Toyota 4Runner is an SUV with a vast customer base and operational history of almost 30 years. The interchangeability of parts between its different models is often possible due to shared components and platforms, particularly within the same generation or years.
What Year Toyota 4Runner Parts Are Interchangeable? You can interchange body parts of the Toyota 4Runeer from 1990-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2002, and 2003-2009 models. 4.0-liter V6 engine has compatible parts from 2003-2009 and 2010-onwards variants. You can swap the suspension parts between 1986-1989, 1990-1992, 1993-1995, 1996-2002, 2003-2009, and 2010-onwards models.
Verifying compatibility for each part and model combination is essential before attempting to replace them. We will also highlight their compatibility with other Toyota vehicles, including Tacoma, Tundra, Sequoia, and Hilux.
Toyota 4Runner interchangeable parts between different model years
Toyota 4Runner is available in 5 generations from 1984-onwards in the US market. Despite being available in various trim levels, several parts are interchangeable between models because of the company policy to use shared components.
Body parts
You can replace the body panels, including fenders and bumpers, amongst the 1990-1995, 1996-2000, 2001-2002, and 2003-2009 years of the Toyota 4Runner.
Doors are a direct swap between 1984-1989, 1990-1995, 1996-2002, and 2003-2005 years with some color variations.
2006-2009 variants have doors interchangeable with some modifications due to the presence of additional features like a theft control system, molding, and tinted glasses.
The rear hatch is compatible with 1994-2000 versions with some modifications regarding the wiring harness and its control from ECU. Therefore, you should keep the wiring harness of the original vehicle.
There is also a difference in body parts like bumpers and fenders for different trim levels. For example, Limited Trim has completely different exterior body parts compared to other models, as they have holes for flares.
Sensors
Most of the sensors installed in the Toyota 4Runner are specific for the type of engine installed in the SUV. Therefore, you can swap between the model years with the same engine options irrespective of other features.
Oxygen (O2) and air-fuel ratio (A/F) sensors are interchangeable in the 1996-2000 model years, except for models specific to California, as they have different emission rules.
Similarly, you can swap the sensors for tire pressure monitoring between any two models of the SUV with the same system available.
Other sensors, including mass air flow sensor, crankshaft position sensor, and camshaft position sensor, work for the 4.0-liter V6 engine from 2003-2009 variants.
The coolant temperature sensor is compatible with most variants of the Toyota 4Runner from 1999-2009.
Engine parts
You can swap the 4Runner engine parts between model years of the SUV with the same engine options available. Otherwise, you have to go for a complete swap to use a completely different engine option.
You can swap the mechanical parts of the engine for a 2.7-liter I4 from 1995-2000 and a 4.0-liter V6 from 2003-2009 and 2010-onwards variants.
Similarly, the 4.7-liter V8 has interchangeable parts from the 2002-2009 models.
There can also be changes in some instrumentation with the upgradation of VVT-i technology in later versions, and you require modification to make it work.
Moreover, ECU is also specific for each engine because of the availability of safety features.
Therefore, you should keep that from the original vehicle. You cannot swap between the two models without changes in their programming or completely reflashing them.
Transmission parts
You can swap the transmission of the Toyota 4Runner from model years having the same engine options.
Furthermore, 2WD and 4WD SUVs have the same transmissions with few differences in their output shaft, tail shaft configuration, and oil pan.
4-speed automatic transmission A340E/A340F is compatible with 2WD and 4WD models with the same engine type for the 1996-2000 and 2001-2002 years.
Later variants from 2003-2010 have 5-speed automatic transmission A750E/A750F that you can swap or replace some of their parts between the two.
Transmission with E in their code is for 2WD, and F is for 4WD models. 1990-1995 variants have hydraulically controlled 4-speed automatic A340H transmission that you can replace between them.
For 2009-onwards models, you can swap the 4-speed automatic in the vehicles with a 2.7-liter I4 engine while the 5-speed automatic in SUVs with a 4.0-liter V6 engine.
Seats
You can replace the front seats between Toyota 4Runner from 1986-1995 models. Rear seats can have different configurations; you need to drill holes and adjust the mounting brackets to make them work.
You can also swap the powered seats between 1996-2002 versions with modifications in wiring work to cater to upgraded features.
Higher-end trim levels also have seats with advanced features like heat/cool, and you can make them work if you know how to do the wiring.
You can also swap between 4th generation models from 2003-2009 and 5th generation from 2010 -onwards with modifications for controls and airbag wiring.
