4Runner V8

[kraftwerkauto]

Hello guys, jus tan easy question on the 4Runner V8's I'm looking into getting rid of my V6 runner and purchasing a V8 ,just wondering how much difference the 2005 vvti engin would make , or would the 2003 thru 2004 be almost as good ,,

thanks

 

[GatorGreg]

IMO the original T4R/GX V8 is plenty powerful. The GX (even with the older 235 hp non-VVTI engine) finished "on the podium" in the performance categories such as 0-60 and 1/4 mile in this old Car & Driver comparo from 2003:

http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...5-v-acura-mdx-v-lexus-gx470-v-vw-touareg.html

And while the detailed stat chart from the above article isn't reflected in the online version, I have the hard copy at home and if I recall correctly the GX actually finished in FIRST place for 0-30 accelaration, presumably due to it's excellent low end torque and gearing.

So if you see a nice older V8 T4R I wouldn't rule it out just because it doesn't have the newer VVTi version - you may be content with the older versions power.

 

[12guns]

can you elaborate on the differences between 04' and 05' V8's? I'm looking at a Sport 05' but test drove a 04' limited today. 04' has plenty of power, but I was not overwhelmed w/ the "I have to have it" feeling. The salesman was confident that the 04' and 05' both had VVTI, however I see he is wrong and thought that was the case.
Is there a noticeable difference in power?
How about VSC and Trac control in the two? I've read alot online, but still confused as to which years you can turn off and on. I know when the full time 4x4 center diff is locked VSC is off, just not sure if there's any difference in the two years other than HP. Thanks

 

[eskimochaos]

can you elaborate on the differences between 04' and 05' V8's? I'm looking at a Sport 05' but test drove a 04' limited today. 04' has plenty of power, but I was not overwhelmed w/ the "I have to have it" feeling. The salesman was confident that the 04' and 05' both had VVTI, however I see he is wrong and thought that was the case.
Is there a noticeable difference in power?
How about VSC and Trac control in the two? I've read alot online, but still confused as to which years you can turn off and on. I know when the full time 4x4 center diff is locked VSC is off, just not sure if there's any difference in the two years other than HP. Thanks

There is a noticeable difference in power past 3k as the VVT-i really helps breathe life into the upper RPM ranges. You wont notice much at all down low.

 

[MikesToy]

My '03 Limited V8 has no VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence) so i don't have to worry about it. But i used to own a 2000 Celica GT-S which had the VVTL-i (Variable Valve Timing with Lift Intelligence), made 40hp difference with the GT model.

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

I have both the 2004 V8 4x4 and the 2008 V8 4x4. I don't see any noticeable difference in power or acceleration in everyday driving.

I also drive long distances and often have to pass big commercial trucks in Alaska. Both V8's have plenty of power, and again, no noticeable difference to me.

 

[progress4m]

can you elaborate on the differences between 04' and 05' V8's? I'm looking at a Sport 05' but test drove a 04' limited today. 04' has plenty of power, but I was not overwhelmed w/ the "I have to have it" feeling. The salesman was confident that the 04' and 05' both had VVTI, however I see he is wrong and thought that was the case.
Is there a noticeable difference in power?
How about VSC and Trac control in the two? I've read alot online, but still confused as to which years you can turn off and on. I know when the full time 4x4 center diff is locked VSC is off, just not sure if there's any difference in the two years other than HP. Thanks

Power difference:
2003-2004 V8- 235 HP
2005 and up V8 270 HP
There were no change in VSC in early models, I believe the only one that have VSC manual off was 2009 model… and maybe 2008.

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

The 2004 V8 had less horse power but more torque. Here are the specs from Edmunds.com:

2004: V8- 235 HP / 320 lb-ft
2009: V8- 260 HP / 306 lb-ft

All things considered, the 2 versions are very similar.

The funny thing is that Edmunds.com also shows the 2005 V8 as having 270 HP / 320 lb-ft torque, but this must be a mistake because there are only 2 versions of the 4.7L V8 in the 4Runner.

I also heard that there was a change in the way the HP rating was done a few years ago, which may add to the confusion...

 

[12guns]

Thanks for the replies. I drove and bought an 05' today. Honestly can't tell much difference in the 04' I drove yesterday. But I had a salesman in w/ me yesterday and I didn't run the 04' limited very hard. I did however drive the crap out of my new 05' on the way home! Love it! Glad I went w/ the V8, but still not sure how the SUV will work out being used to a truck. I have a trailer for my wheeler, so I'm sure it'll be fine w/ some getting used to.
Thanks again. Good info here

 

[Uneek]

The 2004 V8 had less horse power but more torque. Here are the specs from Edmunds.com:

2004: V8- 235 HP / 320 lb-ft
2009: V8- 260 HP / 306 lb-ft

All things considered, the 2 versions are very similar.

The funny thing is that Edmunds.com also shows the 2005 V8 as having 270 HP / 320 lb-ft torque, but this must be a mistake because there are only 2 versions of the 4.7L V8 in the 4Runner.

I also heard that there was a change in the way the HP rating was done a few years ago, which may add to the confusion...

You're correct. There were only two 4.7 V8's in the 4Runner, with VVT-i (2005-09) and without VVT-i (2003-04).

2003-04 V8 without VVT-i:
235 hp @ 4800rpm
320 lb-ft @ 3400rpm

2005 V8 with VVT-i under the old SAE testing procedures:
270 hp @ 5400rpm
330 lb-ft @ 3400rpm

2006-09 V8 with VVT-i under the new SAE J1349 standard:
260 hp @ 5400rpm
306lb-ft @ 3400rpm

For an apples to apples comparison, compare 2005 numbers to the 2003-04. It's the same engine in 2005 as it was in 2006-09, just how power was calculated and reported is done differently.