4th Gen 4runner Engine Count

Which 4 Gen Engine do you have

  • Total voters
    177
I went with the v8 because it was the best deal I found at the time. I was leaning toward the v6 because of better mpg and the timing belt but I drove some v8 Tundras and was very impressed with the motor and its reliability so there was a constant desire for the v8.

Honestly I have NO IDEA why they don't offer a v8 in the 4runner any more and I think they should toss one in a Tacoma as well.
 
When i got mine the V8 was a nice extra, the fact that it was 05 with only 57k miles(two years ago)in great shape and a full aftermarket sound system were the big reasons i got it. I would have been fine with a V6
 
I went with the V6, largely because 4Runners are pretty thin on the ground here (I wouldn't be too surprised if Evan B and I are half the owners in this city), and I wasn't in much of a position to be choosy. The V6 would have been my choice anyways, though - I don't need the towing capacity and have no plans to significantly up-armor, but saving a bit on gas and maintenance is nice.
 
I got the V8 to tow boats but sold mine and don't work for the company anymore. I still enjoy the V8 everyday around town! 4th gen with the 2UZ is the best combo I've driven, hands down.
 
V8 for me. I was looking at 2003 and 2004 models, and the V6 was a brand new engine design then and I don't trust them. Also, I read about head gasket failures. And...I wanted torque so the driving experience would be smoother with less trans. shifting.

I would not have bought a 4Runner if it didn't have the V8.

Only thing I hate is the full time 4WD. I wish these had a 2-High setting to ease steering effort, wear on tires and parts, and just to make it more fun to drive.
 
For me it wasn't even a question. When I went to the lot to get her, there was an identical V6 next to it. I think they were the same price because the V6 had less miles... So, for me it wasn't even a question, just give me the V8.

If I were buying a Mustang, a full size truck, anything that offers a V6 or a V8, I'll take the V8 every time, except for maybe in the F150 Ecoboost.... Maybe. I just prefer to have the bigger engine if given a choice. That's just me. I've never ever second guessed that it was the right decision for me, I LOVE my V8!

I was sitting at a burger joint with a guy the other day and he couldn't decide between a cheeseburger or a BACON cheeseburger... Took everything I had to keep from slapping him because to me, that's not even a question any man should ask.
 
The subject that never ends....lol. When we first looked at the 4runners I was set on the v8 because I have always gone with the biggest engine available. When I finally test drove the v6 just to see I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of power and torque, plus all of the benefits of a timing chain, selectable 4wd, 4spd transmission that was proven, and cost. (We bought our 04 in 09 and our price range was gonna be 03-05)
The new 5spd transmission in the v8 and 05+ v8 was nice but still unproven at that point
Timing belt costs 8-900 if you take it somewhere or around 400 if you do it yourself so that wasn't a deal breaker, but I prefer the timing chain
Full time AWD can be very fun but 95% of the time it's a waste
Also if you break a cv you can't just limp home with awd


In the end we would have gone with either or and searched out the best deal for my wife. I don't regret getting the v6 at all even though now that its mine I would like the v8 someday a just to hear it. The v6 tows extremely well and tows better than our old 02 tundra with the 4.7 so that's another reason I wasn't impressed with that engine. You really can't go wrong
 
I'm really surprised by how this pole is going. I thought for sure there would be more V6's than V8's here. Out of me and four friends with 4th gens I have the only V8. Keep the votes coming guys and thanks to all for participating.
 
Which engine

I bought an 03 Limited AWD with the V8 because a close friend wanted to get rid of it as she was not driving it anymore (turned into a second vehicle). She bought it new and had all the service records/history so I figured why not.

7 months later, I would say I am pleasantly surprised by the V8's power output and vehicles overall driving and performance.

Have a couple upgrades planned for the near future and should start on them in the next month.
 
I rock the 1GR and its been great to me. No engine problems whatsoever 255k, but am thinking water pump, oil pump and chain will need changing here soon. That's going to be loads of fun with 4 cams lol.
 
I have a 03' SR5 4x2 4.7L V8 with 179,500 stock timing belt. I have a new water pump and belt. Just need to find the time to do it.
 
Had a 1998, great vehicle, very reliable, carried all my camping gear and kids. Only gripe was that it was way underpowered (3.4). Still running great with 225K, sold it to a neighbor and bought a 2003 v8 SE, which happens to have been owned previously by the original poster...thanks, TFJ...
 
I had the 4.7 in my 03 Tundra and know the engine. So having a 4runner with the same 4.7 in it is awesome. Plus I love the sound with the right exhaust.
 
I just got a 2003 V8 last week. Ideally, I wanted a blue color Limited V8. This one is a silver SR5 but I couldn't pass away the deal. Silver doesn't look bad at all just way too common. 4th generation 4Runner is a handsome vehicle so it looks good in any color.
I certainly wanted a V8 for the smooth and quiet ride, extra power and full time AWD was my preference. I believe I am getting 13L/100km or 18mpg in highway. I am surprised some here are reporting significantly higher mpg.
 
V6. The main reason why I decided to buy a 4WD SUV was because this last winter (in Canada) my BMW e39 got stuck on the railroad a couple of times. We provide IT services to companies that are mostly oil based and their offices are not in the downtown at all =))

I always loved how 3gen / 4gen 4runners looked. A perfect combination of style and aggressiveness.

I awlays chose my sedans with the bigger engine - Honda 1.7L, BMW 330i, 530i etc. Why then V6 4.0? I am new to SUV world and I have zero needs for a V8.
Better MPG was another reason. And the 2WD/4WD selector resulting a better MPG was another reason.

I was driving from Edmonton to Calgary with my wife and our friend in 4WD mode. The computer showed 11.5 liters per 100km. The road from Edmonton to Calgary is very flat.

Then in Calgary we loaded 3 more people and went to Banff. The road to Banff is not that flat anymore since it's in the mountains. When leaving Calgary, I switched into 2WD. The gas consumption changed to 10.5 liters per 100 km =) I left the car in 2WD till the end of the trip and by the time we were back in Edmotnon, the computer read 10.3 liters per 100 km.

I love my V6.
 
m@x said:
And the 2WD/4WD selector resulting a better MPG was another reason.

I was driving from Edmonton to Calgary with my wife and our friend in 4WD mode. The computer showed 11.5 liters per 100km. The road from Edmonton to Calgary is very flat.

Then in Calgary we loaded 3 more people and went to Banff. The road to Banff is not that flat anymore since it's in the mountains. When leaving Calgary, I switched into 2WD. The gas consumption changed to 10.5 liters per 100 km =) I left the car in 2WD till the end of the trip and by the time we were back in Edmotnon, the computer read 10.3 liters per 100 km.
Click to expand...

Assuming speed and wind didn't come into play (a big assumption), it sounds like the center diff was locked. 11.5 to 10.5 liters per 100km is 2 mpg.

A quick thought experiment shows why being in FT4wd instead of 2wd can't be worth anywhere near that much. Why? Because if it were, it would mean the fuel consumption difference between V6 and V8 is due almost entirely to AWD and not the engine.

I'd be surprised if the actual AWD effect is even 1/2 mpg in mixed driving.
 
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