Why is V8 Full Time AWD?

^^ all great points. V6 and V8 are great vehicles. Best SUV that I have owned/driven. And I drive all different makes and models thru work. Only one close to comfort would be the Ford Edge, but hey thats a city car and not really comparing apples with apples.

I was originally going to get the V6 until my gf test drove the V8 and put me on to it. Its our comfort car. Personally i prefer the ride in the V8. I don't really give a sh*t about all the torque, HP numbers because the V6 could adequately fulfill my seldom towing needs. For me it was about ride quality. Having the cruise control locked in and not have the gears cycling and the engine revving its guts out is nice for the long trips. For big vehicles bigger engines are the way to go. The V6 in my 1st gen tacoma was perfect fit. I was hesitant coming over to the full time 4 wheel drive, but have quickly fallen in love with it. Zero wheel spin.
 
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It's like blonde or brunette, boobs or ass?

In the end don't we accomplish the same thing regardless lol
 
Would you buy a v6 Tundra or v8?
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Probably the V8 because if I bought a Tundra I'd be using it haul. Last pickup I owned was back in 1990. My needs changed since then. It was tough to go camping with 2 adults and 3 kids in a pickup. That's when I bought my first SUV (4-door Pathfinder).

When I bought my Pathfinder..the first thing I bought after that was a utility trailer. Can haul a lot more pulling a trailer then in the back of a pickup.
 
MikeInNH said:
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.
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I just read through this whole thread, and I haven't seen ANYONE say the V6 4th gen 4Runner is not a good vehicle, it certainly is and everyone here agrees on that point. And the V6 may be all you and many others need, and that's fine as well. But why are you so insistant that there can't be anything better than what you chose?

It seems obvious that the V8 offering is better than the already very good V6 version, there is more power and it is available more of the time, the fuel economy penalty is virtually non-existant, the additional maintenance cost is not unreasonable and in line with many other Toyota vehicles, and you get the benefit of full time AWD, with greater towing capacity. All the same good things, plus more good things. Seems silly to argue about it, especially from the wrong side of the argument.:shrug:
 
What I like about the V8 is the effortless, low-end torque. The truck will scoot right off the line, without having to use high revs. It just goes. As a result, I can drive quickly without disturbing Mrs. M1911.

I do wish it got better mileage, though.
 
SkylineGTRracer said:
I never have passing problems with my V6, especially around a race track. As far as mechanical problems I have had none.
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Why the hell are you racing a 4Runner???? Wouldn't there be, I don't know, 50 cars that are better suited to track duty before you pick a 4000lb truck with 235 hp????
 
I think he was being sarcastic and saying it's got good power but its not a race car
 
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IanB said:
I just read through this whole thread, and I haven't seen ANYONE say the V6 4th gen 4Runner is not a good vehicle, it certainly is and everyone here agrees on that point. And the V6 may be all you and many others need, and that's fine as well. But why are you so insistant that there can't be anything better than what you chose?

It seems obvious that the V8 offering is better than the already very good V6 version, there is more power and it is available more of the time, the fuel economy penalty is virtually non-existant, the additional maintenance cost is not unreasonable and in line with many other Toyota vehicles, and you get the benefit of full time AWD, with greater towing capacity. All the same good things, plus more good things. Seems silly to argue about it, especially from the wrong side of the argument.:shrug:
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I have to agree, no one here has said the V6 is a bad powertrain (I never have, or at least never intended to and apologize if at some point I did say something like that.) The V6 is a great powertrain, I didn't get it because of a horrible experience with GM that made me swear off anything less than a V8 in a midsize SUV. The V6 is great for the majority of people who want to buy a 4Runner, the V8 was just that extra lil sumthin' sumthin' for those of us that like the extra oopmh and two cylinders.

The OP was talking about the V8 and why it has AWD and if it is any better or worse because of it. I think many people have pointed out that point.

xxaarraa said:
Why the hell are you racing a 4Runner???? Wouldn't there be, I don't know, 50 cars that are better suited to track duty before you pick a 4000lb truck with 235 hp????
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Because Skyline is a racer and sports cars are so last year? LoL Ever seen a jet turbine semi?
 
SkylineGTRracer said:
Cause I can.
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hmm. You can also drive everywhere backwards, doesn't mean that you should.

How do they even let you? In motorcycle racing (which I do), there are usually strict rules around what you can bring. Guess the car scene is different.

Whatever floats your boat. :lookout:
 
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xxaarraa said:
hmm. You can also drive everywhere backwards, doesn't mean that you should.

How do they even let you? In motorcycle racing (which I do), there are usually strict rules around what you can bring. Guess the car scene is different.

Whatever floats your boat. :lookout:
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So long as my truck is not lifted (it isn't) I'm in the clear. They are pretty strict too however they have seen me be successful in autocross and invited me to race on the circuit. I have received many positive things from racing my truck and will continue to do so.
 
I promised myself to never get involved in a V6/V8 thread again but, you know....

I just read through this whole thread and correct me if I missed it, but I didn't read anyone mention that V6 4th gens are 200-250 lbs. lighter than V8 models, depending on trim levels. That's like four to five car batteries. This makes both V6/V8 models equally good choices.
 
Cosmic said:
My 03 Limited V8 is a blast to drive. It's also my first AWD vehicle and won't be my last. The torque of the V8 in combination with AWD is fun as hell at stop lights. Wet or dry, the truck jumps off the line with no wheel spin or drama. It's really addicting. My 4runner is my daily driver even though I own other vehicles that get better mileage. I love this Toyota.
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It is very addicting, so true!
 
Of note for people in California: If you get the V8 with full time 4WD, smog shops CANNOT dyno smog it. Ever. Which is great if you do a bunch of mods to the engine because the only thing smog techs can do is look at the engine to make sure you have proper smog equipment.
 
duffdog said:
Of note for people in California: If you get the V8 with full time 4WD, smog shops CANNOT dyno smog it. Ever. Which is great if you do a bunch of mods to the engine because the only thing smog techs can do is look at the engine to make sure you have proper smog equipment.
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I think all smogs for 2003+ vehicles did away with dynos.
 
I am a little late to this post but I will add my thoughts. The 4.7 V8 is an amazing engine. Perhaps the best ever made by Toyota, so far. The smoothness of the engine, the torque curve, the incredible low maintenance costs and simple design all make for a great package. The newer 4.6 and 5.7 V8s are also good engines but they are more complex and more expensive to maintain. I also have a 2006 4x4 Tundra with the same engine so I have a lot experience with it. When looking for a 4Runner I only looked for ones with the V8. I wish they would make the 4.6 V8 an option in the 5th gen 4Runners.

On a fuel milage note, I have regularly been able to get 22 mpg in my Tundra when driving rural highways in flat terrain. Around town, not so good.
 
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