This forum seems so strange to me in the v6/v8 debate. Every single other automotive circle I've ever been in this is a no brainer, if a v8 is offered you buy the v8. You won't see this on any other forum.

I love the V8. I love the confidence of the full-time 4wd. If I was worried about 1 or 2 mpg I woundn't have even bought the V8 or even a truck for that matter. Having owned everything from manual front wheel locks to landcruisers with full-time 4wd, I much prefer the what I have and it is one of the disappointing things about the 5th gen (besides not offering the V8)

Looks like a boxer in your avatar. Mine loved the back window rolling down. She rarely barked but stared at people behind us...most got a kick out of that. Funny thing....one reason I bought the 4R was because of that feature and because of her. Miss that funny dog. Boxers are amazing!

and this for the

From what I understand...with the center diff unlocked its naturally split 50%-50% but in the event of a slip, you can have a max torque split of 60% Front - 40% Rear or up to 30% Front - 70% Rear. With the center diff locked its 50%- 50% all the time.

It was actually raining today and i pulled up to a stoplight and threw it into 4WD and hammered down and i finally got the front wheels to spin after 80000 miles of trying haha. The 4WD works so dam well in the 4runner

There is one scenario where an auto Subaru (at least the base models) are no better than a FWD car. If you are going around a snowy corner a bit fast (like an entrance ramp from one highway to the other) it acts just like a FWD car...useless. I am not sure if my 4R would have acted that way but I gently let off the gas and it went into the widest opposing fishtails I have ever been in. The day after, I had dedicated winter tires. My other tires were like-new Michelin Pilot Exaltos with 2K on them when the incident happened. I was doing right around 55 on a 55 ramp...too fast for that night...it had started to snow. No, i have not attempted to recreate that. :jaw drop:

Exactly! That is why my 2005 RAV4 was considered full time 4WD even though it did not have low range gearing or a locker, it was the 50/50 split unless the traction control felt otherwise.

When I bought mine this summer, I specifically looked for the V8 after I did my research and discovered the gas mileage was for all intents and practical purposes equal to the V6.

The i-Force V8 is a monster of an engine, and all that torque... just so sweet to have if you're doing anything other than flat, boring driving.

I came from a Pathfinder and have driven friends' 4Runners - 2WD SUVs are just awful to drive in the rain/inclement weather, so the full-time 4WD is just awesome. It sticks to the road no matter what.

I wish I could find an official citation, but its actually 60/40 rear/front split during regular driving, and w/o the differential being locked will shift as much as 75 to the rear and as much 53 to the front. I thought 53 was such an oddball number, which is why I seem to remember that.

Fwiw to the OP, I have also been tracking my gas mileage via a log on my phone, testing premium (91 octane) and mid-grade (89), since the V8 calls for premium fuel. I am averaging 14-16mpg. I have found NO DIFFERENCE in the two grades. I plan on switching to regular soon to see if that makes any difference.

I have seen some people reporting 20mpg for the V8, but I think they must be on crack or doing some pretty nifty calculations. For some context, I tow a trailer 3-4x/week, and also work on top of a mountain, which means 5x/week I climb 1200ft in only a few short miles.

All in all though, I'm so glad I bought the V8. The power, the proven track record of that i-Force engine, 5 speed transmission, and full time 4WD... how can you go wrong?!

Oh ya, and would I want a 2WD option? No. Never. We have a Volvo XC70 2.5T AWD and now the full-time 4WD 4Runner - I will NEVER own a 2wd vehicle again unless I have to. Once you've had the regular confidence of AWD at your control, I dont see how anyone wouldnt want it.

Keep it under 60 on the interstate and you'll see 20 mpg easily. Tahoe to San Francisco could get me 22-24 mpg. San Francisco to Tahoe would get me 20-22 mpg. The key was not dropping the hammer.

Now, dropping the hammer on US 50 and blasting away on the road past Placerville to Echo Summit would net me 15-16 mpg.

Done the drive between the two 100+ times.

All the time 4WD is great, not perfect (it takes a few moments to engage) but is a lot better than pulling over or stopping and trying to engage the 4WD.

This PDF from Toyota University verifies the dynamic 40/60 front/rear torque spilt. In the Transfer Case section.

There's also a cool powerband graph for the V8 on page 7.

http://www.toyota120.com/GenDocs/2003_4Runner.pdf

Sounds to me you experienced lift off oversteer, you should have not let off the accelerator.

The full time 4wd is a bonus, not a detractor. So is the Lexus sourced V8. The whole reason I picked the 4runner over the competition. Like others said, if MPG is more important than body on frame construction, having low range, a 7,300 lbs tow rating, etc- get something that'll do better than 14/17 city highway.

If you're seriously not going to tow or off-road, get a car based SUV like the highlander. More room inside, and much better mpgs. Just no low range or off-roadability and don't try to tow anything with it.

As previously mentioned, if you are concerned about MPG, start looking at something other than a Runner. 75% of my driving is city stop and go. I see a realistic MPG of 13.7 with my V8.

That being said, I wouldn't trade if for the world. This is without a doubt the most reliable and fun truck I have ever driven.

I agree with all the posts voting in favor of the AWD V8 as designed...

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that with an AWD we accept the fact we have more moving parts....resulting in eventual maintenance. I personally provided the opportunity would not disengage the front axles very often.

Back when 4WD's commonly had locking hubs, it used to drive me crazy in foul weather when my buddies, rasied in snow country would continue to drive with the hubs unlocked and the Tfer case in 2WD!!

Anyhoo...if the OP didn't get the message that his supposition was ill founded...then he is not listening or didn't want info.