My 80 has a head gasket issue and it must be dealt with soon. Problem is that Iknow nothing about the newer 4runners. I had a couple of their 85 trucks with the little 4 bannger that's way under power, that I use to beat out in the woods. I am thinking about an 04-08 truck. Tell me about real world driving experiences between the 6 and the v8 truck. I am looking at the 4 Runner is because it is just a few inches smaller them my 80 on interior space. It is now use for kid duty and travel. It must be 4WD. I need to get up to this steep driveway on the side of a hill with pot holes and rocks more then a few time throughout the year. Snow in the winter and they don't plow most of the large streets up there. An all wheel drive like envoy or whatever its call is a no go. I yanked him up to the top with my 80 a few times with lots snow on the ground. Tell me which one I need to look for and which to stay away form. I am leaning toward the V8 for the additional power. Is it worth the extra gas it need to get up and go? It has a center lock diff on all of the 4WD models? How does it do off road compare to my 80? Now days, all I see are trails to a campsite. Once in a while, I will get to have some fun with a bunch of large boulders and a few streams and rough trails. Tell me, tell me please.
School me on 4 runners
- Thread starter look 171
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The V8 models are all full time AWD and they have the center diff lock. The V6 has a traditional part time 4WD system which doesn't need a center diff lock because when it's in 4WD it's locked front to rear. I have the same V6 4.0/auto drivetrain in my Tacoma that is used in the 4Runner. It's got plenty of power. It tows a loaded car trailer fine so I'm sure it's more than enough power for the marginally heavier 4Runner.
Jacket
Moderator
Here's some good info recently offered up.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/553874-looking-4runners-little-advice.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/553874-looking-4runners-little-advice.html
Duane
IH8MUD Wookie
Friends of ours have an 04 V6 and they aren't pleased with the in city mileage. Our 3.4L V6 in our 3rd gens isn't gentle on fuel in town in the winter either 
I think the 4.7L V8 would be shocking
If you are used to older 4 bangers and an 80 I would think a 4.0Litre in a 4th gen runner would feel like a rocket ship to you!
Even greater than us going from a 3B up to a 2.7L
I think the 4.7L V8 would be shocking
If you are used to older 4 bangers and an 80 I would think a 4.0Litre in a 4th gen runner would feel like a rocket ship to you!
Even greater than us going from a 3B up to a 2.7L
Here's another thread were we discussed it.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/542642-modern-era-4runner-replacing-land-cruiser.html
I love my 05 4.7L V8 SR5 with 4WD and third row seating.
~Daniel
https://forum.ih8mud.com/95-gen-toyota-trucks/542642-modern-era-4runner-replacing-land-cruiser.html
I love my 05 4.7L V8 SR5 with 4WD and third row seating.
~Daniel
We have a 97 & an 04 limited v8 full time 4wd. 97 is running 285/75s, still has plenty power. fuel mileage blows 16mpg on the hwy. 04 all stock, will do 20-21 on the hwy if your easy on it. 16-17 in town. we drove it from western ky to vegas back in the summer & averaged 18-19 for the whole trip. I love both of them. The power difference though between the 4.7 v8 & 4.0 v6 is not enough to spit past your chin. Its ok to have. We got a good deal on it so v8 or v6 wldnt matter. The Limited though over the SR5. Either would have been fine, but I gotta say, I am glad it has both. The wife loves it.
I would recommend the 6cyl over the 8cyl. There is enough power in the six. Twice a year I tow a friends 26ft boat and the occasional u-haul with no problems.
I've never had a V6 4Runner, but I've had a 02 V6 Tacoma and I've put both the Tacoma and my current 05 V8 4Runner through similar stresses and in my personal opinion there is a great deal of power difference between the V8 and V6... That being said the newer V6 4Runner are suppose to have more horsepower than the V8's, but still only #5000 towing capacity on the V6 models. There are many things to consider and I've noticed it's pretty debatable as to what's "better"...it really comes down to what's best for you! I don't see where you live, but your welcome to come check out my V8 model and form a opinion. I live in DFW, Texas for now. 
Happy Hunting!
~Daniel
Happy Hunting! ~Daniel
You should consider putting new o2 sensor in if you haven't done it yet. There is an odd condition in which the o2 sensors will go bad without going bad enough to cause an error code.
With 265/70/17's on my 96 with 192k miles, I consistently get 21-22mpg on the highway (and most of my highway is between Utah and Montana so it's pretty much all hills). The 285's are about 1 inch taller, but I'd be surprised if they make 4-5mpg difference. I do get down into the 15mpg range when I'm going up to snowbird 2-3 trips per tank - the canyon is only 8 miles long but gains 3,500ft in elevation - mileage drops pretty badly.
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I've never had a V6 4Runner, but I've had a 02 V6 Tacoma and I've put both the Tacoma and my current 05 V8 4Runner through similar stresses and in my personal opinion there is a great deal of power difference between the V8 and V6... That being said the newer V6 4Runner are suppose to have more horsepower than the V8's, but still only #5000 towing capacity on the V6 models. There are many things to consider and I've noticed it's pretty debatable as to what's "better"...it really comes down to what's best for you! I don't see where you live, but your welcome to come check out my V8 model and form a opinion. I live in DFW, Texas for now.
~Daniel
Thanks for the offer. I am in Los Angeles. A long way to Texas.
Another fairly important difference between the 4.0L V6 and the 4.7L V8 is maintenance cost. Check the dealer recommended service intervals and required maintenance. Around 100k you will need to do the 4.7L timing belt which that service can easily run $1,000 or so. It will also be about 1-2 mpg less than the V6 so you need to factor that cost vs need.
My preference is the V8 due to it's smooth, quiet refined performance but it will cost more.
My preference is the V8 due to it's smooth, quiet refined performance but it will cost more.
look 171 said:
True that is a bit of a drive!
No, the 4th Gen 4Runner V6's DO have center diff's (and CDL buttons), so NOT a part-time 4WD system like you have in the Tacoma. (Even 01-02 4Runners had this feature, and 99-00 Limiteds).
But I do agree that 4.0L V6's are great engines and unless you do a lot of towing, it's the engine I'd choose. I'd try for an 05+ model, since it will have a 5-sp auto transmission (03-04 were 4-sp).
