Should I Buy a V6 or V8 for Off-roading?
- Thread starter pipo6007
- Start date
My brother and I both have 06 shadow mica 4runners. His has the v6 4x4 mid travel and mine v8 4wd long travel. He runs 265 75 17 tires, I run 285 70 17.
His lighter weight overall in all his components keep him right there with me on most higher speed back yard trails. Where my v8 shines is keeping me moving at freeway speeds with little effort with all this extra weight. He only gets slightly better mpg’s Highway, but 3-4 better putting around the city.
Both are great trucks and you can’t go wrong with either as long as they turn with all 4 wheels
His lighter weight overall in all his components keep him right there with me on most higher speed back yard trails. Where my v8 shines is keeping me moving at freeway speeds with little effort with all this extra weight. He only gets slightly better mpg’s Highway, but 3-4 better putting around the city.
Both are great trucks and you can’t go wrong with either as long as they turn with all 4 wheels
Bumbo
New member
Kinda glad you mentioned that…
The GX is a really smooth running truck and is worth considering as an alternate to a V8 4Runner… it also makes a nice off-road platform because it shares many of the same parts as the 4th gen. It’s basically the same thing as a 4Runner with a more luxurious interior and amenities.
I say this because depending on where you live, you might be able to find a GX in the same or better condition than a V8 4Runner for less money. GX tends to fly under the radar compared to a 4Runner and has a different demographic for sales, but mechanically it’s all there for what you want off-road.
Plus they look pretty sweet once you build them up a bit and get away from the city vibe.
long travel gx470 - Google Search
Good point to check out the GX470. I have a friend who went the GX470 route and is having a good time building it for offroad. The interesting thing is that, because they are considered "luxury" vehicles, used GX470's often command lower prices than 4runners. Snooty Lexus customers don't buy "used", so the demand is less.
(Same thing used to be true of Cadillacs back in the 70's and 80's. You could buy good used ones for less than a Ford or Chevy sedan, for the same perverse reasons.)
Unfortunately, the rule doesn't seem to hold for Land Cruisers...
xtremewlr
Member
I looked at the GX when I was shopping for the runner and found that in my market at least, here in Arizona and even SoCal, the GX was several thousand higher in price than a similar 4R.
Bumbo
New member
Newer years also have a 5 speed transmission vs the 4 speed.
xtremewlr
Member
And all years for the V8 have the 5 speed.
cbailey1523
New member
Yes! I just bought my T4R with the V8 with 80k. They had a newer GX on the lot as well that was actually less expensive with 95K. I asked about it and he said it was all about supply and demand. He said people will pay more for what they want (which obviously I did). Honestly though I might have purchased the Lexus if it didn't have those stupid fold up seats in the rear. I didn't want or need third row, and the seats aren't designed to fold into the interior. They're basically the same vehicle though.
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NWTrailRunner
New member
Since this is primarily for off road and not a daily driver, I'd go with the V8. All things being equal that is.
To me it has a stellar reliability reputation, and the power/torque certainly can't hurt when off roading. I'm not an off road expert, so I don't know how much the extra weight will be a disadvantage but not a ton I'm guessing. Also, as this is not a daily driver who cares about the mpg loss compared to the V6.
To me though, get the best condition one that's in your budget though that will serve as the platform for the upgrades I'm sure you'll be doing.
To me it has a stellar reliability reputation, and the power/torque certainly can't hurt when off roading. I'm not an off road expert, so I don't know how much the extra weight will be a disadvantage but not a ton I'm guessing. Also, as this is not a daily driver who cares about the mpg loss compared to the V6.
To me though, get the best condition one that's in your budget though that will serve as the platform for the upgrades I'm sure you'll be doing.
Bumbo
New member
I know this is going to sound funny but I have never worried more about gas mileage than when I was off-road, especially in an unfamiliar area and or when cellular data isn’t available.
I have done some trips where I was cutting it very close in terms of finding my next fill-up. In addition to that it can be difficult to gauge how far a tank can take you. Miles off-road is very different than miles on-road. Plus operating in low range runs much higher RPMs so you burn a lot more fuel at much slower speeds.
Regarding gas mileage I will say this, me and my buddy drove to Alaska this past August, he has the V6 and I got the V8. We did some light offroading and he had a RTT and I had a roof rack with 4 jerry cans. We compared gas mileage and it was always within 0.5L/100kms. Sometimes his V6 did worse for gas mileage than my V8. It as always neck to neck between fill ups.
The V6 had to work harder while passing and going up hill. At the end of the day these are heavy trucks and a difference of 0.7L in displacement doesn't make much of a difference.
The V6 had to work harder while passing and going up hill. At the end of the day these are heavy trucks and a difference of 0.7L in displacement doesn't make much of a difference.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
rdruss
Senior Member
I have a V8, I don't off road but I love the feel of the V8. That being said, there are probably 10 times more V6 4Runners on and off road than there are V8's so obviously the V6 gets the job done.
For me, going to a V6 would take some getting used to.
As has been said, drive them both and see what the seat of your pants tells you and go for it.
For me, going to a V6 would take some getting used to.
As has been said, drive them both and see what the seat of your pants tells you and go for it.
