Hot weather, anyone else notice this

[Hbryanlopez]

I too feel the same way but I have ko2 and a gobi rack. I wish it drove like a small suv but who am I kidding. So I just use the cruise control and I don't feel it. lol


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[The Waco Kid]

"Didn't you test drive before you purchased?"

"You knew what you were getting into."

"You've owned it for _ years now."

All are true, but lets stop making up excuses for the fact that this truck is underpowered, plain and simple, and the problem is exasperated by hot weather. It is what it is - don't act like it doesn't exist.

The dude is frustrated, and has a point.

I don't know about the rest of you, but mine seems to move just fine. I came from a v8 truck and I don't miss it.

I drive in 90+ degree weather 6 months out of the year, and 80 degree 9 months out of the year. It has never failed to pull my trailer or get me to highway cruising speeds. I get ~ 18 mpg with 80% city driving and it pulls my motorcycles with no issues.

Either something is wrong with your truck if it's "underpowered" or you bought the wrong vehicle.

 

[1engineer]

All are true, but lets stop making up excuses for the fact that this truck is underpowered, plain and simple, and the problem is exasperated by hot weather. It is what it is - don't act like it doesn't exist.

The dude is frustrated, and has a point.

Excuses? Some have an OPINION that it is underpowered. Some have an OPINION that the power is fine. If you drove a vehicle in the '70's and '80's then the 4Runner has gobs of power!

It is simply perception, plain and simple. If you care to go back and read his posts from a few years ago you can see he was complaining about the power before he even bought the 4Runner! And then he goes and buys it!! And now he is complaining (again) about it!!!

You think it's underpowered. 0-60 times for the 4Runner put it smack dab in the middle of 95% of SUV's and CUV's so what about it is underpowered?

 

[Swampmonger]

I don't know about the rest of you, but mine seems to move just fine. I came from a v8 truck and I don't miss it.

I drive in 90+ degree weather 6 months out of the year, and 80 degree 9 months out of the year. It has never failed to pull my trailer or get me to highway cruising speeds. I get ~ 18 mpg with 80% city driving and it pulls my motorcycles with no issues.

Either something is wrong with your truck if it's "underpowered" or you bought the wrong vehicle.

I came from a 2006 LJ Rubicon. In comparison, my 4Runner feels as cushy as a Caddy and as peppy as a Porsche.

 

[fireman9027]

It's noticeable here in FL as well, but there aren't any hills so it probably not as big of a deal, but somethnig I did notice is that it seems like there is a lot of pedal "range" with my T4R. Meaning that it takes a lot of pedal movement to get it rolling, and to "floor it" is a long way down.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

"Didn't you test drive before you purchased?"

"You knew what you were getting into."

"You've owned it for _ years now."

All are true, but lets stop making up excuses for the fact that this truck is underpowered, plain and simple, and the problem is exasperated by hot weather. It is what it is - don't act like it doesn't exist.

The dude is frustrated, and has a point.

How's about you and the others stop making excuses for buying the wrong vehicle?

Seriously, its an SUV, not a sports car! It is powered just fine, the 4runner is more than capable of keeping up with traffic, no matter if its going up the grapevine in SoCal, or cruising at 90+mph through Idaho's 80mph speed limits on the highway. Need more power? Step down on gas pedal!

What's that, you say? It takes too much effort to push the gas pedal down to get it to move? Then get yourself that silly Sprint Booster, that will remap the pedal to be more responsive by moving the pedal up 25%! Still not enough power? then trade it in and get yourself something that suits your style!!!

The 4runner has never, ever been a hi performance vehicle, EVER!!! The first one that came out had a 22R and was carbureted (no, it wasn't the 1st gen, it was a Trekker, the prequel to the 4runner). The first unit wasn't any better and sported 97 horsepower!

Over the last 30+ years, Toyota has pushed the hp up to 270hp for the 5th gen! Its not a slouch, but isn't a speed demon either, if you didn't understand this when you bought it, then the joke's on you!

Please, PLEASE!!! If you need to whine about the power of your 4500lb 4wd SUV not being fast enough, then sell it! Hopefully the next owner will appreciate your 4runner much more than you.

 

[Gecko]

It is simply perception, plain and simple. If you care to go back and read his posts from a few years ago you can see he was complaining about the power before he even bought the 4Runner! And then he goes and buys it!! And now he is complaining (again) about it!!!

9 times out of 10, isn't that how internet forums work? :bounce: lol

You think it's underpowered. 0-60 times for the 4Runner put it smack dab in the middle of 95% of SUV's and CUV's so what about it is underpowered?

Try merging into traffic quickly at 65+mph, or passing someone on the highway at 75+ mph... the 4Runner struggles badly there, and even moreso at high altitude and on hot days. The 4Runner's competitive set just offers more in the way of power and gears in the transmission (as well as efficiency).

