Prefer to save the money from the land cruiser but do like the increase in size but saw rumors the new 4Runner is bigger in all directions.
Thoughts?
How much MPG difference have you noticed? I thought about doing a highway section in 4th gear to get an idea of the result, but I haven't done it yet. The 6 speed would be great. The 8 speed would solve the issue on both ends as it has a 25% lower first gear too.
I drove up to Dallas from Copperas Cove Monday morning...got passed by several vehicles. Wondered if I was going that slow or what...looked down I was at 90mph. Gotta love that Monday morning commute.
I have that engine and an 8 speed transmission in my 2007 LS460. Its really smooth and powerful, it would be real nice in my 4 Runner although not really necessary.
I have that engine and an 8 speed transmission in my 2007 LS460. Its really smooth and powerful, it would be real nice in my 4 Runner although not really necessary.
My dilemma here as well. Buy a redesigned land cruiser 2016 or wait to the 4Runner is redesigned. ?
Hoping 4Runner news for 2017 comes out soon so I can know for sure. Hate buying a model that will be outdated in a year.
Prefer to save the money from the land cruiser but do like the increase in size but saw rumors the new 4Runner is bigger in all directions.
Thoughts?
The Landcruiser is almost twice the money and is much bigger. It is more work to park. It is wider so that you often have wiggle out between the door and an adjacent car in a parking garage.
I'm averaging 13.5 mpg. I suspect I would be getting greater than 16 in a V6 4Runner.
The third row seat in a Landcruiser isn't great, but it is more usable than the third row seat in a 4Runner. For me, the third row seat just takes up space. The cargo capacity behind the first row of the Landcruiser is basically the same as the 4Runner, about 80 cu ft.
Turning circle of the Landcruiser is surprisingly good, almost the same as the 4Runner.
The Landcruiser is a lot more refined inside than the 4Runner. But then it costs twice as much.
The innards, although a quality level 10, is just over the top for me. The 3rd row jump seats are so intrusive and outdated as to be just silly, two huge entertainment screens hanging off the front seat backs are ugly and intrusive, and there's just way more overall technology than I'd ever use.
If this came in a more basic level I'd be very seriously tempted. I didn't even drive it. This vehicle, sadly, is up in the "look-at-me-and-what-I-can-afford" class now - along with SUVs from LR/MB/BMW/Porsche.
From an engineering standpoint, it is always a trade off between power and durability. The only way to improve both is to increase the quality of components. When you do that the machine costs more and you have a smaller market. It is always a trade off. The mid 80's Toyota pickup had 105 HP. It is regarded as one of the most reliable and durable trucks ever.
I tested this yesterday after I saw your post. I drove from Austin to San Antonio. All highway miles on cruise control (which actually works really really well after the regear; no more hunting for gears and surging on overpasses). All mileage reported from the dash display. Fresh fill up and everything reset at the start of each.
First section was 83 mph. I got 13.3 mpg. RPMs were just a hair under 3000.
Second section was 73 mph. I got 16.6 mpg. RapMs were right at 2500.
These were both down wind yesterday. There was a section that I did not include where I had to go more cross/into wind for a while between southerly sections. Mileage dropped to 12.6 on the first section if I included that portion. It was excluded because I didn't have a similar section on the second part of the test.
Tires play into this as well. I'm currently running moderately worn ATs that measures to 32.7 when brand new. They're about 60% worn so I'd put them right at 32 at the moment.
If there was one more gear to get the RPMs down in the 2100 range, things would be really good. The shorter first in the 8AT would be nice off-road. However, after the regear first hardly exists anyway on pavement ;-).
Hope this helps...
Calling it a "hybrid" is sortof a stretch... basically it reads like they've moved more of the standard energy leeches (air conditioning, power steering pump, water pump, etc.) off of the main moter and powered them a separate electric motor. Then they added regenerative braking and coasting tech to help charge the (now larger) battery. As I understand it there is zero drivetrain power from the electric system.
In related news, this was recently announced: Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler to Get Diesel, Hybrid Powertrains ? News ? Car and Driver | Car and Driver Blog
Calling it a "hybrid" is sortof a stretch... basically it reads like they've moved more of the standard energy leeches (air conditioning, power steering pump, water pump, etc.) off of the main moter and powered them a separate electric motor. Then they added regenerative braking and coasting tech to help charge the (now larger) battery. As I understand it there is zero drivetrain power from the electric system.
I believe your car has the 4.6L, similar to what is in the GX which shares a platform with the 4Runner. Definitely not overkill since its power output is, IMHO, low. The Land Cruiser has the 5.7L.
Put the Tacoma 3.5L V6 in the next 4Runner with proper gearing and throttle mapping and it'll be an improvement. The 1GR-FE is outdated, has crap throttle mapping, and needs better gearing.
Dan