5th Gen Lack of Power?
- Thread starter Bftfan
- Start date
Shawk00
New member
Good responses... and good job on being so nice... lol
Can't believe no one mentioned the lack of V8 yet! Now, someone can turn it into the typical V6 vs. V8 thread so many of these become!
I've had two 5th gens and didn't think twice about buying the 2nd one... as mentioned, don't be afraid to give it some gas... I think they go just fine. Then again, the eco light could have something to do with it... :biggrin2:
Best wishes
Can't believe no one mentioned the lack of V8 yet! Now, someone can turn it into the typical V6 vs. V8 thread so many of these become!
I've had two 5th gens and didn't think twice about buying the 2nd one... as mentioned, don't be afraid to give it some gas... I think they go just fine. Then again, the eco light could have something to do with it... :biggrin2:
Best wishes
FrontRange4Runner
New member
I'm a little disappointed guys.....this thread did not go down hill nearly as fast as it should have.
Maybe I'll add something fresh to the discussion...
My previous truck that I drove for 18 years, was (is, I still have it) a 1997 3/4 ton Chevy pickup with a factory installed 454 under the hood. Can you believe it was only a $600 option?! It was quite a difference going from that, to this.
I could drive that Chevy all day up to 90mph and never have to push the pedal down more than 2 inches. It got 14.5 mpg on it's best day, 11.5 in the city... with a Borla exhaust I'm still not sick of hearing her go. In fact, I rarely get to "open her up" to where she sounds sweet, in the 2800-3400 rpm range.
However, I just drove my 2014 4Runner 6170 miles from Massachusetts, to Michigan, through Iowa and Nebraska to The Grand Canyon, Moab Utah, Leadville Colorado at 12,000 feet to Kansas and back through Pennsylvania. It was a Hell of a 3 week trip and I learned a lot about the truck.
At first I felt the same as you, she seemed to be struggling a bit...seemed. Once I started using "S" mode to get the revs up, she did just fine, even in the thin air of Leadville. 2nd gear at 50mph and well under the redline.
I had no problem at all passing semis and RV's on 75mph roads. Again, S mode is your friend. I've come close to 100 more than a few times passing on those roads...I had plenty of confidence in her.
I was also loaded up with people and cargo, with a Yakima cargo carrier on top. I still averaged 18.2mph the entire 6000 mile trip. Cruise control worked perfect as well.
Off road in Moab she had plenty of low end grunt too, and the traction controls worked very well...at first I forgot I had them, then when I used them on rocks and sand I was genuinely surprised.
You just have to get used to her...either put your foot in it, or start shifting her yourself. The power's there, you just have to find it.
My previous truck that I drove for 18 years, was (is, I still have it) a 1997 3/4 ton Chevy pickup with a factory installed 454 under the hood. Can you believe it was only a $600 option?! It was quite a difference going from that, to this.
I could drive that Chevy all day up to 90mph and never have to push the pedal down more than 2 inches. It got 14.5 mpg on it's best day, 11.5 in the city... with a Borla exhaust I'm still not sick of hearing her go. In fact, I rarely get to "open her up" to where she sounds sweet, in the 2800-3400 rpm range.
However, I just drove my 2014 4Runner 6170 miles from Massachusetts, to Michigan, through Iowa and Nebraska to The Grand Canyon, Moab Utah, Leadville Colorado at 12,000 feet to Kansas and back through Pennsylvania. It was a Hell of a 3 week trip and I learned a lot about the truck.
At first I felt the same as you, she seemed to be struggling a bit...seemed. Once I started using "S" mode to get the revs up, she did just fine, even in the thin air of Leadville. 2nd gear at 50mph and well under the redline.
I had no problem at all passing semis and RV's on 75mph roads. Again, S mode is your friend. I've come close to 100 more than a few times passing on those roads...I had plenty of confidence in her.
I was also loaded up with people and cargo, with a Yakima cargo carrier on top. I still averaged 18.2mph the entire 6000 mile trip. Cruise control worked perfect as well.
Off road in Moab she had plenty of low end grunt too, and the traction controls worked very well...at first I forgot I had them, then when I used them on rocks and sand I was genuinely surprised.
You just have to get used to her...either put your foot in it, or start shifting her yourself. The power's there, you just have to find it.
Last edited:
LandCruiser
New member
For everyone who inevitably complains about the 4Runner 5th gen being slow...
...did you not test drive it WOT?
If the salesperson doesn't look like he wants to vomit/kill me/call the cops after a test drive, I'm not certain I want to buy the vehicle.
...did you not test drive it WOT?
If the salesperson doesn't look like he wants to vomit/kill me/call the cops after a test drive, I'm not certain I want to buy the vehicle.
LandCruiser
New member
I'm really considering a regear with a 4.56.
How much top speed do you lose? Can you still drive around 80/85 (Texas speed)?
bimrunner
New member
80-85 is no problem. I've not tried to see how fast I can go but that range is easy.
Jeremy556
New member
I assume there is an electronic limiter in there somewhere around 100-115, with 4.56 gears and stock tires, you could still do that speed in 4th gear.
In 5th gear at 85 (stock tires) you would be at 2966 rpm vs 2426 rpm. With 33s you would be at 2841 vs 2324
Bftfan
New member
Thanks. Drove back to NY through the hills in southern New Hampshire and Vermont today and Sport mode made all the difference!
phillyd2
Senior Member
EVERBODY has! It's not HP or top speed but the low end torque. It will take a while but you will get used to it but will never learn to love it. Follow the advice given and don't be afraid of Sports mode when going up hill and trying to pass a blind homeless guy in a wheelchair.
