SportRunner
New member
I didn't say they did......"dropped the 5.6 liter Titan/Armada engine in the Pathfinder".......dropped as in put inside the engine bay in '08......
Kudos To Toyota For Giving the V8 the Boot!
- Thread starter elemint
- Start date
I didn't say they did......"dropped the 5.6 liter Titan/Armada engine in the Pathfinder".......dropped as in put inside the engine bay in '08......
I'm surprised that they decided to remove the V8 as an option. Certainly scale back production on them and make the majority as V6, but don't drop it completely. I have to believe there are people out there that want the towing capacity and don't want a Sequoia, Tundra, or Lexus GX. Sequoia and Lexus GX are nice SUV's, but they're a LOT more expensive than 4Runner.
Uneek
Super Moderator
This is quite hilarious. There were plenty of V6/V8 debates for the 4th gen where that were the choices. Now we are debating V6 and V8 that's non-existant (or as of now) in the 5th gen.
It is strange that Toyota grew the 5th gen, but yet downsized the engine choices. To me, either way, the 5th gen 4Runner lost performance by not offereing a V8. What Toyota should've done is make the V8 available as a special order much like the '08 GS430.
This isn't the first time Toyota's generation change left performance to be desired. The 3rd gen GS is also odd. For quite sometime the V6's performance is similar to the V8. Then when the V8 got updated, it got a measily power increase over the V6.
It is strange that Toyota grew the 5th gen, but yet downsized the engine choices. To me, either way, the 5th gen 4Runner lost performance by not offereing a V8. What Toyota should've done is make the V8 available as a special order much like the '08 GS430.
This isn't the first time Toyota's generation change left performance to be desired. The 3rd gen GS is also odd. For quite sometime the V6's performance is similar to the V8. Then when the V8 got updated, it got a measily power increase over the V6.
Dark Runner
New member
kudos to the guy who started this thread. You're a brave one. Though i agree with you, I have different reasons. It is absolutely pointless to put a V8 in the 4runner. Toyota's V6's make more than enough power to do what needs to be done in a 4runner. If you want a Toyota for towing, buy a Tundra or Sequoia. BUT...... The 1UZ-FE (not the 2UZ) is by far the best motor Toyota ever made. Actually it has won awards for being one of the best motors ever made...EVER
gm350reratliff
New member
LOL! This is a touchy subject on here. I see it two ways:
I currently own a '08 SR5 4x4 V6. That V6 does every thing I want it to do. I like the fact that I have 2wd and 4wd. It can tow my boat well enough. If I need to tow heavier then I use either my silverado or a choice of different trucks at my shop all the way up to a semi tractor-trailer. MPG was and still is a concern for me.
There are other companies making midsize suvs that have a V8 option so one would think that toyota would still want to compete with that.
I believe toyota is phasing out the 4.7. That being said, we may see the 4.6 in the future. The only thing that might get in the way would be space, as in that 4.6 is a wide motor.
I currently own a '08 SR5 4x4 V6. That V6 does every thing I want it to do. I like the fact that I have 2wd and 4wd. It can tow my boat well enough. If I need to tow heavier then I use either my silverado or a choice of different trucks at my shop all the way up to a semi tractor-trailer. MPG was and still is a concern for me.
There are other companies making midsize suvs that have a V8 option so one would think that toyota would still want to compete with that.
I believe toyota is phasing out the 4.7. That being said, we may see the 4.6 in the future. The only thing that might get in the way would be space, as in that 4.6 is a wide motor.
? If it fits in the GX 460, which is built on the same frame as the 4Runner, why would it not fit in the 2010 4Runner?
T
ToyTech99
Guest
Yeah, I really don't think it's a fitment issue. The 4Runner's engine bay should easily be able to accomodate that V8. It's more likely a matter of demand. As much as the V8 guys here seem to prefer the V8 over the V6, that's just not the case in the real world where the majority of buyers prefer the V6. No company can satisfy all of the people all of the time, so they have to do their best to satisfy the majority by offering what they want.
snap315
New member
Toyota 4Runner is not a Performance vehicle
The fact is the 4Runner is not, and has never been a true "performance" vehicle.
It does okay for mild off and onroad stuff but it doesn't excel at either. The FJ has far better offroad performance than the current stock 4Runner. And onroad performance just isn't one of the 4Runner strengths either.
I think Toyota briefly had aspirations of competing with some of the true performance SUVs out there but just gave up. The 4Runner wasn't tuned and test for onroad handling on the Nurburg ring like the Cayenne, or the MDX, or the Range Rover, or the X5.
I think Toyota finally gave up this hopeless pursuit and realized the 4Runner will never match theses other vehicles.
There are only a couple of SUVs that can truly claim great on and off road performance; Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne. This is partly due to their adjustable ride height and design. They can be lowered for better on road handling and then raised for better off road clearance. The upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee will also offer this ability but we'll have to see how it actually handles.
The fact is the 4Runner is not, and has never been a true "performance" vehicle.
It does okay for mild off and onroad stuff but it doesn't excel at either. The FJ has far better offroad performance than the current stock 4Runner. And onroad performance just isn't one of the 4Runner strengths either.
