V6 or V8?

[boozewz]

Hi...I;ve been a silent observer of this forum for quite some time. Now that I need some advise, what better place to post than here! Hope you guys can help.

Looking to get a 200, with the ultimate goal of doing Cairo to Capetown. The trip (if we ever get to do it will be not before another 2 yrs). The question I have is: shall I go for the 6 or 8? What are the pros and cons of each for such an overlanding trip?

Any help would be great

 

[chimyz]

Diesel? I'm assuming?
In North America we don't get the diesel option...only 5.7 V8 gas.

If I were you, pony up and get the V8. I'm sure Toyota would put enough power into the V6 to run this vehicle, but if you are doing a trip of the magnitude you are talking about, you may find yourself in situations where the added torque of the V8 will help (for example towing, loading the thing up, off road).

The other major consideration is fuel consumption. This is a heavy vehicle, and I could see the more economical V6 working harder to pull the same weight as the V8...probably nulifying any difference in consumption for the two.

Another site you may want to check out is lcool.org. It is a Landcruiser forum from Australia. I don't think they get the V6 in Australia either, but there is all kinds of good info about the V8 diesel.

Good luck on your choice. Maybe others can chime in and offer their suggestions.

 

[sdtash]

I am sure the V6 is the 4.0 litre ULP engine we have in our Prado's. The V6 has the 5 speed manual fitted at least as a option anyway. Here in OZ now Toyota has pretty well sorted all the problems out of the V8 D4D Twin Turbo. Reprogramming changes to the ECU have appeared to have stopped a problem with the fuel pump/stalling issues some have experienced over here. Tailshafts are being replaced on a number with a redesigned unit to stop the thud.
As Chimyz indicated,the LC 200 is a heavy vehicle, when you add extra fuel , water and the other requirements the Cruiser will be a slug. Comes down to how readily available diesel or ULP is? I would go the V8 TTD for sure if diesel is abundant.

 

[Range Cruiser]

Fuel Requirements for V6/V8

The manual says 95 octane required for V6, 91 for V8. More performance required out of a smaller engine means better fuel needed, for the gasoline engine anyway.

I would go diesel for the long way down, it is probably more tolerant of bad quality (which you are guaranteed to get) and dirt (also guaranteed) and water (guaranteed), assuming there is a fuel/water separator, and easily accessible fuel filter. The fuel economy should be better (don't have the figures in front of me).

The V8 gas engine has lots of torque, which is nice when off road and when loaded up with people and gear.

 

[Jonty]

The new twin-turbo diesel V8 doesn't like poor quality diesel, especially the higher power European spec engines. In remote parts of Africa, you are guaranteed dirty diesel with some water and algae in it. Petrol is easily available, but your best bet would be to get a lower-spec diesel, like the ones they sell in East Africa.

Where are you based?

 

[JBHorne]

The manual says 95 octane required for V6, 91 for V8. More performance required out of a smaller engine means better fuel needed, for the gasoline engine anyway.

I would go diesel for the long way down, it is probably more tolerant of bad quality (which you are guaranteed to get) and dirt (also guaranteed) and water (guaranteed), assuming there is a fuel/water separator, and easily accessible fuel filter. The fuel economy should be better (don't have the figures in front of me).

The V8 gas engine has lots of torque, which is nice when off road and when loaded up with people and gear.

Your manual says to run 91 octane? Mine says to run "regular" (ie. 86 or 87).

 

[Range Cruiser]

The new twin-turbo diesel V8 doesn't like poor quality diesel, especially the higher power European spec engines. In remote parts of Africa, you are guaranteed dirty diesel with some water and algae in it. Petrol is easily available, but your best bet would be to get a lower-spec diesel, like the ones they sell in East Africa.

Where are you based?

Yes, it would be helpful to know where you are going to buy your vehicle from. Middle East has the Gulf Spec models, North America has its specs, and I don't know about the rest of the world.

Regarding "European" spec, what does that mean? Isn't a 2UZFE V8 engine the same everywhere? The differences I have noticed have to do with cooling system efficiency, airbox, catalytic converter (or lack thereof in previous years), and other systematic differences and such. I'll have to compare technical details to see how these things are specified. It would be good to know just what the regional differences are.

Jonty, you must be referring to this model:

www.toyotaea.com/landcruiser specs.cfm

That is the old 4.5 straight 6 turbo diesel (unless it has been updated somehow) in the new LC200. Does fuel really affect the performance because the V8 TTD has 1 more turbo and 2 more cylinders?

