Need more power for towing

[VoodooTitan]

:der: a little sensitive today..

I have an '05 sr5 v8 runner.. So quit bein so dam sensitive. There's no good reason why they aren't offering a v8 in gen 5 ..

I had a new '13 jeep Srt8 and it ran flawless for the 20k miles I had it. I sold it because it was too nice for DD and didn't have ground clearance for off roading.

Toyota failed to improve the drivetrain along with the rest of the truck.. Period.

I think the upgrades they made are a nice welcome. The older models had a very outdated user interface. Nobody on this forum is on the Toyota design team so we can't speak as to why they didn't come out with the V8. The speculation is that Toyota offers a V8 option, in the form of a pickup truck. There's also the consideration of this HUGE politically driven ECO-B.S. and insane fuel prices that are driving the production market. We can argue all day about the why and why not. Fact of the matter is we'll never know unless someone on the design team tells us why.

You seem to be rather well off if you were able to buy an SRT8 GC and turn around and get rid of it for something else. If the 4Runner doesn't satisfy your needs then you might need to get rid of it for something else, as you did with the STR8.

You can get an oversized double cab Toyota Tundra that will tow whatever you want or you can opt for the Land Cruiser as mentioned above. Or you can go in a completely different direction. The Durango Hemi-V8 is pretty nice...

 

[1engineer]

:der: a little sensitive today..

I have an '05 sr5 v8 runner.. So quit bein so dam sensitive. There's no good reason why they aren't offering a v8 in gen 5 ..

I had a new '13 jeep Srt8 and it ran flawless for the 20k miles I had it. I sold it because it was too nice for DD and didn't have ground clearance for off roading.

Toyota failed to improve the drivetrain along with the rest of the truck.. Period.

I don't call it sensitive I call it intelligent. They offer a V8 in the Lexus but again, you actually have to pay for it.

 

[jrob]

If you were using a jeep srt8 to haul a trailer around I vote you be banned from every car forum on the internet.

No one is sensitive, just responding to your bullshit whining about a perfectly good truck when it's obviously operator error coupled with unrealistic expectations from a 4 liter V6.

 

[MadeInMaine]

So I don't know much about the vehicle I own, so I was hoping someone could help me out. I know turning off overdrive is important when towing, so how do you do that on a 2014 SR5? I hear there is a lovely 'sport mode' in the TEs, but its not on the SR5. I didn't see 'Overdrive' in the manual either.

Cheers for the help

 

[Omar RVA]

So I don't know much about the vehicle I own, so I was hoping someone could help me out. I know turning off overdrive is important when towing, so how do you do that on a 2014 SR5? I hear there is a lovely 'sport mode' in the TEs, but its not on the SR5. I didn't see 'Overdrive' in the manual either.

Cheers for the help

Out of the owners manual - start at pg. 174. I think part of the confusion is calling it "sport mode."

OA

 

[Antman]

I had a new '13 jeep Srt8 and it ran flawless for the 20k miles I had it.

arty: 20K? B.F.D.

 

[donuts4]

If you were using a jeep srt8 to haul a trailer around I vote you be banned from every car forum on the internet.

No one is sensitive, just responding to your bullshit whining about a perfectly good truck when it's obviously operator error coupled with unrealistic expectations from a 4 liter V6.

Lol I'm just miffed because they had a great truck in the v8 gen4 and they chose not to continue the tradition. My expectation of the v6 isn't unrealistic but my expectation of toyota is I suppose.

I honestly can't duplicate in any other vehicle what I've found in the gen5, sadly, it happens to be underpowered in my opinion. Call me a whiney azzhole, I'm entitled to my opinion. :biggrin2:

 

[donuts4]

arty: 20K? B.F.D.

Wtf.. That's a lifetime for Jeep to not be in the shop

 

[Antman]

wtf.. That's a lifetime for jeep to not be in the shop

 

[donuts4]

I think the upgrades they made are a nice welcome. The older models had a very outdated user interface. Nobody on this forum is on the Toyota design team so we can't speak as to why they didn't come out with the V8. The speculation is that Toyota offers a V8 option, in the form of a pickup truck. There's also the consideration of this HUGE politically driven ECO-B.S. and insane fuel prices that are driving the production market. We can argue all day about the why and why not. Fact of the matter is we'll never know unless someone on the design team tells us why.

You seem to be rather well off if you were able to buy an SRT8 GC and turn around and get rid of it for something else. If the 4Runner doesn't satisfy your needs then you might need to get rid of it for something else, as you did with the STR8.

You can get an oversized double cab Toyota Tundra that will tow whatever you want or you can opt for the Land Cruiser as mentioned above. Or you can go in a completely different direction. The Durango Hemi-V8 is pretty nice...

I appreciate your response.

I loved the jeep, hence the 20k miles I put on it in a year. It shared the garage with a cts-v coupe and the driveway had the gen4 with 155k miles on it so I was just trying to thin the herd a bit. I gave the gen4 to one of employees to drive so I can trade out with her when I need to pull something I guess.

I think toyota realized that if they did offer v8 option in gen5 that it would hurt the sales of other products, especially Lexus GX. Like most posting in this thread, most who are in the market for a gen5 will be satisfied with its power train.

 

[Piggy14]

When jeep and ford are offering nearly 400 horsepower in their competing suv's Toyota has missed the common sense part of this deal. So, are the guys at jeep and ford just a bunch of meat heads for wanting that much power in their mid sized SUVs ? No. At least toyota could have offered a towing package that included gearing and tuning suited for towing 4500lbs. They missed a great opportunity.

You could easily say every manufacturer missed an opportunity in the mid-size SUV segment:

Jeep GC - No 3rd row seating
Explorer - Terrible ground clearance and no 4wd
Xterra - Low mpgs and no 3rd row seating
T4R - Low towing capacity

Correct on the horsepower (GC = 360hp; Exploder = 365), but you have to pay for it. In the GC a V8 is available in Limiteds and above ($43,000+ if 4wd is included). Explorers, the Ecoboost V6 is available only in the sport ($43,000+ w/ Awd). Compare the V6's and it's a pretty level playing field:

GC - 290hp/260
Explorer - 290hp/255
Xterra - 261hp/281
T4R - 270hp/278

Regarding towing (when adequately equipped), the T4R is right in the mix, albeit the lowest:

GC - 7200
Explorer - 5000
Xterra -5000
T4R - 4700

Each of these has a different combo of features (seating for 7, 4wd, mpgs, etc) which is ideal for a particular buyer. Each purchase comes with a sacrifice.

I willingly gave up towing capacity for ground clearance (T4R has 1" more than GC, and only slightly more than the Xterra which has the best approach and departure angles), interior cargo volume (T4R has most out of the above vehicles) and reliability (my 2011 Durango was lemon lawed).

 

[MadeInMaine]

Out of the owners manual - start at pg. 174. I think part of the confusion is calling it "sport mode."

OA

Ah, that would do it.
Thanks boss, appreciated

 

[badhabits]

There is more to vehicle design for towing than horsepower The first is stopping, then stability, and on down the list. The 4runner was designed with a towing limit in mind and the the breaks, wheelbase, engine, and other factors were set for that limit.
The available options were to keep the price point at a certain level. This means that when you add more horsepower, the stopping and stability factors then need to be taken into account. Remember that our 4Runners are midsize vehicles and towing is not the primary function. They are great vehicles but they have their limitations.

Think about this quote: "A man has got to know his limitations." (Harry Callahan)

 

[2014 Warthog]

Out of the owners manual - start at pg. 174. I think part of the confusion is calling it "sport mode."

OA

Heh that is weird. "S" mode... Seems like they must have gotten sued or a cease and desist from some other car manufacturer over the use of the likely trademarked term "Sport Shift" or "Sport Mode" which is what it would be commonly called. They avoid using the term, but keep the "S" for "Sport" nomenclature all through those pages (And on the dash).

When I first got my 2014, I just automatically pressed the shifter to the left as I was going down to D and it always went into "S" mode. I thought that was normal and didn't like how it always went to 4th gear max without up shifting by hand. Doh! After a couple days I realized what I was doing with the shifter and left it in "D" for normal driving...

 

[Omar RVA]

Heh that is weird. "S" mode... Seems like they must have gotten sued or a cease and desist from some other car manufacturer over the use of the likely trademarked term "Sport Shift" or "Sport Mode" which is what it would be commonly called. They avoid using the term, but keep the "S" for "Sport" nomenclature all through those pages (And on the dash).

