Got a 4wd v8 tell me why I shouldn't trade in for a v6

[socal-4runner]

I currently have a GG 04 v8 w/ 3rd row. It's an awesome truck and I love her but she has a drinking problem. I kind of knew it was going to be bad going in but didn't think it would get this bad. Now I'm wary of throwing a bumper or roof rack on her because at the moment I get on average 11.5mpg in the city and 15mpg or so on the fwy. If it is all fwy miles then I'll get around 330 miles on the tank but when I commute which is all normal street she'll get around 230 miles on the tank. I put 275/70 ko2's and a 3" lift so the actual miles and what it shows is probably off by quite a bit.

I don't tow anything. I don't have kids so I don't put the 3rd row to use. I got her primarily because I got what I think was a good deal and the truck had super low miles on it. The last owner was a senile couple who never drove it. Had 63k miles and maintenance records were all done at Toyota since the car hit the road. Timing belt was also done.

 

[Inv4drZm]

The more crap you throw on your truck, the more the V8 makes sense to have. My brother's FJ and my 4R get similar enough gas mileage and they are similarly modded. On the street, mine feels like it has a lot more power.

Going 75+ down the interstate I get 12mpg. My brother gets 13mpg.

The FJ isn't very aerodynamic, his has a large roof rack and 34s so those might be some more factors vs my 33s and stock roof rack.

 

[stir_fry_boy]

There is a small modification you can make to the rear brakes to get better gas mileage. I wouldn't sell it since you know what's been done to it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You'll find that the V8 will be more consistent in mpg when you load it up than the V6 will. Additionally you'll find that the V6 will want to rev higher to maintain more momentum when loaded up.

As I mentioned in another thread, my current weight is probably north of 5k (SW Front Bumper, Full RCI Skids from front to Gas Tank, Sliders, 3" Suspension Lift, 1.5" Body Lift, and five 35" Tires on 17x9" wheels, ect.). But as much as she drinks down about 11mpg around town, I'm turning 1800rpm to maintain 70mph.

 

[luke87gt]

Big heavy all terrain wheels/tires turn these SUVs into guzzlers

If you take a v6, install your heavy mods, and put on 275/70/17 all terrain tires, the gas mileage is gonna suck on it too as you'll always be on the throttle to keep the thing moving.

If mpg is that important, go back to the stock wheels with stock sized highway tires and you'll see a significant improvement.

Otherwise, you gotta pay to play

 

[mizak82]

You would be a unicorn. Everyone on this site swears no V8 owner ever had second thoughts after buying a massive gas guzzler.

The V6 barely gets acceptable gas mileage. The V8. Forget about it.


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[RonJR]

Your 275/70/17's are 5% larger than stock, so if you haven't compensated for that, all of your mileage figures are 5% too low.

 

[socal-4runner]

There is a small modification you can make to the rear brakes to get better gas mileage. I wouldn't sell it since you know what's been done to it.

What mod are we talking about? I'm listening. My rear brakes are at about 50% right now anyway

 

[socal-4runner]

You'll find that the V8 will be more consistent in mpg when you load it up than the V6 will. Additionally you'll find that the V6 will want to rev higher to maintain more momentum when loaded up.

As I mentioned in another thread, my current weight is probably north of 5k (SW Front Bumper, Full RCI Skids from front to Gas Tank, Sliders, 3" Suspension Lift, 1.5" Body Lift, and five 35" Tires on 17x9" wheels, ect.). But as much as she drinks down about 11mpg around town, I'm turning 1800rpm to maintain 70mph.

You're right. I love how quiet it is on the freeway already. I bet the v6 is probably around 3500rpms at 75. I do really want to add a bunch of armor to it eventually.


Thanks for the reassurance guys

 

[socal-4runner]

Big heavy all terrain wheels/tires turn these SUVs into guzzlers



If you take a v6, install your heavy mods, and put on 275/70/17 all terrain tires, the gas mileage is gonna suck on it too as you'll always be on the throttle to keep the thing moving.



If mpg is that important, go back to the stock wheels with stock sized highway tires and you'll see a significant improvement.



Otherwise, you gotta pay to play

Lol never will I go back to stock tires. I love being able to drive over everything. I'll just put up with it and pay.

 

[smurray711]

I have an 03 v8 with 265/70r17 Firestone ATs. Stock otherwise minus running boards and I average 17 city 20 highway.

