Has anyone gone from a 4th V8 to a 5th V6?

[2003Can4runner]

What do you think? Losing the center diff and V8 is pretty much a deal breaker for me at this point. Tomorrow I'm towing a 24' trailer full of office furniture to a job site with very snowy conditions (family owns an office furniture company) and I was thinking, I wouldn't be able to do this with a 5th gen. V6. I'm really happy with my V8. What are everyone's experiences so far?

 

[024RunnerSE]

Why couldn't this be done in a non "AWD" setup? Just because the 4Runner uses a torsen AWD system doesn't mean its the only vehicle that can handle the job lol. If your vehicle loses traction in 2WD, then slip it into 4WD. You get the same results, I promise lol. Its like people relying on VSC to keep their vehicles in a straight line and can't imagine themselves in a vehicle without VSC.

Not knocking the AWD setup. As a matter of fact, I think the 4th gens AWD setup is beautiful for what it was designed for but by no means doesn't make it the only vehicle capable of pulling a trailer with furniture in it on snow. My 2 cents..

 

[Quentin]

What do you think? Losing the center diff and V8 is pretty much a deal breaker for me at this point. Tomorrow I'm towing a 24' trailer full of office furniture to a job site with very snowy conditions (family owns an office furniture company) and I was thinking, I wouldn't be able to do this with a 5th gen. V6. I'm really happy with my V8. What are everyone's experiences so far?

The towing may be an issue, but the lack of a center diff has nothing to do with a 2010 4Runner not being able to complete your job tomorrow. Slick conditions = OK w/ a transfer case.

I wonder how many people complaining about the loss of the center diff run winter tires?

Hold on to your V8 for another year or two. I'm certain that Toyota will put the option of a center diff back into the 4Runner and likely the 4.6L V8. They always start off slim on options and improve it through the life of the vehicle.

 

[offshorebear]

I think the OP is comparing the towing ability of an 8 vs a 6. Does a V8 4th gen tow more than a 5th gen V6? 4th gen is 7500 lbs

 

[024RunnerSE]

5th gen for obvious reasons (V6) is rated to pull 5k. I myself am not a fan of the 5th gen, but the whining of the "lack" of a C/D in these rigs is getting annoying. Toyota should've just added the AWD system in the Limited or a Multi mode 4WD like in the 3rd gens to the 5th gen SR5 just to satisfy the people who enjoy having the idea of having AWD. I don't think that its fair to rub in the lack of V8 option in the 5th gen ppls faces either. Their happy with their purchase and thats all that matters.

 

[jessandjamie]

For what its worth I bought a 08 Tundra to pull our trailer. Im aware it doesn't fit some peoples needs. However look at the first generation what V8 or V6 for that matter? Suvs haul people in my opinion not trailers.

 

[4runner55]

My wife and I have an 04 SE V8 4X4. Having full time 4wd in snow country is great in the winter as this is the wife's daily driver and doesn't require shifting in and out of 4wd to compensate for constant changing road conditions. Living at a higher elevation then some, the power of the V8 does come in handy when driving on mountain roads or occasions when I tow a lighter trailer. For serious towing I have a Silverado D/A. For me personally I would find it a downgrade to go with a V6 part time 4WD. NOT wining, just stating a fact.

 

[Vanuatoo]

If toyota adds V8 option to 5th gen it will obviously be with Full-time 4wd, hence enabling center diff with lock.

They will add I'm almost sure. If not in this year in the next one.

 

[M1911]

I wonder how many people complaining about the loss of the center diff run winter tires?

I run dedicated snow tires in the winter on my '03 V8 4WD limited. I am one of the major complainers about the loss of the Torsen.

Hold on to your V8 for another year or two. I'm certain that Toyota will put the option of a center diff back into the 4Runner and likely the 4.6L V8.

I don't share your optimism here.

 

[x67934]

From the toyota website the 5th Gen. Limited has Full-time 4WD with locking Center Diff.

Full-time 4WD with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) and locking center differential

Toyota 4Runner - 2010 Models: SR5, Trail, and Limited models

 

[charlier180]

I run dedicated snow tires in the winter on my '03 V8 4WD limited. I am one of the major complainers about the loss of the Torsen.


I don't share your optimism here.

I also run dedicated snow tires in the winter on my '04 V8 4WD SR5.

Hopefully, Toyota does add a V8 option to the 5th Gen model. Not holding my breath however.

 

[adoihcj]

I personally do not think Toyota will EVER bring back the V8 for the 4Runner. I've been doing a lot of reading lately and I think the V8 will strictly be available on larger vehicles. I even read a story the other day which talks about the demise of the V6 (within the next 10 to 15 years).

The article talked about how technology has allowed a V6 to have more HP than V8's, and just by saying you have two extra cylinder's doesn't mean a V8 has more power than the V6.

I think Toyota is leading this charge by doing exactly what they did with the 4Runner. Replace the engine with a V6 with more HP (only 10 more HP and lower torgue) than the V8. I wouldn't get my hopes up for a V8.

