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How is the 4.0 V6 in the Longevity Department

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by Supernootz, Mar 7, 2020.

  1. Mar 7, 2020 at 10:07 AM
    #1
    Supernootz

    Supernootz [OP] New Member

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    Guys there's been a couple million mile tundras but what about 4runners?

    Might be trading in my Truck for a 'runner and curious if the motor is as bulletproof as the big Toyota motors.
     
  2. Mar 7, 2020 at 10:20 AM
    #2
    JBTRD

    JBTRD As usual, saying something stupid

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    Yes, there are 3rd gens with over 400k miles (even though not a 4.0). There are people with 4th gens that have over 300k miles and I've seen some used early 5th gens for sale with over 200k miles. We may not have a million mile motor yet, but would not be surprised if a tacoma or 4runner eventually will reach it.
     
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  3. Mar 7, 2020 at 3:37 PM
    #3
    Georgia Native

    Georgia Native New Member

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    It is a solid engine. A lot better than tje turbos that are popping up everywhere.
     
  4. Mar 7, 2020 at 3:48 PM
    #4
    Supernootz

    Supernootz [OP] New Member

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    I guess I'm just a little concerned, coming from a V8, about a motor that constantly runs in higher rev ranges.
     
  5. Mar 7, 2020 at 4:05 PM
    #5
    Chris In Milwaukee

    Chris In Milwaukee New Member

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    How high is high? <2000rpm seems pretty moderate to me. My 4Runner and Hemi Ram seem to run in the same ballpark.
     
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  6. Mar 7, 2020 at 4:24 PM
    #6
    Matze

    Matze Fremdsprachler

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    I can’t verify the story but according to media’s there is even 4 cylinder Tacoma’s with over a million miles out there and when you look around for used Toyota’s you’ll find a bunch of 4 cylinder engines with over 400k
    Since the 4l V6 is in there for the last 10 years it wouldn’t be surprising to find one with 400k
    But I think it’s right to say it looks like Toyota is generally able to build engines, no matter of size or amount of cylinders, that last.
    Even the f....ing Prius last longer as most people would like!
     
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  7. Mar 7, 2020 at 5:08 PM
    #7
    Georgia Native

    Georgia Native New Member

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    My guess is most trucks are scrapped long before the engine is worn out.
     
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  8. Mar 8, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #8
    akmerle

    akmerle New Member

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    To be honest, seems my 4runner runs nearly identical RPM ranges as my Tundra. Both just under 2k rpm at 65/70mph.

    FYI, 4runner is running 17.1mpg, Tundra is 14.2.
     
  9. Mar 8, 2020 at 10:46 AM
    #9
    Supernootz

    Supernootz [OP] New Member

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    Thanks.

    I guess it just seemed higher to me on the test drive because it's a bit "buzzy" vs a low growl.
     
  10. Mar 8, 2020 at 6:01 PM
    #10
    Rngr188

    Rngr188 New Member

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    Too bad they took the 4.0 out of the Tacoma. Very well proven engine, that's why i convinced my wife to buy her 20 4r over a Tacoma. She'll see 18-20 mpg where my 20 Tundra was seeing 18 until I put Trail Grapplers on now I'm seeing 14-16. My 17 Tundra saw about 15-17 with Ridge Grapplers.
     
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  11. Mar 22, 2020 at 5:31 AM
    #11
    chassis

    chassis New Member

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    I ran a 4th gen 4.0L SR5 4WD 4Runner to 206k miles, and it was running great when I sold it. Very solid high mileage vehicle.
     
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  12. Mar 22, 2020 at 6:04 AM
    #12
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    On the contrary, I would assume with 2 extra cylinders, a V8 is 33% more likely to break out all other things equal.
     
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  13. Mar 22, 2020 at 10:19 AM
    #13
    mcat707

    mcat707 MURDERED TRD

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    Both those million mile Tundras are guys doing Hot Shot deliveries for the oil industry, so they need the large bed space in a truck for large oil drums and such.

    I doubt that there is a 4Runner running around doing hot shot deliveries racking up those higher miles like those guys.

    Not to say the 4Runner is not capable. I’m sure it can be done.
     
