2006 Toyota 4runner Guide

The body on frame Toyota 4Runner started its journey as the Trekker in 1981. From then onwards, it has kept on improving. The latest models have carried the body on frame design till this day. In total, there have been five generations of Toyota 4Runner. The 2006 Toyota 4Runner lies in the 4th generation.

The 2006 model belongs to the 4th gen, which is regarded as the best generation of all time. Some people even claim that the 4th gen Toyota 4Runner is the best SUV that Toyota has to offer. With all the R&D that has been put into it, it is no doubt one of the best in the used market. They are reliable and sturdy – made to last. 

The demand for these SUVs has seen an exponential rise, and the same exponential curve has been observed on the sales chart. The latest models are, so far, one of the best selling models compared to any of the previous years.

However, the 4th gen is not far down the curve. To this day, the 4th gen is given a higher pedestal and high regard in the Overlanding community. 

If you are looking for a fun, capable offroader that you can modify and take to the trails, then the 2006 Toyota 4Runner can be a great option to consider. In this 2006 Toyota 4runner Guide, we have covered several 4th gen models, and today, we are going to see if the 2006 model is worth your hard-earned money. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Specs 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Variants/Trim Levels 

There are three different trim levels of the 2006 Toyota 4Runners to choose from. 

• SR5
• Sport Edition
• Limited

Engine Options

Across all three variants, you will find two engine options available for you. Firstly, there is the standard 4.0L V6 and then the optional 4.7L V8.

The optional V8 here in the 4th gen is only available in the 4th gen; it is not offered in any other generation of 4Runner. If you are someone, who would occasionally haul stuff in the back, you can go for the more powerful V8. 

Transmission Options

You will encounter two types of transmissions when searching for a 4th gen Toyota 4Runner. You will either find a 4 speed automatic or 5-speed automatic transmission, except the 4.7L variant, which is only available with a 5-speed automatic. 

Drivetrain Options

All Toyota 4Runners come with two-wheel drive as standard, which is the rear-wheel, not the front. The four-wheel drive was an added option. When you are hunting for a neat 4th gen model that you can modify for Overlanding, the four-wheel-drive variant is what you need. 

On the other hand, if you are only looking for occasional weekend rides with no major offroading, you can get away with the two-wheel-drive option, which will also be a little less expensive than the four-wheel-drive variant.  

2006 Toyota 4Runner MPG

These are the numbers for the 2006 Toyota 4Runner when new. As quite some time has passed since they have been on the road, you might not achieve these numbers. As the vehicle gets older, the mpg numbers drop. At most, you can expect them to give you numbers close to this data. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Trim Levels/MPG City/Highway

The most economical for the fuel area would be the two-wheel-drive four-speed automatic V6, while the least economical would be the four-wheel-drive 5-speed automatic V8. Even in 2021, the real-world mpg came out very close to this data. The only difference today, the gas is expensive and keeps on getting more and more expensive. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Prices

Now let’s get to the hard part, which takes up most of our energy. At the time of writing this article, the cheapest running Toyota 4Runner is priced at about $5000. While the most expensive ones are about $20000 – yes, 20k.

But the question is, what is the fair price of a 2006 Toyota 4Runner? First, you have to know that the price depends on many factors:

• Title
• Mileage
• Condition
• Aftermarket parts
• Tires
• Trim Level 
• Seller

These above-mentioned points are involved in deciding the price of a listed 4Runner. The 2006 Toyota 4Runner should fairly go somewhere between $5500-$12000 – max. It is the fair price where the $12k is for the one, which has all the bells and whistles and is also in good condition. 

But sadly, the above-mentioned price deciding factor “Seller” supersedes all other factors, and you see the 2006 Toyota 4Runner listed for 30 grand. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Accessories

2006 Toyota 4Runner Bumper 

When you are modifying/personalizing your 4Runner, there is a sea of options that you can put on to give it more offroad capability and make it aesthetically more robust at the same time. The aftermarket is filled with some amazing designs and features if you look into the bumper options.

