Why is V8 Full Time AWD?

[MikeInNH]

Let's see which engine has a longer track record? Which engine is offered with the better transmission in all model years?

Gee....you must think Toyota engineers are pretty lousy engineers. After all they don't know how to design and build a quality V6 or a quality transmission. How can you have any faith in anything Toyota makes?? They are only qualified to build V8's...Gee..why did you buy a Toyota. I hear Chryco is looking for people to buy their Grand Cherokee.

Which engine has more torque? Which engine comes standard with better hitch? Which engine has a higher towing capacity? Which engine has better resale value? Which engine has more real world usable power?

Torque...who cares...unless you need it. What difference does it make?? According to that logic (or lack there of)...then ALL vehicles should have V8's.

Hitch....Again...so what??? I only tow a 3000lb trailer. The hitch hasn't been a problem for me...or ANYONE that I know of. And I've never heard anyone here say they've had a problem with it.

As for resale value...I guess you're one of those people who sells their vehicles every 3-5 years. I tend to keep mine over 300k miles. By the time I'm done with it...the resale difference between the V8 and V6 is less then $100. And I'm not sure there is a difference.

Usable power....Gee I didn't know the V6 was so under powered. Maybe when you get older and have owned other vehicles you'll have a better understanding of why that statement is just utterly stupid.

 

[rebelbowtie]

God you are so ignorant, do you not realize the v8 makes as much torque at 1,000rpm as the v6 makes at 3400rpm? There is a graph in the Toyota brochure and I'm sure you can google some dyno graphs too. Toyota says 270 lbs/ft torque at 1,000rpm!!! The reason the fuel consumption is so close because one engine moves the truck so much more efficiently.

Older =/= smarter

Sorry to burst your bubble but we've been through this before and you were embarrassed.

I don't even know why I try and reason with you. You're so far gone its ridiculous, they always say you can't argue with a fool.

 

[kkz]

If the 4.7 is anything like the 4.6 in my mom's GX. Then you really can't compare it to the 4.0. Day to day driving in the V8 is just much easier and simpler. If you compare it to the 4.6, the 4.0 is just pitiful and beyond. I find myself putting my foot down far too often just to merge on to the highway. Whereas if I were merging with the GX, I'd be doing 90+ and I wouldn't even realize it. Hell, even my vtec loving Honda friends mock the power in the 4.0. Let's not forget about the power loss you get when you switch the 4.0 to 4hi.

 

[MikeInNH]

God you are so ignorant, do you not realize the v8 makes as much torque at 1,000rpm as the v6 makes at 3400rpm?

All you've said is that is has more torque..and more power...I never said it didn't...what I said was...SO WHAT....Are you saying the V6 is SOOO underpowered that I can't drive the 4runner up a hill....or tow my trailer. All you've said is that your V8 has more power...like some little boy who's crying if you DON'T have a powerful engine.

Older =/= smarter

You're 6th grade education is showing again.

I don't even know why I try and reason with you

You can't...You don't have the intelligence or logic to even try. You've haven won an argument...Just drivel from a little boy who wants to be a man.

 

[Runner27]

Admin need to close this thread. This has turned into another V6 vs. V8 and personal insult thread.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Admin need to close this thread. This has turned into another V6 vs. V8 and personal insult thread.

I'd say leave it open so everyone can see Mike continue to defecate on his keyboard and further solidify the fact he is ignorant to anything but his own misguided notions that he is always right. Then he will come back and tell everyone that because he has a degree in applied mathematics he is an automotive engineer and also designed missile guidance systems and the giant hadron collider.

 

[Casper421]

Mike vs. Rebel= :snacker:

 

[LandRvr Convert]

How many people have you heard say "man I hate having a v8, wish I had a v6" nobody has ever said that.

This is so true rebelbowtie!!!! I have owned both the V6 Limited 4WD (a 2006 I purchased brand new) and the V8 Limited 4WD (a 2007 I also purchased brand new) which is my current ride btw, and I have never regretted selling the V6 (not even when gas was $4 in 2008).

As other posters have said, if the (negligible and barely noticeable) difference in gas mileage is a real issue for anyone in the market to buy a 4Runner, then, yes, they should not be buying any suv in the first place. Maybe a Prius or a motorcycle........ or just take the bus to work perhaps?