I think Toyota briefly had aspirations of competing with some of the true performance SUVs out there but just gave up. The 4Runner wasn't tuned and test for onroad handling on the Nurburg ring like the Cayenne, or the MDX, or the Range Rover, or the X5.
I think Toyota finally gave up this hopeless pursuit and realized the 4Runner will never match theses other vehicles.
There are only a couple of SUVs that can truly claim great on and off road performance; Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne. This is partly due to their adjustable ride height and design. They can be lowered for better on road handling and then raised for better off road clearance. The upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee will also offer this ability but we'll have to see how it actually handles.
T
ToyTech99
Guest
What do you mean when you say that Toyota "finally gave up"? I don't think they ever intended the 4Runner to be a performance vehicle at all, not in the least. It has always been marketed as a vehicle at home on the street or the trails. Just one look at their 4Runner brochures should tell you that. Are you suggesting that the V8 engine option was Toyota's attempt to compete with other SUVs that are considered street machines, like the X5 or the MDX? Come on, you can't be serious!
BTW, while it is true that the Range Rover and the Cayenne have decent offroad abilities, for the most part they both suck because they come with street oriented tires. Just search YouTube for some funny videos of a Range Rover that is practically stuck on a wet field with maybe 1/2 inch of mud. Or the same type of situation where one of those vehicles is stuck in an inch or two of snow. Sure, they are capable, but the street tires they come with are made for onroad performance only. Until we see Toyota put high performance summer tires on the 4Runner, I think it is safe to say that Toyota isn't considering the 4Runner a competitor for any of the vehicles you mentioned.
snap315
New member
Yeah, I've seen the vids of stuck Range Rovers... They are pretty funny. Most of their offroad problems are due to tires.
And by "performance", I meant both off and on road. Remember when the lastest generation of the JGC came out. They showed off and touted it's acceleration with the Hemi engine, even showing it could beat some cars (Audi 3.0 TT among others, I believe). I think Toyota hoped to capture some of that same market. I remember some of the initial 4th Gen 4Runner commericals showing it tearing along a dirt or gravel path as well as paved streets at high speed. Those were clearly designed to impress upon us, the ability of the SUV to handle those situations.
http://www.toyotareference.com/4runner#4R
T
ToyTech99
Guest
Yeah, I think the HEMI engine in the Jeep is overrated. Sure, it's powerful, but the acceleration numbers don't really back up the HP/TQ numbers, probably because it's a heavy pig. I was browsing a Jeep Commander forum the other day (don't ask, lol) and I came across a thread where Commander HEMI owners ran at a local drag strip. Most of them seemed to running in the 16 second range, which is not really that impressive if you ask me. I'm pretty sure a V8 4Runner could give a HEMI Commander a good run. Just for the record, I think drag racing SUVs is silly, but the point I'm trying to make is that the HEMI engine in a Jeep is anything but fast, unless it's the SRT Grand Cherokee. And even then it's silly if you ask me, although that is one Jeep that is certainly considered a performance oriented street machine.
Thai
Elite Member
How different is that with the 4runner?? Stock tires on the 4runner are far from being trail ready...nor even on-road ready for that matter!
Thai
Elite Member
Well, Commander is a fullsize SUV i believe....
yeah, the 4.7L was one of the most gutless engines i've ever seen toyota shoehorn into a vehicle family. only the 4runner variant was adequately powerful. the land cruiser and seqoia engines were anchors. the massive price premium was also absurd, given that the 4.0L taco and fj cruiser engine is so good.
i guess it'd be good for towing, but i'd get a full size pickup for that.
i guess it'd be good for towing, but i'd get a full size pickup for that.
It wasnt the engine, but the much larger size of those vehicles that impacted their performance.
Thai
Elite Member
Well, despite the "anemic" output of the 4.7L V8, the TLC/LX were no slower than your 3rd gen 4runner...in fact, i believe that the TLC and LX could beat 3rd gen 4runner in a race. Not that it is important, but the 4.7L V8 was more than adequate to move the TLC/LX. Sure, it is not bling bling fast like the Caddy Escalades, but that was not the point with the TLC/LX. The engine was good in that it provided low-end torque and was smooth/quiet, which i think are the most important aspect of a truck engine.
T
ToyTech99
Guest
How different is that with the 4runner?? Stock tires on the 4runner are far from being trail ready...nor even on-road ready for that matter!
As I explained earlier, those vehicles usually come with summer tires, similar to tires you'd see on a sports car. Even the Dunflops that come on Sport Editions will not perform like this:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ShJZnH3flQ&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ShJZnH3flQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
T
ToyTech99
Guest
No, the Commander is the same size as the 4th gen 4Runner. I believe it is within an inch in length and width, virtually the same size.
T
ToyTech99
Guest
This Land Rover looks like it could benefit from a new set of tires in place of it's ultra-high performance summer tread, LOL:
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xHvo49JEy1c&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xHvo49JEy1c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xHvo49JEy1c&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xHvo49JEy1c&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
eskimochaos
Banned
Have you ever driven a LC or LX? You'd be quite surprise how quick they are especially up to 60 at around 8 seconds. The massive amounts of low end torque make up for "low" hp ratings. It can accelerate quite nicely under the 2k mark.
The LC was never built for speed.
Oh year, the 4banger in the 4runner is the most anemic car Toyota has ever produced.
