This is the engine the 4runner needs

[manofsteele2003]

I'm surprised by the general lack of enthusiasm for a more powerful more efficient powertrain. I guess I just don't understand the fear of new technology.

Heard many of the exact same words when fuel injection became a thing. There are still a few guys holding on to their carburetors saying its the only thing you can really fix with hand tools... but I think they are missing out holding on to their perceived reliability blanket LOL

We tried the new technology when we bought a '16 Tacoma and the crap drive train they have in that. Had it a year and traded up to a Tundra, don't miss it at all. Not against new technology just know what works and prefer it, give it a few years for the bugs to be worked out. Like the variable compression engine in the new Infiniti QX50, interesting but no way I'm going to be that guinea pig.

I think you're preaching to the wrong crowd. Most Toyota owners know what they bought it for and it's not the performance or the gas mileage.

 

[wfo9]

We tried the new technology when we bought a '16 Tacoma and the crap drive train they have in that. Had it a year and traded up to a Tundra, don't miss it at all. Not against new technology just know what works and prefer it, give it a few years for the bugs to be worked out. Like the variable compression engine in the new Infiniti QX50, interesting but no way I'm going to be that guinea pig.

I think you're preaching to the wrong crowd. Most Toyota owners know what they bought it for and it's not the performance or the gas mileage.

What I don't get is the Tacoma is sucked right off the lot. So I don't get why people purchased them. I'm guessing it was the typical Toyota thing... blinded by the brand reputation.. but when faced with reality of driving it daily. it must have been a miserable experience . I know at least 5 die hard Toyota fans who did the same thing. They lasted about 5 months. I've never heard of a vehicle so quickly traded in by so many brand loyalest.

What I'm talking about here is an engine that drives and pulls like a diesel, but just keeps on pulling decent up to redline and still gets good mpg and does not throw check engine lights on every regen like many diesels do. That seem like a win win... but I guess many folks fear the technology of a high output 4cyl truck engine.

 

[Shadow18]

only other Toyota engine id want to see in the 4runner is a brand new 2jz-gte , other than that the 1gr-fe is fine. If they wanted it, they could easily swap like an upper or lower block for something a little bigger and make like 40-50 more hp on the 1gr-fe, I just not think the cost/benefit ratio is worth it for them. I mean for offloading the 1gr-fe does everything you need it so why need something different?

 

[wfo9]

only other Toyota engine id want to see in the 4runner is a brand new 2jz-gte , other than that the 1gr-fe is fine. If they wanted it, they could easily swap like an upper or lower block for something a little bigger and make like 40-50 more hp on the 1gr-fe, I just not think the cost/benefit ratio is worth it for them. I mean for offloading the 1gr-fe does everything you need it so why need something different?

Because people want to tow. Run big tires. Not hear the motor down shifting and revving up to climb hills. That is the joy of torque.

So yea, imagine this idea as a 2jz-gte on steroids with more modern technology... The 3rz was an amazing little motor too, just not offered from the factory with FI. So in my mind it would just be the natural evolution of the 3rz which might be the best motor Toyota ever produced. Factory FI on the 1grfe would also be good, but it would not get the economy where it needs to be without some additional updates. I think FI is really the only option these days unless they add some displacement. .

 

[Judd94]

Well I love my 4.0. It really is a solid, reliable motor. The trans is solid too. I keep seeing a few people here and there ***** about wanting more gears and more efficiency. Well, the 3rd gen Tacoma owners are missing the 2nd gen 4.0. The true reality is that it is being held back by federal and state government regulations such as California where everything causes cancer. The restrictive second set of cats as well as the secondary air filter to keep emissions from leaki out through the intake. Wtf is that about? And diesel? I would love a diesel but look at the additional up front cost of probably $5k. Let’s say it got 30 mpg so you would have to justify the extra $5k over 10mpgs plus the extra cost of diesel. The cost benefit just isn’t there. Plus with all the diesel emission regs you would need EGR valves and they don’t last 300k Miles. Oh and DEF fluid. The benefits aren’t worth the additional cost. Toyota spends $1,000,000 an hour on research And development, I’m sure they’ve calculated a few things. Want more power, go buy the Lexus 4Runner whatever and stop *****ing about your 4Runner that you signed for. Don’t like it, don’t buy it.
Anyways I love my 4.0

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

People (Americans) are just whiny ass b**ches.

We'd get a 500 hp, 800 ftlb torque 8th gen 4runner, and if gas was cheap enough, they'd all complain like dumbf**ks about why their 8th gen is so slow up hills towing their 35,000 lb mobile helipad/condo combo.

