Pros & Cons on V8 with vvti or without

[03_4x4Runner]

I have driven both a fair amount. It almost seemed to me my 03 would pull just a little harder at very low rpm. My friends 07 with same tires etc, pulled a little harder at very high rpm. I seldom run at that high an rpm so it was a draw. Either is fine.

 

[Ohhh S.k. CFPB]

IIRC 2005 V8 had the most power out of any other years. VVT-i means more components with the potential to go wrong but I have never heard of a 2UZ failing because of it.[/QUOTE

in 2006 SAE change the standards for HP and TQ testing. the 2005 and 2006 tundra 4.7s had about a 20hp and tq difference but same parts just different testing standards

 

[ThePMFG]

since v8's and power are on the table here... is the tow rating the same for all year model v8's? as in non VVT-i and v8's with VVT-i??? i'd heard rumors that the earlier models had a lower tow rating?

 

[AKmoney]

Better to focus on finding a clean example with a well documented service history than it is to focus on 2005+ w/ VVTi. I originally wanted a VVTi model for the extra power but I wound up buying an '04 because the previous owner kept it in immaculate condition and maintained a file with the complete service history. BAM, sold. I've owned the truck for about two years now with zero regrets.

One other thing: The 2UZ engine is pretty "lazy". It's not a high revver; even the VVTi version has a sub-6000 redline which these days is pretty unheard of. It has no problem pulling the truck up to highway speeds without revving much beyond 2500-3000 and it does so very smoothly.

 

[NJshadow93]

since v8's and power are on the table here... is the tow rating the same for all year model v8's? as in non VVT-i and v8's with VVT-i??? i'd heard rumors that the earlier models had a lower tow rating?

The tow rating for the 03 V8 is 5000lb whereas the other year V8s are 7300 (7500lb for 4x2 models) but that is only because the 03 V8s came with the 5000lb rated hitch. If you put a beefier hitch on it you can be rated to safely tow up to 7300lbs

EDIT: Your sig says you have an 04 so you should have the bigger hitch anyway

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Better to focus on finding a clean example with a well documented service history than it is to focus on 2005+ w/ VVTi. I originally wanted a VVTi model for the extra power but I wound up buying an '04 because the previous owner kept it in immaculate condition and maintained a file with the complete service history. BAM, sold. I've owned the truck for about two years now with zero regrets.

One other thing: The 2UZ engine is pretty "lazy". It's not a high revver; even the VVTi version has a sub-6000 redline which these days is pretty unheard of. It has no problem pulling the truck up to highway speeds without revving much beyond 2500-3000 and it does so very smoothly.

This is very true, the 2UZ-FE was designed to be a low-reving, low torque-band engine to be used originally in the Land Cruiser 100 platform. It eventually made it's way into the Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner platforms because it was designed from the get-go as a truck engine. Where as the 4.0L 1UZ-FE in the Lexus LS400 was built closer to a racing V8 engine meant for a car (just to point out the difference in design philosophy of the two engines.)

The tow rating was probably changed more because of the tow hitch and/or what Toyota revised their typically conservative specifications. The difference in torque between the VVTi and non-VVTi 2UZ-FEs is not significant enough to net more than maybe a couple hundred extra pounds, if that.

 

[gshadow325]

if you can swing it, i recently got a chance to drive a 09 gx470. such a beautifull vehicle. love at first drive!

 

[Dylan]

I'm not sure if it's accurate, but Edmunds lists the V8 tow capacity on 2004 4runners at 7000 lbs...the same as, for instance, a 2006. I cant speak for a 2003 which apparently has a lower rated hitch.

 

[HOJeepster]

The V8 is a superb engine, simple as that. I love the power and smoothness the truck delivers.

Of note, one thing to consider is I believe with the non-vvti V8s, you can run a supercharger as well as gain access to aftermarket exhaust manifolds to fix the infamous 'ticking' later on down the road. With the VVTi, you don't have any options.