Soooo how do the Gen4's compare to Tacomas in...

[AsherCarson]

I currently have a 2000 3.4l v6 Sport 4x4 Toyota 4runner which I love outside of the horrible take off speed. Yes I know its an SUV but I'd still like to be able to beat a mini van off the line. lol

My second vehicle is a 2005 Toyota Tacoma crew cab 4.0L V6 2wd and it hauls butt off the line I can get up and go! I love the engine transmission etc but HATE 2wd.

So my idea is to sell my Taco and get another 4runner this time going with something 4th gen. I found a 2003 V8 Limited 4x4 Sport model for a fairly good price but I wanted do input from any of you other guys that have previously had a Tacoma and know the off the line power I'm talking about and can compare it to the V8 in the early gen4's.

What do yall think... Does the Gen4 V8 have the power of the Tacoma off the line? Yall prefer the V8 gen4's or V6's? I assume the V8 can sound a little better than the V6 with aftermarket exhaust? Any tips to look out for on the 2003 V8's as a whole? The one I'm looking at has less than 90k miles which is much better than the 160k on my Tacoma!

 

[The end]

I have both an 09 tacoma and an 04 4runner. I have the 4.0 in both but they are pretty comparable in the hp and torque. I can only imagine that the 4.7 would be a little quicker off the line but if I were you I would look for an 05+ with the 5 speed auto.

 

[AsherCarson]

Thanks for the tip on 05+! My only worry about the V8 is I drove a friends older tundra and that thing was about as slow as my 00 4runner. You can not peel out it that thing no matter how you try.

 

[Brazenhead]

I have both an 09 tacoma and an 04 4runner. I have the 4.0 in both but they are pretty comparable in the hp and torque. I can only imagine that the 4.7 would be a little quicker off the line but if I were you I would look for an 05+ with the 5 speed auto.

The V8's all came with a 5 speed tranny no matter the trim level from 03-09.
It was only the 03 and 04 V6's that had the 4speed.

 

[Colemanfu]

Lower gearing with the V8, good if you plan on adding bigger tires. My 4.0 pulls plenty strong.

 

[T4R2014]

Your poor acceleration may be caused by a maintenance issue. Look into doing a tune-up.

Those 4th Gen V8's are rockets though. The UZ engines are very smooth running.

 

[Ask10]

I have a 99 Limited 3.4 4WD and an 03 Sport 2WD V8 to compare it to.

The 4th gen vs. the 3rd gen is really a night and day difference, the 4th gen can really surprise you with the power it has. I did a few 0-60 runs and could average right around 7 seconds while the 3.4 was around 9.5 something seconds, if that gives you an idea. However I'm very happy with the 3.4 as well simply because my last runner was a 22RE powered truck, so really, anything more than that is fine for me

Smoothness is another thing too, the 4th gen rides a whole lot nicer than the 3rd, just in my opinion. It feels quieter, feels more comfortable, and feels more refined, at least to me it does. Added bonus with the V8 is the sound when you do step on it.

Mileage, I actually average 25 mpg (mostly freeway, slow speeds like 55 mph) on the 4th gen and only 23 ish on the 3.4 truck, so another advantage.

The biggest thing I like with the 4.7 over the 4.0 (I've driven the 4.0 Tacos before) is the torque. The 4.0 Tacomas are by no means slow, but simply put, it seems like the much added torque of the V8 in regular driving is really appreciated. I can be going up an incline on the freeway at 1600 rpms and it wont need to upshift to keep up.

All strictly opinion, but I love my V8 and would never go back to a V6 given the choice. Was a little hesitant to pull the trigger on one, but after owning one, I"m sold on it.

 

[RPC]

What do yall think... Does the Gen4 V8 have the power of the Tacoma off the line?

If by "power" you mean get-up: No.

I had a 2002 V6 4WD TRD 5 speed Tacoma before my 2008 V8 4WD SR5 4Runner and they are different vehicles off the line. I've driven but never owned high-performance vehicles, and the Tacoma certainly wasn't one, but it was fun. Spin the tires from a stop, overtake others on the freeway with a downshift and go-pedal (or just go-pedal), etc. My 4Runner takes a little convincing to pass others on 2 lane freeways I used to think nothing about. Its gearing is really what I'd expect for such a capable off-roader (as mentioned above) so I'm not complaining, but you'll be disappointed if you're expecting the same.

Having said that however, I love my 4Runner and haven't looked back. Also, a solid vehicle to tow with.

I assume the V8 can sound a little better than the V6 with aftermarket exhaust?

My V8 sounds amazing with the light exhaust/muffler work I had done.

