Why not get a V8 4X4.....

[ort4r]

The gas mileage question.

Using hgills scenario: 80% city driving with a V8 getting 17MPG and XLAXX's commute of 25 miles with V6 getting 20 mpg.

let's say gas is $4/gal.
So 50 mile round trip

V6 uses 2.5 gals times $4/gal = $10 a day or $50/week
V8 uses 2.9 gals times $4/gal = 11.76 a day or $58.82/week

So the real life advantage is about 8-9 bucks a week. We'll call it two lattes.

Annually, that's $458.82 for the more efficient vehicle. Obviously, this doesn't include weekend use, but you get the ideal.

So spend your money how you'd like. Any 4runner that meets your needs will be fine, anything beyond that are just wants. BTW, when I was looking I drove an '05 sport V8 with 50K miles on it and a brand new Pathfinder V8 and the 4Runner was a much better ride hands down. So moral of this story, get what you want, just make it a 4runner!

:guitar3:

 

[krispl]

I didn't pick my V8 over V6 because of the gas mileage, although it's almost the same... I picked V8 because of it's reliability! This engine (2UZFE) is buletproof! I have Lexus GS430 with 3UZFE and believe me this engine generation (V8s) is probably one of the best of Toyota designs!

 

[zerowkul98]

So the real life advantage is about 8-9 bucks a week. We'll call it two lattes.

So Gay

 

[zzchipster]

gadget's got a sc for the 4.0l 4 runners now...look at underdog racing....www.urdusa.com

 

[kavalis]

This 'is' an excellent statement. It is your money. Do with it what you will but be practical about it.

From your description of riding around your 'older relatives' and that you are not towing anything but need 4WD, then a V6 might very well suit your needs. Also, if you are towing something (with a V6) then check out this 'developing' thread,...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/96266-first-definitely-not-last-post.html

... plenty of V6 owners are towing stuff as needed but they are SMART about 'what' they tow and how much it weighs.

Finally, keep in mind that as you go up in mileage (90K+) with an older V8, you are looking at $1500(+/-) for a timing belt change, etc, etc, etc and probably a day without your truck (rental vehicle). You could also potentially be looking at an exhaust manifold issue (tick) if you know what to see and hear for.

Not dumping on the V8 crowd here :whipping2, but for me,... a dweller of downtown suburbia and sprawl of WashDC/NoVA/MD area...the V6 was a hands-down choice and I ain't looking back.:banana:

I wont be towing.
Already check on the belt, labor from my guy is $247 including water pump.
I bought the kit for my '99 and it wasn't that much.

kit from Rising Sun for V8:
part number tkt-001 aisin genuine toy kit % $209.95 -

Under $500 for timing belt/water pump... $1500 I think not :moon:


I had a '89 4banger 1st gen before and always wished I had more power.
Now with the '99 it has plenty but always wanted that power.

Its going to come down to what comes available in my search.
(SE, 4X4, Shadow, gray or black, V6 or V8)
But I won't be turning down the V8. :guitar3:

 

[xlaxx]

Best of luck with your T4R search,...

<a href="http://s1083.photobucket.com/albums/j398/uglyatc/?action=view&current=darthVader.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1083.photobucket.com/albums/j398/uglyatc/darthVader.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

...AND, use the Force.

 

[kavalis]

...AND, use the Force.[/QUOTE]

you mean iForce V8! arty:

 

[DC runner]

I just have to say. It is one smooth v8. So responsive and relaxed. While the v6 technically has a higher HP rating, it achieves that at a much higher RPM. The v8 seems to just hum along and not need to be strained.

Plus... having the nice low end torque boost is helpful.

 

[chaz]

depends what year v8 ur comparing the v6 hp to, in 05 v8 hp went up a good amount. http://www.top4runners.com/runhist/runhist42005.html

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

I wont be towing.
Already check on the belt, labor from my guy is $247 including water pump.
I bought the kit for my '99 and it wasn't that much. Havent had a chance to call on the kit from Rising Sun.
I had a '89 4banger 1st gen before and always wished I had more power.
Now with the '99 it has plenty but always wanted that power.

