Help me decide: 2006+ v6 or v8?

J

Joeggernaut

New member
Been a lurker for some time. Looking to get a 2006+ 4runner.

Needs:
-Occasional hauling (4000lb boat+trailer) 4 months out of the year relatively flat land (30 mile round trip)
-Reliability and least maintenance on drive-train parts
-Decent highway mpg, I dont care what my city mpg is.
-Daily driver

I am going for a 4th gen 4runner over a 5th gen 4runner/full-size truck due to my needs. I don't need a full-size truck 365 days a year as mpg is bad and I like the security of a cabin instead of open bed. I have a small trailer that can act as an open bed. I like the 4th gen 4runner styling better and the fact it is 300lbs lighter and not nearly as big.

Both have vvti and 5 speed autos compared to earlier model years. Plus both have the facelift.

V6
Pros:
1-2mpg better ($300 yearly savings)
Aluminum block (300lbs saved)
4x2 with optional 4x4 (less wear on front drive train compared to full-time 4wd v8 in daily use)
Timing Chain ($600 diy every 100k savings)

Cons:
5000lb towing capacity
block cannot be re-sleeved easily like iron block in v8 incase of failure
4wd/transfer case can malfunction if not used reguarly
some head gasket failures


V8
Pros:
more low end torque
7300lb towing
iron block tends to last longer

Cons:
full-time 4wd (more wear on parts)
1-2 worse mpg
timing belt (not a big deal to me)


Overall my main concern is the full time 4wd and relability on wear parts associated with it (bushings,tires,suspension parst, t-case, etc). I would either buy a limited or sport edition. I do not want ras however and xreas probably would be removed with lift install. The brochure manual shows the v6 as full-time 4wd
in the sport and limited editions. Is this true? Are all v8s full-time 4wd?

Would also like leather/heated seats but not a must or deal breaker at all.


Sorry for the long thread. Thanks for any input.
 
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I've got the same V8 in both of my Yota's with over 100K miles on both. That engine is terrific and never had a problem with either of them. The loss of MPG is negligible for what you gain, and I would consider it more reliable than the V6, as would many others (sorry for inciting a debate now). I think it's your best option if you are going to be towing. Sometimes the V8 is easier to find because a lot of buyer that don't do their research thing the V8 is going to have much worse mileage than the V8.
 
I have a V6 and I have driven my neighbors 2008 V8. Both seem to have same power acceleration wise. Where the V8 excels is if tow. I do not tow so the V8 was not important for me getting. Many people on here love it. I like both engines. You can't go wrong with either of them!

I'm happy with my V6 and I think they are equally as reliable. I get 19-20 mpg in mine with a lift and bigger tires.
 
if you want MPG's get a prius.

my dad has a v6 I have a v8 and I'd drive my truck any day over his.
it's great for hauling, trailing my 3500 LB boat is a breeze.
it's really smooth accelerating
the truck feels REALLY planted with the full time 4wd
 
<<<<Cons:
full-time 4wd (more wear on parts)>>>>

Show me where this is documented. There have been none reported.
 
Get the V8. You will rule out the possibility of being disappointed. I have the v8 in my 03, and wouldn't trade it for anything.
 
I am not concerned with the mpg really.

My concern is the extra wear and tear from the t-case always engaged and the front drive shafts along with tire wear.

My question would be does the extra timing belt+extra mechanical wear from full-time 4wd out weigh the cons of the v6?

Also are the 2006+ v6 and v8 limited/SE all full-time 4wd like the brochure says? If that is true then of course I would go with the v8.
 
Joeggernaut said:
The brochure manual shows the v6 as full-time 4wd in the sport and limited editions. Is this true? Are all v8s full-time 4wd?
Click to expand...

All V6's are part-time (selectable) 4wd.

All V8's are full-time 4wd.

I do not agree with the perception that full-time 4wd increases wear on components. I run my V6 in 4wd almost all of the time because I like how it handles.

I think the mileage difference is negligible, especially after a lift and tires. Might as well get the V8, you surely won't be disappointed. I'd say test drive both and see what you think.
 
I bought the V8 and did not even consider the V6. I have driven the V6 in the Tacoma and my friend owns one. But with the 4R purchase, it was V8 or nothing. The 40 lb./ft. of torque is a really big difference in every day driving. Plus, the V8 has a reputation of lasting forever. I can't see the aluminum engines lasting as long on average, especially when you add the fancy VVT and cam phasers and all that garbage (which mine does not have).
 
I read the brochure wrong. They have two sections one for multi-mode and one for full-time. It is in fact all v8 are full-time while 4x4 v6 are not.

I guess ill be looking for a 2006+ v8 vvti. Questions is do I want limited with leater/heated seats and ras which won't last or sport edition with cloth and xreas?

