New 4R 4x4... V6 or V8

[tenguns]

Working hard to pull the trigger this week on an 08 or 09 Limited 4R. Looks like the 09's aren't really out yet and getting impatient. Real close to tracking down an 08 in shadow mica, black or the dark gray (matilic or galictica - i can't remember). Anyway - looking for threads on "v8 or V6" and get thread search errors. Probably user errors, phat fingerin' it... but they aren't coming up.

My intent is to build it out over the next couple years or less $$ pending.
++ Winch bumper - not sure which one yet - probably ARB or custom to lighten
++ Sliders
++ King RR or SwayAway coilovers...
++ TC mid travel or 2" long travel kit...
++ Real suspension lift in the back (no spacers)
++ Potential air assist out back like I put on my 96 if it makes sense for extra carry capacity
++And - based on old school thinkin - the tallest skinniest tires I can fit
++Probably a spare tire / hijacker carrier and lighting systems (plural)

I'm not towing often or if ever - very little but will be carrying a load. Just building a very capable 4R crawler... that can get me and my gear into the backcountry and back.

So - can someone point me to the links or give me the search criteria to find the articles on v8 vs v6 concerns for that application? Or just give me thier 2c short hand on what they'd do. I got one vote for the V6. Hear the V8s are quieter but what else should I consider. Assuming a little gas gain with the 6banger but maybe not with the taller tires, bumper, etc...

Know there's some considerations - for carrying load, fuel economy vs weight, quietness of the engine, full time 4x vs the 6c....

Any thoughts on which one to get ... or links to relevant old posts appreciated...

 

[DETarch]

Keep in mind that the V8 needs a timing belt at 90K miles.

That being said, I wasn't seeking a V8 when I bought mine, but a good deal came up and I took it. I'm very happy with it and I don't put enough miles on it to be seriously affected by the mileage difference. It's smooth and the torque is nice. Plus you can't beat the sound of a V8

I don't think you'll be dissatisfied with either choice.

 

[chaz]

6 or 8

im pretty sure the 6 & 8 are rated the same for mpg, i know my 06 is. ive always found that it depends alot on how a person drives (lead foot, up/down alot on pedal, etc.) 2 things i can tell you is ive got an 08 highlander w/v6 , & my 06 runner is an 8, even though theyre 2 different vec. the runner seems to be better on gas than the highlander. i do have some mods but even without them the combination of the v8 & fulltime 4wheel drive is great, i also test drove both engines in the runner before buying it. considering the mods you have lined up, heres my 2c- my last vec. was a built up jeep for wheeling , so many mods, but the one thing i really wished i did to it, yup, install a V8.

 

[budenski]

I have the v8 and my buddy has an 03 v6. He floors it all the time and it's plenty fast. This is with the older 4-speed tranny and prior to the 35? hp boost. One thing I do like about my v8 is that it has the transmission cooler and the v6 models do not.

And for the v8 'sound,' I don't know about y'all but my 1.8t volkswagen had a more masculine sound than my runner! I want to get an intake just to be able hear my motor. Compared to my roommates' v8 cherokee and tahoe, my 4runner sounds like a prius.

I say unless you really need the v8, stick with the v6 as it is plenty capable for daily use. I don't use my 2wd 4runner for offroading so I can't comment on the 4wd aspect of the cars.

 

[ABooker]

It all depends on what you want to do with it. I don't tow so I don't need the V8. The V6 is easier to maintain and work on as far as the engine goes. It does get a few MPG's better than the V8, especially in the city. Yes...no timing belt to deal with. Yea...the V8 does sound better if you modify the mufflers. As far as get up and go, the V6 actually has more HP than the V8. I think it kicks a%$! But....to each their own.
You have to pick what YOU want.
Good luck and enjoy. They both are great engines.

 

[Forenaftrunner]

As far as get up and go, the V6 actually has more HP than the V8.

I believe this was true when the 4th generation was first introduced, but the V8 was changed a few years ago and now makes more HP than the V6.

 

[Barefoot]

Torque is what you feel when you step on the go pedal.

The V8 has more torque.

 

[tenguns]

I hear the 09's vs the 08's have a new electronic diff lockup system - so maybe that's a consideration for my selection. Has anyone heard of the 09 changes to the rear pumkin lockup?