Its going to come down to what comes available in my search.
(SE, 4X4, Shadow, gray or black, V6 or V8)
But I won't be turning down the V8. :guitar3:

I'd opt for the V8, it's so nice. It's what my 2008 Tacoma and 2010 4Runner was missing, the extra 2 cylinders. Rising Sun was once in Escondido on Broadway and Lincoln, Last I drove by, they are not there anymore, did they move?

 

[kavalis]

I'd opt for the V8, it's so nice. It's what my 2008 Tacoma and 2010 4Runner was missing, the extra 2 cylinders. Rising Sun was once in Escondido on Broadway and Lincoln, Last I drove by, they are not there anymore, did they move?

The address on their site:

Rising Sun Import Parts
3912 El Cajon Blvd. - ½ block west of the I-15
San Diego Ca. 92105
619-285-5020
[email protected]

Rising Sun Import Parts
840 N. Broadway - 1½ blocks S of the 78
Escondido Ca. 92025
760-738-1920
[email protected]

 

[kavalis]

depends what year v8 ur comparing the v6 hp to, in 05 v8 hp went up a good amount. Toyota 4Runner History 2005

Looking for 06 or 07 270hp :hatsoff:

 

[kavalis]

depends what year v8 ur comparing the v6 hp to, in 05 v8 hp went up a good amount. Toyota 4Runner History 2005

I was looking for a '06-'07.... but thanks for the info. I was going to check out a '04 with the older V8. Would of made a big HP error. :wow2:

 

[truckmike26]

IF the V8 didn't have a timing belt and made an extra 40-50 hp/20-30 ft./lbs. torque more than what it has now, then it'd be a clear choice over the V6. But it doesn't. It has a timing belt and the horsepower/torque gains are offset by the extra weight of the V8/AWD drivetrain/premium option packages Toyota mandated with these series of 4Rs. The 4.7L V8s do have superior low-end and step-off torque which makes the V8 very fast off-the-line but gives many V8 owners the impression their 4Rs much, much faster overall. However, the numbers -- that is the weight vs. output numbers and media acceleration test results -- don't support it.

A timing belt is not too big of a deal on a 4-5 year-old truck. It's more of a deal on an 8-9 year-old truck because more related things need to be replaced. But on a 12-13-year-old truck and beyond, more fasteners are seized, minor leaks are now exposed (change those cam seals now or leave them and take a chance?) One seized/snapped-off fastener can be at best a time-consumng repair or at worst, an engine rebuild -- a broken-off crank bolt in the crank shaft.

 

[SC Joe]

IF the V8 didn't have a timing belt and made an extra 40-50 hp/20-30 ft./lbs. torque more than what it has now, then it'd be a clear choice over the V6. But it doesn't. It has a timing belt and the horsepower/torque gains are offset by the extra weight of the V8/AWD drivetrain/premium option packages Toyota mandated with these series of 4Rs. The 4.7L V8s do have superior low-end and step-off torque which makes the V8 very fast off-the-line but gives many V8 owners the impression their 4Rs much, much faster overall. However, the numbers -- that is the weight vs. output numbers and media acceleration test results -- don't support it.

A timing belt is not too big of a deal on a 4-5 year-old truck. It's more of a deal on an 8-9 year-old truck because more related things need to be replaced. But on a 12-13-year-old truck and beyond, more fasteners are seized, minor leaks are now exposed (change those cam seals now or leave them and take a chance?) One seized/snapped-off fastener can be at best a time-consumng repair or at worst, an engine rebuild -- a broken-off crank bolt in the crank shaft.

Uh....hmmm.

 

[kavalis]

IF the V8 didn't have a timing belt and made an extra 40-50 hp/20-30 ft./lbs. torque more than what it has now, then it'd be a clear choice over the V6. But it doesn't. It has a timing belt and the horsepower/torque gains are offset by the extra weight of the V8/AWD drivetrain/premium option packages Toyota mandated with these series of 4Rs. The 4.7L V8s do have superior low-end and step-off torque which makes the V8 very fast off-the-line but gives many V8 owners the impression their 4Rs much, much faster overall. However, the numbers -- that is the weight vs. output numbers and media acceleration test results -- don't support it.

