adoihcj
New member
Yes, it does take care of it. I've been in this situation on numerous occasions (driving @ 70+ and needing to pass someone quickly), and haven't had an issue at all.
Do you miss the V8?
- Thread starter mag3
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Yes, it does take care of it. I've been in this situation on numerous occasions (driving @ 70+ and needing to pass someone quickly), and haven't had an issue at all.
westwind77
New member
Coming from a 5.9L V8 I barley see/feel any difference. This is the 1st V6 I have every owned, 3 V8 SUV's prior to this one. I think one very nice feature of the new 4R is the 'Sport' mode allowing you to select a gear for 'instant' power or acceleration at a higher rpm. When merging onto an on-ramp I usually have it in 3rd, just a quick press of the pedel with higher rpms and she jumps onto the highway. I use it the same way on 2-lane roads, before I pass the person I drop it a couple gears and just accelerate around them. If there is a place to miss a V8 it IS passing cars with oncoming traffic and I don't miss it at all. You don't need to use 'sport' mode, the 4R is very quick normally but if you want that added bit of power the computer robs by downshifting that is an easy way to keep it.
Yup. And that stupid barn door on the back. Ugh.Key word.... Expensive!
I do miss my V8 4rth Gen. I have not jet driven a 5th gen Runner, due to the unfortunate risk conditions on where I live I had to sell my 4rth gen to get something with a lower profile. I ended up with an 04 Grand Cherokee.
Having said day I miss my 4rth gen runner very much, I regret not having swap it for this piece of yunk. But unfortunately that was the only thing I could afford at the moment that was armored.
Has any one heard any rumors of a v8 on the 5th gen? I have read some posts here that maybe further down the production run, but haven read anything indicating it will be done. I think for 2011 I will have a better chance of getting read of the Jeep and buying a new suv and having it armored.
The armoring company was telling me that the current V6 model would do just fine with the weight increase, but since I will be driving it on highway, for me the power response is key, when passing trucks or cars.
The added weight on average of the armor on the car is about having 4 adults on the car, which is about 600 lbs all the time.
Having said day I miss my 4rth gen runner very much, I regret not having swap it for this piece of yunk. But unfortunately that was the only thing I could afford at the moment that was armored.
Has any one heard any rumors of a v8 on the 5th gen? I have read some posts here that maybe further down the production run, but haven read anything indicating it will be done. I think for 2011 I will have a better chance of getting read of the Jeep and buying a new suv and having it armored.
The armoring company was telling me that the current V6 model would do just fine with the weight increase, but since I will be driving it on highway, for me the power response is key, when passing trucks or cars.
The added weight on average of the armor on the car is about having 4 adults on the car, which is about 600 lbs all the time.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Read down this post a little ways and see what a current 5th gen owner said after selling his V8 4th gen. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/77455-traded-4runner.html
Yes, I absolutely miss my V8 for more than just the power. I have a limited which is noiser than my 2004 Sport V8 on acceleration, and which does not handle as well at higher speeds (60 to 70mph) on uneven interstate roads. The gen 5 has bennefits, but I would probably not buy another unless the V8 option appears or Lexus dumps the rear seat in the 460. There really is little difference in the gas milage, and the V8s are simply more quiet and give more power.
gm350reratliff
New member
I think I'm going to have to find a nice used V8 4th gen to buy to do my own comparisons. I've been thinking of getting a second 4runner anyway.
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
My freind just bought a used 07 limited 4x4 V8 with only 11k miles on it. It runs and looks like new. Good used ones are still out there.
4x4v8
New member
AGREE. I have both the 4th and 5th gen. My spouse and I agree that the 4th gen has better pull. Neither of us are speed demons, but I don't think I would consider using the 5th gen to tow my trailer. It seems like it just doesn't have the same oomph of torque.
neverenough
New member
I ve given the 5th gen a few tries but not sure. I like the looks and what it offers and it s not necessarily the loss of the torque, although it is noticeable. It s just not fun to drive. I know my 4 th gen s are/were suv s but they make me smile. Theyve got tight handling and a great ride and they are just fun. I didnt get the feeling in the 5th.
OK, I'm going to spell it out for you. When your 4th gen 4Runner was designed, gas was well under $2.00/gallon, body on frame SUVs were king, and throttle response & instant acceleration were more important than fuel economy. When the 5th gen was designed, most of the SUV market had moved to CUVs, fuel economy was very important, and Toyota wasn't sure that they'd be able to move 19mpg rated BoF SUVs. In order to get the 22mpg rating under the new fuel efficiency test standards, Toyota had no option but improving the V6s power & torque to near the V8 levels and programming the ethrottle to essentially be lazy. That is why you V8 4th gen owners hop in a 5th gen and it feels slow. It won't immediately take off at part throttle because that is killer when it comes to fuel economy and Toyota programmed it to be as efficient as practical.
