6 cylinder or 8 cylinder

[sjoefl01]

I realize this may be a matter of opinion but I still have to ask. I am looking hard for a 4runner. I need 4WD to haul some boats around. I have sold myself on 4runner because they have a reputation for reliability and lasting 300K miles often without a lot of problems.
I don't have a lot of money. It looks like I will probably end up with a 2003 - 2005 based on cost.
I am curious if the reliability is the same for the 6 and the 8 cylinder versions?
Do you get enough more power out of the 8 cylinder to make the gas mileage worth it?
Opinions are okay. I know nothing at this point. That's why I found this forum to try to get information.
Thanks

 

[jdkilroy]

I'm really the last one on this forum to give someone a hard time about using the search function but this really comes under the heading of "beating a dead horse"

This question has been asked and debated (with no consistent or useful conclusion) at least a hundred times on this forum.

so please.... search.

By the way, welcome to the forum.

Here's a head start: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-7522522145124525%3Aq9u7brkvvgn&cof=FORID%3A9&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=v6+or+v8&sa=Search&siteurl=www.toyota-4runner.org%2Fgeneral-discussions%2F&ref=www.toyota-4runner.org%2Ftoyota-4runner-forum%2F&ss=4551j3768689j8

 

[Atlanta_man]

Hmmm
some folks here certainly have indeed come to a useful conclusion

both the V6 and V8 have some rare, but nasty if they happen, issues
your search will lead you mainly to head gasket and exhaust manifold related things

no regrets or problems with my old V8

 

[Jeremy556]

If you are pulling boats around Florida, it makes no difference.

Pulling a decent load, both are going to be around 8 mpgs, but the V8 will "enjoy it" more than the V6.

I recently pulled a near 6K lbs, HUGE air brake of an enclosed trailer across the continent, including the front range, with the 1GR V6. It never skipped a beat, never rose in coolant or tranny temps, or dipped below 55mph. Admittedly, I was in second gear spinning 4-5KRPM on some of the really big grades , but I can't complain.

 

[TRDCal]

Ohh boy I get to try out one of the new smilies

:deadhorse:

 

[adam2562]

i wish the new 4runner had a V8 even though its V6 is much more powerful than the 4th gens. i'd go with a V8 the difference in gas isn't much.. i almost got a 4th gen b4 i bought my 5th gen.. and i was going to get a V8.. the V8 (im not saying the V6 isn't reliable) but that V8 has been around for awhile and known to be tough.

 

[Lineman]

Go V8. You will not wonder if you should've after purchase of the 6.

 

[flyrv9]

We have a 2013 4runner (purchased in Dec) and a 2000 Tundra with the 4.7L V8. The Tundra is a 4WD TRD with 100K miles. The Tundra seems to have more torque and is still pretty snappy. The 4runner (with the V6) seems to lag a little at first; but catches up quickly. Other than that, we haven't had it long enough to do a fair comparison.

 

[Joel C]

Like Fly we also own both a 2013 4R and 2000 Tundra (V8-4.7L) and in my opinion the 4R really should have a V8 option. We’ve owned the 4R since Oct 2012 and I think I’ve driven it a half dozen times. The wife likes it and takes it to work every day, me, I just haven’t warmed up to the lack of power. On the other hand the 4R gives a nice comfortable ride and feels very solid.
Oh and sjoe, I wouldn’t let the “using the search function” chase you off, there are a lot of good people on this forum with lots of 4R knowledge.
Joel

 

[Synister]

My money says you will never see another V8 in a 4runner. Its a simple matter of marketing; why offer a V8 in an "entry" level vehicle when they can just include it standard in the Lexus as a means of model differentiation? Gas prices are certainly not going down and people who drive Lexus's probably don't care. The 4runner, while a strong vehicle, is not Toyota's flagship SUV and no longer puts up the kind of sales numbers it once enjoyed. The 4runner, for as long as it continues, will get the middle of the road V6 and the nicer Lexus will get the nicer V8.

 

[MikeInNH]

People who THINK they NEED a V8 are perfect examples of how marketing is. Seems to me the same people would buy a V8 from the 60's that puts out 230hp and 190ft/lb torque over a V6 that puts out 250hp and 240ft/lb torque. They don't look at the numbers....just that it's a V8.

I could care less how many cylinders it has. The only thing I'm looking for is will it meet my needs. The V6 MORE then meets what I need. V8 will also meet my needs...but why should I buy it?? Makes no sense to me.

Personally I'd like to see the Diesel's found in Europe in some SUV's. It's a 4-cylinder turbo diesel. Has 5hp LESS then Toyota's V6...MORE torque then Toyota's V8...and gets 50% BETTER gas mileage.

 

[Atlanta_man]

Something just right about the 90 deg even firing American invented V8...
as much art as machine