V8 vs V6

haha....attention internet users: listing the fast vehicles you own or have driven doesnt make your opinion more valid in an engine comparison thread....it just makes you look douchey.
 
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i've owned both: see sig. i definitely gnashed my teeth about "downgrading" to the V6 pre-purchase but can honestly say those concerns melted away and my Trail feels like an upgrade to me, overall. i don't tow, so can't speak to that, but after my brain/foot adapted to giving it a bit more pedal input i got over it. i did install the TRD CAI (w/ aFe Pro-Dry filter) and a Magnaflow 12586 muffler but had been driving it bone-stock for ~2 years prior to that, so don't ascribe any (negligible) performance increase from those mods to helping me "make my peace" with it.

i'm a 5th gen fan. and i was won over despite initial—purely intellectual—skepticism.
 
I haven't driven a new 4.0, but have read a lot about, "just push the throttle more, rev the engine higher". if you're OK having to do that, then go for it.

for me, I LIKE the fact that I don't HAVE to do that. but, that I still CAN when I choose/need to. the 1-2 mpg I sacrifice for that fat torque curve is perfectly fine with me.

in a heavy vehicle, torque is king, and the 4runner is heavy. choose wisely.
 
Since the FJ is gone, and the GX is going crossover my hope is that the 4Runner is getting more commitment from Toyota through this consolidation.

When the GX goes cross-over perhaps the V8 and 6-Speed will find it's way back to the 4Runner? IS the V6 adequate, sure, would there be interest in a V8 option... definitely!

Perhaps a TD V6/I4 would be popular too :tongue1:
 
Since the FJ is gone, and the GX is going crossover my hope is that the 4Runner is getting more commitment from Toyota through this consolidation.

When the GX goes cross-over perhaps the V8 and 6-Speed will find it's way back to the 4Runner? IS the V6 adequate, sure, would there be interest in a V8 option... definitely!

Perhaps a TD V6/I4 would be popular too :tongue1:

I have a hunch with the FJ being gone we might see an optional V8 from the Lexus GX. Lets hope for the 6th gen 4runner at least.
 
Having come from a V8 Grand Cherokee I have to say this subject was one of my biggest concerns before I finally pulled the trigger on switching to a
4Runner.

In my case I was thinking about getting a new GC (WK2) with 5.7, a Pathfinder with V8 or the T4R V6. I quickly ruled out the Pathfinder for various reasons, and really concentrated on comparing the Jeep and Toyota.

Finally chose to give up the V8 power due to the Toyota's larger cargo area, better reputation for reliability and the fact that it still had a solid rear axle and truck frame.

But I have not really missed the extra torque all that much, my trail edition feels almost as fast as my 04 Overland with it's 4.7HO V8 did. I think this is mostly due to the transmission gearing and the fact that it is NOT all wheel drive.

Yes I do have to be willing to mash the go pedal down hard to make it go but it will go when needed for passing and such.

Another thing I was looking for when shopping for a new vehicle is something that did not have a timing belt. I did not want to be paying $1500 dollars and losing a couple days of use every couple years to have the belt changed.

I understand that the Toyota V8 does have a timing belt instead of chains.

I am happy with my Trail Edition and also am getting around 20mpg compared to the Jeep that got about 18 and needed premium fuel. I am using about 2 gallons less per day than the Jeep. That is 10 gallons less per week and 40 gallons less per month (average).

So I am saving the company that I work for $$ every month by switching to the Runner. And no a hybrid would not hold up to the weight I carry and the longevity that I expect from a vehicle.
 
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is doing a belt every 7 years really that much of a hassle?

I bet most people don't even keep them that long.



edit: very cool chart above. that's a great resource. thanks for sharing.
 
Chains can last a while, but they stretch and require far more component replacement than a belt does, but often easily last twice to three times as long as a timing belt. People keep confusing timing chains with never needing service which isn't true at all, a timing chain still needs to be regularly check for stretching and that in itself takes some effort.

the 2UZ-FE was the last Timing Belt V8 Toyota made, the 1UR-FE and 3UR-FEs are Timing Chain engines, they are also aluminum sleeved blocks for what that's worth.
 
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is doing a belt every 7 years really that much of a hassle?

I bet most people don't even keep them that long.



edit: very cool chart above. that's a great resource. thanks for sharing.

At 40 to 50k miles per year if I kept a vehicle 7 years it would have 315 to 350k miles on it. I doubt a belt would last that long. I normally start looking for a new vehicle around 250k. (5 to 6 years) Maybe this Toyota will do better and last a little longer than a Jeep.

I know in the old days a timing belt was changed every 60k miles. Not sure what the interval is now, but it must be every 100k or so. That would be every two to two and a half years for me.

