V8 4th gen vs. supercharged 3rd gen

[Illestreker]

I have a 2000 3rd gen 4x4 V6. Little background on my truck is that it is completely stock as I've been focusing on maintenance sense buying it a few months back. I plan on building it up as a offroad/camping rig but now i'm having doubts and seeking advice and opinions.

I'm mostly seeking the opinions of those who have experience of driving at very high elevations simply because the performance and power effect is probably like comparing apples to oranges for those who drive at or close to sea level.

I love this truck and its capabilities but every time I drive out to the mountains I seriously hate how slow, laggy and underpowered it is. I feel like I get passed by every car/truck on the road and many times have the peddle pined to the floor. I know its not supposed to be fast or resemble a race car but when I drive out the mountains I get a the feeling that this vehical is an absolute dog and completely underpowered and I consider selling it.

By the way, I do all the normal stuff like O/D off and ECT on.

So this leads me to the discussion. Obviously ive read and talked with members about the vast improvement a supercharger makes especially at higher elevations but I wonder if it will be enough of an improvement in order for me to completely change the way I feel with driving this truck in the mountains. Especially when/if I had a lot of extra weight and larger (33")
heavier tires. I know people say the supercharger makes a huge difference but really is it enough to change the way I feel about this extremely laggy, underpowered truck?

Next would be how would the V6 supercharged and perhaps upgraded pulley compare to a V8 4th gen in regards to power and feel of driving at high elevation.

 

[DC runner]

V8.
If your pulling hills, low end torque is king. It keeps you from needing to constantly slam the peddle down to go anywhere and keep a constant speed.

 

[black4vcobra]

did you really have to post this in both the 3rd gen and 4th gen forums?

You don't specify what year your 4Runner is. If it's a 2005-2009, you shouldn't feel like you are the slowest vehicle on the road (even in hills). Even the non VVT motors should still be decent.

 

[DC runner]

It sounds like he has a 3rd gen v6; which would feel a bit sluggish up hills.

I prefer the standard v8 to a charged v6; simply because charging is hard on engines and will decrease lifespan. The V8 is a strong, reliable and long lasting engine.

 

[black4vcobra]

It sounds like he has a 3rd gen v6; which would feel a bit sluggish up hills.

I prefer the standard v6 to a charged v6; simply because charging is hard on engines and will decrease lifespan. The V8 is a strong, reliable and long lasting engine.

Good observation, i assumed he had a 4th Gen. It would definitely be helpful for OP to mention what 4Runner he has though.

 

[Illestreker]

did you really have to post this in both the 3rd gen and 4th gen forums?

You don't specify what year your 4Runner is. If it's a 2005-2009, you shouldn't feel like you are the slowest vehicle on the road (even in hills). Even the non VVT motors should still be decent.

Yes I posted in both 3rd and 4th gen forums because in the 3rd gen section im going to get opinions of mostly 3rd gen owners and same goes for the input id get in the 4th gen section.

It sounds like he has a 3rd gen v6; which would feel a bit sluggish up hills.

I prefer the standard v8 to a charged v6; simply because charging is hard on engines and will decrease lifespan. The V8 is a strong, reliable and long lasting engine.

Correct I have a 2000 3rd gen V6 I should have put that in the original post.

 

[DC runner]

I mean, you have a 13 year old car. Newer cars have quicker engines, zippier transmissions. Try a 2006 v6, you will be impressed.

 

[Tommy4Runner]

Just my .02 , coming from a guy that owned a 2000 4Runner 4x4 with the 3.4L, driven a 3rd gen with a supercharger on our lot (work at a car dealership), and just recently moved up to a 2008 4Runner V8. The 3rd gen with a supercharger really wakes the motor up, would run circles around my stock 3.4L, though the one I drove was 2wd too so even less weight. I was really feeling the sluggish engine pulling a 21ft Cobalt, felt like I could have flintstoned the 4Runner faster!! :redbrick: The 08 with the 4.7L is so smooth and honestly a big upgrade from the 3.4L. The 4th gens have grown slightly too so a lil more room width and length. And the 4ths are a lot smoother on the road and love the torque of the V8 on hills and when towing. But if I was strictly off roading would still take my 3rd gen just for smaller size and E-locker!

