3rd gen 4runner's not cutting it for towing - 4th gen V6 the answer?

[Martinjmpr]

Well, I had suspected it ever since we took our Teardrop up to the mountains back in March, but after getting back from a week long trip to the West Coast (Oregon and CA), it's official: As nice as my 3rd gen is for an all-around off-roader, its 183HP/217lb ft just doesn't cut it when pulling our heavy trailer over the mountains.

Although I had briefly considered going to an Xterra (for the simple reason of being able to obtain a manual transmission) I have come to the conclusion that the Xterra is too small and that it would be too much of a step down in terms of accomodations. For that reason, I'm looking at a 4th gen 4runner to replace the 3rd gen. Most likely I will be looking at a 2005 - 2007 V6 model.

I know lots of people would suggest the V8 for the additional power, but my preference is for the V6 for a few reasons: I prefer the multi-mode transfer case to the full-time 4wd of the V8 primarily because of MPG concerns (wife's Grand Vitara has full time 4wd and gets terrible mileage.) Also, as I understand it, the V8 has a timing belt whereas the V6 does not. True, the V8 has more power (270hp/320 tq vs 245/282 for the V6) but according to edmunds, it is also 200lbs heavier (4500 curb weight vs 4300 for the V6.) My thought is that for the additional weight and fuel consumption, the V8 just isn't worth it. Plus, I just like the idea of being able to have 4wd when I need it but 2wd when I don't.

Anyway, my question is for those who have made the switch from 3rd gen to 4th, particularly those that tow: Is the power increase noticeable? On paper its an impressive difference, but I was curious as to what extent the additional power of the 4th gen is eaten up by the additional weight. Also, for those who tow, how would you rate the 4th gen as a tow rig?

Honestly, if our teardrop was as light as some of the ones we saw in Oregon (circa 600# or so) this wouldn't be an issue but ours tips the scales around 1200lbs or so, with a heavy tongue weight (due to the wheels being so far back) and the 4runner was really struggling up those long ascents.

Final question: For those who have pondered the V6/V8 question, have you had reason to regret your choice? IOW, are you saying "I coulda had a V8?" Or on the flip side, are there those of you who opted for the V8 because you thought you needed the extra power and now wish you'd gotten the V6 instead?

My shopping has just begun but I can find a lot of 4runners in my price range (<$18k.) Quite a few are V8's which I've crossed off my list, at least for now.

Thanks in advance for any ideas or comments!

 

[java]

I didn't come from a 3rd gen, but I have a 4th gen V6 and tow a fair bit. Some things to consider, I have a early 4th gen, they got a 4 speed, the 05+ got the 5 speed. If i were to do it again id get the 5 speed. But I regularly tow 1200 lbs or so, and I find that the v6 is fine, not great, but fine. It tends to downshift a lot, but with a lift larger tires bumper etc, it does wo/ the trailer. I've just gotten to manually shifting to 3rd or 2nd if i have to. also only the v8's got the factory transmission cooler, I have a scan gauge and watch the temps but if you're not on top of shifting it will get hot in a hurry. The TC won't lock up in any but the highest gear the transmission is allowed. Hence shifting to 3rd or 2nd manually.
Id still get the v6 again, but id get a 5 speed.

 

[montypower]

Why not supercharge your 4runner? My old 99 was supercharged and had exceptional power. The best part is you get the stock peak (na) torque at 1,800 rpm with the supercharger. It makes better power than the 4.0L V6 used in the 4th gen. Cost is much less than changing vehicles too. You might spend $3-4k adding the supercharger, trans shift kit, fuel mods but you'll save money compared to buying a new rig. Plus, it's a blast to drive. Your MPG will go up too (if you stay out of it).

 

[Clutch]

I would say test drive both with your trailer hooked up...and decide from there.

Buddy of mine has a V6 in his 4th Gen...seem to do fine pulling 14' tandem open trailer with 4, 450cc dirtbikes, gear and 4 bro's....but that was Tucson to Tecate...which is mostly flat.

 

[bigwapitijohnny]

Same conclusion that I painfully had...

It became painfully obvious that the 3rd gen 4runner was no longer able to meet my family needs. With my Sherpa II fully loaded, the 4runner would struggle going up 7-10% grade hills.

So I decided to go with a 2011 Tundra with the big V8. Mileage is a tad better than the 4runner, and I have gobs of power now...

I don't regret my decision. This rig is big, comfortable and powerful all rolled up into one.

Regards,

BWJ

 

[ttora4runner]

V8 swap: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/94282-v8-conversion.html

 

[Ric]

I had a 3rd gen. running 33s, armored, custom cargo box full of recovery gear and tools, Ive pulled a pop up, up the mountains a few times, with a family of 4, and all the stuff to go with, for a 4 day trip, I never had issues keeping 70MPH if I wanted, although I was regeared, 4:88s and auto.

Now I have a 4th gen. with the V8, running 33s same set up minus the regearing, I havent pulled a pop up yet, up the mountains, but Im sure it would no prob.
The point is, my 3rd gen was fine, did great heading up to the hills lol

 

[p nut]

Went from a 3.4L to a 4.7L. Towing went from struggling up 8-10k ft passes to easily powering up them. There is nothing like towing a heavy load over the mountains with a V8. Never have I heard a V8 owner towing a load wishing he had a V6. Vice versa, though.....

