Hey fellas, been debating on making the switch to a v8 4th gen. I love my 3rd gen highlander but kind of wish I had a little more umph with the long pedal and could get more than 200 miles out of a tank. Anybody have any input on the pros vs cons of the 4th gens? Any downfall to the fulltime 4wd? I have a solid axle truck that I play with so not too worried about not having a locker with the 4th gen. Thanks duders
anyone have experience with a v8 4th gen?
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Scramble
New member
Going to a V8 all wheel drive is not going to save you any gas. Is 13mpg going to get you more than 200 miles out of a tank? I dont know. More HP yes. I'm getting 18.5 mpg out of my non-lifted V6 - that's over 300 miles on a tank.
With that said I was researching them last year & they're solid trucks. No negatives at all except MPG's.
With that said I was researching them last year & they're solid trucks. No negatives at all except MPG's.
thecole1098
New member
I’m getting about 15MPG on my 06 V8 which is lifted 2” and has 32” tires. I’m also not easy on the skinny pedal which doesn’t help at all. Keep in mind, mine is a 2WD so a full time 4WD will be on average about 2MPG less
nevada
Senior Member
I get over 300 miles out of the tank. though, it is a 23g tank. it still does fairly decent, around 18 or so mixed. with plenty of power on tap. you wont be disappointed.
no issue with the fulltime 4wd, you don't even notice it.
the only real thing you have to look for on the 4th gen, is the 4low actuator, and the CDL. so on a test drive, verify it does in fact go into low range, and that the CDL will engage. most likely they will not. the actuators gets seized due to lack of use. its a fairly healthy repair bill to get fixed, and can be used a bargaining position.
BamaDrewski
New member
With respect to the CDL's, seems like our 3rd gen manual says to run the truck in 4WD at least 15 miles per month to keep everything lubed up. I have done it religiously since I bought the truck and thankfully, never had an issue. 4th gens might be a different breed of cat though........
snivilous
Senior Member
This is my girlfriend's 2003 that we bought almost 2 years ago.
<a href="https://imgur.com/2b4r2GF"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/2b4r2GFl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
It's been super reliable, bought it with 215k on it and has 250k on it now. It's lifted a few inches and gets about 14mpg but she also commutes at 80+mph on the interstate to work; when we lived in the mountains of Colorado she got 17mpg consistently. Even though it's a 2003 so has a non-VVTi V8 (~230hp?) it launches really well and it's towed our 25ft travel trailer around Colorado and Utah a few times. It obviously has a lot of similar vibes to my 3rd gen but even being a SR5 and the first year of the 4th gens, it feels a lot more refined than anything else we've owned (the interior quality feels miles beyond what my 2008 Tundra is). We got this one for $4700 and it was bone stock with minimal surface rust in spots. She really likes it and has no intention of getting anything else any time soon, it's a great multi purpose truck that has the power to go as fast as you want and to tow a decent amount when you want but is small and nimble and has all the typical 4runner traits.
The only thing that sucks about the 2UZ is the stock exhaust manifolds notoriously crack and you get a horrible exhaust leak. My girlfriend's has it, my mom's 2005 V8 is starting to have it, etc. and it's not a cheap or easy fix. Not a catastrophic or big issue, more just an annoying audio side effect, but most likely you'll have that occur at 150-200k.
<a href="https://imgur.com/2b4r2GF"><img src="https://i.imgur.com/2b4r2GFl.jpg" title="source: imgur.com" /></a>
It's been super reliable, bought it with 215k on it and has 250k on it now. It's lifted a few inches and gets about 14mpg but she also commutes at 80+mph on the interstate to work; when we lived in the mountains of Colorado she got 17mpg consistently. Even though it's a 2003 so has a non-VVTi V8 (~230hp?) it launches really well and it's towed our 25ft travel trailer around Colorado and Utah a few times. It obviously has a lot of similar vibes to my 3rd gen but even being a SR5 and the first year of the 4th gens, it feels a lot more refined than anything else we've owned (the interior quality feels miles beyond what my 2008 Tundra is). We got this one for $4700 and it was bone stock with minimal surface rust in spots. She really likes it and has no intention of getting anything else any time soon, it's a great multi purpose truck that has the power to go as fast as you want and to tow a decent amount when you want but is small and nimble and has all the typical 4runner traits.
The only thing that sucks about the 2UZ is the stock exhaust manifolds notoriously crack and you get a horrible exhaust leak. My girlfriend's has it, my mom's 2005 V8 is starting to have it, etc. and it's not a cheap or easy fix. Not a catastrophic or big issue, more just an annoying audio side effect, but most likely you'll have that occur at 150-200k.
LittleCaesar
New member
If I could find the right one I would have no problem buying it. But they are in high demand. Like the third gen the 2uz has its issues so be aware of what to look for.
4runner and your getting over 300miles on tank. I love you brother. But I cannot believe it. My “ corolla” 09 gets 320 miles to a tank. Average 24 mpg the stock computer says. I’d say a 3rd gen stock. 250 Miles on full tank.
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Quantumkiwi
New member
I usually fill up at 300 as well. My low fuel light goes on at 250 though, and at 12/18 gal.
I do wish it was like my 96 avalon though, 28 mpg and over 400 miles to a tank with almost 300k miles on it.
jimmynotjim
New member
I loved my 4th Gen V8 but traded it in just recently. I didn't have any lift or heavier tires and I was getting 17mpg with mixed driving. The only thing I'd really look out for is frame rust and the AC. Apparently the evaporator is known to go and it's up against the firewall under the dash so it's a butt load of money or time to replace it. If it wasn't for that and the fact the previous owner didn't take great care of it I'd have kept it far longer.
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JayRolla
New member
My brother has a 2007 v8 AWD. Its night and day a better vehicle than my 3rd gen. More power. Offroads just as well with its lift and tires. Averages over 2mpg than my rig. More comfortable and newer is always better.
Research the older years as they had head gasket issues I think.
GOOD LUCK!
absalom
New member
Pretty sure the HG issues were rare and specific to the V6 models. I agree tho, the 5 spd trans and V8 combo are a jaw-dropping upgrade to the 3rd gen in every possible way.
Scramble
New member
18.5 mpg average on a 18.5 gallon tank, do the math. It just depends how long you want to drive with the light on. LOL 310-315 is normal for me.
Ed_C
Senior Member
200?! How heavy are you on the gas pedal? Is the low fuel light on when you refuel?
I usually refuel when the light turns on, usually at 320-ish. '02 V6 4WD with stock suspension,all-season (as in mild tread pattern) 245 width tires. I've driven even more than that but a change in my work schedule requires a more aggressive driving style during the commute.
2ndhandyotaman
Member
That's all I get, 200-215 before the light is on. Usually takes 12-13 gallons to fill back up, depending on how far I pushed the light being on. Stop and go traffic ( highway and urban driving) kills the already crappy mileage. On the interstate I've seen as much as 19 mpg but never any better.
Scramble
New member
You must be a lead foot. LOL I used to get 34mpg out of my old 01 Corolla.
My GF gets 24 out of her 04 Outback 3.0 H6.
