thinking of trading my 4runner...thoughts please

[CO_Pro]

My '17 Pro has about 9500 miles on it and I love everything about it but the power....I live in the Rockies and go up and down 10,000ft passes fairly often. The thing just can't get out of it's own way on the steep inclines.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to get a Raptor or a loaded F150 Fx4 with the 5.0 V8. I previously had an F250 and got the Runner for reliability, ease of driving etc.

I understand asking a group of die-head Toyota enthusiasts their opinion on this isn't the best sample size and I also understand you all could probably care less what other people do with their vehicle choices and/or money.

That all being said, what causes you guys to keep the underpowered but all around badass 4runner over something with more power?

Thanks in advance

 

[RedSled]

I have 2 words for you, Super Charger.

 

[nb rob]

I'd get rid of it too if I had to drive big hills often.

 

[TEujunga]

I would think the EcoBoost engine would maintain power at altitude a lot better than then N/A 5.0 engine, and I haven't heard about any durability/reliability issues with them.

Do you really need BOF construction for what you're doing? There are plenty of big, powerful SUVs that might fill the bill better if you don't do a ton of off-roading.

 

[derryck]

I live in FL where almost everywhere I go is within a couple of feet of sea level and that has always been my biggest grip about my 4Runner. My GF has a Explorer Sport with the older iteration of the 3.5 EcoBoost and I love that motor. I'm sure the V8 would be better than your 4Runner but I doubt it would be 'that much' better since it would suffer from the same issues at altitude. I'd either explorer the supercharger for the 4Runner or go with the blown Raptor.

 

[dafuture]

As much as I think we'd all like to push you towards a supercharger, it really doesn't make much sense given that you bought the 4Runner for ease of use, reliability, etc. I feel like putting an S/C on would only degrade those qualities.

If you like the Raptor, it's a great truck. That being said, it's certainly going to be much higher maintenance than something like a 4Runner.

What kind of driving do you do?

 

[jacksparrow]

I feel the same about my 4Runner as well. Have been driving a F-150 5.0 V8 for the past couple of weeks and when I go back to my 4R, it just doesn't excite me. Have been driving it in Sport mode for the last week, which helps a little.
Gas mileage doesn't help either. I've been getting 20.4 miles per gallon in the ford(V8) and 17.2 in the 4R(V6).
I know I didn't buy the 4R for mileage or power but it's starting to get old.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

I spend my life in mountains and off-road.

I have never understood some peoples opinion of the 4 liter 4Runner having no power,

 

[BaddaBing]

Gx 460

Lexus GX 460 would be the next step up from 4Runner if you love Toyota, value dependability and want a V8. My friend liked my 4Runner but wanted a V8. I referred him to a friend at Lexus and he purchased a GX 460. He loves it.

Good luck

 

[b407driver]

...That all being said, what causes you guys to keep the underpowered but all around badass 4runner over something with more power?

I felt the same way you did for the first 5k, but I've since just gotten used to driving it in Sport mode in the hills, and being OK with it having to kick into 3rd once in awhile. Coming from a 4.6L V8 Sequoia it drove me nuts for awhile, but honestly I think the 4Runner would beat it both 0-60 and in a 1/4-mile if I raced myself. I do miss the low-end torque, though.

I also seriously considered a GX460, but I'm glad I went with the 4Runner, as I'd be skittering around in the shadows with my tail between my legs if I had. I'm old, but I ain't that old... lolo

 

[Agent_Outside]

Lexus GX 460 would be the next step up from 4Runner if you love Toyota, value dependability and want a V8. My friend liked my 4Runner but wanted a V8. I referred him to a friend at Lexus and he purchased a GX 460. He loves it.

Good luck

The GX460 sucks, I was/am in the same position as the OP so I cross shopped the GX460, it falls short in everything except for a very small power to weight advantage.


4Runner - 17.79 lbs per HP, 9.6" ground clearance, 33/26 approach/departure, 17/21 mpg unleaded, 1550lb max payload, 88.8 cu.ft max cargo capacity.

GX460 - 17.05 lbs per HP, 8.1" ground clearance, 21/23 approach/departure, 15/20 mpg premium, 1470lb max payload, 81.7 cu.ft max cargo capacity.

 

[Jeremy556]

That all being said, what causes you guys to keep the underpowered but all around badass 4runner over something with more power?

Because there is nothing else comparable to the 4runner with significantly more power.

4.56 gears don't hurt either.

 

[CO_Pro]

Appreciate all the replies so far!

