Trade in my V6 for a V8 or sink $$ into the 6?

[hearno]

I have an opportunity to trade my 2005 V6 in for a 2006 V8. I love my current truck and planned on keeping it until it fell apart. My concern is that I've already lifted it and put a ton of maintenance work etc into it. I planned on putting new rims on it, a bumper, and a bunch of other upgrades. My concern is that after I finish with the upgrades, the headgasket will let go and I'll have to dump another $2-3k into the truck. Should I take the hit now and trade it in for a V8 that I will absolutely keep forever or continue with my upgrades and hope for the best?

 

[drewm]

I have an opportunity to trade my 2005 V6 in for a 2006 V8. I love my current truck and planned on keeping it until it fell apart. My concern is that I've already lifted it and put a ton of maintenance work etc into it. I planned on putting new rims on it, a bumper, and a bunch of other upgrades. My concern is that after I finish with the upgrades, the headgasket will let go and I'll have to dump another $2-3k into the truck. Should I take the hit now and trade it in for a V8 that I will absolutely keep forever or continue with my upgrades and hope for the best?

You either deal with fixing the head gasket when it goes ~$2200, or replacing the V8 timing belt every 90k ~$1100. Your choice. In the end it's probably a wash.

 

[Sunn4Runner]

I have an opportunity to trade my 2005 V6 in for a 2006 V8. I love my current truck and planned on keeping it until it fell apart. My concern is that I've already lifted it and put a ton of maintenance work etc into it. I planned on putting new rims on it, a bumper, and a bunch of other upgrades. My concern is that after I finish with the upgrades, the headgasket will let go and I'll have to dump another $2-3k into the truck. Should I take the hit now and trade it in for a V8 that I will absolutely keep forever or continue with my upgrades and hope for the best?

I wouldn't give up on the 6 so easily. What makes you think your head gasket is gonna let go?

 

[hearno]

You either deal with fixing the head gasket when it goes ~$2200, or replacing the V8 timing belt every 90k ~$1100. Your choice. In the end it's probably a wash.

I'd also get the benefit of the additional power and I figure I can tackle the timing belt myself. There is no chance of me doing the HG at home.

I wouldn't give up on the 6 so easily. What makes you think your head gasket is gonna let go?

Ehh... nothing specific short of others having the issue.

 

[Sunn4Runner]

I'd also get the benefit of the additional power and I figure I can tackle the timing belt myself. There is no chance of me doing the HG at home.



Ehh... nothing specific short of others having the issue.

Good to know, since I have a 2003 V6.

 

[fullboogie]

Why does it cost so much to change a head gasket? Parts can't be that much - head gaskets, intake manifold gasket, valve cover and maybe front cover gaskets. Pulling heads/intake off isn't that big of a deal. Anybody know the cost if you DIY?

 

[Doozi]

I'd keep what you know... you never know what you could end up with. If you love your truck, but feel like some of the "spark" is gone, it might be time for some more mods to rekindle that love affair!
:biggrin2:

The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence.

 

[thirstyturtle]

...supercharger?

 

[MikeInNH]

My 05 4runner V6 is now approaching 270k miles with the original head-gasket(s).

While I'm sure it does happen...but I still suspect that MOST head gasket failures occurred because the engine over heated. That's a sure fire way to get a head gasket failure on an aluminum block engine. I'm religious about changing my fluid regularly.

 

[coconutpete]

If you have that much time and money into your current rig I would just keep it. Unless you are planning on heavy towing of course.....

Don't get me wrong - I love my V8 (and i'm one of the people who far from needed it, I just wanted it for fun) but I'm not sure I'd sell a V6 just to get one if I already had a 4Runner.

 

[drewm]

Why does it cost so much to change a head gasket? Parts can't be that much - head gaskets, intake manifold gasket, valve cover and maybe front cover gaskets. Pulling heads/intake off isn't that big of a deal. Anybody know the cost if you DIY?

This isn't a valve cover gasket, it's a head gasket, the one between the valve head and cylinders. You need to completely disassemble the head including cams and all associated parts, and pull the exhaust headers. The book value is 20 hours of labor. This mechanic needed 8 entire days to do it:
Toyota 120 Platforms Forum - View Single Post - Head Gasket Blown - 2004 V6

 

[stofficer2]

The head is not disassembled. You pull the head off the block to do a head gasket job. It would be extremely smart to do a timing chain job while you are doing the head gasket. It doesn't seem as popular in this forum, but every motor I have owned, including my R6 (bike), VR6 (vw motor) and my rx7's rotary (just kidding :fish has had the timing chain guides deteriorate over time. The tensioner is also another part that tends to fail.

Although with a timing chain, if some of these parts fail, chances are you'll come out with a working motor unlike the ugly cousin with the timing belt.

I'll ship you the V8 out of my 4r and you send me the reliable V6. I'll take a faulty headgasket over a timing belt motor any day. Ever play with a rubber band? Play with it long enough and eventually it breaks.