 

[wfo9]

People (Americans) are just whiny ass b**ches.

We'd get a 500 hp, 800 ftlb torque 8th gen 4runner, and if gas was cheap enough, they'd all complain like dumbf**ks about why their 8th gen is so slow up hills towing their 35,000 lb mobile helipad/condo combo.

Nobody is whining or complaining. It's just discussion about incremental and breakthrough improvements (commonly referred to as continuous improvements). . It's how products evolve and how enthusiast and reviewers often provide feedback to product developers. RELAX.

 

[philsey]

Nobody is whining or complaining. It's just discussion about incremental and breakthrough improvements (commonly referred to as continuous improvements). . It's how products evolve and how enthusiast and reviewers often provide feedback to product developers. RELAX.

Agree.

I've followed this thread with interest, and I'd be in line tomorrow for one of Toyota's tried and true V8s.

Having said that however, I have to say you can see what I drive. Further, anyone who cannot get more-than-adequate performance from this engine is either afraid of the go-pedal or just not quite bright enough to learn how to drive it. This thing will go like stink if you really want it to. It is not a tow truck ... trying to make it one is on you.

Be careful what you wish for boys ... we don't want to be following the Taco experience.

 

[phillyd2]

Who the hell is afraid of new technology? It’s just that most of us don’t keep looking for somebody else while dancing with our date. If Toyota comes out with a better set up, great! But we also understand and more importantly accept that we bought a 4R not to be fast, not to get 40 MPG, not to tow 15K, not to take hairpin turns at 60, not to drive like a Caddy or BMW, etc. because there are tons of other vehicles that would do those jobs much better.

I’m one that came to the 5th Gen from a V8 4th Gen so if Toyota is more cautious than others for the sake of reliability then that’s a price I’m more than willing to pay. And will continue to applaud them for their approach.

 

[MidnightOffRoad]

MPG claims are a bit disingenuous as a big part of Ford and GM's climb on economy is the new 10 speed auto.

I will admit, the Toyo V-6 is no longer "class leading" in virtually any aspect. A complete revamp of the power train is no overdue, perhaps LONG overdue.

Ford's ecoboost line with the 10 speed is the temporary future of power trains in cars.

That is, until the electrics take over everything.

Electric motors are disruptive technology. They're "not quite there" but improving by leaps and bounds and the aspects where they shine are enough to be encouraged that we'll see a day where cars get 50 mpg (equivalent), have virtually limitless power and torque and enough range to be comparable to a 20 gallon fuel tank.

 

[honda99ex]

Nobody is whining or complaining. It's just discussion about incremental and breakthrough improvements (commonly referred to as continuous improvements). . It's how products evolve and how enthusiast and reviewers often provide feedback to product developers. RELAX.

The enthusiast and reviewer crowd is often the most vocal but OEMs usually cater to the masses because it's what sells or the government because they have to.

I don't overland or 4x4 but I think my T4R lives a harsher life than 99% of the ones out there. I probably do 75-100 engine start stop cycles daily, the hatch gets opened 50 times daily, I idle a lot, I work in a dusty environment with lots of bad "paved" roads and I tow few times a year. There's a lot to be said about just going out to the truck not wondering if it'll start/something is going to go wrong and just knowing that it'll just work. Down time is money. Even routine service time needs to be factored in as a cost. Ultimately gas is cheap in the whole scheme of things. I've worked in a lot of other vehicles and they do a great job the first 70k or so but then things go to crap fast. I'm right there now so we'll see.... I like the tried and true also cause my mechanic can work on it. I have another vehicle that has 8 million electronic things that only the dealer can service. That's BS. People should be able to replace a part and not need a dealer only re-learn software...

Also as for the T4R feeling slow. When I test drove a few the first time they did feel slow but when I test drove the one I have with the faux bead locks it felt much quicker. I think weight has a LOT to do with it, especially unsprung weight. I don't even know if the faux bead locks are lighter as I've never actually weighed them but the spare feels like a ton of bricks in comparison. When I drive in town, I actually leave the spare at home. Literally saves like 60+ pounds off the ass end. Yeah I know it's a risk but i work in basically a 20 mile radius so worse case I have to have my wife drop off the spare....

 

[TheWraith]

Toyota needs to bring their diesel State side...

 

[philsey]

Toyota needs to bring their diesel State side...

You are either a silly silly man, or that is loaned with sarcasm. Can't tell from over here.