I'll need to get in the backcountry as quietly as possible (wildlife photographer - etc) so I'm looking to keep as quiet as possible too. Hear the engine noise is more on the aluminum blocked (v6) but more throaty growl on the v8. Any comments?

 

[snhrph]

Both engines are more than capable. My 4Runner has a V6 and the GX a V8.

You will get a slightly better gas mileage with a 6 cylinder.

V8 has more torque. That being said, V6 has plenty of torque, and moves the truck very quickly.

If your intended use does not include towing, or any other applications that warrant the V8, go with the 6 cylinder.

just my 2 cents...

 

[tenguns]

Good feedback. I was originally going for the v6 but was concerned when I put all the crap on it - taller tires, front/rear bumpers, winch and gear - that it might get bogged down like my old 96'. Especially under load. Sounds like its not an issue.

Was really worried about weight / hp ration gains and losses but sounds like either way its not an issue.

Will have to drive a v6 and a v8 to listen to the noise differences I guess and see there's a big diff.

Thanks.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

I opted for the V6 Limited...definitely better fuel economy. at 3700 miles I am getting about 19 city 22 hwy. No way the V8 gets that and when gas gets back to $4 nobody is going to want a V8 unless they tow.

 

[EH007]

Re: 6 or 8

im pretty sure the 6 & 8 are rated the same for mpg, i know my 06 is.

No, they are rated differently. The V6 is rated 3 mpg higher on the highway according to the EPA.

 

[tenguns]

My daughters got a v8 08 limited - and on a trip up the coast last weekend we got 21.2 mpg but the thing only has 1200 miles on it...

 

[hoggy]

As it happened I had a 07 V6 runner that was too wrecked for me to keep. It had just 1500 miles on it when a drunk rear ended me. I replaced it with a 07 V8 runner because I got a great deal because of gas prices. I'd say unless you are pulling a trailor or boat etc go with the V6. I liked the idea of saving gas using the V6 in 2wd mode (even though it's not much) where as the all the time 4wd mode with the V8 does not have that option. True the V8 comes with an external trans cooler but one of those can easily be put on a V6. So that's not really a consideration. Also I did notice that in 2 wd it's just slightly smoother feeling than 4wd so I lean more to a V6 where you can be in 2wd unless 4wd is needed. The choice is yours and you'll be happy with either. Of course if you are the type of person who will later say to himself I'd wish I would have gotten a V8 than go for the V8. Both engines exhausts are quite stock unless you really get your foot into it. The V8 is not like the V8 I had in my Trans Am sound wise or power wise. One sounded like a race care the other doesn't. Guess which one? It's not the Toyota. Kind of crackes me up when people rave about how the 4runner V8 sounds. It (4runner)V8 does have a great power band around 3k though.

 

[rwilson]

I love my V6, it has plenty of power for me. So I'd recommend it.

When I first got it in '04 I thought I I might have made a mistake, because there was a question regarding the quality of the engine and sludge problems. The V6 was not "proven" like the V8.

Reliability-
The jury is still out as to which motor is more reliable. The sludge issue may be related to people not changing oil, or smaller ducts in the heads of earlier versions. This could of been fixed in newer version. My truck has 120K miles, and still going strong.
I seemed to have read something about the 5 speed transmission not being as good, mine has a 4 speed so I have not followed that.

Power-
I've loaded it full of gear and it still can get up to 80-90 even uphill.
A few weeks ago got it up to 105 mph, but backed down.

Gas-
The other benefit is that I can drive it in 2WD for my long commutes and save gas.
Once in a while I will leave it in 4WD and it burns a little more gas for the same commute.

Maintenance-
Somebody already mentioned the timing belt.
Another issue is that the oil filter is easily accessible in the V6, i understand that in the V8 you need to remove a plate.

Some other factors-
My V6 came stock with 17" Rims which are cool not sure they still do.
Not all V6's have 2WD & 4WD.
My V6 came with a transmission cooler, it came with the tow package (get that even if you do not tow)

hope this helps

Richard

 

[tenguns]

Yea - I used to build qtr mile cars so I find it funny too! I'm sure they're both relatively quiet - but heard that the cast iron block of the v8 from an engine noise perspective was more quiet than the rat-tap-tat of the aluminum v6...

