5th Gen - Engine mods???

[TRDrew]

Seems like the four liter engine in the 4Runner is durable, dependable and…underpowered. Other than a new air intake or supercharger are there any engine mods to boost a little more out of the old girl? And before the chat room snark police start up with comments about trying to turn a 4Runner into a drag car - I’m not talking about that. Just wondering if there are any companies producing some bolt on parts that can boost the abilities of that engine.


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[Blue 4ever Runner]

You'll get mixed answers on intakes and exhaust. I have an AFE filter in thee stock box and a Borla muffler and I think they helped a bit. Certainly not a huge amount at all. What makes a huge difference in the drivability is a Sprint Booster or one of the other throttle re-programmers out there. It doesn't make more power but brings on the power that's there more readily. The difference is night and day and no you can't duplicate it by flooring the gas pedal.

 

[Snowtrooper]

You'll get mixed answers on intakes and exhaust. I have an AFE filter in thee stock box and a Borla muffler and I think they helped a bit. Certainly not a huge amount at all. What makes a huge difference in the drivability is a Sprint Booster or one of the other throttle re-programmers out there. It doesn't make more power but brings on the power that's there more readily. The difference is night and day and no you can't duplicate it by flooring the gas pedal.

+1. The 4Runner power is perfectly fine for what it does, especially off the asphalt. I just find the input and delivery curve to be delayed on the highway without some assist.

 

[JLTD]

I believe the "delay" in the gas pedal was put there intentionally, for durability. Off road, you want to ease into the throttle to avoid breaking things.

Sadly the days of the recipe "intake, exhaust, cam" are past. No simple job any more. In order to keep the awesome reliability, the blower IMO is the way to go.

How much power are we talking? I live near Denver and going up into the mountains I'm passing most people, albeit at 70 in 3rd gear. A NA V6 needs to spin to make power.

 

[jp.vegas]

Seems like the four liter engine in the 4Runner is durable, dependable and…underpowered. Other than a new air intake or supercharger are there any engine mods to boost a little more out of the old girl? And before the chat room snark police start up with comments about trying to turn a 4Runner into a drag car - I’m not talking about that. Just wondering if there are any companies producing some bolt on parts that can boost the abilities of that engine.


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It's durable and reliable because it's "underpowered." Less stress on the components leads to a longer life.

I'm not preaching that it has plenty of power but it's adequate for what it is. It carries the loads, on and off road, and does it for decades without complaining.

As the owner of several 500-600+ hp cars, factory and otherwise, there's something to be said for not having the thing run on the ragged edge of reliability when miles away from pavement or even cell signal.

 

[2021nightshade4x4]

It's durable and reliable because it's "underpowered." Less stress on the components leads to a longer life.

I'm not preaching that it has plenty of power but it's adequate for what it is. It carries the loads, on and off road, and does it for decades without complaining.

As the owner of several 500-600+ hp cars, factory and otherwise, there's something to be said for not having the thing run on the ragged edge of reliability when miles away from pavement or even cell signal.

So you, of all people, know what we can and can’t expect out of a Jag 5.0 V8. The supercharged ones [emoji23]

Timing chains and head gaskets. I have a 2012 Range Rover I just put a pulley and tune on.

It’s an absolute beast of a machine now but it’s cost me $5k a year to keep on the road, absent any elective work I have done.

That little 6HP26 (or 28?) wasn’t even rated for the advertised numbers from the factory, let alone anything more.


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[2021nightshade4x4]

Can someone tell me why we have gone from using green coolant to red? (IAT vs OAT)

I keep hearing stories of people with DexCool and similar red products having head gasket issues after it causes gaskets to swell (in a bad, extreme kind of way).

Does anyone know the science or have testimony either proving or disproving this?


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[Mudhorn]

Sounds like a Sprint Booster or Pedal Commander might be a fix you are looking for in regards to pedal response.

 

[jp.vegas]

So you, of all people, know what we can and can’t expect out of a Jag 5.0 V8. The supercharged ones [emoji23]

Timing chains and head gaskets. I have a 2012 Range Rover I just put a pulley and tune on.

It’s an absolute beast of a machine now but it’s cost me $5k a year to keep on the road, absent any elective work I have done.

That little 6HP26 (or 28?) wasn’t even rated for the advertised numbers from the factory, let alone anything more.


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Yes but doesn't the F Type R sound GLORIOUS with that motor?

