Poll: How much time do you spend above 3,000 RPM?

[the walrus]

I come from owning lots of sporty type cars, some boosted, all modded, a few n/a V8s and some high revvers in there. When I first got my 4Runner in Feb, I explored the power band a bit, ECT on/off, blah blah blah. The reality is it won't win too many (or any) races but it makes enough power for what it is. With the newness having worn off a bit, I've settled into just driving it like what it is, a truck, and one with an auto trans. I almost never go above 3k RPM. I never floor it, there's just no need. I just mosey onto the road, hop in the slow lane, ease up to 5 over the speed limit and hit the cruise control. And funnily enough, I'm totally fine with it.

With past cars, the 0-60 was an opportunity rarely passed up. Hitting the shifts right, heel-toeing the downshifts, watching the boost gauge etc. And it was fun, for those cars. I thought about getting a SC, but honestly I'd probably never use it. Perhaps if I had a 5 spd manual that would be different.

Maybe I'm getting old. Or maybe my 4Runner is just still doing exactly what it was designed to do, be a reliable workhorse and get me there and back.

I'll have another sporty car in the future, but for now, the trusty 3rd Gen quietly and dutifully takes me places my cars never could. And that's not a bad thing at all. :usa:

Justin

 

[JayRolla]

I come from owning lots of sporty type cars, some boosted, all modded, a few n/a V8s and some high revvers in there. When I first got my 4Runner in Feb, I explored the power band a bit, ECT on/off, blah blah blah. The reality is it won't win too many (or any) races but it makes enough power for what it is. With the newness having worn off a bit, I've settled into just driving it like what it is, a truck, and one with an auto trans. I almost never go above 3k RPM. I never floor it, there's just no need. I just mosey onto the road, hop in the slow lane, ease up to 5 over the speed limit and hit the cruise control. And funnily enough, I'm totally fine with it.

With past cars, the 0-60 was an opportunity rarely passed up. Hitting the shifts right, heel-toeing the downshifts, watching the boost gauge etc. And it was fun, for those cars. I thought about getting a SC, but honestly I'd probably never use it. Perhaps if I had a 5 spd manual that would be different.

Maybe I'm getting old. Or maybe my 4Runner is just still doing exactly what it was designed to do, be a quiet workhorse and get me there and back.

I'll have another sporty car in the future, but for now, the trusty 3rd Gen quietly and dutifully takes me places my cars never could. And that's not a bad thing at all. :usa:

Justin

I rarely hit that high unless I floor it to downshift.

In my turbo car I barely break 2500k because that turbo just to loud and my car takes off like a jet engine.

 

[octanejunkie]

Only when passing or going up hill on my drives to NV

 

[SpidermanGeek]

Above 3K RPM and the 5VZ-FE is just making noise and guzzling gas for no purpose.

Same as most on here, mine only briefly sees above 3K when getting it to downshift (auto).

 

[johnbyebye]

Generally only when O/D is off for passing, getting on the freeway, etc.

 

[JayRolla]

Above 3K RPM and the 5VZ-FE is just making noise and guzzling gas for no purpose.

Same as most on here, mine only briefly sees above 3K when getting it to downshift (auto).

I remember looking at a stock dyno sheet and max power was between 3500-5000k rpm

 

[MOYotas]

I don't drive my 4Runner daily, its more of a money pit/project vehicle. I drive my 99 3RZ Tacoma daily and rarely hit 3K. My 98 4Runner is 5 speed and supercharged, so it lives between 3-5K..:heh:

 

[Kotrin]

Like you all post for going above 3K i'm about the same. This last weekend exploring Edison Butte I had to do it probably a dozen times, which is a lot...but not worried personally. I do know when doing an overland trip last year we ran into a lot of snow and made through about 100' of 4' snow by keeping my RPM's at 5k for almost 2 minutes. I'm not concerned personally, I still did my quading back when gas was 5.15/gallon. Price of Gas/Oil doesn't affect me in my decisions, if it did than I wouldn't have purchased what I drive

But that's my view of it, haha. Made one of my mistakes when I was kid thinking mpg = happiness...boy do I kick myself every day.

 

[AntleredRuin]

I remember looking at a stock dyno sheet and max power was between 3500-5000k rpm

The power is definitely noticeable when stepping on it when OD is already off. (I know, different gearing, too)
Already sitting around 2500-2700 on the freeway, you can get good 'back in your seat' burst with just a light tap of the gas. As opposed to being at 2000 and having to really step on it to speed up.

I do agree that it's really a waste of gas, though, because while you can feel the difference in torque, the 5VZ-FE is just not built for speed.

My torque app shows a steady 3-4 instant MPG drop with OD off and the RPM that much higher. I can sit around 21-22 cruising and it instantly becomes 18-19.

