Hi all - I am getting ready to trade in the '99 Explorer for a 2005 4Runner. I am looking at the Sport model.

One thing I'm still deciding on is the V6 or the V8. The V6 4WD is set up just like my Explorer - there's an RWD+Auto (4WD if needed), then full-time 4WD, then 4WD low.

With the V8 comes the full time 4WD and 4WD low. I've never driven an SUV with the full time 4WD. I know in the Explorer that the RWD+Auto is pretty worthless; I always have to enable 4WD when the going gets slippery.

My question: how is the performance of the full time 4WD with the V8 in snow? I assume it's not in 4WD all the time, but just when it needs to be? Does it do a good job?

Thanks in advance!
Erik

welcome. full-time 4wd does mean it's in 4wd all the time. We do not have auto 4wd in the V6. If you want 4wd, you have to engage it. There is no auto 4wd for the 4runners.

For comparison sake (we have V6 and V8),

V6 - easier on gas, the 4wd can be engaged/disengaged any any time... even if the vehicle is moving, the 4wd can be turned on and left on if you so shall wish. In the summer time, 4wd doesn't need to be on.

V8 - not easier on gas, the 4wd is on permanently. This is good for me as I don't need to worry when to turn it on.. or when to turn it off.. or should i turn it off.. because i can't! The full-time 4wd will not damage any part of the vehicle.

For both of those vehicles, the VSC and ATRAC are able to handle most of the daily driving problems. The 4WD enhances it.

Best of luck deciding, but either way your getting 4wd. Now.. did you want that with a V6 or V8 engine?

Test drove both in snow and the performance is the same (while 4wd is engaged). I opted for the V6 so I had the option of disengaging if I chose (among other reasons). The performance difference between the two is not noteworthy unless trailering (my opion). Suggest you test each and draw your own conclusion.

iForce:

Will daily driving the V6 on relatively dry pavement in 4WD HI damage the Tcase, differentials or anything at all???

Just curious.... as we go from snow to ice to dry pavement around here all the time and I don't want to keep engaging/disengaging the 4WD shifter all the time if I don't have to.

(I know that some trucks, including my jeep, can't even make a turn in 4WD unless 1 or more of the wheels are slipping because of the differential. The truck will hop and skip on ya)

Thanks....

Excellent, great info. I drove the V6 SR5 yesterday, and will test drive the V8 Sport tonight.

Believe it or not, what is influencing the decision for V6 vs. V8 is the radio! I'd like to get the upgraded JBL audio, because we have that in our V6 Camry and it's very nice.

Around here, though, you CAN'T get an SR5 with upgraded JBL audio. You CAN get it with the Sport (great!), but only with a Sport that has the V8 (what?!). And thus my related question about AWD.

Not sure what I'll do yet. The V8's extra power would be nice, but not so great for gas $.


Erik

The jbl on the 4runner sucks. I have it on my sr5 and it was not worth the extra money. When I bought the car I knew it was not a great sound system but I wanted the steering wheel controls. But after listening to it day in and day out it sounds really bad. Your better off using the money you would spend on the jbl and put it into an aftermarket system. You would also save money getting a SR5 instead of a sport or limited. Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

ray

Yeah, I know, I did that on my Explorer. Installed a JVC MP3 Player, new speakers, 260W amp, fused distribution block, all the stuff. I just don't want to hassle with that again, esp. on a brand new truck!

I heard them both yesterday and the stock Toyota radio definitely "sucks worse" than the JBL. The sound was pretty muddy, IMO. JBL was not bad.

Ahhh, choices and restrictions!


Erik

The 4Runner in 4WD will not have a problem going from slippery to dry pavement. The V6 4WD system is identical to the Full Time 4WD in the V8 model so no worries about switching.

Unlike most people, I like the JBL 10 Speaker. The best part to me is that center channel speaker on the dash board. What the JBL lacks though is BASS. This can be easily and cheaply fixed with an auxiliary amp powering a new sub. Right now my truck has 12 speakers and I think it sounds fantastic. 10 Speakers on the JBL and then 2 10" subs powered by a 450 watt sony amp. I'm far from being an audiophile, but it's good enough for me.

Depending on what region you live in, the dealerships purchase trucks they think people will buy. If you can't get exactly what you want, you may want to ask if they can find a model for you through their network. I was able to buy a V6 Sport with the JBL system back in January 04.

I agree with sharp4runr... it needs more bass, but then again I've always had lots of bass (amps/subs) in my other cars. Maybe because I was younger.. but still... I would love to get more bass into the vehicle without sacrificing cargo room. Other than that, the speakers are great!

The 4WD systems in both the V6 and V8 are identical in operation while in 4WD, whether in 4WD Hi or Lo. Both have a Torsen3 center differential (lockable), with the ability to transfer power to the axle that needs it, when locked it splits power 50/50 front to back. They also both have open differentials on each axle (front and rear) , which means that it is fine to run on ANY surface, and will not bind. The traction control system takes care of limiting wheelspin on a particular wheel by grabbing that slipping wheel with the brake by pulsing. This forces torque into the wheel on the other side of the axle that has traction. It has been called a different way of getting a limited slip differential, front and rear.

The primary difference between the V6 and V8 systems is that the V6 system can be set to Rear Wheel Drive only. The previous 2003-04 models also had a 4 speed tranny in the V6 models. Now 2005 V6 models also have the 5 speed tranny.

Man, you just can't argue with that smooth V8. That extra torque is really nice! According to the sticker, the V8 MPG is 16/19, vs 17/21 for the V6. So that's negligible to me.

I really couldn't tell a difference between the ride of the V6 and V8, other than the increased power. Nothing really jumped out at me, both in handling and overall feel of the ride. Except for that burly growl of the V8. So I am leaning towards the V8.

And thanks to you experts who helped explain the Toyota's 4WD system too. I feel a lot better about that now.

Getting ready to pull the trigger - can't wait!

Erik

So long as the price increase to the V8 is neglible too.....!!

I couldn't justify the $1000+ or whatever it was for the V8 since I won't be towing and the V6 is more than adequate for me. Plus they had a V6 on the lot.

odd question I figured I'd ask, are you even remotely looking at the new Explorers, just wondering why people buy an Explorer but don't return to buy another

Ah, let's see, how can I put this...NO!

A few reasons, in random order:

1. I've had nothing but good luck with my past Toyotas ('89 Celica GTS, '95 V6 Camry, '02 V6 Camry)

2. Fit and finish of an Explorer cannot compare with any Toyota. Some interior dressings are just downright cheesy, like the "door foam insulation strip" that is halfway up the center console.

3. Reliability. You would not believe how many times I had to take it back to the dealer for recall and TSR work (cruise control cable, wheel seals, seat belt bolt, the Firestone Tire thing, and many others). None of these things knocked me out of commission, but it's a PITA after a while. The one time one of my flywheel pulleys snapped off, well, that did. And when my driver's side door lock disintegrated, well, I had to crawl out of the passenger side 'till that got fixed too.

4. The new Explorers are just plain bland.

5. Resale value is painful, as I am finding out now.


I had gone with an Explorer because it was about $3K cheaper than the 4Runner at the time (1999), but I won't make that mistake again.

On the plus side, the Explorer 4x4 forum uses the same software as this site, so I didn't have to learn something new.

In all seriousness, I did go back for another Explorer - this one. Before this I had a '97 2 Door Explorer Sport, which was great - but I had only leased it for 2 years. This one I bought, and it didn't make it through the long haul. The Explorer was just "OK", but coupled with the reliability problems...something I'd not recommend.


Erik