So many people make such a big to-do about the timing belt replacement expense on the V8, and I just don't get that especially if you plan to own the truck for more than a year or so, just divide that cost over a period of months and this expense, too, is negligible. In my case, it took me 54 months to reach 90K miles. So the total bill of my 90K service including (among many, many other services performed on the 90K service) was the timing belt replacement and new water pump was $1200. So if my math is right, then I spent a whopping $22 per month over that time period for this additional expense. If this $22 per month was of great consequence to my budget, I guess I could cut out a few cups of coffee each month to compensate! LOL:lmao:

Of the 5 cars/trucks I have owned in my life, the ONLY timing belt or chain failure (break) I have ever had was a CHAIN, not a belt. Yes, belts break, this is true.......and so do chains my friends.

The V8 simply rocks!:beer:

 

[Casper421]

This is so true rebelbowtie!!!! I have owned both the V6 Limited 4WD (a 2006 I purchased brand new) and the V8 Limited 4WD (a 2007 I also purchased brand new) which is my current ride btw, and I have never regretted selling the V6 (not even when gas was $4 in 2008).

As other posters have said, if the (negligible and barely noticeable) difference in gas mileage is a real issue for anyone in the market to buy a 4Runner, then, yes, they should not be buying any suv in the first place. Maybe a Prius or a motorcycle........ or just take the bus to work perhaps?

So many people make such a big to-do about the timing belt replacement expense on the V8, and I just don't get that especially if you plan to own the truck for more than a year or so, just divide that cost over a period of months and this expense, too, is negligible. In my case, it took me 54 months to reach 90K miles. So the total bill of my 90K service including (among many, many other services performed on the 90K service) was the timing belt replacement and new water pump was $1200. So if my math is right, then I spent a whopping $22 per month over that time period for this additional expense. If this $22 per month was of great consequence to my budget, I guess I could cut out a few cups of coffee each month to compensate! LOL:lmao:

Of the 5 cars/trucks I have owned in my life, the ONLY timing belt or chain failure (break) I have ever had was a CHAIN, not a belt. Yes, belts break, this is true.......and so do chains my friends.

The V8 simply rocks!:beer:

:cheers: Well put sir!

 

[MikeInNH]

I'd say leave it open so everyone can see Mike continue to defecate on his keyboard and further solidify the fact he is ignorant to anything but his own misguided notions that he is always right.

First you personally attack me...and then start crying when I defend myself from your drivel.

 

[Ruffian]

In 2007 I decided it was time to trade in my 1997 4 cylinder 4Runner. The only must have on my list was 4x4 for my next Toyota. I had previously owned a Tacoma, also 4 cyl., and really enjoyed that truck. The supply though was very lacking in 4x4 Tacomas and 4Runners. So I test drove a bunch of vehicles including the FJ's. I just didn't like anything I drove. Finally a 4x4 4Runner came into stock and I was surprised it was a V8. But I drove it and by the time I made it out of the automall and on to city streets I knew I loved it. But being that I was making a big purchase I didn't buy it that evening. I came back the next evening and it was gone. I was so bummed! So I went back to test drive again some V6's. They were ok, but they just didn't thrill me like that V8 did. But in order to try to get me to fall in love with a gold V6, the dealership let me take one home for two days. When I brought it back I simply told the sales team I was done. They informed me they had brought up another 4Runner from another local town. I walked outside and it was a beautiful blue V8! Again I only made it a few miles out on the test drive & I knew I had to make an offer on it. 5 years later I still get a thrill starting Ruffian up and am smiling just a mile or so down the road. Oh and the BEST thing I did back in '08 was jig saw that resonator off and welded on a straight pipe. Now she's still so much fun to drive and when I put the spurs to her, she roars like a banshee going into battle. Gets my heart going everytime. I call all this "miles of smiles". See now for me, when it gets time to put Ruffian out to pasture, I'm bummed I won't be able to buy a 5th Gen. simply because the V6 doesn't do it for me. So my advice is never mind the MPG's. Pick something that every time you turn the engine over and start driving down the road, that simple moment makes you grin. You won't regret your decision then no matter what.