I'm trying to get out of my v8 as it is - and like the idea of freewheelin - 2wd... shift on the fly 4x after the gas issue but wanted to make sure I was'nt missing something once loaded. Thanks.

I'll call the dlrship and see what their "expert" says about the new electron locking differencial. I'm not sure if its a true posi-lock-up or one of those "simulated" ones that Toyota has done. We'll find out.

If I could get the heated leather seats for my old leather back, I would'nt need that limited version with its price tag...

 

[chaz]

seats

ha, ha, when i was signing at the dealership, i asked about the heated leather seats, ( my old back also) to my surprise , he said sure, price was over 1500 extra for both, so i just got the leather. doesnt hurt to ask. also, i think that only the 09 trail edition comes with the elec. rear locker.

 

[lbrunner]

I had an 05 V8 for 3 years and then got a great deal on a 05 V6. Had the V6 for about a year. V8 seemed smoother at higher rpm and it just sounded fast! But I'm satisfied with the V6 and I do get better mileage on a regular basis. My V8 must have been broken because there was no way I would get 21 or 20 for that matter. The best I got was 18.7 and averaged 16.5 to 17 and the 18.7 was driving so easy it was almost not enjoyable. Sold the V8 to a friend and he is getting 15 to 16 tops. I get 17.5 driving somewhat hard to 19.8 on highway trips doing 70-75mph with the 6. Was it worth dumping the v8 for a v6? Still on the fence but when gas goes back up to 3.50 gallon, I would think a V6 will sell better. Resale value however, both took a huge hit after that spell of almost 4 bucks a gallon! Resale was a wash!! Miss the v8 sound and instant torque though! Also, after talking with a friend who is something like a Master toyota tech, he told me the 4.0 motor's lower end was extremely over built. Something about 4 or 6 bolt main and very stout connecting rods. He said the 4.0 was probably stronger than the V8 internals. Said this 4.0 is very reliable also and easily handles supercharging!!

 

[LandRvr Convert]

I currently own an '07 Limited V8 4WD, but I also owned an '06 Limited V6 4WD for one year.

My observations are that both engines have plenty of power from a dead stop and while already driving at highway speeds. Both also have plenty of power when driving through steep mountian passes too. I can't comment on performance when towing as I don't tow anything.

I did notice the V6 kind of has a slight rattling noise to it when idling and when driving. Maybe it's the timing chain making that clicking noise? I also noticed when sitting still, the V6 sent a vibration thorough the whole truck. Not much, but enough to bug me a little. When I first picked it up (brand new at the dealer) I noticed this vibration and thought maybe it would go away after the engine "break in" period. Well, it never went way, so I just tried to ignore it, but it continued to bother me nonetheless.

Anyway, long story short (I won't bore you with the details) I sold the '06 V6 and bought the '07 V8.

Well, I love the V8! Smooth as silk! Sounds great when accelerating (stock exhaust). Another very noticeable difference is the V6 to me felt very light weight when steering it. Maybe it's the extra weight of the V8 or the fact it's full-time 4WD, but the steering to me feels alot heavier and more sure -footed than the V6, and I like that. With that said, maybe the V6 would handle the same when driving in 4Hi?

Oh and the fact the V8 has the timing belt and the V6 has the chain doesn't bother me a bit. In fact I have never had a timing belt fail on any car I have ever owned, but I did have a timg chain break once in a Mitsubishi engine that up until that point, I considered "bullet proof"!

The difference in gas mileage was slightly noticeable, but not a big deal to me. If gas mileage was a big factor for me, I'd buy a Prius! LOL



Just my 2cents.

 

[hoggy]

Both engines have their own anoying vibrations. And yes the V6 does it at idle while the V8 can hardly be detected as running. The V8's vibration is mainly because it lugs 1/2 the time because of the way Toyota has the trans set up. I think that annoys me most. They try to save gas at the expense of drivability. It's just horrible driving through my neighborhood at 25mph with the engine lugging away. Sometimes I put it in 2nd gear just to avoid it. Plus it has a fine vibration from around 1500 rpm to 1900 or so which is most of the time off the freeways. It seems a little worse after I lifted it, but the driveline clunk is gone after the lift so I guess it evens out.