Soccer mom & tow vehicle?

[ATL Jack]

I am thinking about picking up a 2003-2005 4Runner. It will primarily be used by the wife to run errands and shuttle the kids around town. But, since my truck is pushing 170k miles I might want the 4Runner to be a back-up tow vehicle (5000lb boat) and potentially the go-to tow vehicle in a couple of years which would require me to get the V8.

My questions are this:

1. Does the 2wd have a limited slip differential? Is it standard? Is it effective?
2. Is the difference in gas mileage between the V6 & V8 significant? (I might decide to scrap the towing idea if it is)
3. Can the V8 tow 5000lb's comfortably? I am not expecting it to tow like a full-size, I just need to go from boat storage to boat ramp & back. With an occasional long distance trip.

 

[kn38ms]

#2 insignificant
#3 hell yes

 

[josh220]

2. Depends what your idea of significant is. With a 2WD, only about 2 MPG difference. If you are comparing 4WD models, you are looking at a potential 4-5 MPG difference due to the V8's being full time 4WD, and the V6's can be used in 2WD.

3. Yes, without a problem.

 

[AmbideXtrous]

Starting in 05 the 2WD had an LSD. As for if it works well or not, I don't know.

The v8 is rated to tow over 7000lbs with a good weight distribution hitch.

 

[NCSCOTT]

1. NO. There is a computer based "Traction Control System" that use the brake system to apply brake pressure to the spinning wheel to force the other wheel to drive. On my 04 V-6 2wd I can hit the Traction control off switch an spin 1 tire in a straight line. As soon as the system senses any Yaw movement (i.e. side to side ) it kicks back in. It works fairly well. I have used it in a sanding boat ramp situation and did not get stuck. You could add an ARB air locker and never have a problem.

2. Between my 04 V-6 2WD and 08 4WD there is only about 1MPG difference. Also the V-6 can tow up to 6500lbs (I believe that is correct, someone please correct me if I am wrong) with the weight distributing hitch and a Tansmission cooler. The factory Hitch on the V-6 is Weight Carrying. Basicly put a V-8 Hitch on the V-6 and add a aftermarket Aux Transmission cooler. Be careful thought some of the early 03 V-8s had the weight carrying Hitch.

3. YES!!! You will have no problem towing 5000lbs with the V-8. For your occiasonal needs the V-6 may sufice if it is not over 5000lbs. That is the max with the factory setup. If I were making long trips over a couple hours I would want the V-8 for towing. just my opinion and you know what those are like.

Happy shopping!!!

 

[charlier180]

3. Can the V8 tow 5000lb's comfortably? I am not expecting it to tow like a full-size, I just need to go from boat storage to boat ramp & back. With an occasional long distance trip.

The V8 4Runner is a very competent tow vehicle with the proper equipment.
Last summer I towed my enclosed car trailer (~5200 lbs) from Eastern Pennsylvania to Kalamazoo, Michigan and back over a 4 day weekend (1,400 miles).
The 4Runner did that trip in some nasty T-Storms and hot/humid weather without breaking a sweat while keeping myself and my brother nice and cool.

Even after a few years of towing my trailer with the 4Runner people still come up to me and ask how I like the 4Runner as a tow vehicle.
Professional truckers are usually the most surprised of all when I tell them how well it tows.

 

[JungleJim]

As far as mpg, the only owners who say there is only a 1 mpg difference are the V8 owners.

There was a thread just this week about mileage. There were V8 owners stating their best ever mileage was 16 mpg. Some V6 owners average 21 mpg in mixed driving.
So on the flip side of the coin, there could be up to a 5 mpg difference. The V6 will definately do much better in all freeway driving.

If you ever go to sell the vehicle, good luck in the future even giving away a V8 (even if it is the awesome 4Runner!)

The V6 will tow your boat the distances you need.

 

[Cybercannon]

In my 05 sport V8 I've been seeing 16.9 - 18mpg in city depending on traffic and me being easy on the pedal. Highway I've seen 19 - 22.5 depending on distance and high winds. The 19mpg was against stormy head and cross winds nearly the whole 150 miles. From what I could tell the mpg benefit in the V6 is if you run it in 2wd, and that's how they list it on the sticker. If you run the V6 in 4wd the mpg difference is negligible.

also I believe that the mpg listed on the sticker is an average of a range. The small print will say so and I think what the range is. Different quirks in the manufacturing process will have one V8 getting 15 mpg city and another getting 17mpg and the sticker I believe is an average and would list 16mpg.

 

[ATL Jack]

I appreciate the responses & info. I am leaning toward the V8 to replace the towing capacity of my truck when it goes. I still cant make up my mind on 2wd vs 4wd. I've seen 2wd trucks get pulled into a lake on a slippery ramp by the weight of a boat (generally the result of stupidity, but it does happen). I hate to buy a 4x4 when chances are I will never need it.

What is the cost of an air locker installed?