 

[NJshadow93]

I usually don't step in when it comes to V8 or V6 threads because it's pointless. I would never want to try to make anyone regret buying a 4Runner. But when it comes to which engine is "better" the V8 is obviously "better". It does more than the V6, period. But the 4.0 is an awesome and proven engine as well (obviously with a handful of headgasket failures mixed in).

For those that say you don't "need" the V8, that's probably true. I for one don't need the V8 either. I wanted it. And I love it. I test drove both, enjoyed the V8 and got that. Truth is, and I do believe that nobody on this forum truly needs the V8. If you need to tow something the V6 isn't capable of towing, you probably shouldn't be using a 4Runner to do it. The V8 makes it easier, sure, but it's not needed. It makes driving more pleasurable, towing, climbing, etc. are smoother, and it sounds great. Toyota offered it as an option, why not take it? I don't understand why people argue about this constantly. But I do have to say, for those that say the power difference is negligible, I'm sorry but that is simply not true. Drive both and see if you will still say that. Since when is 40lb/ft torque, on paper or in the real world, considered a small amount?

 

[syb65]

I usually don't step in when it comes to V8 or V6 threads because it's pointless. I would never want to try to make anyone regret buying a 4Runner. But when it comes to which engine is "better" the V8 is obviously "better". It does more than the V6, period. But the 4.0 is an awesome and proven engine as well (obviously with a handful of headgasket failures mixed in).

For those that say you don't "need" the V8, that's probably true. I for one don't need the V8 either. I wanted it. And I love it. I test drove both, enjoyed the V8 and got that. Truth is, and I do believe that nobody on this forum truly needs the V8. If you need to tow something the V6 isn't capable of towing, you probably shouldn't be using a 4Runner to do it. The V8 makes it easier, sure, but it's not needed. It makes driving more pleasurable, towing, climbing, etc. are smoother, and it sounds great. Toyota offered it as an option, why not take it? I don't understand why people argue about this constantly. But I do have to say, for those that say the power difference is negligible, I'm sorry but that is simply not true. Drive both and see if you will still say that. Since when is 40lb/ft torque, on paper or in the real world, considered a small amount?

no kidding about the 40lb/ft torque. people spend thousands just to gain 1/4 of that amount of torque. and we have straight out of the box.

on another note, on the part of letting off the gas early in a turn and doing 180's. what you guys are saying is don't let off and let the system figure it out? i only had a few months exp. driving the 4runner awd in the winter and this happened to me. my normal vehicle is a fwd tl. so i am still on the learning curve of the 4runner.

 

[Synister]

I dont think I've ever participated in a V6 vs. V8 debate in the 2 years I've been on this site. But this is absurd. Aside from the fact that this horse should be given the Medal Of Honor for being beaten to death, the V6 v. V8 debate might as well be Republicans v. Democrats. Telling the other "side" why apples are better than oranges when the other "side" loves oranges is not only a complete waste of time, the belittling and name calling serves no purpose other than to inflame and divide. "Side" is in quotes because holy hell, we are all on the same damn team, LeBron and D Wade if you will, fighting amongst themselves for an extra 30 sec on the ESPN high light reel. Bottom line is no ones OPINION on what engine best represents the chassis or how the consumer chooses to utilize their vehicle is worth a damn outside of their own narrow interests i.e. why they "voted" with their wallet for one option or the other. Who...fricken...cares...what is under the hood, honestly, the V8 and V6 are both very well represented across the rugged line of Toyota body-on-frame, heavy duty trucks and SUV's. FJ, Taco & 5th gen forum users are lucky because they don't have to continually argue amongst themselves about engine options...they just stay focused on improving the owner experience as a whole. Everyone here can agree that the 4runner is a great truck or else they wouldn't be here as owners. V8...V6..."Green jacket, Gold jacket...who gives a sh!t"

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Dude. Numbers are numbers. The V8 makes peak HP at same RPM as the V6. It makes 30 ft-lbs more torque at 600 less RPM. Real world or imaginary world, 600 RPM is not world's apart. 25 HP and 30 ft-lbs, while nice, are not going to win you any races or make a "huge difference in power delivery" in a 4000lb vehicle.

There is a reason the 4.7 was discontinued. It's staring you in the face. Good night.