 

[thatoneguy]

Thanks for the tip on 05+! My only worry about the V8 is I drove a friends older tundra and that thing was about as slow as my 00 4runner. You can not peel out it that thing no matter how you try.

Someone complaining about the "lack of power" in the 4.7L 2uz V8. Now I've seen it all.

my buddies' Tundra will get out from under you with the slightest drop in traction.

Was your friends' Tundra in park?

 

[toyo]

Dear Lord! Our youth scares me.

 

[AsherCarson]

Hahah. I reckon power as in pulling power is the wrong word. I definitely mean the off the line get up and go power. My Taco can do 0-60 in between 6-7 seconds. Floor it from a light and it spins tires like crazy. My 4runner feels more like 0-60 in 9-10 seconds and if I floor it at a light it starts to inch forward and then finally starts to gain some speed.

And no, his truck wasn't in park but having driven his Tundra as will as a 2013 5.7l rental tundra I can promise my Taco would woop either ones butt off the line. Yeah the tundra can potentially catch up but flooring it off the line my Taco takes off!

 

[toyo]

I sold my 2013 Tacoma DCSB 4X4 Sport last month. I drove it 27K miles in just about every type of condition. The Taco feels quicker to me from 0 to 60 versus my 2008 V8 AWD Limited. Not enough for me to say I wish I had the Tacoma speed.
The 4R feels SO much more planted and secure on the road. One of the main reasons why I sold it was I was not happy with the ride quality, gas mileage for the size of engine and lack of creature comforts. Yes, I'm 48 and like them a little more these days.
I had previously had a 2004 V8 AWD Sport and loved that vehicle. Never should have sold it.
Everything has compromises. The 4R is heavier and so much more secure, comfortable, rides much better, more room.

One more thing I need to comment on that really saddens me... The auto manufactures are under a lot of pressure to increase the MPG which means they must find ways to save weight. There are a bunch of little things that I noticed where the weight savings are noticeable. When I would go thru those automatic car washes with the high pressure water and dryers I thought the hood was gonna bend in from the dryer. You could actually see the hood flexing up and down. Thinner gauge of stamped steel? The hood latch on both models are in the same exact spot on the lower dash panel. On the Tacoma when you pull it open the entire dash panel flexes out about 1/2 inch. Feels cheap IMO. All the weatherstripping is so much thinner, glass is thinner, seats are not as supportive. These are small little items that I picked up on.

The Tacoma is a great truck compared to the competition. However, they have got to update this model very soon.

 

[thatoneguy]

Hahah. I reckon power as in pulling power is the wrong word. I definitely mean the off the line get up and go power. My Taco can do 0-60 in between 6-7 seconds. Floor it from a light and it spins tires like crazy. My 4runner feels more like 0-60 in 9-10 seconds and if I floor it at a light it starts to inch forward and then finally starts to gain some speed.

And no, his truck wasn't in park but having driven his Tundra as will as a 2013 5.7l rental tundra I can promise my Taco would woop either ones butt off the line. Yeah the tundra can potentially catch up but flooring it off the line my Taco takes off!

The 3.4 Is no powerhouse, and it's packing a lot less torque and horsepower than the 4.7 V8. I recognize that auto trans can leech power away, but a manual 3.4 Is not gonna beat a 5.7 To 60.

 

[bradentyrer]

I am 18 but apparently drive like a grandma compared to you guys
Personal experience: V8 is a best of an engine. Get it and don't look back. Sounds great, runs great with plenty of mileage and can tow and off-road great with the 5-speed tranny which also does just fine on the road for comfort and speed. It's a great choice for a vehicle.

 

[SolRayz]

I have '03 V8, and I'm pretty sure I could be beat all minivans off the line...lol, and most cars on the road for that matter.

 

[The end]

The V8's all came with a 5 speed tranny no matter the trim level from 03-09.
It was only the 03 and 04 V6's that had the 4speed.

I stand corrected, thanks.

 

[zzchipster]

06 4runner ltd 4x4 v8 nav...cant beat the torque and japanese build....runs like a scalded ape...pulls my trailer effortlessly
08 taco trd 4.ol 4x4 w /super charger....no v8 and build quality is american...(totaled)
01 tundra ltd 4x4 v8 ext cab....the 4runner was faster...
13 taco trd 4.ol 4x4 dc lwb nav.....havent put the supercharger on yet...still in the box....

03 camry...4cyl 35mpg....when u just dont ever want to buy gas..

I will probably never sell the 4runner.....too good of a vehicle....just turned 100k of mall crawling and touring.... will eventually build for offroad...never fixed anything broken....just maint...