4th gen 4runner 4 speed vs 5 speed auto

[rc51kid]

I am looking at a older 4thgen. I want the V6 and i see that the early ones had a 4 speed and the latter 5 speeds. How much better is the 5 speed auto? any difference in MPG, reliability or driveablity

 

[toyotech]

get the 5 speed. newer is always better in this case. the 4 speed is way too old and been around way too long.

 

[p nut]

You won't see anything noticeable in MPG. I haven't heard much about 4-speeds or 5-speeds exploding, so reliability should be a wash as well. Driveability--that's where you'll see the difference. I feel the 5-speed has better gearing and gives it more get-go than the 4-speed. Less hunting for the correct gear when powering up mountain passes, and I believe the 1st gear is better suited when on trails. If it were me, I'd go for the 5-speed. But if I found an ultra-clean 4-speed, I wouldn't necessarily pass it up, either.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Didn't the 5 speed come at the same time as the VVT-I engine?

As I've posted before, I've been getting some pretty amazing MPG from my 4.0/5 speed auto 07, but it's hard to say whether that's because of the 5 speed, the VVT-I engine, or both.

I would try to get as new as you can.

 

[Mrknowitall]

The 1GR engine in the Gen4 is the same through the whole range. The 2UZ V8 had the bump in power from VVTi in 05. All V8s and all V6s have the same axle ratio, respectively. The 4spd used in 03 and 04 with the V6, is the same trans used for ever and a day and was even used with the 4.7 V8 2UZ engine in the Tundra and Sequoia. Both engines have a simillar OD, so highway behavior should be about the same (fuel econ, kick-downs, etc). The 5speed has a deeper 1st gear and will be a bit more lively. Thats about it. If the right deal comes along on an 03-04 V6, you're not getting anything terrible. Fuel economy from V6 to V8 is close, too, so you might find an early V8 w/ the 5 speed for not much more money. It would tolerate slightly bigger tires (33s) much better.

 

[SP Jon M3]

Didn't the 5 speed come at the same time as the VVT-I engine?

As I've posted before, I've been getting some pretty amazing MPG from my 4.0/5 speed auto 07, but it's hard to say whether that's because of the 5 speed, the VVT-I engine, or both.

The 4.0 V6 has always been VVT-i. It was the 4.7 V8 that gained the VVT-i valve train beginning in 2005.