 

[morphious]

Never had issues with mine feeling sluggish or laggiy in hilly or mountainous terrain, even when I was towing a boat.

 

[Illestreker]

***edited post to correct info***

From some info ive read on speedys blog Project http://www.speedysgarage.net/sportrunner/ he had his dyno'd with 7th injector and 2.2 pulley. He put down 240rwhp and 260rwtq. Assuming 20% drivetrain loss that's 288hp and 312tq at the crank.

Now to compare those numbers to a stock V8 4th gen you'd have 235hp and 320tq for 2003-2004 models with non VVT-I. 2005-2009 offer 270hp and 330tq Both V8 models offer the 5 speed trans rather than a more sluggish 4 speed trans in the 3rd gen V6

so all seems somewhat comparable according to just numbers, although 5 speed automatic probably makes quite a difference.

3.4L V6 supercharged with urd 7th injector and 2.2 pulley
288hp and 312tq at the crank - 240rwhp and 260rwtq at the wheels

4.7L V8 stock 2003-2004 4speed auto
235hp and 320tq at the crank - 188rwhp and 256rwtq at the wheels

4.7L V8 stock 2005-2009 5 speed auto
270hp and 330tq at the crank - 216rwhp and 264rwtq at the wheels

 

[Tommy4Runner]

morphious, don't know what size your boat was but the 3.4L is def underpowered stock with a larger ski boat it did it, but not without severely struggling. The Cobalt boat I have is pretty heavy, the flat parts of the road were ok, but a small grade and it would be pegged losing speed! I was really impressed with the 3.4L supercharged one I drove, but it had less weight than my 4x4 with being 2wd. I think one supercharged is a really great vehicle, really wakes it up. But still my top choice would be the 05-09 V8 4Runner, this 4.7L is so smooth, and has a more refined ride for the road.

 

[SierraDan]

Even better, a not VVT-I V8 with the TRD supercharger, blow that V6 out of the water :thumb:

My wish list for the current gen 4R: the 4.6 and a TRD blower to go with it. The 5.7 gets one, the 4.6 needs the love too.

 

[ebg18t]

My vehicle that I keep at elevation (~9500') is forced induction. My v6 4Runner was anemic there. That is part if the reason I tow with a turbo diesel, only way to tow at altitude. So I guess I would prefer a S/C or Turbo vehicle at altitude. If it has to be a 4th gen I would go v8.

 

[NJshadow93]

From some info ive read on speedys blog Project Project SportRunner he had his dyno'd with 7th injector and 2.2 pulley. He put down 240rwhp and 260rwtq. Assuming 20% drivetrain loss that's 288hp and 312tq at the crank.

Now to compare those numbers to a stock V8 4th gen you'd have 235hp and 320tq for 2003-2004 models with non VVT-I. 2005-2009 offer 260hp and 306tq as well as 5 speed trans rather than a more sluggish 4 speed trans (automatics)

so all seems somewhat comparable according to just numbers, although 5 speed automatic probably makes quite a difference.

3.4L V6 supercharged with urd 7th injector and 2.2 pulley
288hp and 312tq at the crank - 240rwhp and 260rwtq at the wheels

4.7L V8 stock 2003-2004 4speed auto
235hp and 320tq at the crank - 188rwhp and 256rwtq at the wheels

4.7L V8 stock 2005-2009 5 speed auto
260hp and 306tq at the crank - 208rwhp and 245rwtq at the wheels

Just thought I should clarify, these numbers are a little deceiving. The pre-VVT-i V8s do not have more torque than post-VVT-i. The methods of calculating changed at some point. The '05 was the first year of the VVT-i and was listed at 270 HP and 330 ft/lb of torque at the crank. Also, the V8 had the same 5 speed transmission through all the years.