A timing belt is not too big of a deal on a 4-5 year-old truck. It's more of a deal on an 8-9 year-old truck because more related things need to be replaced. But on a 12-13-year-old truck and beyond, more fasteners are seized, minor leaks are now exposed (change those cam seals now or leave them and take a chance?) One seized/snapped-off fastener can be at best a time-consumng repair or at worst, an engine rebuild -- a broken-off crank bolt in the crank shaft.

From : Toyota 4Runner History 2003

The Land Cruiser's 4.7-liter dohc I-Force V8, 235hp 320 lb torque, is a first time 4Runner option. Debuting in the Tundra pickup in 2000, the iForce V8 has gained a reputation as one of the smoothest, most refined eight-cylinders ever to grace the engine bay of a pickup. The introduction of an all new 5-speed automatic transmission is another first for a Toyota truck. :thumb3:

changes the ratio as needed... unreal!:

The V8 4WD models feature a full-time four-wheel drive system with the Torsen limited-slip center differential with locking feature. The Torsen differential distributes the power 40 percent front / 60 percent rear under most conditions and changes the ratio as needed based on steering input and wheel slip. Changing to a 29 percent front / 71 percent rear distribution ratio during steering maneuvers helps to enhance vehicle tracking through curves. If the rear wheels should spin, the center differential can change the ratio to 53 percent front / 47 percent rear to control the slippage.

In ’05 they jacked the iForce V8 to 270hp.
I’m looking for ‘06, if its a SE and 4X4 I’ll take either motor.
Thanks for your input.
:beer:

 

[NJshadow93]

i just got my '03 SR5 V8 about 2 months ago. and it was a long search and i test drove a lot of 4Runners. I drove an '05 V8, '04 V8, '04 V6, and two '03 V8s and i must say that the V8 had obvious power over the V6. Dont get me wrong, the V6 had some jump but the V8 was so smooth and quiet and had much better acceleration than the V6. I also noticed that the V8 in the '05 and the '03 did not feel much different from eachother. I was expecting to be blown away with the extra 30 horses but i really didnt notice it that much. I also dont regret buying the '03 V8 (only had 77,000 miles when i got it) and gas mileage has been roughly 17-19. I got 21 mpg steady on a 2 and half hour drive. hope this helps at all.

 

[toytwo]

I believe that the main reason for the HP/torque gains in 2005 were due to the change in how they were required to be calculated.

 

[chaz]

an old thread but worth a read. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/7392-2004-vs-2005-4-runner-v8-hp.html

 

[progress4m]

....The 4.7L V8s do have superior low-end and step-off torque which makes the V8 very fast off-the-line but gives many V8 owners the impression their 4Rs much, much faster overall....
.

This is where average drivers spends 80% of the time… and that is why it is a lot more pleasure to drive the truck\car with superior low-end torque engine. The gap between 4.0 V6 and 4.7 V8 is even grater if you compare them under rest of 20% of driving (towing\ racing etc).

…. One seized/snapped-off fastener can be at best a time-consumng repair or at worst, an engine rebuild -- a broken-off crank bolt in the crank shaft.

I have done a lot of research before buying my truck and it is interesting to note that to this day you can not find one case of catastrophic TB failure on 4.7 V8 and I believe that engine outsold 4.0 V6 by the factor of at least 3 or 4 (count Land Curser, LX470, Tundra, Sequoia and 4runner), However you do not need to look far to find the cases of timing chain jumping on 4.0 V6 as this forum has it.

…. the horsepower/torque gains are offset by the extra weight of the “V8/AWD drivetrain/premium option packages” Toyota mandated with these series of 4Rs….

I am not sure what you are referring by “V8/AWD drivetrain/premium option packages”…I agree that V8 with 4x4 have deferent transfer case than V6… but V8 transfer case actually has less moving parts, simpler and lighter; one of the reason it was used on LC (read: reliability) . V8 itself is heavier than V6 by 180 Lbs but we are talking about 4500 Lbs truck here right.

On the personal note (as I have mentioned in some post before): I am carpooling with coworker on weekly basis: he has Tacoma with 4.0 and I have drove his truck on many occasions as he drove my truck many times as well. Since we take the same route every day you can get pretty good comparison… and I can tell you that it is like comparing apple to oranges… those two engines are in the deferent class, as they should be.
:cheers: