Greetings to all. I have a question for those V6 owners in the states with elevation. Planning on visiting family out in Colorado (Aspen area) do some skiing, etc. I bought my 2007 SR5 V6 4X4 earlier this year in the Chicago area where I currently reside. For all purposes, it has been more than sufficient for my needs in this area. Is this engine gonna make it through those elevation changes? I won't be towing however I will have family members with me and a full cargo area. If anyone out there has a V6 could you let me know how drastic the engine performance suffers at these elevation. Thanks again to all of you.
Could my V6 handle the Colorado Mountains?
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Even Steven
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Is this a serious question? I don't know if you've noticed, but the V6 in the 4Runner is MUCH MORE powerful than the 3rd generation 4Runners. That said, you will have absolutely no problems even at higher elevations.
Hell, the V6 engine had more horsepower than the V8 in the earlier 4th gen 4Runners. I'm constantly amazed at how much power my V6 puts out....much more than most other V6 SUVs.
Try driving a V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee or Commander....it will feel like your vehicle does when it's pulling a 5000 lb trailer!
The only other SUVs that have decently powerful V6 engines that I know are the current generation Pathfinder and the current generation Trailblazer. Both have good power and performance.
Hell, the V6 engine had more horsepower than the V8 in the earlier 4th gen 4Runners. I'm constantly amazed at how much power my V6 puts out....much more than most other V6 SUVs.
Try driving a V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee or Commander....it will feel like your vehicle does when it's pulling a 5000 lb trailer!
The only other SUVs that have decently powerful V6 engines that I know are the current generation Pathfinder and the current generation Trailblazer. Both have good power and performance.
I drove my 4 cylinder Jeep Cherokee for 10 years in Colorado. Back and forth through the mountains so many times I can't remember. If that little engine did it, the 4Runner's V6 will have no problem. I would have loved to have the power and technology of the 4Runner for all those trips.
Have fun.
Have fun.
:bash: :awais: :bash: :awais:
Sorry for this response, I suppose its a valid question...
But for someone who lives in Colorado and constantly goes up snowboarding/offroading/hunting/fishing/sightseeing, this has got to be the most ridiculous question... Only because its a 4runner.
I will first say my v6 explorer could do it without a problem (unless there was snow). There are also 4-cyl's driving up there. All these previous mentioned vehicles will get up there no problem. They will go into 3rd gear on some of the inclines, but you shouldnt run into any issues.
With the 4runner, its an entirely different story. With the exception of some of these turbo diesels, the 4runner is the fastest, most badass car in Colorado up those mountains. I feel like I'm driving a sports car. And whats better, I still get like 18 mpg round trip (i.e. back down i touch the gas half the time). Snowy? chain laws go into effect, everyone is putting on their chains, throw her into 4Hi and keep it under 30, and you're golden. cars sliding off the road and no one can make it through? You can, just keep it slow. 3 feet of snow blocking the road? Lock it in and power right through. The 4runner is the best vehicle for these situations, and I ABSOLUTELY could not imagine owning another car (at least not during the winter).
I hope this didn't seem too harsh, it was much more of a t4r praise than a 013 attack, I just love it.
I will advise one thing, before you run up those mountains, fill up in colorado. the fuel is slightly different, especially with the winter gas. Don't get worried when you see 85, 87, and 89, thats how we roll in CO. I use 85, no prob. In the Rocky Mountain (high altitude) states, 85 octane is the minimum octane and 91 is the maximum octane available in fuel. The reason for this is that in higher-altitude areas, a typical combustion engine draws in less air per cycle due to the reduced density of the atmosphere. This directly translates to reduced absolute compression in the cylinder, therefore deterring knock. It is safe to fill up a car that normally takes 87 AKI fuel at sea level with 85 AKI fuel in the mountains, but at sea level the fuel may cause damage to the engine. Whatever you're used to using (as there is some debate in these forums), subtract 2 when you come to Colorado.
Sorry for this response, I suppose its a valid question...
But for someone who lives in Colorado and constantly goes up snowboarding/offroading/hunting/fishing/sightseeing, this has got to be the most ridiculous question... Only because its a 4runner.
I will first say my v6 explorer could do it without a problem (unless there was snow). There are also 4-cyl's driving up there. All these previous mentioned vehicles will get up there no problem. They will go into 3rd gear on some of the inclines, but you shouldnt run into any issues.
With the 4runner, its an entirely different story. With the exception of some of these turbo diesels, the 4runner is the fastest, most badass car in Colorado up those mountains. I feel like I'm driving a sports car. And whats better, I still get like 18 mpg round trip (i.e. back down i touch the gas half the time). Snowy? chain laws go into effect, everyone is putting on their chains, throw her into 4Hi and keep it under 30, and you're golden. cars sliding off the road and no one can make it through? You can, just keep it slow. 3 feet of snow blocking the road? Lock it in and power right through. The 4runner is the best vehicle for these situations, and I ABSOLUTELY could not imagine owning another car (at least not during the winter).
I hope this didn't seem too harsh, it was much more of a t4r praise than a 013 attack, I just love it.