 

[CGuava]

I have driven a few 3rd gens that were supercharged. I was in the same predicament a couple years ago. Ultimately I ended up with a non VVTi 4th gen and I couldn't be happier. They are more comfortable, better interior, and seemed to have more space. I was hesitant with the look of the 4th gen when they first came out, but I decided I think the 4th gen looks better and that was before I even bought one. I also plan to pull an expedition trailer, and I knew a few guys who hauled their rock crawlers with the 4.7 in a Tundra, so that sold me. I wouldn't hook up to my buggy with it, but I'm comfortable hauling boats and the expo trailer I'm building. I live in Castle Rock and frequent the roads you are talking about.

My 4th gen tackles the hills up I 70 with ease, and 33 inch tires. No regrets from me. FWIW, I live in Denver and have owned every generation on Runner but the 5th gen, because they don't come in a V8.

 

[WillK]

I've read everyone's posts and although I don't have experience driving at altitude, I did own an 01' and went to a 2006 4.7 and I agree with everyone else that the 4th Gen V8 is smooth. The power at low RPM's rivals the large V8 truck I used to drive. Tons of room, lots of space and it's more refined and comfortable.

But here is where I'd go against the masses...
I miss my Gen 3 and every time I see one, I find myself missing my Gen 3 even more. So, if you have fallen in love with your Gen 3 and it's not totally beat to hell, I personally would consider the SC for the Gen 3, and here's why..

Cost. You've already made an "investment"to buy the Gen 3. Not knowing where you are financially-if you got rid of the Gen 3, and got a Gen 4, there's probably a considerable difference in price point between the two. You'll spend at least the cost of a SC, plus the URD 7th injector kit to upgrade to a Gen 4 V8,if not more. The cost of the SC and kit is about $4,000. That's probably a break even or better than switching to a 4th Gen.

Cool factor. As I said, I love my Gen 4. But nothing is as cool as a nice Gen 3 rolling down the road, period. There are tons of nice looking Gen 2's, 4's and 5's out there. But IMO, Gen 3 is the best looking one around.

Cool factor X2. And what's more cool than a Gen 3,but a Gen 3 with a Supercharger! You can't go wrong with a Gen 3 with a SC!!

Nothing against what others have said. They're all correct and it makes sense. I was just giving an option that goes against conventional thinking...

 

[hulzenga]

I lived in Kelowna BC and frequented the mountains with my 99 tacoma (3.4 v6). Towing a small aluminum boat and a weeks worth of camping gear, I would notice the "sluggish" feeling that the 3.4 can produce. I have since then purchased a 2005 4runner V6 and I am pleasantly surprised with its power. With more gear and a longer trip at higher elevations then with my tacoma, my 4runner far surpassed the tacoma in towing capabilities and overall power. It is a much stronger v6 then the 3.4. But that being said, the 4.7 V8 would be a beast and you honestly can't go wrong with that. Just my .02

 

[Illestreker]

I appreciate all the feedback so far it's all really helpful. Now I'd really like to hear more about how the 4.7 would compare to specifically SC V6 with 7th injector and 2.2 or 2.1 pulley. I'm sure there's some out there that have driven both.

As far as cost for supercharger and 7th and pulley I won't be spending any more than 2500 tops. If I see to sell my 3rd gen I'd probably get 7-8k to buy a v8 4th gen I'm looking at roughly 10k maybe slightly more. So the cost to do either comes out close to the same. And based on numbers looks like upgraded sc setup still puts out a tiny bit better numbers in hp and tq. compared to the v8.

 

[NJshadow93]

I'm always a fan of the saying "There's no replacement for displacement." If the cost to upgrade to a 4th gen is the same as supercharging the 3rd gen, I think it's worth it to upgrade. You get a lot more than more power with the 4th gen as everyone else stated; such as comfort, more room, more modern, etc.

 

[Illestreker]

I'm always a fan of the saying "There's no replacement for displacement." If the cost to upgrade to a 4th gen is the same as supercharging the 3rd gen, I think it's worth it to upgrade. You get a lot more than more power with the 4th gen as everyone else stated; such as comfort, more room, more modern, etc.

Those are nice extra perks but you also loose a few things; mpg's, ground clearence, larger not as good for offroad. And even though cost to do either choice comes out to close the same realistically there will be more expense like tax, title, registration, sell mine and find the right one etc.