Potential buyer needs advice: V8, V6, 4WD

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RTAYLOR

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I am a potential 4Runner buyer currently exploring the market. I have owned a '93 and '00 4R in the past that I really enjoyed. I am looking at a '06+ 4Runner but I am having trouble finding exactly what I am looking for. I have a few questions I am hoping yall could help me out with. I have searched a lot of these topics, but I need more.

1. I am definitely getting a 4x4. How is the full-time system that comes with the V8? I have never owned a full-time 4WD, I am used to 2H, 4H and 4L. I would imagine the handling is better, but what are some of the other pros and cons of getting full-time 4WD? Power, mpg, etc...

2. How is the V6 motor? A lot of my driving is on the highway. I will probably get 265/70 ATs. Can the V6 push these tires on the highway? Will the V6 suffer more than the V8 with larger/heavier tires? Any other thoughts?

I will use this 4Runner mainly for the highway, I am a travelling sales rep. But the weekends will be camping, fishing, hunting, etc. that will require loading her up and getting muddy.

I took my 2000 up to Tellico several times, as well as several other trails in GA, NC, and TN. But I don't plan on getting as aggressive with this 4Runner. Ill attach a couple pics of my old 2000...

Thanks in advance for all of your advice,
RT
---
UPDATE: Just wanted to update everyone. I am a proud owner of a new 2008 4Runner. Picked her up yesterday. 4x4 V6 Sport Edition. Thanks for all of your input.
 
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my old 2000....

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RTAYLOR said:
I am a potential 4Runner buyer currently exploring the market. I have owned a '93 and '00 4R in the past that I really enjoyed. I am looking at a '06+ 4Runner but I am having trouble finding exactly what I am looking for. I have a few questions I am hoping yall could help me out with. I have searched a lot of these topics, but I need more.

1. I am definitely getting a 4x4. How is the full-time system that comes with the V8? I have never owned a full-time 4WD, I am used to 2H, 4H and 4L. I would imagine the handling is better, but what are some of the other pros and cons of getting full-time 4WD? Power, mpg, etc...

2. How is the V6 motor? A lot of my driving is on the highway. I will probably get 265/70 ATs. Can the V6 push these tires on the highway? Will the V6 suffer more than the V8 with larger/heavier tires? Any other thoughts?

I will use this 4Runner mainly for the highway, I am a travelling sales rep. But the weekends will be camping, fishing, hunting, etc. that will require loading her up and getting muddy.

I took my 2000 up to Tellico several times, as well as several other trails in GA, NC, and TN. But I don't plan on getting as aggressive with this 4Runner. Ill attach a couple pics of my old 2000...

Thanks in advance for all of your advice, I look forward to your advice.

RT
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Welcome:D Sweet '00!

1) No real cons to the full-time 4wd except a slight mpg penalty.
2) The 4.0L has a lot more beef than the 3.4L (which is a fine motor). 265/70
 
i have the V8 and yes as stated there is a slight mpg difference very slim because of the all time 4x4 but i do enjoy the pick up power V8 has over the V6, just my personal option i think having all time 4x4 is safer for me and when im up in snow never have to worries about a thing unless im in deep deep snow then i go to 4L.

no matter what motor you get u will be able to use those A/T tires with out a problem
 
I have the V8 and have never drove a V6. I love the sound of a V8 and never considered the V6. I also love the full time 4x4. When pulling out into traffic etc on rain covered or gravel road you can just stand on the gas and it never spins a tire. Even off road I seldom need to lock the center diff. This thing just knows what to do and makes it easy.
 
RTAYLOR

Good to know there are more georgia fellas with good taste. i swapped a 99 sr5 for a 05 w/ v8 and 4x4 w/ 35k from sandy springs toyota. i swayed toward the v8 for the extra grunt, beefed up mechanical bits, more refined powertrain, exhaust note, and towing capabilities...most importantly i found a mint condition cpo 4x4.

it sounds like you're looking for a slightly used 4th gen. last time i perused auto trader, i noticed an influx of v8 4r's at a greater value then my purchase in fall '07. the increase in gas prices(not evident right now) and the economy appear to be 2 significant factors.

i achieve around 14-16 mpg around east cobb/roswellio with a 2.5" bilstein leveling kit and 265/70r17 general at2 tires.

fyi, do not even bother looking at nalley toyota in roswell. the salesforce is pathetic.
 
