should i do the trade for a V8?

[8086bruce]

The timing belt on my parent's suburban broke while they were towing a boat. Yeah...that engine was toast. To be fair I'm sure it was past due for a change. I don't know what the recommended service interval for those chevy 350's was but I think they had at least 150k miles on the clock. So timing belts are really not that big of a deal but it really is important that they get changed at or soon after the recommended interval.

Toyota says 90k miles for the 4.7L V8 but you know they have some extra tolerance built in. I'm sure most of them can go 120k with no problem. But is that something you really want to risk? I'd rather pay to get it changed early than blow the engine.

Chevy's 350ci 5.7 has allways had a timing chain. Never a belt.

 

[DC runner]

Can I add that the Chevy small block V8 350 is in my opinion one of the single greatest engines every produced. Solid engine, all around.

 

[Ducman]

The timing belt on my parent's suburban broke while they were towing a boat. Yeah...that engine was toast. To be fair I'm sure it was past due for a change. I don't know what the recommended service interval for those chevy 350's was but I think they had at least 150k miles on the clock. So timing belts are really not that big of a deal but it really is important that they get changed at or soon after the recommended interval.

Toyota says 90k miles for the 4.7L V8 but you know they have some extra tolerance built in. I'm sure most of them can go 120k with no problem. But is that something you really want to risk? I'd rather pay to get it changed early than blow the engine.

Doesn't a 350 use a timing chain?.... at any rate timing chains can wear out just like timing belts.

I'm always amazed when people get really down on the V8 for the timing belt and water pump replacement. I don't see any V6 owners running out to replace their water pump at 90,000 hmmm. Timing chains will stretch over time too. I replaced the timing chain in my Mustang a few years ago, it had 100,000 miles on it and the old chain had developed a fair amount of slop.

Has the OP even re-posted in this thread ? The original post seemed strangely vague...

 

[bobby4runner]

Timing belt conversion?!?! Wtf are you talking about?

You still haven't told us the years or models of the trucks. Seems fishy to me that he wants to trade also. Not trying to be "that guy" in this thread but the whole thing seems weird to me.

if you took the time to read the whole post you would have found info on it. and besides the poll at the top of the page tells you also, dont ask questions which you already have answers to.

 

[SP Jon M3]

He means the pre-05 models. Where the V6 produced more HP than the V8, but it did this at a very high RPM.
I will take my HP at lower RPM, served up with higher torque.

Numbers can lie and mislead you. Looking at how the relate is important.

Well, 2003 4x4runner never stated what model years he was referring to. And the OP was referring only to the 2006 model year. Therefore one would assume that 2003 4x4 was also referring to the 2006 model. So if he was, then he doesn't have the correct numbers. And if he was referring to the pre '05 then it's irrelevant since, as the OP stated, we are discussing both in the 2006 model year.


And I completely agree with you on the last line about misleading numbers!

Either way, I've had a 2005 Tacoma with the V6 and two V8 4runners (VVT-i's). The V8 is better motor. When I was shopping for my second runner, I test drove the new (at the time) 2010.. well, there was no way I would go back to the V6 (especially since they added 400lbs to the new runner). It was slower going up a hill than my 4Runner with 33s and alot of weight in steel, and the V6 felt like it had to struggle and wind up before it went anywhere. Even the manager at the dealership said flat out that the new 4Runner with the V6 is underpowered, and he was trying to sell me a new car. As for mileage, I actually get better mileage in my runner with the V8 when outfitted similarly to the Tacoma with the V6 (lift with 33"s, no armor). I now have steel bumpers, winch, roof rack and sliders and I can still get 17.5-18mpg on the fwy (calculated, not the internal trip meter). Plus it just doesn't have to work as hard as the V6 does.

I've never heard of anyone wishing they had the V6 when they had the V8, but you hear about it the other way around.

 

[zstampe]

if you took the time to read the whole post you would have found info on it. and besides the poll at the top of the page tells you also, dont ask questions which you already have answers to.

I read the whole post.....haven't seen anyone mention a "timing belt conversion" other than you. Never seen it on the whole forum as a matter of fact. Other members agreed with my confusion on what it is youre talking about.

Also polls don't show up on the tapatalk app on my smartphone I use to view this forum frequently so I can't see what said poll says.