I do know when doing an overland trip last year we ran into a lot of snow and made through about 100' of 4' snow by keeping my RPM's at 5k for almost 2 minutes. I'm not concerned personally, I still did my quading back when gas was 5.15/gallon. Price of Gas/Oil doesn't affect me in my decisions, if it did than I wouldn't have purchased what I drive

I'd think you'd more have to worry about the engine itself more than gas with sustained 5k RPMS like that...Tough engines and all, but geez.

 

[WenatcheeSkier]

Only when passing or going up hill on my drives to NV

same but in WA ;-P

 

[JayRolla]

The power is definitely noticeable when stepping on it when OD is already off. (I know, different gearing, too)
Already sitting around 2500-2700 on the freeway, you can get good 'back in your seat' burst with just a light tap of the gas. As opposed to being at 2000 and having to really step on it to speed up.

I do agree that it's really a waste of gas, though, because while you can feel the difference in torque, the 5VZ-FE is just not built for speed.

My torque app shows a steady 3-4 instant MPG drop with OD off and the RPM that much higher. I can sit around 21-22 cruising and it instantly becomes 18-19.


I'd think you'd more have to worry about the engine itself more than gas with sustained 5k RPMS like that...Tough engines and all, but geez.

Its the truck thats not built for speed. Drop our 3.4L in an MR2 and it works pretty well. Add SC or Turbo on top and its really built for speed.

 

[endgame56]

Up and down the I70 corridor in CO, pretty frequently. Other than that I don't really feel the need. 33s and a 5spd - 3rd gear is pretty much mandatory to maintain speed climbing to the tunnel and going up Vail pass.

 

[kolelt]

When I'm going 70-80 mph

 

[Technoplasm]

i go into the 4k's pretty regularly...

i floor it often and drive with... vigor.

mine has 225's on it as of now so its pretty, dare i say it, sporty for a 4Runner.

 

[tpham18nm]

Only when I drive up mountain passes, so many 4 times a month. I don't actually go above 3k, I'm right on it.

 

[St Runner]

Mostly when shifting between 1st and second uphill. Other than that there is no need to run it past 3000. OP you should drive a 5speed if you get a chance, you will find that the engine is fine, its the auto transmission thats a dog

 

[Kotrin]

The power is definitely noticeable when stepping on it when OD is already off. (I know, different gearing, too)
Already sitting around 2500-2700 on the freeway, you can get good 'back in your seat' burst with just a light tap of the gas. As opposed to being at 2000 and having to really step on it to speed up.

I do agree that it's really a waste of gas, though, because while you can feel the difference in torque, the 5VZ-FE is just not built for speed.

My torque app shows a steady 3-4 instant MPG drop with OD off and the RPM that much higher. I can sit around 21-22 cruising and it instantly becomes 18-19.





I'd think you'd more have to worry about the engine itself more than gas with sustained 5k RPMS like that...Tough engines and all, but geez.

I should have clarified more, so i'll do so in response now.

I didn't say I did it because I 'wanted' to, 90% of the time i'm over the 3k is because I'm pushing myself past my current truck limits. Now I personally attempt to change(not go if that's the case) changes or modifications on WHY was I @ XXXX RPM. I'm sure lots have read this and just shake their heads, but by my own fault I didn't provide context on why I was at 5k. I choose to be in this situation and don't feel anything wrong with my choice in the matter. I do this for personal reasons because I understand that it won't work to do this and I am missing a few 0's (like any) in my bank account to drop in the motors/gears/etc I would like to run. During my adventures of Edison Butte over the weekend, I actually turned around after 4 hours of the trail and headed back to the parking lot while the rest of the party went on. I know my limitations of my vehicle & personal limitations. When I got back from this trip my dad and I discussed how I can not be left behind for future events. I'm currently eating air & drinking water to buy 305/65(give or take here)17 wheels to give me a LARGER foot print. Had I had these tires I wouldn't have been above 1100 rpm's or needed to turn around. I'm sure anyone has been in a situation when they have pushed their truck past it and were happy that it didn't explode(or die) on them.

I'm by no mean's an engineer of these system's, but we have all been around here a long time to hear the, "... I went into the redlines, I accidentally drove on pavement with 4WD/4Hi&4Lo....."

I already have been putting aside for a new Engine & Transmission for future replacement and hope to have enough for gearing to assist in Longevity

 

[Kotrin]

Mostly when shifting between 1st and second uphill. Other than that there is no need to run it past 3000. OP you should drive a 5speed if you get a chance, you will find that the engine is fine, its the auto transmission thats a dog

I've owned both and am just as happy with the auto. That's the way I understood it from the OP. Yes I will give you the 5speed seem's peppier(sigh yes i know...), my auto can perform almost the same with some shifting on the auto(don't recommend doing it that way) ;p

 

[I_bRAD]

Rarely, but sometimes to pass on an 80km/hr (50mph) road I'll drop it into third if 4 isn't going to get me there in time!

 

[I_bRAD]

In my turbo car I barely break 2500k because that turbo just to loud and my car takes off like a jet engine.

Oh, come on. That's what it's for!