V8 response

[PWRHungry]

I have a 2003 V8 4runner, which means I am in permanent 4wd.

Driving around, I feel like the truck labors too much. This felt like a fact of life until I drove a Sequoia last night and was shocked by how responsive it felt compared to my 4runner. Same engine, more bulk, better accelleration???

Given, I was in 2wd on that thing, but has anyone shared the suspicion that their V8 is working too hard or the truck just isn't very peppy? One other possible factor - I have 265/70s on, but this small uptic in size shouldn't radically change the character of the car, right??

 

[live4swell]

Yeah, i kinda know what you mean...like off the line it doesnt jump like i want it to....it goes then finally kicks in....but i am also probably expecting it to respond like a car when it really isnt...who knows....my father has a tundra with the V8 and i think his is the same way

 

[BURNIN M]

Weird guys. My 4 runner absolutely leaps off the line, and I'm totally impressed with it. Believe me, I expect alot as my other car is an M3...

You should drive other 4 runners and make sure the weak off the line performance isn't something related to your specific models.

Very weird -again... I drove a land rover, which I believe has the same 4.7 V8, and it was a dog. I assume it's about the same size & weight as a sequoia.

I'd have your runners checked out.

 

[Thai]

Very weird -again... I drove a land rover, which I believe has the same 4.7 V8, and it was a dog. I assume it's about the same size & weight as a sequoia.

It's actually 4.6 L V8 which makes about 217 HP and 300 Torque. Discovery weighs slightly more than the 4runner (200-300 lbs) and has less torque and HP than the V8-4runner. It also only has a 4-speed auto. It does have gear reduction ratio built into the Hi-range so that it won't feel so slow. However, all these things tend to make the Disco a bit sluggish, especially when compared to the 4th gen 4runner.

 

[BURNIN M]

My bad. I meant LAND CRUISER, not Land Rover. Haven't driven a Land Rover. I would like to drive a Range Rover, however!

I still can't figure out how these guys have gotten such sluggish 4 Runners. I'm blown away at mine -

I mean stock these are like 0-60 at 7.6, which is the same as the new X3, last years X5 4.4i, only .5 second slower than the Porsche Cayenne S...

Strange...

 

[PWRHungry]

I didn't say it IS slow, I said it FEELS like it is working too hard under normanl driving conditions. I think maybe the tire switch had a much larger effect than it should have...?

 

[live4swell]

Yeah, i Agree....it is fast, but in my case i just feel like i get used to it so somedays i dont think it is as fast, but i think its all in my head really.....i guess i just feel the power really kicks in at higher rpms (3k) maybe...

 

[PWRHungry]

And it isn't to say I don't know what both FAST and SLOW feel like ; ) The 4Runner was supposed to be right in the middle.

2003 v8 4Runner SR5
1996 911 Turbo
1981 Diesel BJ40 Land Cruiser

 

[toybox]

LC BJ40

pwrhungry, where did you get the BJ40? How is it and how much did you pay for it? I love those trucks! I wish the later years had come to the US.

 

[PWRHungry]

She is my favorite toy (sometimes in the love-hate relationship kinda way

Love it - best looking and most rugged little truck there is. The diesel runs like a dream, is all torque and can even manage highway speeds, barring a headwind. People stop me all the time to gawk at her, tell an FJ/BJ40 story of their own or offer to buy her.

She was a little pricey, but worth it for such a classic.

 

[amheck]

I've got a new 2004 V8 Limited with 1000 miles on it and I'm thinking the same thing - mine seems kinda sluggish, too, at times, especially off the bat. I thought I remember in the test drive it was more peppy than what I have now (it was a different truck). Especially noticed this yesterday - I came around a corner slowly and saw there was a green light ahead of me and I gave it some gas to make sure I got thru the light, and the accelleration was really disappointing. Almost like the truck didn't want to go.

I was thinking about the K&N Air Charger to give a little more peppy acceleration. Maybe I'll have to mention this problem at my first oil change.

Aaron

 

[toybox]

pwrhungry

That is one SWEET landcruiser!!!!

I'd love to pick one up but the good one aren't cheap.

 

[PWRHungry]

It takes some work/$$ to keep her looking great - chasing rust is sorta like catching the drips on chrome

 

[rkdiddy]

Those of you complaining of sluggish acceleration...is your Runner 4wd?

Just curious....

 

[PWRHungry]

As mentioned in my first post, yes.

 

[BURNIN M]

I would really recommend those of you experiencing this to either test drive a new one to compare or drive someone else's runner.

Reason being- the exact time you claim sluggish response is where mine absoluteley leaps off the line. I mean my wife hangs with me when I'm in my M3 in 1st gear.

Besides that... a G35 coupe tried to out run us the other day - he was really getting on it and was only barely inching ahead of us at freeway speeds.

I REALLY RECOMMEND comparing yours to a new one, and perhaps performing necessary service...

I've got a new 2004 V8 Limited with 1000 miles on it and I'm thinking the same thing - mine seems kinda sluggish, too, at times, especially off the bat. I thought I remember in the test drive it was more peppy than what I have now (it was a different truck). Especially noticed this yesterday - I came around a corner slowly and saw there was a green light ahead of me and I gave it some gas to make sure I got thru the light, and the accelleration was really disappointing. Almost like the truck didn't want to go.

I was thinking about the K&N Air Charger to give a little more peppy acceleration. Maybe I'll have to mention this problem at my first oil change.

Aaron

 

[rkdiddy]

I'm with Burnin. I have yet to put my foot in it (only 200 miles on it) but the Runner I test drove had plenty of power. It would stick you back in your seat. Maybe you should have it checked out.

Aaron is your Runner 4wd also?

 

[Thai]

Besides that... a G35 coupe tried to out run us the other day - he was really getting on it and was only barely inching ahead of us at freeway speeds.

Where's your M3 when you need it most?!

 

[live4swell]

It definitely has enough power...in my case i feel i just get used to it and some days it doesnt seem as punchy as others....but let me ask this....this is gonna be hard to explain...if you are drivin with your foot light on the gas goin like 20-30 and you all of a sudden punch the gas and let off right after....does your 4runner jump forward fast or in the quick time that you step on it does the engine just rev up and not really burst ahead? this probably makes no sense at all

 

[Thai]

From my experience, the newer Lexus & Toyotas have a relatively slow downshift response when you punch the throttle. I think that it has something to do with the drive-by-wire technology. BTW, this occurs on Mercedes and other brands too that have this techno and automatic tranny.