Should I get a v6 or v8

[The new driver]

So I want to upgrade to a newer 4runner I have a 3rd gen right now on 265's and I want to upgrade to a 4th gen. The problem is I don't know if I should get a v6 or a v8 I want to do 33s. I know the v8 would do just fine with 33s but how will the v6 react is it going to need to be re geared or not. This truck is going to be for light off roading but will also be my daily. I know the v8 will consume more gas so if the v6 reacts ok to 33s i will probably go with that but i don't want to re gear. Any and all advise is appreciated

 

[Juicy]

So I want to upgrade to a newer 4runner I have a 3rd gen right now on 265's and I want to upgrade to a 4th gen. The problem is I don't know if I should get a v6 or a v8 I want to do 33s. I know the v8 would do just fine with 33s but how will the v6 react is it going to need to be re geared or not. This truck is going to be for light off roading but will also be my daily. I know the v8 will consume more gas so if the v6 reacts ok to 33s i will probably go with that but i don't want to re gear. Any and all advise is appreciated

The statement about v8 consuming more gas isn't necessarily true, lots of people post on here about v8 getting better mpg than v6. But it all depends on how you drive and what you are using it for.

 

[2016 4Runner SR5]

I'm running 33s under my 2016 with the 4.0 and stock gearing and it does just fine. With that said, if there was a V8 option in the 5th gen, I would have got it.

 

[mar5168]

So I want to upgrade to a newer 4runner I have a 3rd gen right now on 265's and I want to upgrade to a 4th gen. The problem is I don't know if I should get a v6 or a v8 I want to do 33s. I know the v8 would do just fine with 33s but how will the v6 react is it going to need to be re geared or not. This truck is going to be for light off roading but will also be my daily. I know the v8 will consume more gas so if the v6 reacts ok to 33s i will probably go with that but i don't want to re gear. Any and all advise is appreciated

I'm probably gonna be one of the few to recommend the v6, but hear me out.

Cons of the 2UZ-FE:
- Timing belt $$$$ (No getting around this)
- Full time 4wd without the option of 2wd (if you brake a front axle on a trail you're not getting home until you replace the axle. If this happens in a v6 4wd simply put into 2wd, make sure axle won't swing around destroying stuff, drive home)
- More $$$ on gas (honestly they're both probably similar, but the v8 a smidge worse)


Now everybody is gonna tell you that the v8 makes more power (and it does) but there certainly isn't a huge difference between the two. I've towed a 3800lb boat every weekend for the past 4 years with my v6 and it has absolutely no issues doing so, nor does it feel underpowered.

 

[Inv4drZm]

They are basically the same engine, just one sounds way better, has a bit more torque, and is a little more expensive to maintain with the timing belt.

Gas mileage is the same or better with the V8 when you tax it with armor, bumpers, winches, roof racks, and a lift. Stock for stock the V6 might get a couple mpg's better.

Neither have a problem with any tire size.

 

[bombventure]

I have some 285/65r18 on my '04 v6, even after upgrading to a 3" lift and the bigger tire size we didn't have to regear it or anything. There wasn't a big enough change for me or my wife to notice anything different about our 4r, it literally drives/feels the same as it did stock.

As for mpg, with the lift and 285's we are still getting around 16/city and 18-19/highway. Little bit less on the shorter drives. Hopefully this will help you a bit, but definitely would like to hear from some V8 owners as well and someone who might have experience with both the V6 and V8.

 

[capri_auto]

I chose the V6 because of the timing chain, vs the belt on the V8. Powers about the same and I save a little with the better mpg. V8 also has SAI. I'm all about simplicity and the V6 is the way to go. With that said I would get an 06+ v6, or any year V8 if the truck is priced right.

 

[Rishi3]

V6 can go up to 35s without issues. I'm on 33s and have no problem whatsoever

Sent from my ZTE B2017G using Tapatalk

 

[AdmiralAugbar]

I got a V8 and have zero regrets. If the 4runner you're looking at is around 100k make sure the timing belt has been done, if not you can use that an a negotiation tool.

 

[flipflopnfly]

They are basically the same engine, just one sounds way better, has a bit more torque, and is a little more expensive to maintain with the timing belt.

Gas mileage is the same or better with the V8 when you tax it with armor, bumpers, winches, roof racks, and a lift. Stock for stock the V6 might get a couple mpg's better.

Neither have a problem with any tire size.

Not "the same engine". 4.0 is a good engine, had one in a Tacoma. The 4.7 is better for low RPM torque. I don't recommend the V8 to everybody, but if you tow the 4.7 pulls better from idle to peak torque at 3600rpm, look at the torque curves. I've pulled the same trailer with a 4.0 and a 4.7. I was in one higher gear all the time with the V8. Same hill, same trailer, same speed, one higher gear with the V8. And yeah, V8 does sound way better, I love that V8 roar.