 

[nevada]

I have an opportunity to trade my 2005 V6 in for a 2006 V8. I love my current truck and planned on keeping it until it fell apart. My concern is that I've already lifted it and put a ton of maintenance work etc into it. I planned on putting new rims on it, a bumper, and a bunch of other upgrades. My concern is that after I finish with the upgrades, the headgasket will let go and I'll have to dump another $2-3k into the truck. Should I take the hit now and trade it in for a V8 that I will absolutely keep forever or continue with my upgrades and hope for the best?

are they similarly equipped? similar miles, and condition? if yes, I would do that trade.
with what you have planned, the v8 will do the job easier.

is the trade AS IS? or would you be able to swap out some of your mods?

You either deal with fixing the head gasket when it goes ~$2200, or replacing the V8 timing belt every 90k ~$1100. Your choice. In the end it's probably a wash.

DIY can be done for under $300.

im not sure why people always compare those 2 things. one is a maintenance item, the other is a failure.

I'd also get the benefit of the additional power and I figure I can tackle the timing belt myself. There is no chance of me doing the HG at home.

this.

do the trade.

 

[hearno]

are they similarly equipped? similar miles, and condition? if yes, I would do that trade.
with what you have planned, the v8 will do the job easier.

is the trade AS IS? or would you be able to swap out some of your mods?

DIY can be done for under $300.

im not sure why people always compare those 2 things. one is a maintenance item, the other is a failure.



this.

do the trade.

I would not be able to switch anything over. $1k in lift I just installed... gone. I have 5 new BFG mud tires on mine, might be able to switch rims? The new truck would be newer will slightly less mileage. I can see both sides of this argument but after talking about it with a buddy, here's where I'm at.

My truck is clean, and was well maintained before I bought it. The 4x4 actuator was already replaced so I know that's good. The rest of the maintenance is beyond up to date. I just refi'd my loan and will save the cost of a headgasket job over the course of the loan with my new payments. I will have this paid off quickly and if I ever have to replace the gasket(s), will definitely be able to drive the v6 forever. I would definitely like the 8 but I'm thinking the 6 should be more than enough. So.... the only question is - which bumper?

 

[lelandr]

Don't forget that the V6 might get as much as 50% better fuel economy.

I have to say that I kicked myself a little after buying a V8 when I learned that with minor mods the V6 is able to pull 6300 lbs.

Driving the two back to back, there's not much perceivable difference in the 6 & 8 in normal day to day driving.

 

[wvuviv30]

I'd keep the V6. And add a Super Charger if you want to be faster.

Yes V8 has more power, but its also AWD (with Low Range) and that eats up your additional power.

If you had a V6 base model and it was for a V8 Sport or Limited, then I would do it.
If your going to be towing often near the GVWR, buy a diesel truck.

 

[montana_jeepn]

I just went from a 97' with a 3.4 V6 to a 05' with V8. I haven't drove a 05' V6, but I LOVE my V8!

 

[DarenS]

I have an opportunity to trade my 2005 V6 in for a 2006 V8. I love my current truck and planned on keeping it until it fell apart. My concern is that I've already lifted it and put a ton of maintenance work etc into it. I planned on putting new rims on it, a bumper, and a bunch of other upgrades. My concern is that after I finish with the upgrades, the headgasket will let go and I'll have to dump another $2-3k into the truck. Should I take the hit now and trade it in for a V8 that I will absolutely keep forever or continue with my upgrades and hope for the best?

Hmm. It sounds like you're worried about performing required maintenance versus optional upgrades. Have you thought about saving the money by not doing optional upgrades for possibility of required maintenance? What's the best way to double your money? Fold in in half and put it back in your pocket.

Seriously, you don't mention the "ton of maintenance" you've done and we don't have a clear idea of the choices you're facing, so how can you expect valid answers? I think you're looking for an excuse to get the V8, so you should just do it. You can always put rims, bumper and the bunch of other upgrades on the new truck, no?

Personally, I would never come onto a forum and ask a bunch of strangers about a major decision. You're going to get conflicting answers and in the end, its still your decision to live with. If you trade and feel unhappy about it, who are you going to blame; us? Ha ha! If you don't trade and feel unhappy, do we get the blame again? It sounds crass, but man up and make a decision.

Daren

 

[hearno]

You're going to get conflicting answers

That's what I'm looking for. Everyone will have a different perspective and I appreciate their view points. That's also exactly what I've gotten from this thread. It has nothing to do with manning up to make a decision.

 

[NJshadow93]

Have you ever driven the V8? You might like the extra torque and sound of the V8 more. Plus you'll get the newer styling and a couple other bells and whistles with the refreshed one as well. You just have to decide if the upgrade is worth it. To whoever is saying the extra power of the V8 is lost in the 4WD system? Umm no that's very wrong. Both engines have the same 4WD system except the V6 has the option of 2WD with it.

Personally, I was neutral until I test drove one of each, that's when I HAD to have the V8. V6 would have been a deal breaker for me. As for the timing belt, who cares? It's not going to break if you change it ever 100k miles. I think the proven reliability of the V8 shows that changing the "rubber band" on schedule is worth it.

OP, if you haven't driven the V8 yet, do it. I think when you're behind the wheel, the decision should come naturally to you, no matter which way you ultimately decide.