My current C63 has been pretty OK, but I've gotten my money out of the extended warranty already. I had a ~600 whp Z06 which had a prodigious appetite for things like valve stems from the factory. It was fine after a complete engine rebuild, head job and tune :car:

Anyway, stressed components lead to failures. Keeping things more reliable necessitates giving something up. And the brits can't build anything reliable no matter what

 

[Humble Leader]

folks that feel the 4runner is underpowered can you please explain why you think this? is it towing? 0-60? something else? how much power would it need to be acceptable in your view. I have never felt the 4runner was underpowered, highway driving, city driving no issues. I've read many posts saying power was poor, so maybe I'm just pleasantly surprised? I do not tow heavy loads either but it's not designed for that. the v6 4.0L has more than enough power to handle some difficult trails, even stock while also acting as a reliable family hauler / daily driver - what it's made to do and it does that job better than almost every other vehicle out there (land cruiser, 4runner, what else?). the trail trims that have MTS, rear locker, ATRAC and craw control are amazingly capable right out of the factory and at a somewhat reasonable price. it's great that all trims even have ATRAC right from factory - and ATRAC holds it's own it's not some crappy system lol, it works

can you imagine how much a 500hp, 4 second 0-60, 12,000lb towing capacity, same reliability as current 4runners, TRD off road pro 4runner would cost. it would be like 90 grand lol

 

[Mark4runnar]

folks that feel the 4runner is underpowered can you please explain why you think this? is it towing? 0-60? something else? how much power would it need to be acceptable in your view. I have never felt the 4runner was underpowered, highway driving, city driving no issues. I've read many posts saying power was poor, so maybe I'm just pleasantly surprised? I do not tow heavy loads either but it's not designed for that. the v6 4.0L has more than enough power to handle some difficult trails, even stock while also acting as a reliable family hauler / daily driver - what it's made to do and it does that job better than almost every other vehicle out there (land cruiser, 4runner, what else?). the trail trims that have MTS, rear locker, ATRAC and craw control are amazingly capable right out of the factory and at a somewhat reasonable price. it's great that all trims even have ATRAC right from factory - and ATRAC holds it's own it's not some crappy system lol, it works

can you imagine how much a 500hp, 4 second 0-60, 12,000lb towing capacity, same reliability as current 4runners, TRD off road pro 4runner would cost. it would be like 90 grand lol

so this is not a complaint, but one thing that feels like an overhang is the downshifting at highway speeds when you approach and climb a "grade" on the highway. I have an old (1999 lancruiser with a v8) -- that never downshifts when climbing, yes its a v8, and a bit more torque. Yes I get that off-road performance is the 4runner operating model, but I don't care what the specs say (HP/Torque/ 5speed trans with OD) it just feels like its struggling .... thanks for listening to me whine, I love my 4 runner....it never brakes and that's my use case, but...........!

 

[Nuke]

Although I have a '19 TRD OR Premium, I still have my '08 Sport. Both 4Runners have the same 4.0L and despite the '19 putting down more HP than the '08, my '08 can run circles around my '19. Both have CAIs and I have a Sprint Booster on the '19. Yes, the '19 is a few hundred pounds heavier but the difference feels significant. Go figure...

Perhaps I haven't "broken in" the '19 yet with only 5500 miles on it. My '08 sees most of the around town errands and towing duty whereas the '19 is a bit of a garage queen, reserved for out-of-town jaunts.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

I'm very happy with my AFE Intake, AFE Throttle Body Spacer, Borla Exhaust and URD MAF calibrater. I get plenty of get up and go and have no need for a pedal trick device, my truck gets up and goes very nicely

 

[omega3651]

folks that feel the 4runner is underpowered can you please explain why you think this? is it towing? 0-60? something else? how much power would it need to be acceptable in your view. I have never felt the 4runner was underpowered, highway driving, city driving no issues. I've read many posts saying power was poor, so maybe I'm just pleasantly surprised? I do not tow heavy loads either but it's not designed for that. the v6 4.0L has more than enough power to handle some difficult trails, even stock while also acting as a reliable family hauler / daily driver - what it's made to do and it does that job better than almost every other vehicle out there (land cruiser, 4runner, what else?). the trail trims that have MTS, rear locker, ATRAC and craw control are amazingly capable right out of the factory and at a somewhat reasonable price. it's great that all trims even have ATRAC right from factory - and ATRAC holds it's own it's not some crappy system lol, it works

can you imagine how much a 500hp, 4 second 0-60, 12,000lb towing capacity, same reliability as current 4runners, TRD off road pro 4runner would cost. it would be like 90 grand lol