If I didn't tow I may have considered a 4.0, but the V8 with the factory tow package, Toyota installed a nice factory tow package with the V8.

 

[CXS]

Full time 4wd without the option of 2wd (if you brake a front axle on a trail you're not getting home until you replace the axle. If this happens in a v6 4wd simply put into 2wd)

If you break an axle on the V8 with full time 4wd you just lock the center dif and drive home in 2wd.

 

[markymark191]

I have the v6 and wish I had the v8. When I switched to 285 I noticed a huge difference in acceleration. I have never driven a v8 but I would guess it would handle the lift and tires better. Also I think with the setup I have the v8 would be the same as far as mpg goes. I am getting around 13-14 city. Also, if you get an earlier model there is a chance of having your head gasket go bad. Just a though to consider.

 

[AuSeeker]

I have the v6 and wish I had the v8. When I switched to 285 I noticed a huge difference in acceleration. I have never driven a v8 but I would guess it would handle the lift and tires better. Also I think with the setup I have the v8 would be the same as far as mpg goes. I am getting around 13-14 city. Also, if you get an earlier model there is a chance of having your head gasket go bad. Just a though to consider.

I would note that the head gasket issue is only a possible problem on the V6s, I haven't heard of the V8s having this issue.

 

[Civiceg94]

I have the v6 and wish I had the v8. When I switched to 285 I noticed a huge difference in acceleration. I have never driven a v8 but I would guess it would handle the lift and tires better. Also I think with the setup I have the v8 would be the same as far as mpg goes. I am getting around 13-14 city. Also, if you get an earlier model there is a chance of having your head gasket go bad. Just a though to consider.

I would agree with you here also v6 doesnt get close to 20 with 33's i never did the most i have got was 14's on highway i went to 255/75-17 and only got 1mpg more. I also felt power went down. i would get the v8 just so i would have power and v8 sound thats just me. I would say this full throttle on the v6 it does move cant really feel a power decrese.

 

[markymark191]

I would note that the head gasket issue is only a possible problem on the V6s, I haven't heard of the V8s having this issue.

Yes I should have said v6. I meant that but didn't say it! Thanks for clarifying though.

 

[markymark191]

I would agree with you here also v6 doesnt get close to 20 with 33's i never did the most i have got was 14's on highway i went to 255/75-17 and only got 1mpg more. I also felt power went down. i would get the v8 just so i would have power and v8 sound thats just me. I would say this full throttle on the v6 it does move cant really feel a power decrese.

How do you like the 255? On the note of power, he is coming from a 3rd gen which either the 4th gen v6 or v8 will be a huge difference in power. I would compare my 3rd gen stock to my 4th gen with lift and tires about the same as acceleration goes.

 

[herooftheday]

I would note that the head gasket issue is only a possible problem on the V6s, I haven't heard of the V8s having this issue.

This is the exact reason I'm looking for a V8. I wish they weren't so expensive though.

 

[TowMeOut]

2 reasons I went with the V6...I don't tow a big trailer and I thought I'd save a bit in gas. Since then I ended up towing a smaller trailer quite a bit and the gas savings is almost negligible. I just upgraded to 255/75R17 tires a while back and they seem to be just fine.

I had the 4.7L in my Tundra I sold to get the T4R and loved it. Smooth, nice sound, plenty of power.

The 4.0L has plenty of space under the hood for a dual battery or onboard air setup. The 4.7L is stuffed in there just a bit more so it's tighter to work on or add other goodies.

All in all...I wish I had the V8.....

 

[greatape]

Loved my V8 on my 4th. Just made driving so much easier loaded down and if I wanted to pass someone, hell, no problem...

 

[HOJeepster]

2 reasons I went with the V6...I don't tow a big trailer and I thought I'd save a bit in gas. Since then I ended up towing a smaller trailer quite a bit and the gas savings is almost negligible. I just upgraded to 255/75R17 tires a while back and they seem to be just fine.

I had the 4.7L in my Tundra I sold to get the T4R and loved it. Smooth, nice sound, plenty of power.

The 4.0L has plenty of space under the hood for a dual battery or onboard air setup. The 4.7L is stuffed in there just a bit more so it's tighter to work on or add other goodies.

All in all...I wish I had the V8.....

Sure a V6 at sea level would be fine...but if you live in high elevation with high altitude mountain passes - the V8 wins.

I'm at 205k on my V8 and it still rips up Colorado passes fully loaded in 3rd and 4th gear. This engine still amazes me on how capable it is.

Gas mileage? That stopped mattering after we lift and put bigger tires on, no?

Timing Belt - 900 dollars every 100,000 miles...big whoop.

V8:horn: