Looking for advice on choosing one below

2003 100k on miles near mint interior/ body - no rust anywhere on body but the rims are starting to bubble the size of a quarter on each rim. Has larger tow hitch installed. Rides smooth like a car.

OR

2004 95k miles and looks mint everywhere on interior/body including rims. No tow hitch or wiring which I will need to add to tow 5500 boat/trailer 2x a year 10 miles. Issue with this one is they replaced the suspension with coil springs and it rides really stiff. Not a fan of the ride, prefer it to ride like a car as they meant to but figure I could switch back to the stock suspension later if I couldn't get used to it. But also wondering how long until the 03 will need a new suspension put in. Both run really strong but neither say or have proof of timing belt ever changed. The 03 is $500 less than the 04 and I think they're both priced really well to sell. Having a hard time deciding, what do you guys think?

Any help would really be appreciated. I need to decide ASAP.

 

- Coils last longer but you have to decide whether the air suspension is worth the eventual repair cost
- Resurfacing rims can be expensive but this is cosmetic repair
- Are the tires / brakes the same?

 

Yes tires and breaks are the same.

 

I'd go 04 on the idea that a GX depreciates about $1000 a yr now. I'd also want to buy my own hitch

Good luck

 

'03 has a transmission dipstick which would be nice for when you change the fluid. You don't say whether either truck has navigation, the '03 won't have a back up camera either way but the '04 would if equipped with navigation.

As for the rear coil conversion, if it's too stiff you can just change out the rear coils to something softer to suit your needs. It would help if you knew what was in there now, but a 4th gen 4Runner spring should net you the ride quality you're after.

 

Thanks the back end seems to almost clunk on the 04 with these brand new coils, maybe it will break in with some time. I drove an 05 that had the suspension done 2 years ago with too many miles that rode great which is why I'm second guessing the 04.

The 04 looks mint, and the engine feels like new. The 4th gen Springs is a great help, thanks for the input..

They both have Navigation but I prefer to use Wazeon my phone even in our 2018 car w navigation.