EDIT: Whoops, big error on my part, didn't do my homework! That weblink above goes to a site that I think is not official, here is the official one: http://toyota-africa.com/cars/new_cars/index.asp
The only diesel sold in these African countries is the 4.5L D-4D TT V8, detuned, with 50hp less.

Jonty, are you speaking from personal experience when you say "diesel V8 doesn't like poor quality diesel"?

 

[sdtash]

Jonty, are you speaking from personal experience when you say "diesel V8 doesn't like poor quality diesel"?

Seems here in Australia there has been problems with the LC 200 TTD stalling. Alot of focus early on was on dirty fuel. Toyota would replace the fuel pumps under warranty. In the last few weeks Toyota has been reprogramming the ECU. Indications from those owners involved says it takes around 30 minutes to under take the reprogramming, and the problem is solved and does not return.

 

[Tapage]

I never saw, read about v6 in diesel version for any cruiser ..

There are few 6 inline diesel and turbo diesel options to your .. the most reliable should be the 1HZ engine.. when the most powerfull seems to be the newer 1VD-FTV and a hapy medium the 1HD-T

 

[Jonty]

Regarding "European" spec, what does that mean? Isn't a 2UZFE V8 engine the same everywhere?

The European versions have a higher power output, the Engine Management is programmed to take advantage of better quality diesel. I suspect the 'hardware' is the same everywhere.

Jonty, you must be referring to this model:

www.toyotaea.com/landcruiser specs.cfm

That is the old 4.5 straight 6 turbo diesel (unless it has been updated somehow) in the new LC200. Does fuel really affect the performance because the V8 TTD has 1 more turbo and 2 more cylinders?

Jonty, are you speaking from personal experience when you say "diesel V8 doesn't like poor quality diesel"?

Unfortunately, yes. A close friend ordered a UK spec RHD TTDV8 and suffered clogged fuel filters within a few thousand miles (after filling up at a remote station) and now carries a funnel with inbuilt filter and water separator.. The filters filter to a higher degree (I don't remember the exact no. in microns) in the new engines. This is not catastrophic but it's better to be safe - you don't want to be stranded in a remote area. Also bear in mind that low-sulfur diesel is not available in many areas.

The East African 200-series diesel is the 1VD-FTV, single-turbo V8. It has been detuned to cope with poor diesel and the filters are different as well.

 

[dtt255]

how would there even be a question if you should get a V6 or V8?

 

[chimyz]

how would there even be a question if you should get a V6 or V8?

Price? Roadside maintenance (more room in engine compartment)?

 

[Tapage]

Price? Roadside maintenance (more room in engine compartment)?

which V6 .. the 1GR .. ?

 

[El_THEEB]

which V6 .. the 1GR .. ?

yup. the 1GR

 

[Grolar]

Hi...I;ve been a silent observer of this forum for quite some time. Now that I need some advise, what better place to post than here! Hope you guys can help.

Looking to get a 200, with the ultimate goal of doing Cairo to Capetown. The trip (if we ever get to do it will be not before another 2 yrs). The question I have is: shall I go for the 6 or 8? What are the pros and cons of each for such an overlanding trip?

Any help would be great

Before you even consider a 6 or 8 cylinders 200, consider this:
Cairo to Cape Town means crossing low tech and treacherous places such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Tanzania. No offense to the mechanics down there, cos I know first hand how Africans car shops can do wonders, but should you have any electronic or other related problem on the road (bad fuel killing injectors, for example), they wouldn't be able to do anything for you. Do yourself a favor a buy a diesel 75 series or a Land Rover 110 to travel overland. They're rugged, dependable and can be easily fixed.
Oh, yeah, keep us posted

 

[JBHorne]

Before you even consider a 6 or 8 cylinders 200, consider this:
Cairo to Cape Town means crossing low tech and treacherous places such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Tanzania. No offense to the mechanics down there, cos I know first hand how Africans car shops can do wonders, but should you have any electronic or other related problem on the road (bad fuel killing injectors, for example), they wouldn't be able to do anything for you. Do yourself a favor a buy a diesel 75 series or a Land Rover 110 to travel overland. They're rugged, dependable and can be easily fixed.
Oh, yeah, keep us posted

I can only imagine..."Um...sir...where do you put the key?" when some electronic computer fails.

 

[chimyz]

Just hold it up next to the on/off switch...that's what the dealership told me when I asked that question. You would get some funny looks from the Ethiopians as your LC200 goes beeping through their country.