Did you know they made a 2WD 4Runner?

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The highlander with the v6 and 6 or 8AT should tow better as well. Our RX is the same thing and it tows better than the 4Runner. It doesn't have the right rear suspension - but it is more comfortable, has 4.40 diffs, and an extra OD gear. It really does pull better than the 4R. And it has an OEM transmission cooler!! And a higher tow rating.... (Why does my minivan without sliding doors get an OEM transmission cooler and my truck with extra seats 4R doesn't? lol)


Almost like they had that in mind!

heh right, his old 4cyl previa had a supercharger, always baffled by the differences, why doesn't a 4runner come stock with a trans cooler be perfect for that hood scoop :)
 
I had a single cab toyota 4x4 with stick with a version of that 4 cylinder and it was gutless. 4runner has to be slow as crap when coupled with hundreds of pounds more weight and a slushy.

Wasn't gutless it had 113hp! I had an 5th gen hilux '89 w/ 22re, a cop pulled me over out in a long stretch of road in Idaho for speeding, I responded "there is no way I was going that fast, its not possible" he laughed, thankfully let me off with a warning.
 
2wd 4Runner here. Lots of 2wd 4R's running around here in SoCal.

I wanted a reliable, simple, and rwd/solid-rear-axle vehicle for towing a single-axle dump trailer and hauling my bikes and other gear. My second choice was a 2wd Tacoma. The 4Runner is just better as a DD and for road trips vs the Tacoma.

As the 4R is also my only vehicle, and it's a commute vehicle, I never intentionally planned to take my rig offroad. That's what my Niner Jet9 RDO is for. :wink2:

As for the Highlander, it's not pre-wired for a trailer brake controller, and the AT cooler is a dealer-installed item. I'm just not a fan of transverse mounted V6 engines either. My GF's 2nd gen Acura RDX handles better overall than my 4R, but the RDX feels way more front heavy through corners. Though the 2wd Runner is tall & top-heavy compared to crossovers, it actually feels fairly well balanced.

Yeah, the gas mileage is pretty much the same as a 4wd 4R, but I don't miss the extra 275-350 lbs (depending on trim) that comes with 4wd. The 2wd 4R actually has a slightly better (hp) power-to-weight ratio than the GX 460, and just slightly worse with torque. The 2wd 4R felt plenty quick even before installing the sprint booster, but the SB really enhances the driving experience.

The biggest reason I could see to get 4wd was resale value, but I plan on keeping this rig as my daily driver for the next 12-15 years, and I drive at least 15k miles per year.
 
I bought a 1988 4Runner new with the 22R-E and 5-speed. Traded a 1984 Supra on it. 116 glorious horsepower. Way different type of vehicle, and much heavier. But I grew to appreciate the durability of that slow beast, and it refused to let me down for more than 300k miles. A reliable friend is the best kind. It would cruise at 90 all day, it simply took a few more seconds to get there.
 
I bought a 1988 4Runner new with the 22R-E and 5-speed. Traded a 1984 Supra on it. 116 glorious horsepower. Way different type of vehicle, and much heavier. But I grew to appreciate the durability of that slow beast, and it refused to let me down for more than 300k miles. A reliable friend is the best kind. It would cruise at 90 all day, it simply took a few more seconds to get there.

I bought the 1987 version new. It was a great vehicle and I was thrilled to have it, locking hubs and all. :thumb3:
 
Toyota provides different package on the 4runner because the market demands & needs there are people that do not have a need for 4X4 but want a SUV that is reliable and safe and comfortable to drive with a family
you should buy a vehicle that fits your needs so if you don't go hardcore off roading or go through the harsh weather & road conditions then you would not need 4X4 most off places that i have gone weather to the ski areas or off road areas i could have gotten away with a 2 wheel drive just needed better tires most of time and chains once in Mammoth.
 
Not all that surprising in regions with dry and warmer climates. I visit Southern Cali multiple times a year and I swear most of the Tacoma's I see running around are 2wd models so I doubt the 4runner is any different. Those folks just want the look and figure they don't need to pay a premium for something they won't use or care for.

Up north in places like MN and it's a different ballgame. Dealers here won't even order or stock 2wd models because it just doesn't sell here.
 


"The 4.7L V-8 engine has been discontinued in the 4Runner, but the V-6 makes 10 more horsepower and gains an EPA estimated three mpg in the city and five mpg on the highway as compared to the V-8. But that's not all. Thanks to friction-reducing technology, the V-6 in the 4Runner makes an impressive 34 more horsepower and 12 lb-ft of torque than last year's V-6, even though it's exactly the same displacement. "

Why would anyone want a V8?
 
"The 4.7L V-8 engine has been discontinued in the 4Runner, but the V-6 makes 10 more horsepower and gains an EPA estimated three mpg in the city and five mpg on the highway as compared to the V-8. But that's not all. Thanks to friction-reducing technology, the V-6 in the 4Runner makes an impressive 34 more horsepower and 12 lb-ft of torque than last year's V-6, even though it's exactly the same displacement. "

Why would anyone want a V8?

Because the V8 has more power at lower RPM.

The Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE, only has a HP advantage over the V8 at higher RPM. And of course it never matches the V8 for torque.
 
Because the V8 has more power at lower RPM.

The Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE, only has a HP advantage over the V8 at higher RPM. And of course it never matches the V8 for torque.

2009 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD 4dr V8 (Natl) Features and Specs

20 ft lbs plus or minus at 3400 rpm is not exactly a lot of low end torque and 3400 rpm is not exactly low rpm. With the added weight, lower mpg, less space to work ... V6 is a better idea imho
 
2009 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD 4dr V8 (Natl) Features and Specs

20 ft lbs plus or minus at 3400 rpm is not exactly a lot of low end torque and 3400 rpm is not exactly low rpm. With the added weight, lower mpg, less space to work ... V6 is a better idea imho

You're quoting the torque peak. The difference at the engines respective torque peaks is 28 lb-ft. The Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE also doesn't reach it's torque peak until 4400 RPM. It makes 28 lb-ft less torque at peak, AND you have to spin the engine 1000 RPM higher to reach it's lower torque peak.

To get the clearest view of the power difference between the engines, you have to compare the power curve of each engine from idle to redline.

Basically you have a heavier vehicle, making less power at the RPM these SUV's are typically driven at.
 
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