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I have had both an 05 V8 and my current 08 V6 and both were great engines.

There is no real noticeable difference in performance between the two and I liked saving a little money at the pump.
 
I have a V8 and love it and the full time 4x4 mode. You also will have that option in a V6 by simply switching to the 4hi mode and it will perform off road , in snow , ect.... just like a V8. The current V6 has some damn good power. It impressed me.

As far as trading for a V6 from a V8 , well when my lease is up and I look for another 4R and found what I wanted with all the right options and it had a V6 in it I would not even bat an eye at getting it. I also run 265/70/17 tires and would do so on the V6 as well.

Keep us posted on your decision and ask questions.

I do think the v6 is a louder motor and a little less smooth than the V8. Yes it's a tad better on fuel which as of today is really not an issue , but have no fear gas will go up again and most likely higher than before. So don't fool yourself about gas prices being low at this time. Gotta look down the road a little.

Cant go wrong with either one you pick.
 
So I've owned and driven anywhere from a 4cyl 1.8l turbo to a big Turbo Diesel Heavy Duty GMC Truck. By no means does my V6 4Runner lack in performance. I could imagine the V8 being a little quicker, but not by much. I will say that my 4Runner does seem faster off the line and merging into traffic than my mom's BMW X5.
 
BlairB said:
I have had both an 05 V8 and my current 08 V6 and both were great engines.

There is no real noticeable difference in performance between the two and I liked saving a little money at the pump.
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there is a huge diff... like vsop v. xo
 
I'm driving the V6 and it's got ample power, in my opinion. Which is funny, because I'm traditionally a horsepower / displacement snob. But I figured the V6 was cheaper to run and also cheaper to buy, and since I'm not planning to tow, there didn't seem to be much advantage to buying the V6.

Plus I like being able to run in 2wd.

Good luck. Great pics of your 2000, by the way.
 
I'm a new 4Runner owner and had the same decision that you are now faced with. I went with the V8 because my parents have a boat that just sits at their house most of the summer because all the kids are out of the house and so they don't use it much, well now I can pull it!

I also liked the fact that it was full-time 4wheel drive as my wife will be driving it most of the time and now I won't have to worry about her calling me asking me how to put the 4Runner into 4wheel drive!
 
Great feedback guys, thanks for your input. I'm taking my time with this purchase, especially since its hard to find a low mileage 4x4. I feel better about the V6, I am trying to drive one this week.

Is there anything that comes on the Limited that I am missing? Ive seen leather, sunroof, JBL and the 6 disc changer all on the SR5/Sport. Is there a tranny cooler, seat heaters, etc too?
 
Can the rear spoiler be removed? Do they drill into the body or is it just adhesive? I cant stand the way they look.
 
I think the only way to get memory seats is the Limited. The SE gets you a telescoping wheel I think... Not sure if all Limiteds have the telescoping wheel.

All V8's come with aux trans coolers. No V6 comes with an aux transmission cooler. Toyota claims it's not necessary. (See link in my sig)

This thread has brochures if you want to study features: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37407


Again, it's tough to go wrong either way :bigok:


:cheers:
 
RTAYLOR said:
Can the rear spoiler be removed? Do they drill into the body or is it just adhesive? I cant stand the way they look.
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It can be removed, but there will be holes.
 
RTAYLOR said:
Any fix for that? How bad are the holes?
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The holes are probably at least 4mm in size. A body shop would be able to fix/cover them and repaint the area.

There's removal instructions here courtesy of member toto.
 
RTAYLOR said:
Can the rear spoiler be removed? Do they drill into the body or is it just adhesive? I cant stand the way they look.
Click to expand...

I think they are drilled. When you get them aftermarket you get a template to drill.

There are 2 different styles of the spoiler the 03-05 and the 06 and up. I have the 03-05 on my 08 because it was added at the port and they must have had leftovers. The older version is even with the top of the roof line the newer version has a hump in it above the roof line. I don't really care for the newer style. I am sure it pulls more air down the back to help keep the window clear.
 
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