2005 4 Runner Changes

TRD04RUNNER said:
The rummer about the new motor is true but you 'll not see it in the 4 runner! just the land cruiser and LX 470;):
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TRD04RUNNER said:
Since the introduction of the 4g bigger and faster 4runner with the new V6 and option V8 motor in it. sale on the land cruiser and LX 470 been down. because who would want to pay 50+k for one of those when you can get a new 4runner V8 with all the bell and whistle for under $40k! now Toyota is coming out with a more powerful motor for the big brother SUV to help boost sale on them. so if you want one of these new 270+HP V8 be per pair to dish out big buck for a new land cruiser or LX 470;):
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Guys, would you believe anything ranted by a someone with 3rd grade writing skills??? come on now... :gaptooth:

There are already guys who have paid $50K for a GX470 when they could have bought a 4Runner for $15K less. They'll always be the niche crowd that is willing to pay more for luxury, that's just the way it is. Toyota is in this to make money. They know that platform/drivetrain sharing is cost effective. It wouldn't be logical for them to suddenly split the GX470/4Runner drivetrain.

As jeaolous as this makes me feel, I have to believe the rumour that the V8 is getting VVTI and the V6 is getting a 5 speed. Oh well, I'm driving my all time favorite truck right now and for that I'm happy.

July
 
This may be a bit premature thinking, but if Toyota puts the 5-speed tranny in the 2005 V6 model, they may be eliminating the 2WD optional mode setting in the 4WD model? That would be a downside. If that were the case, I would rather have the V8 if it had VVT-i as the V6 does. With both having VVT-i and no 2WD drive option, I bet there would then be little difference in the mileage between them, just in the weight (125 lbs) and the price (who knows).
 
The V8 hp increase might also be to help the V6 and V8 models stand apart with the 5speed but maybe the V6 will keep the multi mode transfer case and still have a 2wd option, the trans has nothin to do with the transfer case
 
It's interesting to see how some of you crave this new engine. I just recently bought my 04 4Runner this past June and I had the chance to drive both engines before doing so.

In my case, I applied and was pre-approved online for the car loan. Despite telling the dealer I wanted a black, sports V6, all they had when I got there was a charcoal grey, sports v8.

Now, the V8 is a sweet engine. Tap the pedal hard and your pinned to your seat, but all in smoot fashion. However, after going to another dealer and driving away with a gorgeous Titanium sport-V6, I really can't say I miss the V8.

It's worth mentioning that my original first choice for an SUV was an Infinity FX35 which comes with a 280HP V6. The more I drive my 4Runner, the more I feel I made the right choice. I honestly can't say I wish I could trade my car right now and get an '05 model with this new engine. The V6 holds it's own very well, even though it doesn't have the brute force of the V8. Still acceleration is great, but best of all, the car is sooo smooth and the sports suspension so good...I am more than pleasantly surprised with this rig.
 
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the question I ask is, if the 'runners do get the new motor starting in November is it worth the wait? We planned on ordering an 05 very soon, but im temped to wait for the more HP if is offered, that would mean delivery sometime in December.



MP
 
You guys have missed the real update that Toyota could make on the V8 engine....change that silver plastic zit on the engine that sez V8. I'd be up for buying a replacemtent that did not get in the way of seeing a V8 engine under my hood. I like a V8 to look like one.
 
cmachado - Pleased to hear that you enjoy your V6. While I know the V8 is great, not everyone needs the extra power. In my case, the V6 is more than enough. The only drawback for me was I love the 5 speed auto with the V8 but now I understand the 2005 V6 will have the 5 speed auto. How is the fuel economy on your V6?
 
Larry said:
You guys have missed the real update that Toyota could make on the V8 engine....change that silver plastic zit on the engine that sez V8. I'd be up for buying a replacemtent that did not get in the way of seeing a V8 engine under my hood. I like a V8 to look like one.
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You mean remove the plastic cover:) we have the Luxury Brands to thank for that, have you seen some of the engine compartments, it's no wonder kids today don't know what a spark plug wire or the likes of anything related to an engine, or anything under the is;):
 
mpsrent1 said:
cmachado - Pleased to hear that you enjoy your V6. While I know the V8 is great, not everyone needs the extra power. In my case, the V6 is more than enough. The only drawback for me was I love the 5 speed auto with the V8 but now I understand the 2005 V6 will have the 5 speed auto. How is the fuel economy on your V6?
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My fuel mileage right now is pretty decent considering I drive in NYC. When I hit the highway, I've gotten as high as 23 mpg as per the the readout. In the city, I've been getting just about 17.5 MPG.

I do have a question for all you guys. Why is a 5 speed better than a 4 speed? I'm not very familiar with this area of auto engineering and mechanics. I'm curious as to what the advantages/disadvantages are.
 
cmachado said:
My fuel mileage right now is pretty decent considering I drive in NYC. When I hit the highway, I've gotten as high as 23 mpg as per the the readout. In the city, I've been getting just about 17.5 MPG.

I do have a question for all you guys. Why is a 5 speed better than a 4 speed? I'm not very familiar with this area of auto engineering and mechanics. I'm curious as to what the advantages/disadvantages are.
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From many of the posts here, the consensus is that the fuel mileage readout is anywhere from 5 - 10% optimistic.

Also from what I can gather, in summary, the five-speed is a newer more technologically advanced transmission with a lower low (higher numerical gear ratio) and a higher high (Lower numerical gear ratio) than the four-speed. Everything else being equal, it's usually always better to have more speeds than less, with infinitely variable being the best (IMO).
 
I suppose I could be considered a newbie here as well. There have been rumors for months on new equipment, HP boosts, etc, but I wouldn't intentioanlly post anything I thought to be untrue. As Edge said, this info is from a dealer, and I know as well as most of you that everything is typically taken with a grain of salt, considering some dealers don't know their arse from their elbow, but she is a valid source and has been a wealth of information over the last few years on ts.com. No one has actual proof, but I would bet that she is right on the money. I actually had an 04 on order and cancelled recently when i found this out. While the HP difference may not be huge considering the current 4Runner is fast enough, I was hoping that with the VVTI it might help the gas mileage a little, plus it is only a few months away, so I can wait. I like the perks. Maybe it won't benefit, becuase with higher purchase cost being a new model year and all it could very well turn out to be a wash. I am not in a position where I have to rush the purchase, so we shall see. I hate to miss out on the 04 incentives though. I guess my question is delivery... If production does start in November, how long typically before they would hit the dealerships? Any ideas? :confused:
 
Flashcrunch said:
If production does start in November, how long typically before they would hit the dealerships? Any ideas? :confused:
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My 2004 4Runner has a 01/04 build date and I drove it and purchased it on 02/28/04.
 
dcampen said:
My '04 model has a 11/03 build date and I purchased it in mid January.
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Our 4Runners might be very close siblings as mine was also built 11/03 and I purchased it 1/10/04

Does anyone know if they may increase the price a bit because of the changes? I posted an article that the prices did go up a bit in April, so maybe it'll go up a little more when the 2005 is released...
 
The pushrod engine is just for racing. I don't think they would certify it for smog. It's design may make that impossible.

NASCAR racing has nothing to do with street cars and trucks. It's just entertainament, like wrestling. They still run carburators, pushrod engines and body packages that are designed by NASCAR. The only technology that is advanced by these series is cheating and how to make an old fashioned engine with a restrictor plate under the carburator make power and live to the end of the race. And the fans love it.

How many modern cars have pushrod engines, carburators, live rear axles and no electronics, no engine controls, no traction controls, no stability control and no ABS. Not many.
 
Larry said:
The pushrod engine is just for racing. I don't think they would certify it for smog. It's design may make that impossible.

NASCAR racing has nothing to do with street cars and trucks. It's just entertainament, like wrestling. They still run carburators, pushrod engines and body packages that are designed by NASCAR. The only technology that is advanced by these series is cheating and how to make an old fashioned engine with a restrictor plate under the carburator make power and live to the end of the race. And the fans love it.

How many modern cars have pushrod engines, carburators, live rear axles and no electronics, no engine controls, no traction controls, no stability control and no ABS. Not many.
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Both the Chevy LS6 and the Dodge Hemi are current production versions of a pushrod engine. And they make much more power than my 4runner's V8.


NASCAR = North American STOCK Car Auto Racing.

Every engine used in nascar (with the exception of TOYOTA's) has been or is modified production engine.

Ford had the 302, 351 dodge the 318, 360 aka 5.2 and 5.9 All used to be used in their cars as production engines. You can still buy most of them in a crate.


Many people I know personally run pushrod engines in their street cars.

Who cares about smog? I dont live in CA.

Pushrod engines are more economical to produce, are lighter and more compact than a overhead cam engine. That is why GM did not switch to overhead cams when it re-engineered the small block(LS6). Toyota is supposedly mulling over the idea of producing a pushrod V8 for it's trucks just for these reasons.
 
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sharp4runr said:
Our 4Runners might be very close siblings as mine was also built 11/03 and I purchased it 1/10/04

Does anyone know if they may increase the price a bit because of the changes? I posted an article that the prices did go up a bit in April, so maybe it'll go up a little more when the 2005 is released...
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My 03 had a production date of 12/02 and I purchased it Jan 10, 03:D but the production date could be like pro rated where they put a date on it 3 months in advance, I doubt that cause I've read Toyota/Lexus have a crazy fast turn over rate, something like 20 days from factory to to dealer.

As for price, from looking at the MSRP of the trucks my 03 listed at 42,755 now that same truck, an 04 is listing for 43,877 so thats a $1122 increase before the 05 changes
 
???

Why did this thread go from 2005 4Runner Changes to some members talking about pushrod engines and Nascar?

:headslap:
 
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