When I first got my 2014, I just automatically pressed the shifter to the left as I was going down to D and it always went into "S" mode. I thought that was normal and didn't like how it always went to 4th gear max without up shifting by hand. Doh! After a couple days I realized what I was doing with the shifter and left it in "D" for normal driving...

It's either that or the fact that there's nothing "Sport" about it, maybe just "select?" Most of the vehicles I've driven with a sport-shift mode will hold the gear in place regardless of speed, unless coming to a complete stop - somewhat emulating a manual transmission (which typically implies a "sport" characteristic). The S-mode we use simply sets the highest gear the trans will shift into (plenty sufficient for what anyone needs to do with a truck), which reminds me of the older autos that would have D-3-2-L options.

OA

 

[spm]

For never towing anything, and owning it for a total of 8 days... I think Im doing all right.

But thanks for your positive comment and great attitude.

I have to agree with MadeInMaine, this is a poor way to treat a fellow member and someone new to the vehicle and the forum.

I am also a new owner and new member, and I came here looking for help, but I'm thinking I might look for another forum where the members are more supportive. There seem to be a number of people here who think quite highly of their opinions and to hell with everyone else.

spm

 

[Jeremy556]

I have to agree with MadeInMaine, this is a poor way to treat a fellow member and someone new to the vehicle and the forum.

I am also a new owner and new member, and I came here looking for help, but I'm thinking I might look for another forum where the members are more supportive. There seem to be a number of people here who think quite highly of their opinions and to hell with everyone else.

spm

Might I suggest pirate4x4.com

 

[bimrunner]

I have to agree with MadeInMaine, this is a poor way to treat a fellow member and someone new to the vehicle and the forum.

I am also a new owner and new member, and I came here looking for help, but I'm thinking I might look for another forum where the members are more supportive. There seem to be a number of people here who think quite highly of their opinions and to hell with everyone else.

spm

Or you could simply understand that this is the way forums often are, stick around, learn something, contribute where you think you might add value. You might be surprised that if you say little, read much and hear all points of view, you may just benefit... Or you can find a forum you feel is more conducive to your needs. Personally, I haven't been flamed mostly because I try and find out answers before I ask. Learning a forum culture before making big statements (especially when new), goes a long way! Sure there are always a-holes. FWIW, they are on every forum I have ever used. This one has the most information and a host of people who are happy to help each other. You just need to learn how to ask and how to be a bit humble.:beer:

 

[MadeInMaine]

Im not on this forum looking for a new BFF. Some people are nice, some are rude. Thats life. I definitely could have read the manual, probably should have. My schedule is busy and it was quicker and easier to drop a quick post. I knew I would get some one who said "read the manual" or "google it". Thats fine. I knew what I was getting into.
Im here to get info on products, experiences, testimonials, advice, and drool over guy's rigs who have time and money on their hands.

Cheers

 

[1engineer]

I have to agree with MadeInMaine, this is a poor way to treat a fellow member and someone new to the vehicle and the forum.

I am also a new owner and new member, and I came here looking for help, but I'm thinking I might look for another forum where the members are more supportive. There seem to be a number of people here who think quite highly of their opinions and to hell with everyone else.

spm

I got this [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION]. Let me explain something [MENTION=113159]spm[/MENTION]: As a new owner, what should have done the very first night? Yep, sat down and read the owner's manual. How on earth can anyone drop $40K or so on a machine and not know how it operates is beyond me. Oh wait... it's EASIER to get on the INTERNET and ask a bunch of strangers (who may or may not know jack spit) a question you already have the answer to, except its too hard to look something up right?
I personally will be happy to answer any question that is asked (provided I know the answer) to anyone, either new or an old timer, provided I think you have at least made an attempt to answer your own question first. Use google, read a manual, search these threads, I don't care but at least try on your own first. Most of us here will gladly give anyone the shirt off our backs if someone truly needs it but not if you just want it. Get my drift? Again, I am not the government and just give stuff away freely to anyone. I had to work for my knowledge and if I think you tried yourself first, then I will be the first to help. If I think you came here because it was the easiest for YOU, then you get a post like this. Countless times I have spent hours doing calculations and responding to threads and private messages. Why? Because somebody needed help and I had the knowledge to help him. Don't know him from Adam but usually they tried first themselves and I respect that.
So, get off your high horse about " being nice" and "hurt feelings" and get involved here! You could probably even help out if you read your owner's manual because if you do you will be in the minority (of new guys) that's for sure.