03 V8 vs. 04 V6 - both SR5

Silverback

New member
Hi there,

I currently own a 03 4runner V8 SR5, the wife is harping about fuel economy of the V8 with all-time 4x4 - 65,000km. There is identical truck available but 04 4runner V6 SR5 - 100,000.

Majority of my drving is road, but some moderate off road.

I have $$$ for tires and cornfed lift, but I don't want to drop coin into a truck and listen to the wife, so I'm really looking for pros/cons on each side.

Will I really save that much in a V6?

Does the 04 come with any benefits above my existing 03?

I appreciate everyones time - I will test drive the truck this weekend regardless to buy some peace of mind from the wife, but I don't want to make a poor decision trading mine in based on her.

I intend to keep the truck for years

Thanks in advance
 
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the only real difference.. if that... is the tire pressure sensor. Keep the 03. If your going to change.. get a 05 or 06.
 
Last edited:
The mpg difference is 1 or 2 mpg at most. Totally not worth it considering what you'll lose on trading it.
 
Agreed, keep the one you have. You will not be gaining anything by going to the 04 V6. Like stated the gas won't save you much over a years time anyway.
 
keep ur truck bro
you know how it has been taken care of....another with 100,000
u dont know how it was driven or how it was taken care of....oil...lub etc
schwalmy
 
Yeah, don't do it, you'll lose out on more money than you'll save in gas costs. 2004 SR5's don't have a telescoping steering wheel.
 
Good feedback

Although I will (have to) go test drive the 04 on Saturday, I think you guys have spoke volumes about keeping my 03.

Currently, I have a drop in K&N filter and synthetic Mobil 1 fluids around....anything else I can be doing to keep the wife off my back?

Other non-related additions are a remote starter (cold in Canada), tinted windows and de-badged the truck.

It would be great to hear some economy strategies from those who know the truck the best .... help a guy keep his truck

Cheers
 
According to the stealership

V6 - 13.2/10.2

V8 - 14.6/11.3

According to my truck - I average 15.5 and I rarely, if ever stomp it in the city. I'm 50/50 city/hwy driver

I would like to hear from others
 
Hey buddy where about in Canada are ya
im just in t.o
as far as cold starts go......id highly sugg a Block heater
my 4runner warms up way faster after its been plugged in for a few hrs and runs smoother on cold cold days
remember with an auto start ur gettin 0mpg for as long as u run it
also my buddy alexjet threw in a k&n FIPK
ill be doin the same this summer
he has a v6 as well and noticed a good imporvment in his mpg
hope this helps
schwalmy
 
Just up the 404

I'm up in Markham

It appears you have the same 03 V8 setup, how do you find the consumption compared to Alex?

I might call on you guys when I get my lift kit in May

Any trails around here? I commmonly go when I'm up in cottage country.

Cheers
 
NIce buddy
im just getting into the trails
i havent really done a whole lot as i dont have a lift
but i still love it
fule?.....not really too sure
drop me a line next time well have a little tec meet one day
cheers
schwalmy
 
Definitely get a block heater. I put it on a timer to run for 2 hrs before my usual start on really cold days.
I have a V6 without any engine/intake mods. I keep close track of my receipts. Averaged 13.776 L/100Km (4019L/29172Km; 20.5 MPG with a range of 14.587 to 25.872) for 2005. Average driver doing 50/50 driving.
 
Range?

Reading the forum regular gas seems fine

Do you use Premium or Regular?

How far does that take you on an average tank?

Please indicate measurment - miles or kms

Cheers
 
Re: Range?

Silverback said:
Reading the forum regular gas seems fine

Do you use Premium or Regular?

How far does that take you on an average tank?

Please indicate measurment - miles or kms

Cheers

"Range" is my worst/minimum to my best/maximum mpg during the year. I run regular gas. How far on a tank varies depending on the time of year and hwy vs city (500 km winter; 600+ km summer.)
 
So I drove it.........

The V6 was nice and was plenty powerful, but this one was abused.

Of course, part of the abuse was the information center was smashed and it was telling me I was using 34 L/100, most of the interior was messed up and the truck had a weird vibration when slowing from driving speeds but it wasn't unbalanced tires

I liked the 2 wheel option, otherwise it was the same as mine

I found it surprising that this truck had heated cloth seats...I have never seen that before, other in leather.

I may keep my options open for a V6, but everyone was right as the trade in value was a joke

Cheers
 
schwalmy said:
Hey buddy where about in Canada are ya
im just in t.o
as far as cold starts go......id highly sugg a Block heater
my 4runner warms up way faster after its been plugged in for a few hrs and runs smoother on cold cold days
remember with an auto start ur gettin 0mpg for as long as u run it
also my buddy alexjet threw in a k&n FIPK
ill be doin the same this summer
he has a v6 as well and noticed a good imporvment in his mpg
hope this helps
schwalmy

did you install the block heater? i need one asap but not sure how to install.
 

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