I have always suggested replacing the OEM foam or getting aftermarket solutions if you want comfortable seats in your vehicle because it is difficult to find them in good condition from junkyards, especially for newer variants.
Dashboard parts
5th generation Toyota 4Runner has dashboard parts that are suitable for 2010-2013 and 2014-onwards models with few modifications in wiring.
You can swap the dash panels and instrument clusters from the 2003-2005 and 2006-2009 versions. You should be careful that the bezels of instrument clusters should be the same size to make the swap work.
Otherwise, you have to do modification work. Moreover, plenty of compatible parts are available at online stores that you can install without any modifications.
Furthermore, you also have to handle the passenger-side airbag under the dash panels while going for a swap. You can interchange the center dash bezel for 1996-1998 and 1999-2002 models.
However, you have to deal with a lot of wiring and connectors for different switches and knobs installed on the dashboard. Dash panels are also swappable for 19890-1995 versions.
Wheels
You can swap wheels between different Toyota 4Runner models as long as they have the same bolt pattern and offset. 4th generation variants from 2003-2005 have a 6×5.5 lug nut pattern and 16-inches rim size.
Moreover, Limited and Sports editions of the SUV have larger 17-inches wheels for 2003-2005 and 18-inches for 2006-2009.
Therefore, you should look for the ones with the same hub-centric style as the Toyota 4Runner and identical size regarding rim diameter and bolt pattern.
Limited trim in 5th generation models has 20″ wheels that you can install in other models with some modification work.
Suspension parts
Suspension parts of the Toyota 4Runner, including coil springs, shocks, control arms, sway bars, and bushings, are interchangeable within the same generation models.
Therefore, you can swap them for 1986-1989, 1990-1992, and 1993-1995 variants.
For 3rd generation, you can replace them with 1996-2002 variants. 4th and 5th generations of the SUV also have interchangeable suspension parts for 2003-2009 and 2010-onwards variants.
Higher-end trim levels like Limited, Trail, and TRD Pro models also include upgraded suspension systems different from other variants of the SUV.
However, according to your requirements, you can swap some parts like coil springs in adjacent years, even from different generations.
Steering
Toyota 4Runner has undergone several changes during different model years, including a difference in the number of spokes, airbag system, and various control buttons.
You can swap it for the 1990-1995 and the 1996-1997 years. 1998-2002 years have the 4-spoke steering wheel and a 2-stage airbag system compared to one stage in previous models.
The steering wheel and switch controls are suitable for the 2003-2009 years of the SUV.
Furthermore, 2010-onwards models have leather steering wheels, and you can interchange for 2010-2013 and 2014-onwards variants with few modifications regarding wiring harnesses.
Lights
Headlights of the Toyota 4Runner are compatible with 1996-2002, 2003-2005, 2006-2009, and 2010-2013 models. 2014-2020 versions have halogen lamps compared to LED headlights from 2021-onwards variants.
You can swap between them by making changes in the wiring connections. You can add the taillights for the 1996-2000 and 2001-2002 variants with some modifications.
2003-2009 models of the SUV have compatible taillights. They are suitable for 2010-2013 and LED taillights from 2014-onwards versions, including LED reverse lights and turn signals.
Brakes
You can replace the brake parts within the same generation models of Toyota 4Runner with some exceptions for expensive trim levels. 3rd generation variants from 1996-2002 have compatible front brake parts.
Front calipers are compatible with 2010-2015 and 2016-onwards trims. Rear calipers are interchangeable for 2010-2017 and 2018-onwards models.
Brake pads are the same for 2003-2009 and 2010-onwards models. Rotors should be compatible with wheel size, and you should check whether it is 16 or 17 inches.
Sport and Limited trim levels in 4th-generation variants have larger front calipers than SR5, and you can easily install them in 5th-generation models. You can swap the brake parts between the 2003-2009 variants in the 3rd generation of the SUV.
What other Toyota vehicles have interchangeable parts with 4Runner?
Interchangeable parts between different Toyota vehicles are not uncommon, especially among models that share the same platform or are part of the same generation.
For example, the Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner are built on a similar platform and share components like suspension parts, brakes, and specific drivetrain components.
It also shares some features with Toyota Tundra, particularly in the earlier generations, such as few engine and drivetrain parts.
Some body parts, a steering column, and brakes are interchangeable between Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Tacoma, Toyota Lexus GX, and Toyota FJ Cruiser. Its earlier models have compatible parts with Hilux pickup trucks sharing the common platform.
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