Thank you all for your support. Like I said if I wanted a mpg I would buy a unibody suv/truck.
 
Don't worry about "extra wear & tear" from the Full-Time 4WD system, there is none. The transfercase is EXACTLY the same as the V6 model minus a shift fork, shift rod being shorter, and an idler gear for engaging 2WD. It functions exactly the same as driving your V6 Part-Time 4WD in 4Hi 24/7 (which is entirely normal for many members and causes no ill effects.) There are NO
proven instances of premature wear/failure of the 4WD system compared to the Part-Time 4WD system in the V6 models, again this is because they are almost entirely identical.

This isn't your Jeep Grand Crapkee or Dodge Ram Me Into a Wall, the 4WD system is much more robust and better performing if you're experienced in older Domestics.

That being said, the V6 provides an ample amount of torque and power for most people. But if you are intending to do serious towing, modifications, extensive off-roading, and/or any combination of the three I would recommend the V8. The VVTi was added in the '05 model year and does net an extra 30-ish HP if I remember right, you will notice a little more low end torque and high-end torque due to the VVTi. The Timing belt is honestly nothing to worry about as long as your replacing it roughly every 90~110k and usually coincides with a major service anyways.

Overall, either choice is a great vehicle, but for your needs you'll probably want the V8. I love my cloth seats on my Sport Edition, leather has been hit or miss with me personally. I enjoy it on colder days and find it comfy, does hold up well against spills and such, but requires upkeep and burns like hell in the hotter days. Heated seats are something I am starting to warm up to (pun intended :) ) I occasionally do find them nice on cold days, but still think of them as a sissy la la option. The RAS Can be removed, many members have welded in spring supports in place of the RAS and eliminated the system entirely, the one nice thing about the RAS is it will try and level the vehicle out when towing and is a little cushier.
 
i just bought my t4r last month, i was trying to get a v8. I couldnt pass up the deal i got on my v6 sr5. The v6 is very powerful and quick.. i am very impressed and please with the engine. Add the plus that you have the option to drive in 2wd. They both are great from what i hear and read.
 
Drive both!!!

its pretty much like this. V8 owners will say get the V8 (seriously are they going to say they made a mistake getting the "more macho" engine?) chances are very slim. honestly, i've driven both. my brother had an 06 V8 AWD, and i drove one 06 for a few days we had at the dealership. now i personally have had two V6 t4r's. one was 07, now on my 08. there is negligible difference between the two in the power department. they both have very flat torque curves (older V8's without VVT seem to run out of steam quickly after 3500) the V8 i feel has more initial punch and torque, but after getting off the line its weight catches it, and they are about equally matched. my experience was the V8 didnt like to be hurried as much, whereas the V6 will exploit every bit of its powerband. both have plenty of low-end torque and will easily lug along under 2000RPM. if your towing a lot, sure go ahead and get the V8, but unless you are in a hilly area or at high elevation, chances are you wont see much difference, if at all it wouldnt be much. as long as both are well maintained, you will not be disappointed with either of them. that V6 will scoot, and the V8 does as well. that V8 is for sure smoother and sounds better, but the V6 will really surprise you. my recommendation is to drive both extensively and see what better fits your likes and needs. i you want a few more mpgs, go V6, you want noise and the extra torque to lug around more weight get the V8. there is really no other way of deciding as people on here are going to support the choice they made. i dont wish i bought the V8, and V8 owners dont regret buying their V8. both are great motors, just depends on what fits your personal liking. DRIVE BOTH :D

HP Torque
V6: 4320/236= 18.3 lbs/hp 4320/266= 16.2 lbs/lb-ft
V8: 4530/260= 17.4 lbs/hp 4530/306= 14.8 lbs/lb-ft

difference: 0.9 lbs/hp 1.4 lbs/lb-ft
 
BOSMECH said:
V6 they last longer
Click to expand...
Any data to back that up?

I was in the same boat about a month or so back. Had an 03 with the V8, had a Taco and FJ with the 6 after. Out of the 3, the Runner was the one I miss the most. The V8 seems to be better suited to the size of the truck. Both the taco and FJ were manuals, and the V6 had plenty of oomph, but the V8 just pulls the larger 4Runner better. All comes down to your personal preference, you wont be dissapointed either way really. When you are towing though, you will likely thank yourself everytime.

Nick
 
If you've got the extra coin to spare on the gas for the V8, definitely go V8! The V6 has substantial amount of power, and you would have no trouble towing 4000 pounds. All comes down to preference honestly, but I wouldn't worry about durability of either of the engines, both have been thoroughly tested, and there are many people on this forum who have racked up serious miles with both engines.
 
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