Do you like the Engine? is it Ol' Reliable

[Pete from mass]

I'm new to the 4runner family and I'm really enjoying my new rig.
I was fascinated that there is only one engine ... is it because its simply a great match for the vehicle and its easy to maintain for a long time.

I'm asking because back in 1987 I had a no frills jeep Cherokee with an inline six (4.0L) and I loved that engine...maybe not the most efficient and maybe not the best performance specs but that thing ran for a long time. I used it and abused it and it just kept living.

Is the 4Runner 4.0L also a basic but highly reliable engine. I know there may be needs for more power but in this case is engine reliability the prime element.

Obviously Jeeps today have a lot of engine options and I assumed that was for marketing and sales... I assumed Toyota kept the one engine because they liked that engine for that car.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

I'm new to the 4runner family and I'm really enjoying my new rig.
I was fascinated that there is only one engine ... is it because its simply a great match for the vehicle and its easy to maintain for a long time.

I'm asking because back in 1987 I had a no frills jeep Cherokee with an inline six (4.0L) and I loved that engine...maybe not the most efficient and maybe not the best performance specs but that thing ran for a long time. I used it and abused it and it just kept living.

Is the 4Runner 4.0L also a basic but highly reliable engine. I know there may be needs for more power but in this case is engine reliability the prime element.

Obviously Jeeps today have a lot of engine options and I assumed that was for marketing and sales... I assumed Toyota kept the one engine because they liked that engine for that car.

I wouldn't call it "basic". It's pretty high tech:
4 overhead cams
24 valves
Variable valve timing
Multi-port fuel injection
Solid state ignition-multiple coils

Your Jeep had:
a single cam
12 valves
A carburetor
Mechanical point/coil distributor ignition

We've com a long way baby!

 

[gm350reratliff]

I like both of mine. I wouldn't call them simple either but so far very reliable. I actually like the 4.0 in my 2008 better than my 2014 because the oil changes are easier and the throttle is tuned better. The 4.0 in the 2014 feels a little sluggish unless you mash the throttle. Granted, the 2014 is a little bigger and heavier.

 

[Drunner97]

My 2006 Tacoma has 100k on it's 4.0 and other than what sounds like a pully starting to squeal, I've never had a problem or felt like it's going to let me down. There are guys that have 200k-300k with nothing more than basic maintenance. It's one of the few reasons I had no problem buying my 4runner with 87k on it. Pretty sure I'll get 200k out of both engines easily.

 

[Jernik]

It's because Toyota stole the V8 out of the 4Runner and gave it to Lexus so they could get people to buy the GX 460!!