And of course if changing the belt might as well replace the water pump at the same time adding $$ to the expense of the job.

I personally have never had a timing chain fail, but this is only my third or fourth overhead cam engine. So we will see how it holds up.

After looking at the chart provided by NoDak it seems that Toyota is trending toward chains in their newer engines.
 
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At 40 to 50k miles per year if I kept a vehicle 7 years it would have 315 to 350k miles on it. I doubt a belt would last that long. I normally start looking for a new vehicle around 250k. (5 to 6 years) Maybe this Toyota will do better and last a little longer than a Jeep.

I know in the old days a timing belt was changed every 60k miles. Not sure what the interval is now, but it must be every 100k or so. That would be every two to two and a half years for me.

And of course if changing the belt might as well replace the water pump at the same time adding $$ to the expense of the job.

I personally have never had a timing chain fail, but this is only my third or fourth overhead cam engine. So we will see how it holds up.
damn!
do you ever sleep?
 
damn!
do you ever sleep?

Yeah once in a while, but I sure don't like to have to drive anywhere when I am off work. Been taking cruises for vacation the last few years, no driving!

I kind if miss taking a week off and poking around the back country of Nevada exploring all the abandoned mines, ghost towns and railroad grades in my 4x4 like I did fairly regular a couple decades ago. But just get too tired of driving for work.
 
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is doing a belt every 7 years really that much of a hassle?

I bet most people don't even keep them that long.



edit: very cool chart above. that's a great resource. thanks for sharing.

its not about the belt or chain, its about whether the engine is interference or not.

if a belt breaks prematurely and usually a belt driven engine is interference, instantly your are looking at a major repair in the thousands or ten's.

on a chain, if it break or stretches too much, since its a non interference engine, you don't break anything.

that's the hassle.
 
You will miss the V-8 power but the added gas mileage/range is significant. I had a 2008 v-8 limited and now have a 2013 limited. I miss the torque but the v-6 is adequate. That being said, I have 16k miles on my rig and have had it 8 months so I really appreciate the added range and mileage increase. The fact they don't have the v-8 had probably forced me to be practical and am better for it. Being able to get 400 miles on a tank is a nice trade off. I also tow very little.
 
Thanks for the Input

I went and looked at the limited but did not drive it yet. There are always trade offs when you buy a Toyota because of the way they are packaged. I am forced to look only at the Limited because I must have the JBL stereo. Next question, are the 20 inch wheels going to be ok for off road use or is that another trade off. Do I need 2 sets of wheels and tires if I pull the trigger on the 2014 limited? Cheers!
 
Coming from a Hummer H3 with a 3.5L 4 speed transmission, the V6 with a 5 speed transmission is outstanding. The H3 was geared totally differently too. My experience has been all positive. The 4runner is geared better for everyday driving and has plenty of pep.
 
I had a 2010 trail. It was a dog. I did notice it on the test drive, but thought I could get used to it, was so excited to get the truck, shame on me. I live in hilly new England. With minimal load the truck could not get up mild hills without the transmission going into passing gear. The truck simply does not have enough power for highway speeds. I know its hard for guys to admit after dropping so much coin on their baby, but the reality is what it is. I have had three 4 runners, and would line up to pay cash for a V8 powered one. But right now, the truck is just not a complete package in my mind.
 
I have a 2008 t4r Sport V8 and am considering trading for the 2014 Limited. I have been told that the V6 is under powered for the t4r. Please comment if you have gone from the v8 to the v6 and what your experience has been relative to power. I will not be towing anything with the new rig. Just off roading in the rockies will be my biggest test of power. The other option will be to break the bank and get a GX 460. Cheers from KC!

The V6 is gutless. I don't care what anyone on this board says about jamming your right foot down she's a fat pig. Oh and btw, screw TRD who still hasn't produced a S/C yet!

I feel better now, haha! :crazy:
 
V6 is a dog!

I test drove the 2014 T4R Limited and it is a deal breaker for me. I will keep my 08 V8 for quite awhile thank you very much! (even though it does lack the higher tech stuff of a 2014):dammit:
 
I used to be satisfied with the power of the 1GR-FE, until my wife recently got a 2006 GX470. The GX's power is pretty impressive. It comes on smooth, down shifts quickly, and provides plenty of power instantly any time you want it.

On my 4runner, I need to floor it, or use the sport shift (Which annoyingly takes too long to shift) if I ever need power. The sad thing is, the 1GR-FE is of capable of feeling close to as powerful as the V8, it shifting mapping just is horrible. Even putting it in S, doesn't seem to help. I wish that toyota would at least given us the option for an Efficient mapping (in D), and a normal to powerful mapping (in S).
 

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