Toyota already makes it...its called a Land Cruiser


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[Engineer]

folks that feel the 4runner is underpowered can you please explain why you think this? is it towing? 0-60? something else? how much power would it need to be acceptable in your view. I have never felt the 4runner was underpowered, highway driving, city driving no issues. I've read many posts saying power was poor, so maybe I'm just pleasantly surprised? I do not tow heavy loads either but it's not designed for that. the v6 4.0L has more than enough power to handle some difficult trails, even stock while also acting as a reliable family hauler / daily driver - what it's made to do and it does that job better than almost every other vehicle out there (land cruiser, 4runner, what else?). the trail trims that have MTS, rear locker, ATRAC and craw control are amazingly capable right out of the factory and at a somewhat reasonable price. it's great that all trims even have ATRAC right from factory - and ATRAC holds it's own it's not some crappy system lol, it works

can you imagine how much a 500hp, 4 second 0-60, 12,000lb towing capacity, same reliability as current 4runners, TRD off road pro 4runner would cost. it would be like 90 grand lol

Most of us complaining have to much extra "stuff" on the 4runner . Mine is a Pig as my "round town" weight is 5800lbs.......with 285s, roof rack and a snorkel. Its a PITA on the highway and cruise control is all but worthless but I completely accept that is all my doing. My wife's 2015 is stock other than the AT3s (265) and its a pleasure to drive and the cruise works fine - even got an un imaginable 19mpg keeping it under 70.

 

[mrblah]

i have learned to love the slow lane. Other than a TRD intake and snorkel, i will keep the engine stock to keep the engine and drivetrain as reliable as possible, and as quiet as possible. When you are on a 800 mile road trip that isn't always on paved roads, last thing i want is a break down, or exhaust drone.

 

[Rogue-Runner]

folks that feel the 4runner is underpowered can you please explain why you think this? is it towing? 0-60? something else? how much power would it need to be acceptable in your view. I have never felt the 4runner was underpowered, highway driving, city driving no issues. I've read many posts saying power was poor, so maybe I'm just pleasantly surprised? I do not tow heavy loads either but it's not designed for that. the v6 4.0L has more than enough power to handle some difficult trails, even stock while also acting as a reliable family hauler / daily driver - what it's made to do and it does that job better than almost every other vehicle out there (land cruiser, 4runner, what else?). the trail trims that have MTS, rear locker, ATRAC and craw control are amazingly capable right out of the factory and at a somewhat reasonable price. it's great that all trims even have ATRAC right from factory - and ATRAC holds it's own it's not some crappy system lol, it works

can you imagine how much a 500hp, 4 second 0-60, 12,000lb towing capacity, same reliability as current 4runners, TRD off road pro 4runner would cost. it would be like 90 grand lol

For me, it's towing a pair of jet skis while climbing. I know it's not the usual application, but not killing myself when going up one particular hill on the way to the lake would be nice.


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[Bluepatrol]

Sprint booster and a TRD intake definitely woke up the 4Runner. Its very responsive, especially when you slowing down to a red light and it turns green before your stopped and you hit the gas. Owner since 16 and should have done these mods years ago, just did them this year. Do it!

 

[Humble Leader]

ok I see now, so it's towing while climbing? makes sense as there are no real hills or mountains etc. where I live, pretty flat. I think as Engineer also stated, all the extra 'stuff' will have an impact, I also did not think of that as well. I will keep these points in mind. thanks

 

[ahtoxa11]

folks that feel the 4runner is underpowered can you please explain why you think this? is it towing? 0-60? something else? how much power would it need to be acceptable in your view. I have never felt the 4runner was underpowered, highway driving, city driving no issues. I've read many posts saying power was poor, so maybe I'm just pleasantly surprised? I do not tow heavy loads either but it's not designed for that. the v6 4.0L has more than enough power to handle some difficult trails, even stock while also acting as a reliable family hauler / daily driver - what it's made to do and it does that job better than almost every other vehicle out there (land cruiser, 4runner, what else?). the trail trims that have MTS, rear locker, ATRAC and craw control are amazingly capable right out of the factory and at a somewhat reasonable price. it's great that all trims even have ATRAC right from factory - and ATRAC holds it's own it's not some crappy system lol, it works

can you imagine how much a 500hp, 4 second 0-60, 12,000lb towing capacity, same reliability as current 4runners, TRD off road pro 4runner would cost. it would be like 90 grand lol

I think some of that is relative, honestly. The last 5-10 years saw manufacturers cram more and more power into new vehicles while the 4runner stayed the same. Yes, the 4runner is pretty slow, but it's not that bad, especially when stock or near stock. I'm on 285s with a lift, full skids and sliders, and it's fine. I also live in CO, so I lose additional power to elevation. While I wouldn't want to tow across the passes I drive, I make it up easier than my buddy in an early JK Wrangler on 35s and 4.88s or a 3rd gen 4runner on 35s and stock gears. That thing is def what I would call slow.