When you are looking for OEM, finding new ones at the dealership would not be an easy task. You can try looking for one on eBay. If you are looking for an aftermarket front or rear bumper, or both, the aftermarket will not disappoint you in any way. Here is a link where you can browse several different bumper options.

If you are modifying your 2006 Toyota 4Runner, chances are you are going to lift a couple more inches more than the factory.

When you lift your SUV, you add bigger tires, and when you have bigger tires, you need a bigger spare wheel, but the problem with the big spare tire is the lack of storage space. In that case, you need an after rear bumper with an attached tire mount. 

On the front, if you are looking to add a winch soon, you would require an aftermarket front bumper. These bumpers are also going to give you leverage to put on recovery points to which you can attach a winch. These recovery points are especially helpful when you are a dedicated offroader. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Camping

Camping is the best way to have a slow-paced, relaxed weekend out in the open. With a 2006 Toyota 4Runner, you will have all the utility to make the camping trip possible. There is plenty of aftermarket support that can help give you a wonderful Overlanding experience. The best accessories are those which are neither too expensive nor too cheap. 

Here is a link where you can find plenty of products, make sure to check the customer reviews thoroughly before making a purchase. They will also give you an idea if there is any fitment issue.

Some of the camping gear includes; portable stove, propane gas, a power generator (preferably solar), food supplies, water cans, fuel cans, sleeping bag, roof rack, etc. 

When you are going on a trip for the first time, make sure to choose an easier-to-reach destination. You need to get familiar with the offroad terrains and your SUV’s setup before you move on to the difficult terrains. It is always best to follow forums where you can find all kinds of relevant information, and make friends at the same time. 

There are plenty of events that take place across the country where you can participate in offroading with groups – including the veterans from whom you can learn a lot. To buy your camping gear, you can check out the products here on Amazon. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Roof Rack

This is one of the important modifications, which is going to take a lot of head-scratching and planning for the weekend out in the open. The biggest problem that cars face when going out for a trip is inadequate space for all the stuff.

The SUVs on the other hand, do not encounter this problem very often. But when they do, it becomes a headache. 

As the saying goes, it is better to have and not need than to need and not have. Following this notion, you have to have the roof rack setup on your 2006 Toyota 4Runner.

For this setup, you can either buy a whole roof rack or roof rails and crossbars separately. You can never go wrong with a roof rack. Here is a link that you can use to find a roof rack for your 2006 Toyota 4Runner.  

Best 2006 Toyota 4Runner Replacement Parts

If you are wondering about the availability of replacement parts and are not sure if you can find them in the market, rest assured! The availability of parts has never been easier.

Since the boom in the Outlanding community, more and more market trend is shifting towards offroading. Therefore, we can find plenty of aftermarket support for our favorite rides.

2006 Toyota 4Runner Tires 

From the factory, you only get all-season tires, and if you are traveling up north in snow-covered areas, you would require a set of snow tires. If you want to have the best quality tires, it is best to buy them offline from physical stores.

On the other hand, if you are more inclined towards buying online, even though you will find tons of options, the quality is always uncertain. 

If you are looking for a reliable place online from where you can buy a good set of tires, we recommend the Tire Rack. On this website, you will find a fitment tool, which will help you find the right tires that fit your specific wheels.  

2006 Toyota 4Runner Air Filters

When shopping for an air filter, you have to make sure that the filter is of high quality. If you put a lower quality filter, you will start experiencing issues with your vehicle much sooner than expected.

There are a variety of different air filters available in the market, the aftermarket, however, is the one that can give you the top-notch quality that money can buy. 

Here is a link where you can find the OEM ones – if you want stock-like performance. You can also go for the aftermarket ones that can offer you similar performance at a lower price, but it is best to prefer OEM.

The only time when you should prefer the aftermarket ones are when you want better than stock performance, and you have to set aside plenty of budget for the air filter.

Here is a link where you can find K&N cold air intake. These are plentiful when you are looking for something better than OEM. To have the absolute best, you can go for the aFe air filter that will give significant gains on the horsepower figures. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Headlights

There is where the 2006 model outshines the previous model years. The headlight housing had a defect in the previous years that would increase the brightness of halogens lights illegally high. The 2006 model, however, does not have this problem, and you can easily install aftermarket lights. 