:focus:

 

[TheWraith]

You are either a silly silly man, or that is loaned with sarcasm. Can't tell from over here.

:focus:

What's wrong with wanting Toyota's diesels??? They make a $#!+ of torque, great on gas mileage, they can be modded to make more power, and diesel is usually cheaper than gasoline at the pump.

Do you even know anything about Toyota diesels

 

[philsey]

I will admit, the Toyo V-6 is no longer "class leading" in virtually any aspect. A complete revamp of the power train is no overdue, perhaps LONG overdue.
.

Hmm, "class leading", as in the poorly received Taco revamp? No, thank you all the same.

I don't know your top priorities for your vehicle, but high-up for me are reliability, and cost of ownership. Put those in a nice SUV, that I actually like a lot, and it's a winner IMO.

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

No engine maker has solved the direct injection issue yet, not even Mazda. They just try to minimize it by keeping the valves at 400F temp or above... which of course only works when the car is up to temperature. As it cools after shutoff, and as it warms up, the valves cake like any other carmarkers.

Even Toyota uses dual port injection in the 3.5L.

I'll take the 4.0L any day. Just because everyone here (complaining or not, as many other threads are basically complaints) told the focus groups they prefer all the heft, safety equip, and giant tires and mods made of pig-heavy steel, doesn't mean it's a bad engine.

As it is with human nature, the grass always seems greener, and sometimes you don't know what you got til it's gone.

Hell, Elon Musk this weekend announced their new dual-motor Model 3 will "keep driving fine one one motor if the other burns out". Some vote of confidence.

I'd LOVEEEEE to have a turbo 4 cylinder with cylinder deactivation or an electric motor that doesn't turn on when I'm 30 miles from the nearest road exploring ancient pictographs in the Sespe Wilderness.

Oh wait, no, I'd still prefer the car that runs, every time.

 

[TheWraith]

Hmm, "class leading", as in the poorly received Taco revamp? No, thank you all the same.

I don't know your top priorities for your vehicle, but high-up for me are reliability, and cost of ownership. Put those in a nice SUV, that I actually like a lot, and it's a winner IMO.

welcome to the rest of the world... Toyota Diesel have been around since the early 80's ... The current V8 turbo diesel on the land cruiser is made by Hino. Most Tacomas/Hilux every where else except the US is usually sold as a Diesel. Yeah they don't make $#!+ ton of power ... 175hp but they make alot of torque 338fr lbs of torque at 1500rpm out of a 3liter.

And the Hilux's and LandCruiser I've seen and rode in the Philippines were diesels and went thru muddy Crappy Rocky terrain on the daily basis... And was reliable as hell with at least 80,000km ...

 

[Woz1976-MT]

While I get the OP's point on the empirical specifications of GM's announced turbo-4, I think the mission of the T4R needs to be considered when looking at the technology of GM's little engine.

Turbos, I do believe, generate heat when they are used to create power in a vehicle engine. When a T4R is off-road, it is generally operating a slow speeds and therefore there is less airflow moving to cool the turbo/intercoolers. Turbos and high-heat for long periods do not mix, therefore there is the question of reliability. I know this can be said for regular gasoline engines, I suppose, but turbos seem to be quite a bit more delicate in this respect.

The go anywhere (almost), do anything, good levels of comfort, and ultra-reliability mantra of the T4R means that there needs to be a significant amount of R&D before Toyota would risk their reputation.

While I'm no engineer, I'm curious if Toyota will just completely revamp the current 4.0L to eek more HP/Torque out of it. I do know the 3.5L in the current Tacoma is no marvel in that it uses all kinds of tech but makes no real gains in HP, and actually gives up some torque.

Or, Toyota could put the new turbo tech into the GX, and then move the 4.6L (updated a bit would be nice) into the T4R.

 

[bigbadpoppa]

just get me +50hp and ill be happy. trying to overtake someone in traffic in the city and hwy is always a challenge. just needs a little more pep.

 

[rkwfxd]

........

I'll take the 4.0L any day. Just because everyone here (complaining or not, as many other threads are basically complaints) told the focus groups they prefer all the heft, safety equip, and giant tires and mods made of pig-heavy steel, doesn't mean it's a bad engine.

As it is with human nature, the grass always seems greener, and sometimes you don't know what you got til it's gone.

.........

I agree. I am VERY happy with the 4.0 and it's reputation is one of the reason's I bought the 4R. I expect to drive mine for a full decade + with few to zero problems.