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What the best performance upgrade for my 2021 4runner?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by RockinB, Dec 25, 2020.

  1. Dec 29, 2020 at 4:54 AM
    #31
    Joekader

    Joekader New Member

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    Good luck on the test I hear it’s quite difficult
     
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  2. Dec 29, 2020 at 8:31 AM
    #32
    cug

    cug New Member

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    Aeh, no. It doesn’t. It’s slow as molasses no matter how hard you “smash”. It’s just so able to join traffic on a freeway safely, but that’s the best that can be said about it.
     
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  3. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:04 AM
    #33
    cug

    cug New Member

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    Yeah, barely. Of course it can "accelerate" and slow down, otherwise it would be stationary. It's slow at both. Every single car or truck I've ever driven was faster, oh yeah, maybe that 50HP 1978 Volkswagen bully was slower. But hell, 1990s diesel Sprinter vans were faster. At least when not packed to the brim.

    Speed or braking is not something to write home about with the 4Runner. The engine might be capable enough, but the transmission and drive ratio is complete and utter garbage.
     
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  4. Dec 29, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #34
    SlvrSlug

    SlvrSlug Slightly bent.

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    You must have gotten an inferior specimen, mine picks up speed just fine, and the shifting is fine also. Before i got my runner i drove a 2004 Ram SRT-10 daily for 9 yrs.
     
  5. Dec 29, 2020 at 11:23 AM
    #35
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz New Member

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    :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
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  6. Dec 29, 2020 at 3:04 PM
    #36
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    That's the thing, you have to drive it like you hate it. Foot to the floor it goes, kind of, but not many people drive like that. I HATE that. No other vehicle I've owned has required such a heavy foot. Then the motor revs way the hell up, where it sounds like garbage. The 4 liter is BY FAR the worst thing about the 4R.
     
  7. Dec 29, 2020 at 4:31 PM
    #37
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    These debates seem to pop up every few months.

    It must be relative to other vehicles you've owned.

    I have 0 complaints about speed. I'm on C rated 285's and constantly hauling over 500# of armor and tools, and have no problem accelerating, merging, passing, or whatever. I have never thought it was underpowered.

    I wonder if it's more of the younger crowd that feels it's underpowered? Folks who have never driven a car that was actually slow. :notsure:

    I'm not trying to fuel the fire, just curious..

    I've owned around 10 vehicles, and most of them were slower than this 4runner. Granted, none if them have been fast. But, the only one I really felt was slow was my '94 4runner. And, even then, I just accepted that it was slow, and drove accordingly.
     
  8. Dec 29, 2020 at 6:20 PM
    #38
    daleclough

    daleclough New Member

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    I’d suggest going to the local 4-rings shop, write a check for an SQ7, drive off with a mad hp SUV.
     
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2020
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  9. Dec 29, 2020 at 6:51 PM
    #39
    gunsnob

    gunsnob New Member

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    If someone bought a 4R for speed and slot car performance... there in lies the mistake.
     
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  10. Dec 29, 2020 at 7:41 PM
    #40
    GrantA

    GrantA Enjoying God’s creation

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    As the OP (RockinB) hasn’t responded I say this was asked to get everyone talking... One last thing from me on this thread.

    If you spent X amount of $ to buy a 4Runner and you didn’t test drive it or do your research before buying one then that was your mistake and no one else’s. Feel free to sell to someone (who hopefully will appreciate the vehicles off-road capabilities). Not to talk about myself but I believe this applies to most 4Runner owners... I first bought the vehicle for its reliability, I also bought this vehicle because I wanted a vehicle where I could go where I can reach the end of trails, explore, see scenic views I have never seen before, not be limited to the pavement, but is so reliable that it will last me 300k+ miles with just general maintenance (upgrades for even more potential routes to take, or maybe fixing what I destroyed from the trails (not the fault of the vehicle).

    Go have fun, explore, slow down, enjoy life. I am 34 years old but have learned life in the fast lane is limited to tracks (unless done illegally), I am not racing to my death but enjoying that which is around me. We have good people on this forum that enjoy the 4Runner not for the speed but because it can go where not many other stock vehicles can.

    I bought mine over a jeep because it had a 3rd row option. I can’t fit all my kids in a Jeep ( legally that is), but in a 4Runner I could and my entire family gets to go on trails and see new places.

    So RockinB if you really own a 4Runner then I hope you enjoy life in the middle to slow lane (depending on mods), if you want a race car I would recommend sell your 4Runner (again if you truly have one) and go that route but know that the speed limit applies to you too... I have had no problem getting to 90 mph but it takes a little. Not like my crotch rocket that I had for sure, but I am done with that life. It was fun for sure and still don’t mind jumping on one every now and again.
     
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  11. Dec 29, 2020 at 8:22 PM
    #41
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    What's funny is that the 4runner is actually faster than some of it's competition.

    Screenshot_20201229-221236_(1).jpg

    And, out of curiosity I looked up the statistics on a diesel Sprinter van. I didn't find specs for a '90's Sprinter, but in 2007 it ran 0-60 in 14.8 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 19.4 seconds. :rofl: So, no.. They were NOT faster than the 4runner.
     