For OEM lights, it would not be easy to find new OEM ones – unless you have some serious contacts in the industry. The best way is to find the ones you need on eBay or other used markets. You often do not require a set of lights.

It is mostly one light, which is damaged and needs replacement. You can also go for refurbished lights if you want some money.

2006 Toyota 4Runner Brake Pads

This is where you should never make compromises. In the biking community; there is a saying that goes like this – “the cost of your helmet determines the cost of your head” It sounds scary, but it is the bitter truth.

Similarly, you would have to make sure that your brakes are in pristine condition. These brakes are your lifeline. If that goes away, your life will be in danger. 

We have experienced many different brake pads; the best option would be the OEM without a second thought. However, if you want a serious offroad setup where you will push the vehicle to its limit, you can opt for the high-end aftermarket brakes. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Mods

When you buy a vehicle, it is a given that you will need some modification; as one would say, personalize your vehicle to suit all your requirements. When you are looking for a 2006 Toyota 4Runner, chances are, you are going to modify it as an offroader.

There are two types of modifications; you can either modify it aesthetically, which looks good but is not performance-oriented, and the other one is performance-oriented, which looks good regardless.

2006 Toyota 4Runner Lift Kits 

One of the best modifications that you can make to your 2006 Toyota 4Runner is increasing the ride height. Having more ground clearance will give you more leverage to crawl up on rocks when you are offroading. Even if you are not going offroad, having a raised suspension will give you that intimidating stance of a rugged offroader. 

Out of the sea of options, we cherry-picked one of the best options. Here is a link where you can find them. When you are shopping for lift kits, you should have a clear picture of what you are looking for. 

If you want just a little raise, you can put on those spacers. If you want more than just spacers, you can for lift kit setup. Above lift kits, you can put on coilovers, which can give you 6 inches of lift without a hitch. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Maintenance Schedule

A lot of times, people get stranded on roadsides. Had they not been negligent on regular maintenance, they could have saved themselves from the misery.

A simple journey can become a nightmare if you get into mechanical trouble in the jungles. If you are not mechanically inclined, it is best to have everything taken care of in time. Your 2006 Toyota 4Runner will not cost you a lot on regular maintenance.

The wear and tear items include a couple of things like brakes, timing belts, wiring, body metal, tires, etc. Rings, pistons, connecting rods, etc. wear out less often, but when they do, they will cost you a lot on replacements. Below, we have given the maintenance schedule for your 2006 Toyota 4Runner. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Recalls

Seat May Set On Fire

This recall was announced in 2016. Those customers who have had the heated seats can go to the dealership to have the heating element (copper strand) removed free of charge. This heating element was damaging the seating area when compressed. The price that the owners paid for the heated seats was refunded. 

Airbags Issue

This is a common recall that a lot of vehicles had to face. It was announced in the year 2016. The owners had the airbag system reprogrammed for better deployment. The old software had a glitch that would initiate the airbag deployment intermittently on the side curtain shield. The recall was carried out with zero cost to the customer. 

Equipment Failure

The tires that were installed on the models between 2005 and 2008 did not have the weight capacity label on them, which is against the Federal Motor Safety Standard No# 110. So the “tire selection and rims” section was violated. 

The recall was announced in the year 2009 and once again in 2010. The dealerships called the owners and put the labels on the tire. And in some cases, the dealerships mailed the labels to the customers.  

2006 Toyota 4Runner Common Problems

The Rust Problem

This is one of the biggest problems, which you will face with these trucks disguised as SUVs. The rust will eat away the frame of your 2006 Toyota 4Runner if not properly treated with a rust prevention system.

If there is only surface rust, refining that surface would not be a problem. But when the rust has penetrated the whole body like cancer, it will be difficult to remove. 

Removing the rust and getting the back the look of the glory days is hard, but not impossible. The market is filled with products that can help you remove and refill the rusted area. 

On top of that, you can apply the rust prevention treatment, and you will be good to go. The first thing should be the preventive measures, which include keeping your ride clean.

