4th Gen 2007 V8 vs. 5th Gen V6

[m85476585]

We have a 5th Gen in the family so I am much familiar with how it drives. You just need to drive it like a rice rocket, get the food down and the revs up.

Part of the problem is the pedal response and transmission programming in the 5th gen. I don't think there are as many complaints about the 4th gen V6 power. I've spent a long time driving one, and it's fine. The V8 (which I own) is certainly more fun and better for towing. I've only driven a 5th gen a couple times. But I get the impression that the throttle response is slowed down, and the pedal feels heavy, and maybe the transmission shifts less readily, so it feels like your foot really has to work to get it to go fast.

For a 4th gen, most of the response is in the first half of the pedal travel, and by the time it's maybe 3/4 pressed you're in the lowest gear and basically at full throttle. For a 5th gen it sounds like the first 1/4-1/2 the travel is almost dead so it can hold the highest gear, then beyond that it starts to downshift and go faster. Both the V6es have to downshift equally as much, but the 4th gen does it as soon as it thinks you might need to so you don't notice, and the 5th gen tries to avoid downshifting if possible.

Also, I believe all these transmissions will learn your driving habits to some extent, so after you accelerate fast they will start to downshift more readily. I think it's a short-term memory, so it goes back to normal after a few minutes, but I haven't paid enough attention to know for sure.

 

[Bumbo]

Part of the problem is the pedal response and transmission programming in the 5th gen. I don't think there are as many complaints about the 4th gen V6 power. I've spent a long time driving one, and it's fine. The V8 (which I own) is certainly more fun and better for towing. I've only driven a 5th gen a couple times. But I get the impression that the throttle response is slowed down, and the pedal feels heavy, and maybe the transmission shifts less readily, so it feels like your foot really has to work to get it to go fast.

For a 4th gen, most of the response is in the first half of the pedal travel, and by the time it's maybe 3/4 pressed you're in the lowest gear and basically at full throttle. For a 5th gen it sounds like the first 1/4-1/2 the travel is almost dead so it can hold the highest gear, then beyond that it starts to downshift and go faster. Both the V6es have to downshift equally as much, but the 4th gen does it as soon as it thinks you might need to so you don't notice, and the 5th gen tries to avoid downshifting if possible.

Also, I believe all these transmissions will learn your driving habits to some extent, so after you accelerate fast they will start to downshift more readily. I think it's a short-term memory, so it goes back to normal after a few minutes, but I haven't paid enough attention to know for sure.

That's why I linked the Spring Booster in post #15 of this thread... it doesn't make the car faster, but it helps a lot of what you are saying above.

https://www.sprintboostersales.com/?gclid=CPSRmuXuk6sCFc7JKgodKlTVtQ

 

[m85476585]

That's why I linked the Spring Booster in post #15 of this thread... it doesn't make the car faster, but it helps a lot of what you are saying above.

https://www.sprintboostersales.com/?gclid=CPSRmuXuk6sCFc7JKgodKlTVtQ

I remember a discussion about that in the 5th gen section. It sounds like it helps, but it can't fix all the problems. As far as I know, all it can do is tell the engine that you're pressing the pedal more than you are. If there's a lag before shifting or responding it can't fix that.

For example, if the ECU has a logic that looks like:

If (gasPedalPosition==floor):
     Wait 500ms                    #To make sure the driver REALLY wants to accelerate
     Check gasPedalPosition again
     Downshift
     Move throttle body to fully open

This thing can't eliminate the delay.

 

[Inv4drZm]

I remember a discussion about that in the 5th gen section. It sounds like it helps, but it can't fix all the problems. As far as I know, all it can do is tell the engine that you're pressing the pedal more than you are. If there's a lag before shifting or responding it can't fix that.

For example, if the ECU has a logic that looks like:

If (gasPedalPosition==floor):
     Wait 500ms                    #To make sure the driver REALLY wants to accelerate
     Check gasPedalPosition again
     Downshift
     Move throttle body to fully open

This thing can't eliminate the delay.

The sprint booster downshifts my truck sooner than I have come to expect, while accelerating a fair amount.

 

[2003V8LTD]

This whole thread is pretty interesting, if old. I have an early V8 w/XREAS and my SO has a 2017 SR5 and as I recall it doesn't have it. There are pluses and minuses to both. Things that occur to me are:

5th gen wins:
- The 5th gen driving position is more fun; much more upright and roomier
- Getting in and out of the 5th gen is easier for a tall driver
- quite a bit more handsome exterior
- much better lighting
- visibility is better all around
- a little quieter inside
- frame is much better coated as far as preventing rust
- about 15-20% better on gas
- more thoughtful placement of accessory plugs etc.

4th gen V8 wins:
- way way way faster; huge torque pretty much down to idle
- much tighter turning radius (I just googled it to be sure: ~18' vs 22')
- way less body lean in turns, but maybe just due to XREAS setup on this one
- braking is more normal; the '17 hobbyhorses/nosedives more than a little

Both cars are crazy reliable. And there's not a single rattle to be heard in either of them. Both have surprisingly good sound systems.

As far as exterior styling, the 5th gen is better looking for sure (the 4th gen is about the blandest design ever), but still I kinda hate the fake "tough" look that they stirred into the dough. The classic Toyota workhorses always had unaffected, purposeful styling.

As far as interior styling, the 5th gen is much roomier but I fear it will look very dated in short order. The 4th gen is certainly no beauty queen inside, but it's more or less plain and timeless. Both cars have excellent, heavy duty switchgear that will outlast cockroaches and Cher.

One thing that has always cracked me up is that what they refer to as a leather interior in the 4th gen (the '17 just has cloth so I don't know if this is true in more modern cars) doesn't seem to have come from any animal I ever heard of. Wears like iron, and it's not vinyl, but what on Earth is it?

Personally I like the 4th gen because it's so anonymous. Ours is just faded silver and there's nothing the least bit flashy or noticeable about it. Pretty much looks like any old soccer mom car until you take a closer look.

It will be interesting to see what they do for the 6th gen cars. I can't see why they would make a lot of changes, since 4Runners seem to sell really well. Don't fix something that ain't broke.

The sprint booster downshifts my truck sooner than I have come to expect, while accelerating a fair amount.