V6 performance in the mountains?

[Neversummer]

Guys,

For V6 owners that live in the mountains, are you happy with it's performance given the steep gradients?

I have a friend that is sold on the 4Runner but wants to get the V6 to save money upfront and on gas costs. However, he is concerned that the V6 will not be able to handle driving in the mountains - for example, passing trucks and slow moving traffic on steep 2 lane roads.

After having driven the V6 (not in the mountains though) I think it would be just fine but I wanted your opinions on this. V8 owners jump in also.

Thx!

 

[Falls]

If thats his concern I would say to get the V8 and be happy. The last thing I would hate to see is to spend that kind of money and not be happy or have that I wish I should have done this or that. If he was just driving at normal city driving V6 would be fine , but if I was passing on mountain grades and such I'd want the V8.

Not sure about the upfront cost , but the gas cost is irrelevant since they are both so damn close.

 

[Odd Eddie]

The V6 is more than powerful enough to drive up even the steepest mountains without breaking a sweat! Seriously. I live on top of a mountain, so I have some real world experience on this subject.

I also do a lot of mountain driving every winter during the weekends to go skiing and have never once experienced any problems, even when fully loaded with gear and people.

Keep in mind that V8 4Runners only came into existence in the 4th generation. And the 4th generation V6 is much more powerful than any other 4Runner engine from the other generations.

 

[Neversummer]

Not sure about the upfront cost , but the gas cost is irrelevant since they are both so damn close.

Yeah upfront isn't that much different due to the greater discounts on the V8's obviously. A grand or so.

Is it that close in mpg between the two?

 

[Neversummer]

The V6 is more than powerful enough to drive up even the steepest mountains without breaking a sweat! Seriously. I live on top of a mountain, so I have some real world experience on this subject.

I also do a lot of mountain driving every winter during the weekends to go skiing and have never once experienced any problems, even when fully loaded with gear and people.

Keep in mind that V8 4Runners only came into existence in the 4th generation. And the 4th generation V6 is much more powerful than any other 4Runner engine from the other generations.

Eddie,

Thanks, that is great first hand feedback to have. I appreciate it.

As someone who lives in the mountains, you will know of what I speak then. So you have no problems passing slow moving trucks on steep grades? The V6 has enough grunt for you to get up and go without searching for power or the correct gear?

 

[Odd Eddie]

Yeah upfront isn't that much different due to the greater discounts on the V8's obviously. A grand or so.

Is it that close in mpg between the two?

2.5 mpg difference for combined city/highway driving, according to the EPA fuel economy ratings.

 

[Odd Eddie]

Eddie,

Thanks, that is great first hand feedback to have. I appreciate it.

As someone who lives in the mountains, you will know of what I speak then. So you have no problems passing slow moving trucks on steep grades? The V6 has enough grunt for you to get up and go without searching for power or the correct gear?

No problems at all. Keep in mind that the early 4th gens had a slightly more powerful V6 engine than the V8 offered in '03 and '04. That just goes to show you that the V6 is no wimpy engine, even when it has to push a 2-ton 4Runner around.

In hilly areas, the transmission does occasionally "hunt" to keep it moving, but that can be fixed by taking it out of overdrive. But overall, no problems at all with mountain driving.

 

[Odd Eddie]

Tell your friend to test drive a V6 4Runner in the mountains before buying it. I'm sure that the salesman will be okay with that if he wants to sell the vehicle. SUVs are a tough sell these days, so I'm sure the salesman will be willing to let him drive it up a mountain or two!

 

[Uneek]

The V6 is more than powerful enough to drive up even the steepest mountains without breaking a sweat! Seriously. I live on top of a mountain, so I have some real world experience on this subject.

I also do a lot of mountain driving every winter during the weekends to go skiing and have never once experienced any problems, even when fully loaded with gear and people.

Keep in mind that V8 4Runners only came into existence in the 4th generation. And the 4th generation V6 is much more powerful than any other 4Runner engine from the other generations.

