I'm givin her all she's got Captin!!!

[03_4x4Runner]

The 4Runner has lots of power. And there's not much you can do to improve that. It's designed for fuel efficiency, not racing up grades trying to outrun sedans that weigh half as much or full size pickups with 350 hp V8s.

Yesterday I was returning from Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. I was climbing a long steady grade from about 6000 feet to 7500 feet on highway 89 south of Bryce. Driving my 1995 Jeep GC with the classic 5.2L V8 and plenty of power at around 65 or 70 mph I was loaded with a weeks worth of hiking and camera gear, being closely followed by a white Toyota pulling a trailer of toys (2 jet skis as I recall). I did not want a Toyota Tacoma or whatever passing me on level ground and then following him as he climbed grades so I kept the petal to the metal, while trying to keep within the speed limit. Finally, at Long Valley Junction I turned off at highway 14 to go over Cedar Breaks into Cedar City. It was then that I realized I was being followed closely by a Toyota 4Runner pulling a small cargo trailer.

The T4R has plenty of power. I was glad to see this for myself. I get my 4Runner in a few weeks.

What you did not see was that 4runner turning 5000 rpm in second gear for miles trying to keep up with you. It will make it but it will not be pretty.

 

[flyboysgt]

The 4Runner is slow as shit. Always has been. Always will be. 10 sec 0-60 on YouTube by several sources. Now that TRD is out of the picture, all hopes rest on URD to get us a supercharger... Just to make this thing normal.

Check out urdusa.com... They have headers, and a pretty sweet spec u exhaust system for our application. Won't be making big dents in that 0-60, but They have some products worth taking a look at.

Oh man I wish URD would/could! I actually had just checked their site for stuff before reading this.

 

[wanderMT]

Have just under 1k miles on mine - went for Sunday drive yesterday thru foothills at Interstate speeds 75. I was surprised at how it sounds/seems to be working hard, but give it some gas and picks right up to 95. Contrast with my Equator (same as Frontier if unfamiliar with the bastard), which is almost the same as far as HP, torque, 4.0L, 5sp auto, 4x4, weight, size, etc., the Equator sounds completely different and will hold a gear quite a bit longer (it is actually higher geared (3.3) than the 4Runner). Think the biggest difference is the sound (shift points obviously different but acceleration/power very similar) and I'm just not used to it yet. The 4Runnner is pretty stiff and know it take quite a few thousand miles before it will purrrr.

 

[gman123]

I am thinking the best you can get now is CAI and exhaust.

I notice the best performance on Chevron gas.
The 4Runner is not the fastest vehicle that I have owned, but could not be happier with it. Came from mostly V8s prior.

 

[jasonv]

Did you not test drive it?

of course he did, that's how he knows its slow!

I guess he could have bought that other, mid size body on frame suv that has tons of power and pick up.

 

[wfo9]

You guys need to put some gears in it (makes a world of difference). Although, it does hurt MPG quite a bit.

It is geared way to low for the powerband of the motor. The dual VVTI needs more RPM to make TQ... That, plus the throttle programming is a real disaster.

As far as I'm concerned, Toyota really screwed up the drivability of this particular generation. 4th gen with less power felt much better.

 

[ComradeVlad]

This topic we all know to share and love. We all agree it should have a little more up and go for a heavy animal that it is.

The SC dream for us is a long ways away or nonexistent at this point we do not know, it's just a waiting game.

Personally, all I have is a Magnaflow Catback Exhaust and that has made absolutely no difference than just a different sound out the tail pipe. Now, I do plan on adding some JBA Long Tube Headers & a TRD CAI. Will it do anything probably something to my butt dyno, and change the sound a little more to my liking. More noise = More Power!!! RiceBurners have been doing it for years.

Now, in actuality I'm going to be attempting to build a T3 Turbo setup on my 4R. Have not worked out all the specifics, but I'll be updating as the process starts and goes on on my build thread.

 

[spooln30]

I don't think my 12 Limited is slow at all. I can clock 0-60 around 7.5 seconds and it keeps up with my uncles Hemi Durango which has almost 60 more hp but weighs a bit more . I can feel when the VVTI kicks in and the increase in power the system gives. I know these engines can handle some boost and it would be nice if they do release the trd blower. Also would be nice if the SC gave at least 100 hp increase. Not sure why the FJ trd unit won't work on the 4runners I thought they were the same engines?

 

[philsey]

I'll tell you who has to "learn" a driving technique: YOU, not the 4R. Anyone that thinks the ECU is capable of this is going to have to cite a credible source in order for me to buy this. Until then, I call BS, and glad to be corrected.

It is drive-by-wire with the ECU programmed for early upshifts and late downshifts, and will do exactly this unless you DEMAND more.

The ECU responds to the speed and distance with which you depress the accelerator. If you ease it down (say) one inch, the ecu will ease you ahead, as you requested (likely not downshifting). If you quickly do this, the ecu will respond in kind (downshifting). When I tromp it (say, passing on a 2 lane) I am always impressed with how much performance this thing gives.

