Newbie here...couple of questions

[G.I.G.]

I've been poking around here for several months but am now just getting around to posting on this forum. Great forum, lot's of useful stuff! I have a couple of general questions that I'm sure have been answered in one form or another in other threads so I appologize if I'm beating a dead horse.

I have a '00 Grand Cherokee that I will be trading in next week for a '07 T4R SE 4x4 V8. For the most part, everything I've read about the T4R's has been great. My only concern is regarding the harmonic drone that others here have complained about on the V8's with 4x4. I haven't seen a recent post on that subject and was wondering if Toyota has finally addressed that issue with the '07s.

I live in Colorado so the altitude plays a roll in HP and performance, especially if you head up to the hills with any frequency. I was wondering if any of you have noticed huge difference in MPG between the V6 and the V8 under real-world conditions (the EPA rating system should be changing soon. "Highway" speeds haven't been 55mph since the 80's, but I digress). My personal opinion is that in Colorado, what you make up in fuel economy with a V6, you loose with more down-shifting and throttle input. I got the same MPG going from my strait-6 '97 GC to my V8 '00 GC.

Anyway, should be getting a '07 T4R SE 4x4 V8 in Galactic Gray Mica in the next week or two. Can't wait!!!

 

[toto]

Congrats and welcome!
I haven't noticed such a thing on my 06, so I can't tell you how big of a problem this noise might be. Any good dealer should let you take the truck out on the Interstate for a test drive, so maybe that's the best way to see for yourself. My advice for a test drive is to check the tire pressure before you go; the last few new cars I've bought had tires that were way overinflated, which makes the car seem to ride harsher than it really does.

 

[G.I.G.]

Thanks toto!

I actually took both an SR5 V6 4x4 and an SE V8 4x4 for a test drive before I read about the harmonic drone. I drove them both on the highway quite a bit and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but I wasn't listening for anything either.

To be honest, my only gripe about the 4runner is that the gas pedal and brake pedal are WAY too close to each other. When you have size 12 canoes like I do, it can be a bit of a pain. No big deal though, something I can easily get used to. Besides, if that is the biggest design flaw I can find with a car, I ain't doin' too bad. :

 

[ProMed]

Welcome aboard, the drone you were reading about was in regards to guys running a louder aftermarket exhaust.

 

[G.I.G.]

Welcome aboard, the drone you were reading about was in regards to guys running a louder aftermarket exhaust.

Alright, that makes me feel better. I didn't catch anywhere in those threads that the harmonic drone was related to after market exhaust systems. It just sounded like if you had the V8 with 4x4, that you would experience a harmonic drone coming from the engine/front end around 2300-3000 RPM under load. Not a deal breaker by any means, I was just curious to find out more about it.

 

[Mark86]

Congrats on the new truck and welcome to the 4Runner community!

 

[lawwailok]

congrat! hope you enjoy your new ride soon and enjoy spending and spending and keep spending on your new ride!

 

[G.I.G.]

Thanks! And yes, I'm already pricing K&N cold-air intakes and other aftermarket goodies. There was a slight delay with my Runner so it should be about another week or two before I get it. I'm getting anxious!

 

[Tucson T4R]

Go for the V8! I love mine. Welcome to the forum and let the mods begin! :biggrin2:

 

[G.I.G.]

Go for the V8! I love mine. Welcome to the forum and let the mods begin! :biggrin2:

Oh yes, I will be getting the V8! Should be here next week!

I was actually plesantly surprised with the V6 when I test drove it. If I didn't live in the mile-high city (traveling to two miles high pretty frequently) I would consider the V6. I really like the low-end torque of the V8. Plus you loose 10% horse power per mile in altitude....at least that's what my old high school auto shop teacher used to tell us.

Can't wait to get 'er...the wait is killing me!

 

[JoJoBetsy]

My '05 4x4 V8 had the harmonic for a little while then it seems to have gone away. I jacked up my front skid plate a while ago and usually go without it. When I took the Runner in for the drone, I was told to put the skid plate back on and see if it continues...and it actually stopped. I fixed the harmonic for good, or so I think, with a louder sound system.

Welcome!