:iagree:

For the OP,
I got my 4Runner primarily for snowboarding. Lake Tahoe resorts are anywhere between 5000 and upto 10000 feet in elevation, some grades are 5% or so. I have no problems passing anyone I want. If I see a V8 truck or SUV, like F150s, Tundras, Tahoes or Suburbans coming up, I can box them out of I wanted to. Typically, I have three other passengers and full gear (four people's worth of snowboard and essentials for the weekend).

I recommend your friend drive both and go from there. I drove the V8 and on a hill it's less work (lower revs) for the V8, but the V6 can handle it without any problems. Third gen 3.4 V6 was rated for 183HP, the 4.0 V6 under the same rating system is 245HP. (In 2006, conforming to the new SAE rating 236HP.)

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You'll be fine with the V6 at altitudes if you aren't towing anything on a regualr basis then the V8 would be worthy.

Even my 190hp (even less at altitude) does fine over our 10,000ft passes but the 4th gen V6 would be fine if mine can do it reasonably ok. I would like another 50hp tho'.

 

[webe363]

i concur as well. you won't have any problems with the v6. plus when you get 22 mpgs hwy on a long trip you'll really be happy you bought the v6.

 

[Neversummer]

:iagree:

For the OP,
I got my 4Runner primarily for snowboarding. Lake Tahoe resorts are anywhere between 5000 and upto 10000 feet in elevation, some grades are 5% or so. I have no problems passing anyone I want. If I see a V8 truck or SUV, like F150s, Tundras, Tahoes or Suburbans coming up, I can box them out of I wanted to. Typically, I have three other passengers and full gear (four people's worth of snowboard and essentials for the weekend).

I recommend your friend drive both and go from there. I drove the V8 and on a hill it's less work (lower revs) for the V8, but the V6 can handle it without any problems. Third gen 3.4 V6 was rated for 183HP, the 4.0 V6 under the same rating system is 245HP. (In 2006, conforming to the new SAE rating 236HP.)

Uneek

Thanks for that great feedback. The feedback about the engine power was very informative.

He will be using it as a daily driver but will also be going up to the resorts in Summit County every weekend with a lot of gear also, hence his concern. Same altitudes as you experience so that is awesome info. Appreciate it.

 

[Neversummer]

You'll be fine with the V6 at altitudes if you aren't towing anything on a regualr basis then the V8 would be worthy.

Even my 190hp (even less at altitude) does fine over our 10,000ft passes but the 4th gen V6 would be fine if mine can do it reasonably ok. I would like another 50hp tho'.

Ron,

Thanks for that great info. Yeah, no towing will be required. Just snowboards in winter and bikes in summer. Plus passengers. Maybe kayaks at times. He's just concerned with passing power and climbing very steep grades.

As you say, if your 190hp has no trouble then I don't see why his future V6 would have any issues. That was my opinion also when I drove it but he wanted more assurance hence my post for this community. And I can understand because the reason I bought my V8 was for the very same concerns. At times I wish I had got the V6 now for the better mpg.

Good to hear from you because we are both in the same locale. I'm in Conifer. He's in Golden.

 

[Neversummer]

i concur as well. you won't have any problems with the v6. plus when you get 22 mpgs hwy on a long trip you'll really be happy you bought the v6.

webe,

Thanks for the feedback. It seems that from what I am hearing so far the V6 will be just fine for him. The mpg is the reason he really wants the V6 - so he will be very happy to hear of breaking 20's on the highway.

 

[Falls]

Good points about the test drive . Tell him to take each one to where he needs to be driving and put it through its paces , he will get a perfect idea of what he would like. I guess my main point is like I said I would hate for him to buy anything that he regrets after spending that kind of money.

If the dealer will not do that go to a different dealer.

From your description in the first post . either one will do it fine, but personally If I was doing that on a regular basis I'd want a V8 . A lot of variables involved though with altitude , roads , grades ect.....