I drive I70 from Denver through the mountain passes regularly and it just struggles.....I'm always hammering it to maintain speed. I know there are a ton of 4runners here which makes me think I'm being overly critical about the lack of power.

I take it offroad 3-4 times per month but nothing crazy - mainly to get to fishing spots or mountain bike trails.

My concern with the Raptor is that tuned 3.5 ecoboost, it worries me for the long term. Same concern with boosting the engine we already have. There is something special about the Raptor though that just isn't available anywhere else.

I just wish they still offered the V8 in this platform; it would be the perfect vehicle in my opinion.

 

[(none)]

The GX is only .5 seconds faster 0-60 than the 4R. The 3.5L F150 on the other hand... about 2 seconds quicker.

I still think the 4runner's biggest downfall isn't the motor itself, it's that transmission programming. It won't hold gears long enough. There is no "sport mode", sequential mode doesn't hold gears any better than "Drive", it just limits how high of a gear the transmission will shift into (and will not allow the TC to lock in 4th when in S5 for some weird reason...). If the transmission was better at letting the motor rev, had a tow/haul mode, or even better yet a manual transmission, i don't think we'd have as many of these "the 4R has no power" posts.

 

[Jhalko]

Appreciate all the replies so far!

I drive I70 from Denver through the mountain passes regularly and it just struggles.....I'm always hammering it to maintain speed. I know there are a ton of 4runners here which makes me think I'm being overly critical about the lack of power.

I take it offroad 3-4 times per month but nothing crazy - mainly to get to fishing spots or mountain bike trails

I just wish they still offered the V8 in this platform; it would be the perfect vehicle in my opinion.

They do, it’s called a Lexus GX!

Even after bolting on at least 400lbs of steel it still does over the speed limit to Summit county for me all the time.

But if you want the Raptor, just get it, sounds like it meets all your needs just fine and the cost difference isn’t an issue for you.

 

[Agent_Outside]

Appreciate all the replies so far!

I drive I70 from Denver through the mountain passes regularly and it just struggles.....I'm always hammering it to maintain speed. I know there are a ton of 4runners here which makes me think I'm being overly critical about the lack of power.

When I have my 4Runner towing my Polaris RZR through I70 it’s painful

 

[ParsonsWV]

I didn't understand the complaint everyone had about lack of power in the 4runner until I went back to WV to visit family. If I lived there still or moved back I would sell the 4runner and go back to a diesel truck. Once you have something that handles the mountains with ease and then go to a 4runner it is annoying. But being in the flat land of SC I couldn't be happier with the 4runner.

 

[CSM4runner]

i went from a '15 crewmax Tundra to a '16 4Runner trail and I miss the torque/HP often. Here in Honolulu there isn't a lot of hills/mountains but when i move back to South Tennessee I can't see keeping the T4R.

 

[michalik.piotr6837]

I agree, I think its the transmission not the motor. Also agree with issues of SC on both Raptor and Magnusoning the runner.

People who don't have an issue with lack of power on the runner either live in flat lands or never drove a big block v8.

I had a heavy as shit g500 that hauled ass like nobodys business and can relate to the perception of loss/lack of power in the runner.

My suggestion, drive it long enough and you will get use to it or forget about how more powerful rigs feel. Or.....

Buy slightly used v8 raptor (no one mentioned used rigs here yet) since it looks like you really want one, or....

buy g500, g550 or g55, new or used, up to you. All are awesome rigs, the g55 is AMG w/ SC big block v8 pushing over 500hp. All have solid front axls and tripple locked. Problem solved.

 

[JSparky]

I feel you, the 4Runner forces an entirely different concept of driving compared to the V8's. My brother has a Grand Cherokee with the 5.7 Hemi and every time I drive it I just shake my head. That said, the electronic throttle and transmission programming really hurts the driving experience in the 4Runner.

I may suggest trying out a Sprint Booster. Compared to a new vehicle it's a small investment and you can always re-sell it on the classifieds here. There's throngs of fanboys for it and I initially considered it a gamble, but from a "relatively objective state of mind" it really does seem to open up both the engine and gearing. It increases throttle response but also changes shift points, downshifts much sooner for hill climbs getting you into the sweet spot of the torque curve. Takes dips and downhills easy as well, rolls through things and maintains speed like a tank. I've been running it the past year and the best way to describe its effect is de-neuterization. Something to consider if you want try and keep the 4Runner.

At some point I'd hope Toyota will realize that the people buying body-on-frame SUV's are also willing to make concessions in fuel economy in favor of more power. It's a selective but large subset of consumers.