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  14. Mar 22, 2020 at 1:06 PM
    #14
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Even my Dad's old 975cc Morris Minor engine ran like a swiss watch when the rest of the car was a rusty bucket. The secret is regular oil changes and good oil. Grease is really cheaper than parts. I've owned many 4X4 Toyotas, and they all had great engines. Personally, I think the 4 L is one of their best. I've had it in a Taco and its in my current 4 Runner. Where I live rust is the ultimate enemy of Toyotas, not their engines.
     
  15. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:10 AM
    #15
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    Hell the Prius is probably the most reliable one. :toast:
     
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  16. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:14 AM
    #16
    WallyT4R

    WallyT4R New Member

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    That Tundra motor is a beast and a V6 is not going to touch it in power or smoothness. It's a great motor and a lot of fun to drive. The 4.0 V6 is a good motor also and you will get your moneys worth out of it. But it's not a 5.7 V8. With you already having doubts about the 4.0 I suggest you take many test drives and really think about this before committing dollars. IMO the reliability issue between the two motors is a non factor, but your satisfaction of living with the vehicle on a daily basis is a big factor.
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2020
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  17. Mar 23, 2020 at 5:50 AM
    #17
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    This is good advice. Both engines will outlast your contentment with them.
     
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  18. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:11 AM
    #18
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance. That’s the key. Do it “by the book” whether you think it needs it or not (oil, coolant, trans fluid, gear oil, brake fluid, filters, etc).

    Back in college (when Disco was king) I was a mechanic in the college motor pool. We changed oil on everything every 5000 miles (easy to keep track of... 5,000, 10,000, 15,000, etc). We used Chevron 30w oil that came in a 55 gallon drum. Most of the cars had been donated to the college and were high mileage (in those days, an engine with 75,000 miles on it was considered “worn out”) so we had no idea what their maintenance history had been.

    The Graduate Studies department bought two brand new 1976 Ford Pinto station wagons (believe it or not, they were orange) with V6 engines which we maintained. One day, a student returned one with a loud “clunk, clunk, clunk” coming from the engine. Sounded like a rod bearing had gone bad so, with over 100,000 miles on the V6, we pulled the engine and sent it to the machine shop to get rebuilt.

    A couple days later, Marty the machinist called and asked “How often do you guys change the oil”? Uh oh. We went down to look at the damage. Marty showed us that there was hardly any wear on any of the parts. The manufacturer’s hone hash marks were still visible in the cylinder walls! Due to the regular maintenance, the engine was still in excellent condition. The problem had been that the student had hit the oil pan on a parking bumper which pushed the oil suction tube up so the crankshaft hit it every time it came around.

    So, like any good relationship, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get back, and your “honey” will be with you for the long haul.
     
  19. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:30 AM
    #19
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    Good story, 4x Old Guy.
     
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  20. Mar 23, 2020 at 9:50 AM
    #20
    4x Old Guy

    4x Old Guy New Member

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    Well, I remember back in the day ... :hattip:
     
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  21. Mar 24, 2020 at 7:13 AM
    #21
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    I remember when gas was .25 gal.
     
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  22. Mar 24, 2020 at 8:13 AM
    #22
    Oldtoyotaguy

    Oldtoyotaguy Paid cash for it

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    So do I. I remember in the 50s, it was around 18 cents a gallon. We drove a Morris Minor station wagon that got about 40 mpg. But then wages were pretty low too. I got 1 cent/paper delivering them after school.
     
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  23. Mar 24, 2020 at 2:03 PM
    #23
    r32

    r32 New Member

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    150k and not a single thing has gone wrong with the engine. Following the maintenance schedule to a 'T', using Mobile1 oil and Mobile1 greases since day 1.
     
  24. Mar 25, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #24
    oktom

    oktom New Member

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    I remember when cigarettes were 18 cents a pack. If you put 20 cents in the machine there were 2 pennies in the cellophane covering the pack.
    Couldn't believe it, was in a checkout line the other day.....some woman bought a carton of cigarettes....$86. She should quit.
     
