Potential buyer needs advice: V8, V6, 4WD

[jlmilligan]

The Auto 4wd drive on the V8 is not always in 4wd. You are in 2hi if you are on dry roads. The only time you are in 4hi is if the wheels start to spin. Then the VSC light and the Center Diff light come on and you are in "AWD" mode. If you want 4hi, then lock the center diff. and you are the same as all other 4wd drive trucks.
Good luck looking and either way, you will be happy. I personally would buy the one that had the options I wanted and had a really good price. No matter what engine was in it.
For comparisons, a buddy of mine just bought one. 03 V6 SR5 with a sunroof and JBL stereo for $12500 with 77k. The local dealer is selling an 08 SR5 V8 with sunroof and navigation for $29,995.

 

[JB.]

The Auto 4wd drive on the V8 is not always in 4wd. You are in 2hi if you are on dry roads...

We have a real 4WD system (not a viscous coupler) with a Torsen center differential that, in the case of the full-time V8, even without the center locked, distributes power to all 4 wheels with a 60/40 rear wheel torque bias on dry pavement.

 

[jlmilligan]

I stand corrected. Come on guys, my wife :headslap: does that enough, can't we just pretend I am right? I get how it works now. I was under the impression that it worked more like an Auto 4wd.

 

[JB.]

I stand corrected. Come on guys, my wife :headslap: does that enough, can't we just pretend I am right? I get how it works now. I was under the impression that it worked more like an Auto 4wd.

Hey, celebrate that your vehicle is even better than you thought! The Torsen center is the bomb. Even the Land Cruiser didn't have it until recently.

 

[RTAYLOR]

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.

I have a feeling that the on-road charactheristics of the V8 4HI and V6 4HI are not the same. Can someone confirm this?

I definitely could not drive around town in 4HI in my 2000 4R because it was just like having fulltime AWD.

 

[JB.]

I have a feeling that the on-road charactheristics of the V8 4HI and V6 4HI are not the same. Can someone confirm this?

I definitely could not drive around town in 4HI in my 2000 4R because it was just like having fulltime AWD.

It's the same. V6 has the Torsen-C center diff just like the V8. The only difference in handling would be from the extra weight of the V8 up front.

 

[NCSCOTT]

It's the same. V6 has the Torsen-C center diff just like the V8. The only difference in handling would be from the extra weight of the V8 up front.

:iagree:

I can put it in 4HI wet or dry with no binding. Just don't lock the center diff.

If it is wet out and I know I need to take off in a hurry from an intersection I can put in in 4HI ahead of time and I can stand on the gas with no wheel slipage.

 

[RTAYLOR]

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.

 

[lawwailok]

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.

congrats!!!!!!!!!! hope to see pictures soon! before anyone start posting :worthless

again, congrats with the purchase!!!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

congrats!!!!!!!!!! hope to see pictures soon! before anyone start posting :worthless

again, congrats with the purchase!!!

:iagree: Glad you chose one, you won't regret it


:cheers:

 

[Falls]

Hey congrats , nice choice .

I'm one who loves my V8 like I stated above , but if I was buying a new one now and found one I liked with all the toys I like , but with the V6 I'd buy it in a heart beat without worry.

Lets see it !!! Is the lift and tires on yet ?? ARB bumper on yet ??

 

[steve germany]

Enjoy your ride! The T4r V6X4 has been a total pleasure to own. I even bought my son one! I would of bought a V8 is there was a good example availble but the V6 is very impressive and is able to run at 100mph for hundreds of miles with impressive economy. It may kick down a gear or so quicker than the V8 but it is one impressive toy for the price.

 

[Falls]

Enjoy your ride! The T4r V6X4 has been a total pleasure to own. I even bought my son one! I would of bought a V8 is there was a good example availble but the V6 is very impressive and is able to run at 100mph for hundreds of miles with impressive economy. It may kick down a gear or so quicker than the V8 but it is one impressive toy for the price.

Well put

People claim anywhere from a 2-4 mpg difference. The way I see it if you drive alot and gas goes back to $5 per gallon (which it will) every little bit help's.

 

[chaz]

spoiler

isnt the third brake light in the rear spoiler & isnt it a must by law in some states? i guess they put the light in the roof when theres no spoiler, i never saw an 06+ without one. live & learn, anyway good luck with your purchase.

 

[RTAYLOR]

Picture attached.

It's only been 50 miles, but I really like this motor. I was hesitant about the Sport interior, but it's growing on me very quickly. I really like the JBL sound system and the interior storage capacity. I'm still finding new things that are "hidden", like the klenex box holder in the center console.

No lift, tires, bumper, winches or anything like that for a long time. I look forward to owning this car for a long time, there will be plenty of time for that down the road. I did already order WeatherTech floor mats though.

I'm anxious to get out and play around with the 4WD system. The VSC, ATRAC, etc are very confusing at this point, but the easiest way to learn is out on the trails.

:beer:

 

[SubSonic]

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.

Congrats, from another recent 4R buyer. My first 4R, my 3rd Toyota.

I test drove a 4x4 V6 and honestly liked it pretty good. I also own a Tundra and knew the 4.7 was a nice engine, so I found a V8 4R to test drive and it sold me on it. The local dealer found me a sweet still-new 2008 V8 Limited 4x4 with a bunch of goodies preinstalled so I just had them bring it in and I bought it.

I guess they wanted rid of the last year's model so they made me a "decent" deal on it - I did not steal it, they did not rob me blind either. Paid less than the $43k sticker anyway...made it possible to wave the rebate in lieu of 0% financing and still end up with a reasonably low payment for such a middle-to-higher end V8 4x4 SUV . IMHO it was a lot of quality bang for the buck. And with 0%, what I agreed to pay is what I pay - no paying $51k for a $40k truck by the end of a 60 mo loan w/4.75 % interest.

 

[SubSonic]

I'm still finding new things that are "hidden", like the klenex box holder in the center console.

Yup, took me a few days to find the "trash can" built into the back of the console.

I did already order WeatherTech floor mats though.

Same here. Got the digital fits, front and rear. Fronts dropped right in, love 'em. I have to trim the rear a little and haven't taken the time to do that just yet. Want a warmer dryer day so that I don't rush and can get it done right. Also got the cargo mat too - went with the one made for the double decker. Even if I need to lower the shelf, it still fills enough of the area to be very functional. I went ahead and put a set of their in-channel vent visors on as well. Kicks butt IMO.

Here's mine:

 

[Benjamin Choi]

should've gotten the v8, but congrats anyways. sub, looks clean and those 18" limited wheels are the best.

i drove the 4.7 tundra... nice and powerful but no where near as smooth and refined as the 4runner v8. plus, you can tell it was made in america. interior fitment, plastics were not as good as in my '03 old arse 4runner limited.

 

[p nut]

should've gotten the v8, but congrats anyways. sub, looks clean and those 18" limited wheels are the best.

i drove the 4.7 tundra... nice and powerful but no where near as smooth and refined as the 4runner v8. plus, you can tell it was made in america. interior fitment, plastics were not as good as in my '03 old arse 4runner limited.

You can't compare a truck to an SUV. Trucks have a different suspension, because they're made to haul and tow, which is why you find leaf springs out back instead of coils.

 

[SubSonic]

i drove the 4.7 tundra... nice and powerful but no where near as smooth and refined as the 4runner v8. plus, you can tell it was made in america. interior fitment, plastics were not as good as in my '03 old arse 4runner limited.

I agree, the Tundra has more of a "truckish" ride, and feel to the engine. The engine doesn't feel as smooth in it, but still gives you the sense of torque that made me like the 4.7 to begin with - not too little, not too much, just right (considering MPG and all). Of course we'd all like more HP and TQ, but there's no such thing as a free lunch. One of the reasons the engine feels better in the 4R, IMO, is that it is a 5 speed tranny (Tundra is a 4 spd) and that makes the spacing a little nicer between the gears.

ALso agree on the fit and finish. It's decent enough, but at 9 model years old (my Tundra is a 2000 MY/Gen 1) and with 130k+ miles, she has a few rattles, and the seatbelt retracts don't really retract anymore. I've only had my 4R since 12/26/08, but can already tell the fit and finish are far superior. Of course my 4R is a Limited, my Tundra is an SR5 - that makes a difference too.

Otherwise, I like the Tundra enough that I still own it and have no intention of selling it any time soon. Owning it gives me the option of using a "beater" to tow with at times so I don't have to hook up the new 4R if I don't want to (and a truck bed for lumber and other larger payloads) - but fully intend to tow with the 4R and that was the final kicker in my decision to go ahead with the V8.