Tow capacity, power and performance question.

[poser]

I'm new here and to the world of 4runners. I'm in a 3rd gen v6. It's humble 3.4 liters putting out whopping 180ish hp is rated to tow 5000 lbs. Which I assume it'll do, just not in any hurry.

I was looking at the 2014 4runner on Toyota's website and the 4.0 is putting 270 hp (I think that's right), but only rated to tow 4700 lbs.

While I realize trans gearing and final drive gearing have a lot to do with tow capacity, but why the drop? Why not give the T4R the same tow rating at the Tacoma with the same or similar motor, at 6500 lbs?

 

[Jeremy556]

I'm new here and to the world of 4runners. I'm in a 3rd gen v6. It's humble 3.4 liters putting out whopping 180ish hp is rated to tow 5000 lbs. Which I assume it'll do, just not in any hurry.

I was looking at the 2014 4runner on Toyota's website and the 4.0 is putting 270 hp (I think that's right), but only rated to tow 4700 lbs.

While I realize trans gearing and final drive gearing have a lot to do with tow capacity, but why the drop? Why not give the T4R the same tow rating at the Tacoma with the same or similar motor, at 6500 lbs?

1. Class 3 hitch on the 4runner is limited to 5000lbs. The tow package on the Tacoma has a class 4 hitch. Note, the 4th gen V8 and a class 4 hitch was rated for 7000 or 7500, IIRC.
2. New tow rating standard, SAE J2807. The 3rg gen 4runner probably wouldn't keep the 5K rating with that test.