Schargedtaco
New member
Hey everyone. I’ve been driving a 2004 v6 4x4 sr5 with 245k miles for about a year now. The power coming from my 1997 3.4 is amazing. I regularly tow camp trailers ranging from 1000 pounds to about 4500 pounds on weekly basis I was actually in the market for a v8 4Runner when I came across this v6 for a steal. Ive been driving it 20k this year and havent dropped a penny in it. This last year I had my eye out for another v8 to Persue what I had set out for. I came across a 2004 sport edition v8 200k awd. After dumping more money than it was worth into timing belt and routine maintenance before even registering it I have to say I’m feeling like the change was pointless and costly.
I have always had fast cars including a Nissan 240 sr20det turbo, 1999 Tacoma supercharged with bigger injectors, electric fan/pulley etc and recent 2007 Acura TL type s.
The v6 in this 4Runner was no corvette but it completely satisfied my need for speed on top end the way it revs I could be doing 90-100 mph on the freeway and not even resize how fast I was going, that is with a load warrior rack. The v8 im well aware of my speed.
The v6 feels much lighter/nimbler and Feels easier to drive and maneuver agressively if desired. The v8 feels torquey off the bottom but the v8 Just feels slower kinda falls flat on its face in topend as the speed and gears increase. The v6 Just loves to rev. It’s like comparing a Honda with vtech vs no vtech is the best way to describe it.
I have raced my neibors accord on two separate occasions and what confirmed my thinking was taking him in my v6 holding ahead and pulling and then loosing by 1 car length with him pulling away several weeks later in the v8.
With the v6 weighing less, more hp and the engine just loving to rev I’m shocked the v6 has always been so frowned upon in comparison and there’s so much hype on the v8 for those who dont tow much or real heavy loads.
I have noticed while towing anything under about 3500 pounds the v6 tows exactly the same no need for v8. As the weight starts getting over 4K the v8 does gear hunt less and is better suited. I have tested both 4runners merging int traffic around 40 mph and punching it and the v6 just plain Rips and has so much topend pull vs the v8 seemingly as fast as my old 3.4 supercharged taco which was had alot of money poored in it.
The 04 had a 4 speed tranny as well and I believe the v6 only made allitle more hp thsn v8. I wouldnt be suprised based on seat of the pants feel if you thew them on a dyno the v6 wheel hp would be much higher due to weight and awd power loss.
One thing I have grown to love is my v8 growl with magnaflow exhaust. But I hardly think at this point it was a wise decision buying a v8 that takes more fuel, needs a timing belt and more maintinence happy, feels heavier and dousnt have topend punch was worth the change. For anyone debating the decision take note from someone who has had both and tows a lot the v6 is a much better choice from about every standpoint other than heavy towing near 4K or more a few times a year and v8 badge bragging rights.
I have always had fast cars including a Nissan 240 sr20det turbo, 1999 Tacoma supercharged with bigger injectors, electric fan/pulley etc and recent 2007 Acura TL type s.
The v6 in this 4Runner was no corvette but it completely satisfied my need for speed on top end the way it revs I could be doing 90-100 mph on the freeway and not even resize how fast I was going, that is with a load warrior rack. The v8 im well aware of my speed.
The v6 feels much lighter/nimbler and Feels easier to drive and maneuver agressively if desired. The v8 feels torquey off the bottom but the v8 Just feels slower kinda falls flat on its face in topend as the speed and gears increase. The v6 Just loves to rev. It’s like comparing a Honda with vtech vs no vtech is the best way to describe it.
I have raced my neibors accord on two separate occasions and what confirmed my thinking was taking him in my v6 holding ahead and pulling and then loosing by 1 car length with him pulling away several weeks later in the v8.
With the v6 weighing less, more hp and the engine just loving to rev I’m shocked the v6 has always been so frowned upon in comparison and there’s so much hype on the v8 for those who dont tow much or real heavy loads.
I have noticed while towing anything under about 3500 pounds the v6 tows exactly the same no need for v8. As the weight starts getting over 4K the v8 does gear hunt less and is better suited. I have tested both 4runners merging int traffic around 40 mph and punching it and the v6 just plain Rips and has so much topend pull vs the v8 seemingly as fast as my old 3.4 supercharged taco which was had alot of money poored in it.
The 04 had a 4 speed tranny as well and I believe the v6 only made allitle more hp thsn v8. I wouldnt be suprised based on seat of the pants feel if you thew them on a dyno the v6 wheel hp would be much higher due to weight and awd power loss.
One thing I have grown to love is my v8 growl with magnaflow exhaust. But I hardly think at this point it was a wise decision buying a v8 that takes more fuel, needs a timing belt and more maintinence happy, feels heavier and dousnt have topend punch was worth the change. For anyone debating the decision take note from someone who has had both and tows a lot the v6 is a much better choice from about every standpoint other than heavy towing near 4K or more a few times a year and v8 badge bragging rights.
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