'06 4Runner from a '99. Towing and Power diff???

Hey guys! New to the forum, but not new to my 'runner...

Right now I have a '99 V6 limited with 109K miles...4x4. I love it, but i need more power Scotty! I will be towing an older 20 ft trailer, and my '99 just will barely do it.

SO, I'm looking online at an '06, V8 4runner (SR5 i believe) with 205K on it. Everything seems to check out great with carfax. $11K they are asking from a dealer...comes with the 3rd row seats as well...

How are the 4.7's??? Or should I stick with the 4.0's? I like my 3.4L for it's dependability, but I NEED MORE POWER...anything I should look out for, etc would be cool. THANKS!!!

-Terry

 

Can't speak for the 4.7 V8 but I had a 2001 Tacoma with the 3.4 V6 and I can say the 4.0 V6 has a lot more power. I never tow anything so I can't compare that aspect of what you need, but it sounds like the 4.7 V8 would better suit your needs. Be mindful that the 4.7 has a timing belt whereas the 4.0 has a timing chain.

 

thanks, 4Runner4me
Yes, I do agree that the 4L is def. more beefy than the 3.4...I drove my Brother's '04 Runner and it pretty much smokes my 3.4. I am mindful of the timing belt vs. timing chain between both engines...The great thing is that I can test drive both the V6 and the V8 at the same lot, and get a pretty good idea of what I NEED, without going overkill. FYI, both the '06 V8 runner and the '05 V6 are the SAME PRICE at this particular dealer...both 4x4, which is what I need...I will miss my 4x4 REAL gear shifter though...

 

The 4.7 is a good motor despite the timing belt which is about the only thing people complain about. You don't mention the weight of your trailer but I pull my 3000 lb travel trailer over the high passes in CO without issues, I have no idea how the 3.4 compares when towing but I'd go with the 4.7 if I were you.
I have 196,000 on mine and wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country as it sits. Given the choice between the two, I'd go with the V8 for sure.

 

Funny, my Brother is trying to talk me into the V6, esp with the timing chain...The cool thing about this situation, is that I am going to try my 4000LB trailer behind HIS 'Runner, after all this rain goes away I am leaning with you on the V8 though, as I would rather have 'too much' than 'not enough'...it's a big safety thing for me i suppose. I will look at the toyota specs to see the 'numbers' on the diff. between tork and HP....
He also mentions the coil springs in the rear end of these newer toyotas, vs. my leaf springs.. That is where I get the advantage (as far as towing goes), but it won't be a bonus if I'm going 35mph on a moderate grade with my 3.4 .....Airbags for the rear i suppose???

 

Timing chain vs Timing belt
Blown head gasket V6 vs Rock solid V8

Choice, choices, choices...

 

someone on t4r has 368k and counting on oem gaskets.....

 

194k here

 

For towing I'd go with the V8, it comes with the tow package and the better rated hitch. V6 is only rated for like 3500 or 4k I can't remember, V8 is rated for 6500 or 7k. I still can't for the life of me figure out why they didn't do a tow package for the V6 like they did the 4.0 Tacoma. I can tow more with my Tacoma than I can with my 4runner but it's the same engine with a transmission cooler, bigger alt, and class 4 hitch.

 

This towing 'limitation' is probably coming from the fact that the newer 4Runners have the rear coil springs, where your tacoma would most likely has leaf springs, which my '99 Runner Has (had,,,,I sold the car yesterday for a nice chunk of change

 

Would You Guys know if the V8 Sequoia would have a larger towing capacity than a V8 4Runner (same year..2005).???? I know the Sequoia has a larger frame and same motor, but that's the extent of my knowledge so far...

 

6500 lbs for the sequoia

 

Leaf vs coil shouldn't matter too much for tow rating. I believe the V6 4runner has a class 3 hitch instead of 4, and it doesn't have any of the extras like trans cooler and 130 alternator which the V8 runner does.

 

ALRIGHTY THEN! Sold my '99 limited for 8K (yes, I used to be in sales), and bought an '06 V8 'runner (SR5) with the 3rd row seat (which I don't care about, except for resale value). I can honestly say that the power of this engine is about 10X of what I used to have....Maybe an inflating that a bit, but WOW...this baby moves (with a hungry thirst for fuel). Got the new 4runner for 11,600 OTD.... I had to replace the moonroof, but it was basically the only V8 runner in my area that fit my critera... What I will say about my 'ol '99 is that it will outwheel offroad way better than this 'CAR-Truck'....Gonna get the timing belt done on my new one very soon.