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  25. Jan 10, 2021 at 1:07 PM
    #25
    ToyzRUs

    ToyzRUs New Member

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    Well fwiw I can remember 28 cent smokes, 30 cent gas or less during gas wars & Top Value stamps and 15 cent sodas you returned a bottle for 10 cents back on. For you reefer heads (I no longer am) now its legal we had 25 cent doobies all day every day. Most people just gave them away..yep!
    Those sure were the days man! Oh and naked ladies at our concerts.. Although some you wish you never ever saw nude (Ethel) but it was too late..lmao

    Hey wake up now man' darn..
    The 07 4Runner I sold had the same V8 my 05 Tundra has. My 4Runner just had 108k when I sold it but my Tundra has right at 360k today. The only thing non-mentenance engine repair to date is my valve cover gaskets leaked so I tossed a set on. Took less than an hour, so easy to get to things.
    But lets understand the V8 was actually used in Lexus flagship LS first. Also hit a million miles btw.
    So much went into the LS its said Toy spent an unheard of then billion dollars just to bring it to market decades ago and sent every car maker including Benz back to their drawing boards for yrs. Although the 4.7 Tundra/4Runner/GX etc. engine block is cast iron vs Aluminum LS car engine its the same engine. Has a cam bump for better lower RPM torque for hauling/towing.
    Being the Lexus flagship engine so much more went into the V8 design vs the V6 so we must take that into consideration.
    Just wanted to add that.

    While changing my VC gaskets I noticed my V8 looks spotless inside with no visible wear even and still dont burn oil between 7500k mile changes but I've used Mobil 1 full syn since day one. Did you know the hash marks were still inside the cylinders on the first million mile Tundra? Hows that for being remaaaaarkable...lol
     
  26. Jan 11, 2021 at 1:40 PM
    #26
    Tuco S.

    Tuco S. New Member

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    I'll echo the others in that mine stays between 1000 and 2000 rpms at least 95% of the time. I suspect these 1GR-FE motors will easily last 500k miles using the maintenance schedule outlined in the owner's manual.
     
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  27. Jan 12, 2021 at 5:10 AM
    #27
    Red_5

    Red_5 New Member

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    The 1GR-FE is used in applications all over the world, often in conditions that are far worse than what 99% of American 4Runners will see. No engine is completely bulletproof, and there are occasional duds, but I can't imagine what more of a "reliability pedigree" you could want from an engine.

    From Wikipedia...

    Applications with VVT-i (calendar years):

    Applications with Dual VVT-i (calendar years):

     
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  28. Jan 12, 2021 at 2:32 PM
    #28
    Trekker

    Trekker Regular Member

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    I don't think the 1GR-FE is as solid as the 5vz-fe engine it replaced. The 1GR-FE and the 5vz-fe are about the same reliability wise, I'll give the 5vz-fe the edge because of its more durable construction with a cast iron block vs aluminum.

    What separates these engines is what happens when something goes wrong. If the cylinder walls of a 5vz-fe engine get scored, you can bore the chambers and rebuild the engine. This is not the case with the 1GR-FE because it has thin cast iron liners that make it impossible to bore the chambers if they get scored. This means if the cylinder walls get scored on a 1GR-FE you have to get a new engine block.

    These engines are close enough that it comes down to which engine was better cared for. If I knew both had been neglected then I would go with the 5vz-fe. Keep in mind that the youngest 5vz-fe engines are 18 years old, and most have had multiple owners.

    With the exception of the 3vz-fe, most engines put in the 4runner are capable of achieving 1,000,000 miles if they have been properly looked after. The 4runner is a family SUV, so if it reaches that mileage it wont be in a short amount of time like the Tundra. That gives rust plenty of time to kill the 4runner before it can reach 1,000,000 miles.
     
  29. Jan 13, 2021 at 9:17 PM
    #29
    GrantA

    GrantA Enjoying God’s creation

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    I would say this... during this time I am close to having my car for 7 months and have 3,800 miles on it.

    So the question comes down to... how many miles on average do you drive per year. 10k, 15k, 20k, 25k, etc...

    let’s go with 25k miles. You would get to 100k miles at 4 years. It would take 40 years to reach 1 million miles. In the past 18 years I have had 10+ different vehicles. Anyways I know each person is different, I am hoping my 4Runner will be with me for the next 18 years.

    I would say the engine is super reliable based on everyone’s comments, the miles you see on used vehicles that are 10 years old, and it is a Toyota that has been around for a while and there is a reason for that. If they sucked I am sure Toyota wouldn’t keep making them.

    That is just my 2 cents but again what will work best for you? I had a crew max tundra and loved it as well. Just couldn’t fit my family (4 kiddos). So I got the 3rd row.
     
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  30. Jan 14, 2021 at 6:27 AM
    #30
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    I thought all 6 cylinder engines ran higher RPMs at the same speed vs 8 cylinders.
     
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