 

[2003Can4runner]

I was only comparing the V8 vs. V6 for the towing. I just wanted to say that losing the center diff is one of the deal breakers for me. I live in the Canadian prairies so there is a lot of snow. Driving around the city without binding on paved surfaces is great. Just my opinion.

 

[V8 AWD 4EVR]

2003Canadian,

I think you are misinformed.
In the US, the Limited trim levels do have the AWD and locking center differential.

The Toyota website describes it as:

"Full-time 4WD with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) and locking center differential"

I think I have read on this forum that all Canadian 2010 4Runners will have AWD and locking center diff.

The only thing you are missing is the V8 power and torque.

For those that say the V8 is dead, go look at the Lexus version of the 4Runner, it has a great V8 that is 10%+ more powerful on HP and nearly 20% more on torque - it clearly fits in the vehicle, so your view that the V8 is not going to happen is not based on anything technical.

To say the 2010 V6 is better than a 2003 V8 is silly. How about comparing the 2010 Toyota 4.6 V8 to the 2010 Toyota V6 in the 4Runner and seeing how much better the 4Runner could be.

I am still patiently waiting for a press release about the V8, but I dont think I will wait beyond the summertime of 2010.

M

 

[mikeync]

2003Canadian,

I think I have read on this forum that all Canadian 2010 4Runners will have AWD and locking center diff.



M

That was the original belief, but it turned out not to be correct. The Canadian and US version is the same except in regards to this.

 

[Champ306]

I had 3 different V8 runners of 4th gen breed. now have 2010 SR5, tell ya the truth the 5th gen is better. power wise it seems just as fast or faster. oh, and I put a ton o miles trailering enclosed trailer on 4th gen. 5th does just as good, on hills, steady state cruise. the comfort of the center diff is gone, that stinks, but really you shold not let it be a deal breaker. I thought it was a horrible idea, but after having it now for a month or so, its really not a fuss. Its a better machine overall than the 4th gen. and yes I still love the 4th and 3rd gen, still have a 99 limited. Try one out, you just may be really suprised. there is alot of hate on this forum to new stuff. it comes and goes. 4 years from now when everyone owns their own 5th gen and trades their 4th gen, there will be peace.

 

[M1911]

I think you are misinformed.
In the US, the Limited trim levels do have the AWD and locking center differential.

The Toyota website describes it as:

"Full-time 4WD with Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) and locking center differential"

I think I have read on this forum that all Canadian 2010 4Runners will have AWD and locking center diff.

Unfortunately not correct. Only the Limited trim in Canada gets the full-time 4WD with Torsen. The Toyota literature was incorrect. Canadian members have gone to dealers and seen firsthand.

For those that say the V8 is dead, go look at the Lexus version of the 4Runner, it has a great V8 that is 10%+ more powerful on HP and nearly 20% more on torque - it clearly fits in the vehicle, so your view that the V8 is not going to happen is not based on anything technical.

For me, the price and side-hinged door on the GX is a deal killer.

I am still patiently waiting for a press release about the V8, but I dont think I will wait beyond the summertime of 2010.

I'd wager a cold frosty one that Toyota will not bring out a V8 4Runner in the next 3 years.

 

[4RBob]

I have an '03 V8 and test drove a 2010 SR5 on back roads and highway (including an uphill on-ramp). I really don't think it "pulls" nearly as nice as the 4th gen V8. It feels like it has to work much harder. I think there is also more body lean and numb steering in the 5th gen (slightly off-topic, but not really when talking about towing). I have about 160k miles now on the 4th gen, plan to keep it until it dies. I wanted to like the 5th gen more, but it would still be a top contender to replace the 4th gen when needed. As many of you are, I'm still hoping for a V8 and torsen diff (for mixed bag conditions in winter).

 

[Quentin]

I run dedicated snow tires in the winter on my '03 V8 4WD limited. I am one of the major complainers about the loss of the Torsen.


I don't share your optimism here.

I'm guessing it will be for the 2012 model to boost a little excitement for a couple year old model before the refresh. If enough people complain, they'll do it. Plus, the GX460 and 4Runner are built at the same plant. Heck, maybe Toyota's Alabama plant can export some 4.6L V8s if the Japan plant doesn't have capacity. Win win win. :biggrin2:

 

[eskimochaos]

I had 3 different V8 runners of 4th gen breed. now have 2010 SR5, tell ya the truth the 5th gen is better. power wise it seems just as fast or faster. oh, and I put a ton o miles trailering enclosed trailer on 4th gen. 5th does just as good, on hills, steady state cruise. the comfort of the center diff is gone, that stinks, but really you shold not let it be a deal breaker. I thought it was a horrible idea, but after having it now for a month or so, its really not a fuss. Its a better machine overall than the 4th gen. and yes I still love the 4th and 3rd gen, still have a 99 limited. Try one out, you just may be really suprised. there is alot of hate on this forum to new stuff. it comes and goes. 4 years from now when everyone owns their own 5th gen and trades their 4th gen, there will be peace.

Thats impossible, the 05+ V8 did 0-60 in 6.86 seconds, the 2010 is 7.8

FWIW, I test drove a 2010 and was less than impressed with low end grunt.