I've been towing a 3,000 lb trailer with my 2000 4Runner since 2015 and am looking to upgrade for more power. I'm leaning toward getting a V8 4.7L but they're hard to find at a reasonable price and with less than 200,000 miles on them.
Wondering how much of a boost I'll get in ease of climbing mountain passes here in Colorado with the 4.0L vs what I get with the 3.4L.

Anybody gone down that road?

Thanks much!
Bill

As I know, the 4.0L V6 engine has the same towing capacity as the 3.4L V6 engine, but it has more horsepower and torque. This means that it can accelerate faster and climb steeper hills more easily. So, 4.0L V6 is also a better choice.

However, the 4.7L V8 engine has the highest towing capacity and torque, which means that it can handle heavier loads and more challenging terrain. However, the 4.7L V8 engine also consumes more fuel and is more expensive to maintain.

Depending on where you live, GX 460's have a V-8 and the torque curve comes in lower than the 4 runner. That's an option too.
With a new Limited topping 50K not everyone appreciates the GX for what it is.

Of course some people (me included) can't get past the barn door.

Thanks for your input!!

I'm severely lacking in automotive skills other than maintenance, but your posts made me look at this from a different angle and I'm blown away seeing what I should seen right off the bat.
Unless I'm getting bogus info it appears that the 3.4L has 183HP & 217 lb-ft Torque. The 4.0L has 270HP and 278 lb-ft Torque. That looks like a pretty big difference and I'm thinking it would translate as such in terms of towing, duh!!

I better get out there and test drive one to see what if feels like!! Then I'll know for sure.

Really appreciate it!
Bill

Highly recommend reading these articles for some great perspective and insights on your question.

Towing 4500+ lb. trailer with 2006 V6 4Runner

Same couple - 4R vs. Tundra

A different perspective

Once upon a time there was no substitute for displacement. Turbo's certainly help that, especially at high altitude as does fuel injection, but still, larger engines will not be working as hard to make the torque you need for doing work. Also bigger engines usually make the needed power at lower RPM. That makes for a much better driving experience. Look at the torque numbers for the 4.6 vs the 4.0. Something like 1000 rpm less for the torque out of the 4.6. Also often since the smaller engine is working harder, its less efficient. To some degree it takes a certain amount of dinosaurs to create a certain amount of power, its just that when working hard the bigger engine uses it more efficiently.