    Last edited: Dec 29, 2020
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  12. Dec 29, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #42
    Trail Runnah

    Trail Runnah New Member

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    I'm actually considering it. Just not sure what I'd replace it with.
     
  13. Dec 29, 2020 at 9:16 PM
    #43
    Nightshade

    Nightshade New Member

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    Funny that somebody wants to speed around in a 4Runner, just drive it with the pure excitement of owning a kick ass truck. I look at mine every day and really appreciate it for what it is, just really cool. I’ve had two really nice BMWs, 5 series and a 3 series diesel 3 litre V6 monster, but neither made me smile as much as my 4Runner.
     
  14. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:23 PM
    #44
    gunsnob

    gunsnob New Member

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    Ram TRX. If this doesn’t have enough HP for you buy a Tesla with ludicrous button. It’s a 4Runner not an F1 car.. maybe Ferrari F1... as they suck... for the past 10 years.
     
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  15. Dec 29, 2020 at 10:26 PM
    #45
    gunsnob

    gunsnob New Member

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    Facts? Fake news.
     
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  16. Dec 30, 2020 at 1:50 PM
    #46
    cug

    cug New Member

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    Probably looked up the slowest one there is. 212 was a hell of a lot quicker to drive empty than the 4Runner I have here.

    And of course it’s compared to other vehicles I’ve driven or owned. Say a 2020 Defender 110 with the 6 cylinder engine. I’m not even comparing it to my other car because that just makes no sense.

    And no, I couldn’t care less how fast the thing is. I don’t have it for speed. It’s a snail, so what. But if you think ANY performance mod will make this thing feel quick, just forget it. It’s the wrong base for this.
     
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  17. Dec 30, 2020 at 2:57 PM
    #47
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Well, I hardly believe they were much faster in the 90's than they were in 2007. The comment just reminded me of when another member said his Jeep Liberty was faster, when it turned out to be significantly slower. I would love to see any road test results showing a Sprinter van beating a 7.3 0-60 time.

    I am not sure who your last comment is directed at, but I have no interest in trying to make mine fast. It moves just fine for what it is.
     
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  18. Dec 30, 2020 at 3:43 PM
    #48
    cug

    cug New Member

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    And that’s the thing: it’s slow as hell, but for what it is I don’t care about fast either. It’s just plain stupid to put “performance mods” on something like a 4Runner.
     
    Thatbassguy[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Dec 30, 2020 at 3:59 PM
    #49
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    Well, we agree on that! :cheers:

    I have no interest in racing anyone in the 4runner. Most of the things I bought it for require driving slow, or very slow. But, it does have enough power to have fun screwing around on the beach. :D
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2020
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  20. Dec 30, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #50
    Joekader

    Joekader New Member

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    If it’s so slow sell it to me I’ll take it off your hand
    the used price for a Toyota slug that can’t out run a sprinter van is $20.
    Do you have PayPal I’m ready now
     
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  21. Dec 30, 2020 at 7:53 PM
    #51
    Lifeman27

    Lifeman27 New Member

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  22. Dec 30, 2020 at 7:53 PM
    #52
    Lifeman27

    Lifeman27 New Member

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    There's always the new Hellcat Durango
     
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  23. Dec 31, 2020 at 2:01 AM
    #53
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Did you ever notice that most 60 degree engines sound like crap? I'm thinking Toyota 4.0L is a 60 degree engine.....right? The sound reminds me of the old S-10's with the 60 degree v-6, the newer S-10's had 90degree v-6's, my 2000 S-10(90 degree v-6) sounds fine when ya get on it, not so much the 4.0L Toyota!
     
  24. Dec 31, 2020 at 2:42 AM
    #54
    Lifeman27

    Lifeman27 New Member

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    I agree the power sucks. The fact that there is no back up sensor sucks too but I bought the 4runner for overall reliability and not power or backup sensors. If it comes down to it I'll trade it in for a Tundra or Tacoma TRD.
     
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  25. Dec 31, 2020 at 2:45 AM
    #55
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    I came over from a Tacoma TRD OR, I'll stick with the 4Runner, Not a buy for power or backup sensors like you said!
     
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  26. Dec 31, 2020 at 6:40 AM
    #56
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz New Member

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    Me too as I ditched the 17 TRDOR because of the issues with it and got the 19 T4R then the fuel pump BS sent me into the 21 T4R
     
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  27. Dec 31, 2020 at 6:52 AM
    #57
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    It’s 4 rings and it’s the RSQ8 you want
     
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  28. Dec 31, 2020 at 6:56 AM
    #58
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

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    Wait a minute, you actually got rid of a 2019 4Runner and bought a 2021 4Runner... because there was a fuel pump recall?
     
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  29. Jan 1, 2021 at 7:22 AM
    #59
    ipnpulz

    ipnpulz New Member

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    Yep, I sure did they could not get my 19 fixed until May and was sitting on the back lot since they could not release it back to me.
     
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  30. Jan 1, 2021 at 7:28 AM
    #60
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    This forum has plenty of former 3rd gen Tacoma owners who ditched them to buy a 4R. Don't count on one of those to be a performance upgrade from a 4R if you don't like it.
     

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