The rust build-up is due to the mud that sticks to the iron surface, and because the mud contains moisture in it, the iron surface will start rusting to the point where you will see holes. So make sure that you are keeping your 2006 Toyota 4Runner in good shape. 

Suspension Issue

This is not the biggest issue, but because the 4Runnners are now getting older and older, most of them will develop suspension problems. As you are going to modify your 4Runner, having the lift kit setup is a given.

So, if in case you are having a suspension issue, and you also need to lift your 2006 Toyota 4Runner a couple of inches, you can get aftermarket coilovers. 

Fox and Bilstein are some of the best. There are plenty of cheap ones available in the market, but the quality will not be that great, and you will have a bumpy ride on those cheap aftermarket coilovers. 

Blend Door Actuator May Fail

If you are experiencing the blower giving mixed air, neither hot nor cold, even when you are putting the knob all the way to the cold and then all the way to hot.

This phenomenon may also appear as one temperature setting only. You may only have cold air or hot air. It is a very common phenomenon that happens due to the blend door not moving – it gets stuck in one place. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Resale Value

These old SUVs are those SUVs in the market that retained their value remarkably well. The 4th gen is considered to be the best 4Runner generation of all time.

Enthusiasts argue that the 4th gen model is the ultimate machine that Toyota has made, and we may not find something like this again, which is why the prices on these used SUVs are comparatively higher. 

You will also find the latest models much similar to the older generation. Toyota has tried to maintain the roots of this iconic SUV, and the fanbase is happy that the latest models are keeping that flare of the past. 

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner should fairly go somewhere between $5500-$12000 – max. This is the fair price where the $12k is for the one which has all the bells and whistles and is also in good condition. 

The fair price on these SUVs should not be more than $12k, for the one, which is in pristine condition. You can pay more for those barn finds where these SUVs would not even have 50k miles on the clock. For a used 2006 Toyota 4Runner should averagely go  

But sadly, the above-mentioned price deciding factor “Seller” supersedes all other factors, and you see the 2006 Toyota 4Runner listed for 30 grand. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner Competitors

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner belongs to the mid-size segment. There are plenty of mid-size SUVs that give a tough time to this 4Runner. We have made a list of potential competitors. Some are sworn enemies, while others are frenemies. Try to guess which one is which. Here is the list:

• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 
• Nissan Patrol 
• GMC Yukon
• Dodge Durango
• Land Rover Discovery
• Chevrolet Tahoe 

Each of these above-mentioned competitors has its pros and cons. The 4Runner retains its value the best while the competition loses value drastically. When it comes to the aftermarket support, the 4Runner is not that bad either. 

2006 Toyota 4Runner FAQs

Final Thoughts

The 2006 model 4th gen Toyota 4Runnner is, no doubt, one of the best years. Especially when you are looking for the high-end aftermarket headlights to be installed; as the older models had this headlight housing issue that causes the light intensity to increase illegally high. 

On top of the headlight advantage, you get a somewhat later model, which would, in turn, have less of a rust problem. Whereas, if you go with an older 4th gen model, it would have accumulated more miles on the road along with more rust. Older models will also have more problems– compared to the later models as well. 

Each generation has problems in the first few years, and when the manufacturer has fine-tuned their production line, you would not see those problems later. The 2006 model is one of the last years, only two more years until the next-gen, so this model, in particular, will have fewer manufacturing faults compared to the previous models. 

The 4th gen lasted up to 2008. The sales numbers were not that good, because it was better to wait one year and buy the latest generation. Little did they know that the 4th gen was a gem of a generation, and we are not going to get something like that in years to come. 

Research Citations:

• Wikipedia
• 2004 Toyota 4Runner Owner’s Manual 
• Repair Pal
• Auto Evolution
• Fuel Economy
• Auto Trader
• Edmunds
• 4Runners
• Canadian Gear Head
• Cars

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4x4 Reports Team

Our writers are experts in all things 4x4; they have been driving theirs for years. Some are brand loyal, and others want the best thing for their needs, but the one thing they have in common is a passion for these robust vehicles, the gear and accessories that make them stand out, and of course, how to keep them running. Combined with years of writing experience they are the perfect team to help you with all your 4x4 needs!

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