indicative of your vehicle operating in good health. Located on top of the cylinder block on the engine, this combustion chamber can house components such as the valves, spark plugs, and fuel injectors. It also has intake and exhaust valves to let the air escape as well as holes to allow coolant from the radiator and oil to flow through to the engine.

 

If your cylinder head is not taken care of or becomes cracked, then in a worst-case scenario it could mean a total engine replacement.

Regardless of how reliable your vehicle is and how well you take care of it, there is always a possibility of damage to the cylinder head after many miles of use. Due to the constant heat from your engine, the metal that the cylinder head is made out of can warp over time. It’s important to know the signs of a damaged cylinder head. If your vehicle experiences any of the following symptoms, then make sure you have it inspected right away by a qualified local mechanic.

  • Engine overheating
  • White smoke or mist
  • Leaking fluids, such as oil or coolant
  • Engine misfires

Buy Replacement Heads @ Clearwater Cylinder Head

Clearwater Cylinder Head knows exactly why cylinder heads are important. We have spent years perfecting the care and replacement of cylinder heads for cars, trucks, and boats. If you notice anything wrong with your cylinder head or need a replacement, then Clearwater Cylinder Head is happy to help. Our staff can guide you with their incredible product expertise and our large cylinder head selection.

With over 25 years of experience and a massive catalog of products, Clearwater Cylinder Head is dedicated to providing professional support and service. Feel free to contact Clearwater Cylinder Head Inc. toll-free at 1-800-572-1963.

4Runner Cylinder Heads for Sale

TOYOTA 4RUNNER FJ CRUISER TUNDRA TRUCK 4.0 DOHC V6 1GRFE CYLINDER HEAD 03-13

3.0 SOHC 3VZE TOYOTA 4RUNNER T100 PICKUP CYLINDER HEAD DRIVER SIDE 88-95 REBUILT

3.0 SOHC 3VZE TOYOTA 4RUNNER T100 PICKUP CYLINDER HEAD PASSENGER 88-95 REBUILT

NEW 3.0 SOHC 3VZE TOYOTA 4RUNNER T100 PICKUP LEFT DRIVER SIDE ONLY CYLINDER HEAD

NEW 3.0 SOHC 3VZE TOYOTA 4RUNNER T100 LEFT DRIVER SIDE CYLINDER HEAD BARE CAST

NEW 3.0 SOHC 3VZE TOYOTA 4RUNNER T100 RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE ONLY CYLINDER HEAD

NEW 3.0 SOHC 3VZE TOYOTA 4RUNNER T100 PICKUP CYLINDER HEAD NO CORE RETURN