 

[Streetfighter]

anyone who is thinking the V6 is better than a V8 is crazy...

more power, more torque, with 1-2 mpg difference?

and also the 2UZ is known to be BULLET PROOF

only downfall i see is the Timing belt....a chain is maintenance free

 

[SP Jon M3]

anyone who is thinking the V6 is better than a V8 is crazy...

more power, more torque, with 1-2 mpg difference?

and also the 2UZ is known to be BULLET PROOF

only downfall i see is the Timing belt....a chain is maintenance free

Agreed!

a chain is maintenance free

Timing chains are not maintenance free.. They can and do stretch and/or break and need to be maintained as well. Although that usually doesn't happen until after 100-200k miles or the typical life of a vehicle. But with Toyota's easily going 200k+ miles, they might have to be changed along with other timing components.

Here's an article about timing component upgrades on the bullet-proof 22r. Point being in even such a stout engine with a chain, the timing components still need maintenance.

DOA Racing Engine's Timing Chain Kit- ORN

 

[bobby4runner]

I read the whole post.....haven't seen anyone mention a "timing belt conversion" other than you. Never seen it on the whole forum as a matter of fact. Other members agreed with my confusion on what it is youre talking about.

Also polls don't show up on the tapatalk app on my smartphone I use to view this forum frequently so I can't see what said poll says.

ok so i miss read your last comment, i thought you were refering to what the info was on my 4runner, and my friends. oh well my bad. and about the conversion, idk either. soundded good at the time, but i do think its possible giving the time, money and right gear. i really dont think it would be all to hard to do it. i dont want to sound like a mother, but anythings possible if you put your mind to it.


again my appologise's to zstampe. haha

 

[Mr. Banks]

RE: Poll

To the OP: The poll only shows you what other people would do in your shoes, for their own reasons. What are your reasons for v6 or v8?

Gas - I have driven both, my buddies stock 2008 V6 Sport 4x4, and we get 20.something MPG. I have never seen it drop below 20 MPG and it tops out at 22 when we babied it. It doesn't stay there for long though. My 2005 V8 Sport 4x4 gets 16.5 MPG and that doesn't move. I have the Borla CatBack exhaust and Volant CAI. They do not improve your MPG. Response and sound are the main noticable improvements. My commute to work is 39 miles from home to base. As soon as a leave the 75-80 MPH range and bring it down to 65-70 I will start to see improvements in my MPG. The problem is, you can't go from A to B in SoCal without going 75-80 or you will have many pissed off drivers Mean Muggin' you. I have never used a DYNO so I can't say yes or no to torque or HP increase. If I had a V6 here on my commute I could gain an extra day of back and forth commute driving between fillups. I would also save $100 on gas driving from San Diego to my home town of Portland, OR. Driving home really depends on airline tickets. I'll compare driving home to flying costs because they jump around so much.

Aftermarket parts - 4runner V8 CAI's aren't street legal in CA or any state adopting their emissions regs. Custom Headers are hard to come by. Doug Thorley does them for the V6 and they won't make money back trying to outfit V8's. Yes it can be done but anyone trying to make money off them won't see a profit. I kept my stock airbox and I just install that sucker when it is time for my SMOG check. I'm registered in Oregon but in order to send my registration to them it requires a SMOG every few years. No problem to reinstall for the check, but if you want to be technical, it isn't legal to have a CAI on our engine here. If there is a CA legal CAI it is a well kept secret from me. Not a con if you don't plan on modding.

Supercharger - V6 can have modded Taco-FJ TRD supercharger. It actually does fit under the hood. URD makes a stage I supercharger for $5.5k. There is also the Stage II upgrade kit.

Towing - Lets just make this simple. If yes, V8. If no, V6. There are too many variables to hash out. This doesn't mean the V6 can't tow.

Maintenance - Both have to get the 4x4 differential servicing at some point. V8's have a timing belt. Big deal. If it is on your 4runner, you will take care of it. If you don't take care of it, you wouldn't have joined a 4runner forum.

Part time or full time 4x4 - How's the weather where you are? Worried about hitting ice or will you have enough heads up to engage 4WD? I hit 6 feet of snow in Portland's christmas '08. Had chains, never needed them. Only needed 4LO once because I got dumped on over night and there was a pole burried somewhere next to the runner. Didn't want to chance hitting it so I had to take the hard way out. No chains, parked facing down on a hill with wall of snow in front and on the side. I had to go backwards fighting the hill.
Was fun, got out. I have a pic somwhere...

I have been losing sleep trying to decide on v6, v8, or 5th gen. About a week ago I decided I'm staying with the 4th Gen untill I'm 100% happy with the 5th Gens. Next it was V6 or V8 and after reading this, I have made up my mind on the 2008, (yes 08, NOT 09) V8. Anyone wants to hear my reasons and thoughts we can start a new thread. 5th Gen guys don't flog me. I like the 5th Gen but she's not there yet compared to a 4th Gen..for me.