 

[borfoo3]

I knew going into my 5th gen that these things are no rocket ships but it really turns into a slug when the temp gets above 90 here. I realize power goes down when the temp goes up but this thing is worse than any vehicle I have ever owned. It feels like I am always pulling a small trailer around and it is not really fun at all. It was just barely acceptable in cooler temps but I have 5 more months of hot weather here in the desert. I realize most people do not live in such a hot climate but does anyone else notice this? I will be putting the stock 20s back on soon taking off the 275 KO2 tires as off road season is over here so that will help a little.

I'll share my .02
The 4Runner isn't actually as underpowered as your right foot tells you.. but that right pedal is dialed in at the absolutely crappiest response setting when its in the "typical driving" zone (i.e. below ~60% input) for the sake of everything else..

Honestly bought the sprint booster as a last ditch attempt... set on green and never looked back! oh btw I drive mine in one of the hottest spots on Earth too..

It won't transform the slowrunner into a sports car, but will definitely transform the way the slowrunner 'feels' as it gets up to speed which sounds like your issue here. Details and pics in my thread if your interested.

 

[1engineer]

The 4Runner's competitive set just offers more in the way of power and gears in the transmission (as well as efficiency).

If that were the case then the 0-60 times would not be in the mix. Right?

I have yet to be the slowest vehicle on any particular highway. When I am in heavy interstate traffic I still have no problem passing or keeping up with the vehicles around me. What are your expectations? Do you want to be pinned back in the seat? If so you need another 100 hp or a different gear set.

Seriously though, this OP completely trashed the 5th gen 4Runner, then he bought one and since then has done nothing but complained. I have no sympathy for people like that.

I have over 150K+ miles driving various 5th gen 4Runners and over 140K+ are highway. Never have I felt like it was under powered. Then again A) I have reasonable expectations and B) I have not owned a "high" HP vehicle for 30 years.

Bottom line is this: If you come from a V8 or a high HP vehicle prior to owning the 4Runner you will feel it is underpowered. If you come from an average vehicle prior to the 4Runner then you will think it's fine.

 

[Gecko]

If that were the case then the 0-60 times would not be in the mix. Right?

I have yet to be the slowest vehicle on any particular highway. When I am in heavy interstate traffic I still have no problem passing or keeping up with the vehicles around me. What are your expectations? Do you want to be pinned back in the seat? If so you need another 100 hp or a different gear set.

Seriously though, this OP completely trashed the 5th gen 4Runner, then he bought one and since then has done nothing but complained. I have no sympathy for people like that.

I hear your point and don't blame you for being frustrated. Personally, I don't complain about it being slow (in my opinion), but when it comes up in conversation, I do feel that it's a "con" of this truck.

I spend a lot of time driving other vehicles for work - Toyota and others - so when you jump out of an Explorer, Highlander, Rubicon or Grand Cherokee and into the 4Runner, the difference in driving demeanor is very obvious.

To me, I don't think the engine is so much the problem. 270hp and 278lb-ft is pretty stout... but the 5AT is at least one gear short, if not three, and the programming is no help either. That is the issue.

The existing engine would be fine if it had more gears to work with to maintain momentum. As it stands now, if you are going ~75mph and go to pass someone on the highway, the transmission lazily downshifts to third or fourth, then takes its time snapping back up into 5th. More gears would just make the process feel much faster and less laggy.

 

[CookieRoe]

All this bickering, Jezus. What I wouldn't give for a 2017 Limited.

I have a 4th gen V6 and honestly, it fast enough for me. Shuffles good if you STEP on it, then again, I have the 4th gen, so I'm not sure of the performance between the 2.

EDIT: I agree with the others, the OP has nothing constructive to say. He clearly "feels" his rig is under-powered. Fine. Trade it in for a LC. Done.

 

[Sierra141]

Or, maybe trade it in for an old 3 cylinder geo metro with an auto. Drive that around for a few months, then go and buy your 4runner back. You'll be so happy with the power the 4runner makes, that you won't ever stop praising toyota and how they stuffed so much power into such a large vehicle!

I find it humorous that people expect sportscar performance from a utility vehicle! I'm sorry, but there are very few vehicles that can do everything well, including performance, luxury, offroad and utility capabilities, while carrying 4 bodies and a bunch of crap in the rear, no matter if its 20 below or 100+ degrees. However, if you do find one, I suggest you buy it immediately and never, ever look back.

I don't get it either p, these vehicles are not sports cars. These are super reliable 4X4 suv's, not for speeding or wining races. C'mon people buy an Audi Suv or something similar

 

[flyrv9]

We have a 2000 Tundra with the 4.7L V8 and a 2013 4Runner; so it's pretty easy to compare the two; and is one of the first things I did. Sure the Tundra is a bit quicker off the line; but once you are moving there isn't a whole lot of difference. The 4Runner performs just fine and you can run in S mode if desired. Neither are very aerodynamic, so driving a box on wheels only gets so zippy! We're happy with both vehicles - they do what we bought them for and they do it very well.

 

[nevada]

Excuses? Some have an OPINION that it is underpowered. Some have an OPINION that the power is fine. If you drove a vehicle in the '70's and '80's then the 4Runner has gobs of power!

It is simply perception, plain and simple. If you care to go back and read his posts from a few years ago you can see he was complaining about the power before he even bought the 4Runner! And then he goes and buys it!! And now he is complaining (again) about it!!!