If the 4.7 is anything like the 4.6 in my mom's GX. Then you really can't compare it to the 4.0. Day to day driving in the V8 is just much easier and simpler. If you compare it to the 4.6, the 4.0 is just pitiful and beyond. I find myself putting my foot down far too often just to merge on to the highway. Whereas if I were merging with the GX, I'd be doing 90+ and I wouldn't even realize it. Hell, even my vtec loving Honda friends mock the power in the 4.0. Let's not forget about the power loss you get when you switch the 4.0 to 4hi.

Quick history on the 2UZ-FE (4.7L V8 DOHC), it was designed completely different from its older sibling the 1UZ-FE (4.0L DOHC V8). It was designed mainly for the Land Cruiser and Tundra Platforms, with a cast iron block, low RPM in mind and over all "truck" usage. The engine has been a reliable and good engine in Toyota's line-up for a fair amount of time.

It was replaced by the 1UR-FE (4.6L DOHC Non-Direct Injection V8) which is an all aluminum construction. The 4.6L was built to better the fuel economy, power, and emissions of their V8 platform while maintaining a small size that can be used in platforms from Lexus cars, to the GX460. This engine is in the same family as the all aluminum 3UR-FE (5.7L DOHC V8) used in the newer & larger Tundras.

In summary, the 2UZ-FE was discontinued because Toyota wanted to move to the lighter UR Family of engines and to meet better emissions and fuel economy numbers. Not because there was an inherent flaw in the engine.

Also there are benefits to the 2UZ-FE, if you Overheat the 1GR-FE (Which seems to happen from too heavy a strain and/or flawed headgasket design) its an all aluminum block with NON-SERVICABLE Sleeves.

Not trying to sell you on the V8, but it did not get discontinued because it was a bad engine. It just ran its course, much like the 1GR-FE will be replaced in the coming years since they've squeezed everything they can out of it (newer models 2010+ have Dual VVTi).

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Mike vs. Rebel= :snacker:

Pass me some man!

 

[Zuke]

Is it too late to get in on this V8 circle jerk/love fest.
One of the main reason I love the full time 4wd V8 (besides the all the others stated)
-My Wife doesn't have to push buttons or shift levers to get into 4wd. She can just drive it and worry about navigating the snow/mud/dirt/obstacles.

 

[MikeInNH]

The point the V8 owners seem to miss....is that SO WHAT the V8 has more torque...or more HP.....it doesn't matter. Why do you think it does?

I may matter to YOU..but that doesn't mean it matters to anyone else. I stated this before....and I'm very very serious. If all you V8 owners think the V6 and it's transmission is so crappy...then how can you in good conscience even consider buying a Toyota?? If I thought Toyota was so inept in designing and building any engine or tranny except a V8...I'd seriously consider another manufacturer because it sounds like they just got lucky in the V8 design.

If you look at the posts...it's the V8 owners who are putting down the V6 owners and their vehicles. Very childish if you ask me. People have their own wants and needs. The V6 fits mine perfectly. Do I need more torque or hp (Nope). Am I envious of those V8 owners...(not one bit). If you are then maybe a V8 should be your next vehicle.

Toyota has designed and built many engines over the past 70+ years. The current V8 and V6 are among the best on the market. The V6 is a very durable and capable engine. So's the V8. Buy what fits your needs. I personally buy the smallest vehicle that meets my needs. I don't have that NEED to buy the biggest and baddest...I outgrew that some 30 years ago.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Would you buy a v6 Tundra or v8?

 

[macoyle]

Holy crap, I have never understood this debate, both have their pros and cons but are solid platforms. Neither one is the holy grail or it would be obvious. If it was the 4.0 vs the 5.7 I highly doubt there wouldn't be debate. We choose what we choose for a reason and that's it.

We decided to get my wife the v6 since after test driving it, it was plenty powerful and efficient. It also tows really really well for what it is. It has the selectable 4x4 and timing chain instead of belt. So we chose the v6

For me I'm shopping for a v8, I sold my truck and want something with enough grunt to tow with still and as far as mpg it's about the same, just has a 90k maintenance that is only about $400 in parts. I also enjoy the v8 sound and it will make me a happier camper so that's what I want.

No big deal neither one is a better platform, they are other great and depending on why you want to do with your rig is your choice. Who the hell cares