 

[4loco]

I have a 2009 4runner v6 4x4 and it tows beautifully. it has the 5 speed tranny but when i tow i ALWAYS keep it in "4" with no overdrive per toyota manual and take my time, never going above 60. i almost never down shift unless i am going up a grade and i usually downshift manually anyways and take it easy to keep transmission temps down. what i love most is the suspension and steering, it feels incredibly solid and smooth, you can easily keep wide trailers in between the lines with one relaxed hand on the wheel and it just feels GOOD! id recommend getting an external trans cooler as well for the 4th gen v6 (not even the "tow package" includes one), i don't have one yet but its in the works.

one more thing, i towed a 14 foot mesh-floor steel trailer with about 25 christmas trees piled in it about 200 miles and it got almost 16MPG and this thing was basically a sail behind me. also, not once have i ever felt like the 4.0 V6 was underpowered

good luck with your endeavors,
steve k

 

[peekay]

I've had the following vehicles:
'01 Taco V6 Dcab
'01 Taco V6 Dcab w/supercharger and no fuel mods
'07 Taco V6 Dcab

and towed the following:
5x8 enclosed trailer (1000lbs total)
14 ft utility trailer with two quads (~2000lbs)
3000-3500lb 19 ft boat
4500-5000lb travel trailer

Here are my thoughts:
1) on flat ground, the 01 can tow the boat and utility trailer easily. The travel trailer was possible, but harder on freeways and hills.
2) the s/c adds a lot of power while not towing. But when towing, the power increase was minimal. The 3.4 w/ s/c and no fuel mods was much, much weaker than the 4.0 for towing.
3) 4.0 will easily tow your 1200lb trailer up any hill at any speed (keep in mind though, everyone's "power expectation" is different. I regularly tow a 5x8 enclosed trailer (about 1000lbs total) with my 05 Prius on flat ground).

 

[Martinjmpr]

Why not supercharge your 4runner? My old 99 was supercharged and had exceptional power.

Kinda like putting a $40 saddle on a $10 horse isn't it?

No, I'm not going to supercharge my '99. It's got 150k on it now and while that's only middle-aged in Toyota-time, I need to move on, for a number of other reasons. The 3rd gen is a great off-roader but the design is almost 20 years old now (design dates back to '96) and it's really showing its age.

Not only that, the 3rd gen is rather noisy for highway travel. When I travel by myself that's not an issue since I can just crank up the stereo but when the wife's with me that's not really an option.

I'm really looking for something that is overall more comfortable and capable of pulling the teardrop and also now that we have a jeep (wife's '95 YJ) I don't feel like I need a hardcore off-roader.

The interesting thing I noticed when shopping is that a sometimes the V8s are less expensive than the V6's. Not sure why this is, maybe the people selling the V8s are trying to unload them quickly because they want something with better MPG (though most of the ones I see for sale are from dealers, not private individuals.)

Anyway, thanks for the input. I think what I may do is revise my search criteria a bit - the V8 won't neccessarily be crossed off my list but neither will the V6. I'll try them both and see what works best.

Of course, I have to sell my '99 first, so this weekend I'll be de-stickering and cleaning up my '99 so I can start listing it for sale.

(and if there's anyone out there in the Denver area who's interested in a clean '99 with a tube bumper, rear locker and near-new tires, PM me. )

 

[Logans91XJ]

4.7L 2007-newer Tundra... or

5.7 381HP with 401ft tq

if you wanna tow up to 10,000lbs
If you get the tow package you get 4.30 rear end Trans Cooler
9.5" Ring and Pinion
HUGE Brakes
Class 5 Hitch

 

[p nut]

5.7 381HP with 401ft tq

if you wanna tow up to 10,000lbs
If you get the tow package you get 4.30 rear end Trans Cooler
9.5" Ring and Pinion
HUGE Brakes
Class 5 Hitch

Sounds like a $40 solution to a $10 problem to me... :sombrero:

 

[Martinjmpr]

4.7L 2007-newer Tundra... or

5.7 381HP with 401ft tq

if you wanna tow up to 10,000lbs

Not really neccessary for our 1200lb teardrop...

 

[jim65wagon]

My thought is: with the 4.7V8 it may be possible to get equal or better mileage loaded and towing with the V8 over the V6. Highway mileage in an unloaded condition and the V6 will be a bit better.....and if you do lots of stop-n-go in town stuff the V8 will suffer a bit more. What's your mileage on the V6 4runner?

Unloaded highway mileage on my truck (4.7V8 Tundra) runs about 18.5mpg and can sometimes hit mid 19s. Pre-teardrop camping loads for four and we got mid 17s. Our teardrop is about twice as heavy as yours and I get 14s on flat ground and 12 in the hills. Of course trying to run 75+ in some steeeep West Virginia mountains got me down to 10.5! (this is all scangauge mileage) On the plus side I could still accelerate to pass tractor-trailer rigs going uphill.....

and , No, I have never regretted getting the V8 Tundra over a V6 Tundra