 

[progress4m]

The timing belt on my parent's suburban broke while they were towing a boat. Yeah...that engine was toast. To be fair I'm sure it was past due for a change. I don't know what the recommended service interval for those chevy 350's was but I think they had at least 150k miles on the clock. So timing belts are really not that big of a deal but it really is important that they get changed at or soon after the recommended interval.

Toyota says 90k miles for the 4.7L V8 but you know they have some extra tolerance built in. I'm sure most of them can go 120k with no problem. But is that something you really want to risk? I'd rather pay to get it changed early than blow the engine.

Chevy 350 always had timing chain… and it may break just like it did in your parent’s case.
Actually I have heard many stories in my life of chain braking or teeth break off on small block 350… actually a lot more than timing belt braking in 4.7 Toyota V8....

 

[jasonmckinley]

ok so i miss read your last comment, i thought you were refering to what the info was on my 4runner, and my friends. oh well my bad. and about the conversion, idk either. soundded good at the time, but i do think its possible giving the time, money and right gear. i really dont think it would be all to hard to do it. i dont want to sound like a mother, but anythings possible if you put your mind to it.


again my appologise's to zstampe. haha

if you're considering crazy options like a timing belt conversion (never heard of it), cold air intake, etc. my question is why wouldn't you just sell the 4runner you have, take the $$ you're planning on spending for these modifications, and put it towards a landcruiser? if gas mileage isn't a concern as you mentioned in an earlier post, the LC is the best thing on the road.

 

[zstampe]

ok so i miss read your last comment, i thought you were refering to what the info was on my 4runner, and my friends. oh well my bad. and about the conversion, idk either. soundded good at the time, but i do think its possible giving the time, money and right gear. i really dont think it would be all to hard to do it. i dont want to sound like a mother, but anythings possible if you put your mind to it.


again my appologise's to zstampe. haha

So youre saying i can be an astronaut??? ;-)

 

[bobby4runner]

if you're considering crazy options like a timing belt conversion (never heard of it), cold air intake, etc. my question is why wouldn't you just sell the 4runner you have, take the $$ you're planning on spending for these modifications, and put it towards a landcruiser? if gas mileage isn't a concern as you mentioned in an earlier post, the LC is the best thing on the road.

ok, so maybe i did say that, but i didnt mean that much. the 2mpg less the V6 is not bad, i can do that, but almost 3-6 mpg lower then the already low V8 no thanks. besides, i dont think i would have enough for one even then. but i do give props to the land cruiser, 5.7 V8 full time 4x4 with all the control at your finger tips, its tempting, very tempting.

 

[bobby4runner]

So youre saying i can be an astronaut??? ;-)

thats what im talking about!! me next! :zoom:

 

[Presta24]

LOL, the timing belt is not a reason to avoid an engine that is mechanically superior in every way.

$1.5k every 90k miles is nada considering NOTHING else needs to be done other than oil/filters and diffs (>60k if you use synthetic)

$1500 for a timing belt job.....youre gettin bent over fella......$600-$700, at the stealer, here in cincinnati

 

[Streetfighter]

Anyone whos getting 16.5 MPG theres something wrong with your truck. :wow:

i get 20-21 on the highway no problem with 255/75/17's. thats calculated...not gauged.

Timing belt nonsense

it costed me 270 dollars for all the parts (waterpump etc) and 6-7 hours of my time, and it was fun.

the 1500 dollar jobs doesnt included everything, while youre in there CHANGE EVERYTHING!!!!

Do it yourself. A standard Impact fits in the pulley!

 

[Streetfighter]

Oh

and forgot to mention.

I changed my timing belt at...


124k miles!!!

 

[ClockWork]

Anyone whos getting 16.5 MPG theres something wrong with your truck. :wow:

i get 20-21 on the highway no problem with 255/75/17's. thats calculated...not gauged.

Timing belt nonsense

it costed me 270 dollars for all the parts (waterpump etc) and 6-7 hours of my time, and it was fun.

the 1500 dollar jobs doesnt included everything, while youre in there CHANGE EVERYTHING!!!!

Do it yourself. A standard Impact fits in the pulley!

Maybe not everyone drives as slow as you. I get 16 going 85 from Easter PA to central jersey with BFGs.

 

[DC runner]

!Face Palm! We get it. You go this, I go that. My oblong rock goes this far, while your cubed tabled goes 4.5697 parsecs to the kessel run. While my flux capacitor gets me 22 million miles per liter of seal oil.