I will advise one thing, before you run up those mountains, fill up in colorado. the fuel is slightly different, especially with the winter gas. Don't get worried when you see 85, 87, and 89, thats how we roll in CO. I use 85, no prob. In the Rocky Mountain (high altitude) states, 85 octane is the minimum octane and 91 is the maximum octane available in fuel. The reason for this is that in higher-altitude areas, a typical combustion engine draws in less air per cycle due to the reduced density of the atmosphere. This directly translates to reduced absolute compression in the cylinder, therefore deterring knock. It is safe to fill up a car that normally takes 87 AKI fuel at sea level with 85 AKI fuel in the mountains, but at sea level the fuel may cause damage to the engine. Whatever you're used to using (as there is some debate in these forums), subtract 2 when you come to Colorado.
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I've run my 150HP V6 Toyota pickup throughout the mountain passes since 1994 with no problems other than working my way through the five speed gear box. 
:
The 2007 V8 simply eats up the altitude with power and speed.
The only other car I've ever had that had more torque up the passes was my 1984 Mercedes Turbo Diesel sedan.
One time, a big Audi V8 sedan, a 733 BMW and I were together running I-70 hard. The five cylinder Turbo Diesel kept up with the big boys full out.
Now that was some pulling motor, the best I ever drove at altitude!:rocker:
: The 2007 V8 simply eats up the altitude with power and speed.
The only other car I've ever had that had more torque up the passes was my 1984 Mercedes Turbo Diesel sedan.
One time, a big Audi V8 sedan, a 733 BMW and I were together running I-70 hard. The five cylinder Turbo Diesel kept up with the big boys full out.
Now that was some pulling motor, the best I ever drove at altitude!:rocker:
nated05
New member
Even Steven said:
Ive driven my 4r and a v6 Jeep GC wow, what a diff. I remember driving in the GC up the pass out of Colorado Springs and flooring it with cars flying by me. With the 4r I had absolutly no problem going up any pass. I also pulled a #4000 trailer with both vehicles again a huge difference.
veloindy
New member
013, I'm sorry, I thought your post was joke.
You'll be fine, with power to spare. Just remember to take it easy when you get West of Denver, I-70 can be hairy at times. Especially during ski season. I would advise hitting that section off peak hours, not on the weekends, etc.
This is a good link to check conditions.
http://www.cotrip.org/
You'll be fine, with power to spare. Just remember to take it easy when you get West of Denver, I-70 can be hairy at times. Especially during ski season. I would advise hitting that section off peak hours, not on the weekends, etc.
This is a good link to check conditions.
http://www.cotrip.org/
I took my 04 v6 this summer from ca throught glenwood springs, boulder via Veil and over Eisenhower pass (11k+ ft. I think thats right). It was loaded with camping gear,h2o, etc. It ran fine even though it had to downshift to 2nd a few times. Most of the time it stayed at the speed limit. Alot better than my old 88 nissan pathfinder.
013 said:
Thanks to all that posted. Reason I asked, ran through several passes on a HD Electra-glide awhile ago, while some of the guys had carbs that needed re-jetting were struggling. I realize that fuel-injection takes care of those altitude problems however there is a difference in engine performance at sea level and above. I did it on a bike with only myself on it, let alone a 4200lbs. truck loaded with cargo that is precious to me. I don't want to be surprised when faced with a situation that requires immediate throttle response and there is nothing left on tap. Member Toyata posted about his 4r downshifting to 2nd at times during his run through. Is it better to leave it in 4 without the overdrive while making my way through? Thanks again fellow members for your responses.
v6 or v8 in the Rockies
Good question and I wondered the same thing when I bought my 04 V6 4wd in June of 2006. On I-70 you fill find that traffic causes you to slow down more than the hills do. But the V6 is plenty capable, especially if you know how and when to use 3rd gear (when I down shift to 3rd I usually end up accelerating up the hill). there's been 5 of us in my 4runner on 1-day ski trips and we have plenty of space and power.
I would agree with one of the earlier posts and just take it slow in the snow and when I-70 gets nasty going west out of Denver (and it does).
More importantly than having a v6 or v8 is having 4wd, and you do, so you're all set. Enjoy your trip to Aspen (if you haven't gone yet).
Good question and I wondered the same thing when I bought my 04 V6 4wd in June of 2006. On I-70 you fill find that traffic causes you to slow down more than the hills do. But the V6 is plenty capable, especially if you know how and when to use 3rd gear (when I down shift to 3rd I usually end up accelerating up the hill). there's been 5 of us in my 4runner on 1-day ski trips and we have plenty of space and power.
I would agree with one of the earlier posts and just take it slow in the snow and when I-70 gets nasty going west out of Denver (and it does).
More importantly than having a v6 or v8 is having 4wd, and you do, so you're all set. Enjoy your trip to Aspen (if you haven't gone yet).
Towing at High Elevation with V6 - Several Questions
We have towed 4000lbs with an '05 V6 at 9000+ feet. With steep (eg: 9%) grades, we've had to drop down to 1st gear.
Questions:
--will premium gas help at all?
--should we add a transmission cooler?
--if we're manually shifting, with rapid automatic shifting up and down uncommon, is transmission heat still a potential issue?
--what transmission temp level would be a cause for concern?
--are there high-elevation-tuned versions of this engine?
thanks
We have towed 4000lbs with an '05 V6 at 9000+ feet. With steep (eg: 9%) grades, we've had to drop down to 1st gear.
Questions:
--will premium gas help at all?
--should we add a transmission cooler?
--if we're manually shifting, with rapid automatic shifting up and down uncommon, is transmission heat still a potential issue?
--what transmission temp level would be a cause for concern?
--are there high-elevation-tuned versions of this engine?
thanks
