Need Advice regarding 04 T4R V8 sportedition FT 4WD

[Streetfighter]

What am i looking into?

Should i avoid the V8 and look for a V6?

What are the negatives and positives with the V8

Having the 4WD on full time is the downfall.

Im asking this question because im looking into purchasing a 04 SE FT 4WD v8, Read the great threads here and looks like everyone is happy with their purchase....there has to be negatives.

How do i know if this truck comes with the XREAS?

Whatever you can plug would be great...looking to purchase this vehicle by next week.

Thank you!

 

[galactic_04]

The V8 is great if you're going to tow something. Around town the V6 will have better mileage and still has plenty of power. If you're not using it for towing, I'd probably go with a V6. I have towed about 4500 with my truck and it was fine around town. Can't say I'd do it too far, but it tows just fine with that much weight.

I'll let someone else tell you about XREAS. I think there's a tube coming off the top of the front struts, but not positive on that.

 

[4RBob]

I have an '03 Sport V8. It has 180k miles and strong like bull. Only negative is cost to replace timing belt (V6 does not have one, it has timing chain) every 90k miles. Don't think gas mileage is all that different than the V6 either. It doesn't have to work as hard. Seems like the V6's owners have more blown engine issues too.

The Sport Edition always had XREAS, so as long as it was not removed, it should have XREAS. The shocks would have tubes coming out of them and then lines running along the frame rails connecting opposing shocks together.

 

[Ridger]

I'm no T4R expert yet, but here is my $.02.

Should i avoid the V8 and look for a V6?
Depends on your needs and financial situation really, the V8 is an extremely solid, tried and tested engine. No need to "avoid" it.

What are the negatives and positives with the V8

Negatives - approx 2mpg worse fuel mileage then V6, timing belt change at approx 90K miles which costs approx $400 (questionable negative really - as it is quieter then the timing chain on the V6)

Positives - Lots of low end torque and power, nice rumble, revs lower, V8 Ltd has auto-leveling rear suspension (v6 Ltd does not), standard aux tranny cooler, larger towing capacity

Having the 4WD on full time is the downfall.
Only downfall being that it probably affects the fuel mileage slightly, but you would never know it was in 4WD, until you need it and realize how nice it is to always have it on (its a positive in my area where we have snow half the year).

there has to be negatives.
No real negatives, IMO.

How do i know if this truck comes with the XREAS?
There are little steel lines attached to the top of the shocks (which you can see within the wheel wheels).

V6 verses V8 is really a personal choice that requires you to test drive both and make up your own mind. The only real downfall being a bit worse fuel mileage, and if that is no worry for you financially, then the V8 is a great choice.

 

[chaz]

:iagree:

 

[Streetfighter]

I'm no T4R expert yet, but here is my $.02.

Should i avoid the V8 and look for a V6?
Depends on your needs and financial situation really, the V8 is an extremely solid, tried and tested engine. No need to "avoid" it.

What are the negatives and positives with the V8

Negatives - approx 2mpg worse fuel mileage then V6, timing belt change at approx 90K miles which costs approx $400 (questionable negative really - as it is quieter then the timing chain on the V6)

Positives - Lots of low end torque and power, nice rumble, revs lower, V8 Ltd has auto-leveling rear suspension (v6 Ltd does not), standard aux tranny cooler, larger towing capacity

Having the 4WD on full time is the downfall.
Only downfall being that it probably affects the fuel mileage slightly, but you would never know it was in 4WD, until you need it and realize how nice it is to always have it on (its a positive in my area where we have snow half the year).

there has to be negatives.
No real negatives, IMO.

How do i know if this truck comes with the XREAS?
There are little steel lines attached to the top of the shocks (which you can see within the wheel wheels).

V6 verses V8 is really a personal choice that requires you to test drive both and make up your own mind. The only real downfall being a bit worse fuel mileage, and if that is no worry for you financially, then the V8 is a great choice.

Phenomenal,

Yes i found a few threads on how the XREAS was replaced by bilsteins by many owners.