If you put the pedal to the floor in the 5th gen, it freaking moves. If you go part throttle, it is doing its best to conserve fuel and certainly does feel lazy... and that is fine for 95% of my driving. It isn't a racecar, afterall. Toyota didn't use magic to get 22mpg highway rating on the 5th gen versus the 17mpg highway rating on the 4th gen V8. They used common efficiency improving tactics (downsize the number of cylinders, decrease displacement, add dual VVT, change throttle tuning). The fact that it still has performance quite close to the V8 with the hammer down is quite impressive, IMO.
From AOL autos:
Compare Specifications 2009 Toyota 4Runner 2010 Toyota 4Runner
Exterior length 189.2 " 189.9 "
Exterior body width 75.2 " 75.2 "
Exterior height 71.1 " 71.5 "
Engine 4.7L V-8 4.0L V-6
Horsepower 260 @ 5,400 rpm 270 @ 5,600 rpm
torque 306 @ 3,400 rpm 278 @ 4,400 rpm
SAEJ1349 AUG2004 compliant std std
Fuel economy - city 14 mpg 17 mpg
Fuel economy - highway 17 mpg 22 mpg
0-60mph / 0-100kmh (s) 6.9 seconds 7.1 seconds
1/4 mile time 15.2 seconds 15.3 seconds
1/4 mile speed 89 mph 88 mph
OMG, the 5th gen is 0.2 seconds slower to 60 mph and runs the quarter 0.1seconds slower! It must be a total DAAWWWGGGG!
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4x4v8
New member
I agree with this too. I feel like the 5th gen is "soft". But for the family, the 5th gen is better. 3rd row seating, keyless entry and start, quiet...But the step boards are so slippery with the snow. I almost slipped like 4 times yesterday.
dekeman
New member
I recently drove the GX with the 4.6 V8 for a week.
HATED that thing. Engine was nice, fuel sucked.
Now a twin turbo V6 for the 4Runner....that's the way to go. Ford has just done it with 2011 F-150. Their twin turbo V6 pulls 11,000 lbs, gets 25 mpg, and boasts 365 hp and 420 lb.-ft of torque.
THAT's the kind of thinking we need from Toyota, which seems inclined to go that way judging by recent reports. No one would ever miss the V8 with that kind of engine.
HATED that thing. Engine was nice, fuel sucked.
Now a twin turbo V6 for the 4Runner....that's the way to go. Ford has just done it with 2011 F-150. Their twin turbo V6 pulls 11,000 lbs, gets 25 mpg, and boasts 365 hp and 420 lb.-ft of torque.
THAT's the kind of thinking we need from Toyota, which seems inclined to go that way judging by recent reports. No one would ever miss the V8 with that kind of engine.
mgrande
New member
I think they noticed ford's work
Report: Toyota plans to add turbo, direct-injection to most of lineup — Autoblog
personally I'm hoping to see something new in the 3rd gen tacoma
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Whatever they do they better do it soon for me. I need a new vehicle and really want another 4runner but they are not acceptable as they are now for me ( I drove a limited and a trail).
Foosmatrix
New member
I think Toyota is saying if you want a mid sized suv with a V8 buy a GX460. Well if they're going to force my hand like that I guess that's what I'll have to do 
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I think Toyota is saying if you want a mid sized suv with a V8 buy a GX460. Well if they're going to force my hand like that I guess that's what I'll have to do
I am considering this also. My problem is that the neareast dealer is 3 hours away. This would be a pain if I need warrenty work. Everyone here talked me out of a new Grand Cherokee, I do not like the Pathfinder or Xterra, Land Rovers seem overpriced and unreliable. Not a whole lot of choices. I need something with low range. I am thinking about giving up on a new suv, keep my 03 and buy a new Mustang GT. I drove one of the new 5.0 manuals trans models and it was awsume.
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I think Toyota is saying if you want a mid sized suv with a V8 buy a GX460. Well if they're going to force my hand like that I guess that's what I'll have to do
I'd love it too, but 1) it is really expensive and 2) the darn barn door.
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Foosmatrix
New member
I agree on the barn door. I love being able to get under my t4r hatch if I'm tailgating or whatever and it starts raining. For sure right now theyre steep, but when there 2-3 yrs old I'm sure there will be good deals
Scoobs
Member
I've got news for Toyota. There are lots of us that can afford to buy a V8 engined 4Runner and can afford to put gas in a V8 engined 4Runner. And no I'm not interested in buying that V8 engined bloatmobile that Lexus sells. No V8 in the 5th Gen means that my 4th Gen will probably be the last 4Runner I buy... and that's sad.