I have a sedate driving style, and have no issues with the 4R's response. I have however, learned how to manage the ecu by the speed and distance with which I use the accelerator. This thing will go like stink, all you have to do is learn how. Don't wait for it to learn you.

The cruise control however, does suck.

 

[afalex1]

I also noticed this also coming from an FJ but quickly realized that this weighs quite a bit more especially since I have the third row. I added a K&N intake and Magnaflow exhaust which helped but it is an SUV and if I want to drive something faster I ride my Harley.

This made me laugh! He said Harley and fast in the same sentence.

 

[Jetboy]

It's a free revving motor. Let it rev. I go up a canyon from 4 to 7000ft regularly. Just took a trip to sun valley. I had no problems on any pass at 80. I've yet to ever have the 4runner actually run or of power. It does drop to 3rd once in a while. And I think it should have 4.10 gears stock and the 6 speed. But in my opinion it has plenty of power if you let it do what is designed to do. It's not unlike our 01 suburban with a 5.3. That would rev to the moon on the same hills.

 

[aweaver65]

What year was your FJ? If it was 07-09 I totally get where you're coming from. In 2010 when the Dual VVTI engine came out the ECU has throttle response with economy driving in mind.

I've gotten used to it but it was definitely noticeable coming from my '08 FJC.

TOTALLY agree! I had an '08 FJ and a '12. I loved driving the '08 so much that I missed it and went back to the '12 thinking "This will be even better"....

NOPE.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I'll tell you who has to "learn" a driving technique: YOU, not the 4R. Anyone that thinks the ECU is capable of this is going to have to cite a credible source in order for me to buy this. Until then, I call BS, and glad to be corrected.

It is drive-by-wire with the ECU programmed for early upshifts and late downshifts, and will do exactly this unless you DEMAND more.

The ECU responds to the speed and distance with which you depress the accelerator. If you ease it down (say) one inch, the ecu will ease you ahead, as you requested (likely not downshifting). If you quickly do this, the ecu will respond in kind (downshifting). When I tromp it (say, passing on a 2 lane) I am always impressed with how much performance this thing gives.

I have a sedate driving style, and have no issues with the 4R's response. I have however, learned how to manage the ecu by the speed and distance with which I use the accelerator. This thing will go like stink, all you have to do is learn how. Don't wait for it to learn you.

The cruise control however, does suck.

As I stated it would be ok in a flatter state like yours. In the mountains is where I have problems. One time on my trip at about 9000 ft. I needed to merge into traffic starting at about 15 mph going up a hill. I floored the gas quickly and nothing happened. It would not downshift to 1st at all and just kind of bogged out with zero acceleration. There is not time to manually go to 1st gear in these situations. Kind of scary. I run the sport mode all the time.

 

[Yotta]

Ok I realize this is a big SUV but man this thing feels slow compared to my FJ.

Rev her.

Once you get the rpms to 4-5,000 you'll be amazed how sprightly it becomes

Oh, and if you want power on demand you'll have to manually shift instead of stomping on the pedal and praying for the ECU to recognize your intentions.

 

[Jernik]

Rev her.

Once you get the rpms to 4-5,000 you'll be amazed how sprightly it becomes

Oh, and if you want power on demand you'll have to manually shift instead of stomping on the pedal and praying for the ECU to recognize your intentions.

This. The 4Runner is pretty lazy... I find it's not anxious to rev up from the regular drive mode in any situation. You have to use the manual shift option and kick it in the ass to get it moving. But once you finally get it to wake up, it's not too bad for what it is. However, it quickly goes back to sleep if you let it.

 

[Watchdogg]

Merging onto the highway you just have to put the pedal to the floor, just make sure your back window is up or you'll stink yourself out. Man does that exhaust stink.

 

[Lolrax]

The SC dream for us is a long ways away or nonexistent at this point we do not know, it's just a waiting game.

It isn't coming. They announced the death of the program over a week ago. The 5th gen will forever be slow balls:

Toyota Discontinues TRD Supercharger Program

 

[Peyto]

Merging onto the highway you just have to put the pedal to the floor, just make sure your back window is up or you'll stink yourself out. Man does that exhaust stink.

The skinny pedal has all the answers. I live in an area that certainly doesn't lack mountains, and the best way to leave no ambiguity about your intentions to the ECU is to mash that pedal down. It was annoying to do at first but is now just second nature.

Regarding the exhaust stink, read this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/87269-side-exit-exhaust.html

 

[WTERUNNER]

Ok, drove her today in "sport" mode, better but still sluggish. Probably going to add a TRD intake and exhaust to wake it up a bit. Toyota really went conservative with the ECU programming in the 4Runner. Shame cause the truck has power, it's just the throttle response sucks.

 

[Bevo]

Ok, drove her today in "sport" mode, better but still sluggish. Probably going to add a TRD intake and exhaust to wake it up a bit. Toyota really went conservative with the ECU programming in the 4Runner. Shame cause the truck has power, it's just the throttle response sucks.

If you think that a louder vehicle is a more powerful one, then by all means add the intake and exhaust. You will get minimal gains at best with those mods.