EPA estimates on fuel milage are for the gov't regulations/consumers and in no way will reflect driving up mountain passes , so don't worry about that. If that is what he is doing regularly it won't matter.

 

[Neversummer]

Good points about the test drive . Tell him to take each one to where he needs to be driving and put it through its paces , he will get a perfect idea of what he would like. I guess my main point is like I said I would hate for him to buy anything that he regrets after spending that kind of money.

Yep this would be the ideal situation but is logistically a little difficult due to the location of the dealer to the big mountains.

He's driven it on hills and steeper roads but nothing like the mountain grades you find in the Rockies.

I've sent him this link anyways, so he can read all the feedback first hand. Thanks you guys.

 

[Falls]

Mountain grades are a whole different animal than hills and steeper roads.

I just want him to make a good decision on what works for him.

 

[snhrph]

I had a first hand experience in driving both V6 and V8 vehicles - I own one of each.

My son and I are skiers (he actually both skies and rides), so we travel with 2 sets of skies, a board, 3 pairs of boots, and other equipment/stuff necessary for a 3 to 4 day trip.

IMHO, the V6 does the job just fine.

Yes, the V8 does exhibit better performance, especially when passing others. However, the V6 does a great job at that as well, especially when compared to other SUVs equipped with V8s (as Uneek noted).

I cannot comment on MPG difference, since GX470 is taller and heavier than T4R. Judging by a lot of posts on many fuel economy threads, the difference is minimal for T4Rs.

When talking about the upfront price difference, keep in mind that the gas prices will only go up, and from a resale standpoint it may be easier in the future to unload a vehicle equipped with a V6.

Just my 2 cents... :biggrin2:

 

[Neversummer]

I had a first hand experience in driving both V6 and V8 vehicles - I own one of each.

My son and I are skiers (he actually both skies and rides), so we travel with 2 sets of skies, a board, 3 pairs of boots, and other equipment/stuff necessary for a 3 to 4 day trip.

IMHO, the V6 does the job just fine.

Yes, the V8 does exhibit better performance, especially when passing others. However, the V6 does a great job at that as well, especially when compared to other SUVs equipped with V8s (as Uneek noted).

I cannot comment on MPG difference, since GX470 is taller and heavier than T4R. Judging by a lot of posts on many fuel economy threads, the difference is minimal for T4Rs.

When talking about the upfront price difference, keep in mind that the gas prices will only go up, and from a resale standpoint it may be easier in the future to unload a vehicle equipped with a V6.

Just my 2 cents... :biggrin2:

snhrph

Thanks for that valuable information. I appreciate the comparison.

 

[Ruffian]

I've driven those same passes many times but with my old '97 that had a 4 cylinder. It got really annoying not having enough power hardly to make those passes. The one on the Denver side as you are approaching Silverthorne was the worst!
I'd rec. to your friend what others have said. He should drive both and see what he's happier with. I'm not sorry at all about the v8. Here's my reasoning. Yesterday I went out with 2 other v6's to do some wheeling in the El Dorado National Forest. Not as severe as doing the Colorado passes, but CA does try in some places with not as much as an extreme elevation climb. We were in the snow so say above 5,000 feet. I never had to ask her to go into passing gear. Thinking about this thread, I asked the v6 owners how their SUV's did on the climb. They said it was fine, but finally downshifted into the lower gear as it gets REALLY annoying as the transmission "hunts" for the right gear. This is the exact reason why I brought back the v6 and am much happier with the v8. But that is how I justify the 2 mpg or so worse fuel economy my choice has brought me. It's a happier and fun driving expierence! And I never get sick of hearing that throaty purr that only the v8 gives you! Honestly, if your friend is doing those passes every weekend, I think he's going to find the v8's power worth it to make the climb. Esp. if he's loaded down with gear. The v6 will be fine though. He'll just have to decide which he likes driving better.