You think it's underpowered. 0-60 times for the 4Runner put it smack dab in the middle of 95% of SUV's and CUV's so what about it is underpowered?

How's about you and the others stop making excuses for buying the wrong vehicle?

Seriously, its an SUV, not a sports car! It is powered just fine, the 4runner is more than capable of keeping up with traffic, no matter if its going up the grapevine in SoCal, or cruising at 90+mph through Idaho's 80mph speed limits on the highway. Need more power? Step down on gas pedal!

What's that, you say? It takes too much effort to push the gas pedal down to get it to move? Then get yourself that silly Sprint Booster, that will remap the pedal to be more responsive by moving the pedal up 25%! Still not enough power? then trade it in and get yourself something that suits your style!!!

The 4runner has never, ever been a hi performance vehicle, EVER!!! The first one that came out had a 22R and was carbureted (no, it wasn't the 1st gen, it was a Trekker, the prequel to the 4runner). The first unit wasn't any better and sported 97 horsepower!

Over the last 30+ years, Toyota has pushed the hp up to 270hp for the 5th gen! Its not a slouch, but isn't a speed demon either, if you didn't understand this when you bought it, then the joke's on you!

Please, PLEASE!!! If you need to whine about the power of your 4500lb 4wd SUV not being fast enough, then sell it! Hopefully the next owner will appreciate your 4runner much more than you.

if these types of threads are such a problem for you, then stop reading them.
the snarky responses are not helping anything.

 

[1engineer]

if these types of threads are such a problem for you, then stop reading them.
the snarky responses are not helping anything.

If these types of responses bother you then don't comment lol.

Seriously, me and this OP go way back and when he used to come into this sub forum talking trash about the 5th gen I told him to keep his 4th Gen! He didn't and now he is complaining again. His biggest complaint was lack of low end torque compared to the 4.6l and we told him and told him to get something else. THAT'S why I posted snarkily....
I'm not trying to help him. I'm trying to convince him to get rid of the thing and get a V8 something..

 

[mybabydaddy]

S mode....

I guess after owning 3 different 4Runners in TX, I’ve never really felt these were slow. When I need to do something drastic, one of two things happens... I either slam the shifter into S mode and bang down another gear or two... or I literally hit the gas pedal so hard i hear it hit the floor... at which time, the Runner comes screaming to life (for an SUV mind you) and I do what I need to do. I’ve done this probably about 10 times through owning all three 4Runners. Then again, maybe I’m just old, and have changed my driving habits...

Cars (I’m assuming) are just like motorcycles... they can each come off the assembly line a little bit different. I’ve owned 600cc bikes that with a little bit of tinkering were as fast as (slow) 1000cc bikes. I’ve owned a 1000cc that seemed slower than most others. Couldn’t explain why... we always just chalked it up to the “no two bikes comes off the assembly-line exactly the same” theory.

...maybe OP just got a “lemon” of an engine.

 

[blackie2]

Another Texan here and all I can say after driving 42 years in the heat is that there isn't a car or truck built that doesn't lose some power when you turn on the AC. Fact of life so you just have to learn to deal with it. It's not exclusive to 4Runners.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

My 4 liter 270hp SR5 is the cat's meow for me.

Plenty of power:
1. I never try to pass someone doing 75 mph.
2. I never drive 75 mph.
3. I rarely drive 70mph.
4. Off road it will climb most anything - it has 10 forward gears!
5. I can load it until it's full to the ceiling - still hauls fine.
6. On a four day trip (475 miles) twice over the Sierra Nevada; down the Feather River Canyon; town driving in Paradise area; then a day in Yuba City area (90 degrees); then up to Nevada City and around the area; back over the Sierra Nevada to Fernley. It pulled just fine and got 20.3 mpg!

Best 4x4 I ever owned! Except the old Land Rovers were a bit better at bashing through brush and rocks due to a bit better clearance and metal where the T4R has too much plastic.

 

[Monkeymenno]

I'm just curious. Not enough zip compared to what? It's a 4500 pound, body on frame, V6 sport utility. It's been designed for a purpose and performs almost everything else with ease.

That said, change your air filter. Get some rims that weigh less than 25lbs. Get some tires that are an inch smaller than stock. Jack your tire pressure to 60psi. Rip out all the interior. Re-gear your diffs. You have no trouble modding your truck by putting on big tires, you made a mod that is notorious for making vehicles feel sluggish, don't finish the mod by regearing, and then complain about how sluggish it feels when it gets hot? Wow.

I have driven mine through the mountains on a 100 degree day with my wife and 3 kids and all the related cap 4 women bring along. Not to mention a full roof rack. No issues. Not even a hiccup. Never wished for anything more than what I had. The problem isn't the 4runner. Realistic expectations are the name of the game.

 

[Taco04]

If you think the Runner is slow go hop into a 1st gen DC Taco 4x4 or even better yet an 80 or 60 series LC! After driving any of these you will swear the Runner is a crotch rocket! I am more than happy with my Runner even armored up and loaded down it does its job perfectly in my opinion...