Regarding Timing belt, is there anyway to know if it has been replaced if the truck as over 100k miles? especially when the owner has no idea...

I am currently looking for threads regarding Timing belt replacement....

Thanks fellas for the excellent feedback! this Forum is amazing with the info!

 

[galactic_04]

I just couldn't get the hype of the V8. I drove one back to back when looking and it just didn't blow me away like people hype it up to. It's a 20HP and 40Ft/Lb. Difference. Honestly, I just wasn't blown away by the power difference... it'd be nice for towing, but 40ft.lbs at 3400rpm just didn't do it for me on the road... maybe with a trailer behind me it'd be different. I think it was the fact that it's 3400rpm torque hit was belittled by a 1000rpm lower redline... I just couldn't feel a huge difference on the road.

Having a diesel jetta pushing 271Ft.Lbs at 1800 RPM before maybe my expectations were just too high on having lower RPM grunt.

 

[hgill]

I'm no T4R expert yet, but here is my $.02.

Should i avoid the V8 and look for a V6?
Depends on your needs and financial situation really, the V8 is an extremely solid, tried and tested engine. No need to "avoid" it.

What are the negatives and positives with the V8

Negatives - approx 2mpg worse fuel mileage then V6, timing belt change at approx 90K miles which costs approx $400 (questionable negative really - as it is quieter then the timing chain on the V6)

Positives - Lots of low end torque and power, nice rumble, revs lower, V8 Ltd has auto-leveling rear suspension (v6 Ltd does not), standard aux tranny cooler, larger towing capacity

Having the 4WD on full time is the downfall.
Only downfall being that it probably affects the fuel mileage slightly, but you would never know it was in 4WD, until you need it and realize how nice it is to always have it on (its a positive in my area where we have snow half the year).

there has to be negatives.
No real negatives, IMO.

How do i know if this truck comes with the XREAS?
There are little steel lines attached to the top of the shocks (which you can see within the wheel wheels).

V6 verses V8 is really a personal choice that requires you to test drive both and make up your own mind. The only real downfall being a bit worse fuel mileage, and if that is no worry for you financially, then the V8 is a great choice.

Agreed and thank you. I think u may have just caused me to look at a V8 as well as for me the pros far outweigh the minor cons.

 

[gptoy96]

Having the 4WD on full time is the downfall.
Only downfall being that it probably affects the fuel mileage slightly, but you would never know it was in 4WD, until you need it and realize how nice it is to always have it on (its a positive in my area where we have snow half the year).

Originally Posted by Streetfighter:
Regarding Timing belt, is there anyway to know if it has been replaced if the truck as over 100k miles? especially when the owner has no idea...

Ridger has good points, I have a couple quick comments/additions.

The v6 can be put in 4wd also, without the center diff locked can be driven all the time also. Nice thing about the v6 is you have the option of 2wd where the v8 you don't. Then again everything Ridger says is true, the mileage penalty is not much at all, and the power is good to have. As I also live in an area with a long winter so the piece of mind of knowing it's always ready for me is worth the small amount of extra gas for me.

And Streetfighter, there should be a sticker on the front of the motor somewhere stating the date and mileage the timing belt was changed if it has been.

Overall many people have gone through the v6/v8 options when buying, you don't hear anyone regretting the v8 after.

 

[Streetfighter]

And Streetfighter, there should be a sticker on the front of the motor somewhere stating the date and mileage the timing belt was changed if it has been.

Overall many people have gone through the v6/v8 options when buying, you don't hear anyone regretting the v8 after.

Excellent! Thank you!

 

[Ridger]

Yes i found a few threads on how the XREAS was replaced by bilsteins by many owners.

I believe most of the owners changing out the X-REAS are doing it for lifting purposes avoiding the headache of worrying about damaging the lines or loosing any oil from the system...etc. Although there are many also that have changed out the system because it started to leak and the cost of replacing X-REAS is not worth it. Will be the same for me if mine ever starts leaking (68,500 mi and still good - knock on wood).