I will say that after I seafoamed via air intake and 50/50 gas mixture along with throttle body cleaning and MAF cleaning my MPGs went up more or less +2. Around that time, ~90k miles, I did a good fluid swap everywhere with either amsoil or oem fluid.

Not saying it's exact or a miracle but I did notice a difference. Worth a shot.

--I will also add that I have gotten 13 mpg before driving through snow weeks on end here in SW CO. This will be my first winter after having cleaned up the beast. One last note, I will be putting on OME suspension this month and will have dedicated pizza cutting 245s blizzaks (I got stuck a few times driving home with the ATs) this winter so a few changes to note from last winter.

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[dclarke3]

i never understand why folks buy performance cars or heavy duty vehicles and then concern themselves with gas mileage?

 

[socal-4runner]

I have an 03 v8 with 265/70r17 Firestone ATs. Stock otherwise minus running boards and I average 17 city 20 highway.

I will say that after I seafoamed via air intake and 50/50 gas mixture along with throttle body cleaning and MAF cleaning my MPGs went up more or less +2. Around that time, ~90k miles, I did a good fluid swap everywhere with either amsoil or oem fluid.

Not saying it's exact or a miracle but I did notice a difference. Worth a shot.

--I will also add that I have gotten 13 mpg before driving through snow weeks on end here in SW CO. This will be my first winter after having cleaned up the beast. One last note, I will be putting on OME suspension this month and will have dedicated pizza cutting 245s blizzaks (I got stuck a few times driving home with the ATs) this winter so a few changes to note from last winter.

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I should definitely do a complete fluid change. Possibly also try seafoam. I've never tried that before on any of my cars.

 

[AKmoney]

what kind of KO2s did you get? Load "E"? If so you may want to consider selling them and getting an identical set of tires but in Load "C". They weigh probably 8 lbs less per tire. That'll make a difference in your mpg; it takes more gas to get those heavier wheels turning. It'll also make it ride better. BTW, you need to be running at least 40psi with any LT type tire. Anything less than that and they'll probably squish too much (compared to a stock "P" tire) which creates rolling resistance.

 

[techno]

I have a V6 with slightly larger tires, 3rd row and am regularly carrying the family around on a 100% 'city cycle'. I easily get about 350 miles on a tank and average 17mpg. I doesn't really matter what extra weight you add because either way both engines will have to work harder which means burning more fuel. So it's your choice, burn more fuel in the less efficient V8 or in the more efficient V6. However, how it feels to drive might influence things differently.
Go take a V6 for a test drive. You might be surprised at how it feels.

 

[94toy22re]

My 07 v8 4Runner gets better mpg then my previous fj cruiser with the 4.0. I have noticed going from OKC to Denver with cruise control on I will get 16.5 to 17mpg and without cruise I get between 18-19mpg. I have 265/70/17 cooper at3, 5100 set on the 2nd highest setting and 1.5" spacer in the rear.


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[CXS]

The OP asked "Got a 4wd v8 tell me why I shouldn't trade in for a v6" and it turns in to a mpg thread. Answering the real question - Do whatever you want, this is not a decision that merits a forum consensus. It's your truck, your money, don't trust strangers to decide for you.

 

[Drunner97]

You're right. I love how quiet it is on the freeway already. I bet the v6 is probably around 3500rpms at 75. I do really want to add a bunch of armor to it eventually.


Thanks for the reassurance guys

I sit under 2500 rpms at 80 indicated (85ish via GPS) on the freeway with lift, 32s, skids, sliders, dual batteries, and fridge in the cargo bay. 16mpg mixed with my v6. I do however have to drop into 4th and hit 3k rpms to maintain speed on mountains.

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[luke87gt]

You have a V8 4Runner with a 4WD, a very sought after config.

The V6 will not give you the significant mpg increase you are seeking. Now stop being silly and never think about this again.

/end thread.

 

[smurray711]

The OP asked "Got a 4wd v8 tell me why I shouldn't trade in for a v6" and it turns in to a mpg thread. Answering the real question - Do whatever you want, this is not a decision that merits a forum consensus. It's your truck, your money, don't trust strangers to decide for you.

The v6's oil filter is easier to change out. The v8's is a bear to deal with. I don't know, maybe that's a plus one for the v6?

Being able to switch into 2wd?


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