4th gen v8 or v6

hello - I am looking to buy a 4th gen but can’t decide if it is best to get the V8 or V6. Does the V8 make a difference?

I plan to add weight to the vehicle with some mods.

 

The v8 requires a timing belt replacement every 90K or so. It's a great motor, though. Tons of torque!

V6 will get slightly better fuel economy.

Neither will be under-powered. But, the v8 would be better if you tow a lot.

 

Other things to keep in mind is V8 is full time 4WD as opposed to the V6’s. There may be some very rare 2WD-only V8s out there if I recall.

I’m no expert on the differences in the 4WD system but I know at least for Tacoma’s that even driving in 2WD the front axles still spin, so if 4Runners hold the same, I’d doubt there is much MPG savings between full time 4WD V8 and the selectable V6. Engine wise though, I think I’ve been getting about ~15mpg city with my V8. You can check Fuelly for a better impression.

Otherwise as said, timing belt is the biggest thing. It’s a costly labor item if a shop does it, and can be labor intensive as a DIY.

My opinion, having a 4.0L V6 Tacoma, I prefer the V8, regardless of the marginal MPG difference. I drive like a bat out of hell so fuel economy to me only comes into play on hwy trips.

V8s also have a change at 2005 where torque/HP ratings changed over and the V8 got VVTI. They also picked up a shitty smog pump that is prone to failures and hidden under the intake manifold and is a pain in the ass to get to. There is an option to install a bypass kit though.

Lastly V8s have the cracked manifold issue. From all I read it’s more an annoyance of having to listen to the ticking sound mainly on cold startups or at idle. Me personally I could care less since I haven’t read anything about it effecting performance in any measurable way.

 

Lots of good information here^^

As far as MPG, i got about 17 combined with my '03 V8, and about 19.5 HWY.

Mine was full time 4wd, and had low range. That thing was a tank in 4lo!

Full time 4wd was great in the snow.

 

Thank you both! I’m planning on adding some weight to the vehicle with a roof rack, some heavy duty running boards. Do you think a V6 would be fairly slow with additional mods made?

Also, I plan on doing light off-reading, is the V8 a better match?

Lastly, not sure if you guys are in LA, but if so, any good recommendations on where to buy one?

 

I'm always hauling around a bunch of crap in mine. Plus I have a big ass roof rack. It's totally fine for me. That said, this is a 2019.

The v8 will definitely take extra weight better. But, i don't think the 6 will be struggling at all.

Your best bet is to drive both. If you're not happy with the 6 empty, you definitely won't like it weighed down.

That said, plenty of 22re powered rigs are still hitting the trails. They have about 110hp and 140 lb/ft of torque.

I don't really think you need a ton of power for most off-roading. It's usually a slower pace so you can probably just use a lower gear when necessary.

And 4lo multiplies the torque even further.

 

I think you’ll be fine with the V6 and some extra weight. I haven’t read any prevalent complaints on power on any of the 4Runner forums as far as 4th gens go. I’ve been on TacomaWorld longer than here but really unless you are adding a whole ton of armor, skid plates, and oversized tires (285s+) you should be fine. And even lets say you hypothetically do get to that point, you can always regear.

Also bear in mind the V8 has a higher towing capacity vs the V6 if you plan to tow at all.

But roof rack and some running boards? Meh you won’t tell a difference.

 

Not planning on towing anything, really just thinking about adding some weight to it and wasn’t sure if that would drastically effect it or not.
Thank you all for the feedback!

 

Would you rather have 8 beers or 6 beers? Sure 6 beers aren’t bad and you’ll enjoy it.... but will you enjoy it as much as 8 beers! So you’ve got to take more trips to the bathroom but worth it? I’ve had both (an 03 v8, 08 v6 and I now have an 06 v8). The V8 is just more fun to drive hands down. I think the biggest factor is the full time 4x4 with the v8!

 

The 4.0 is fine, had the 2012 Tacoma version. The reason I moved to the 4.7l was for towing. A real ClassIV hitch and trans cooler, about +40lbs of torque.

The 4.0 is a great engine, sure was nice to have the oil filter up top.

 

I'd get the V6. Check the underbody for rust. Any amount under the radiator should get $2,000 knocked
off the asking price Too much rust from a truck used in North I would pass on.

2005 SR5 4runner with 150,000 miles - runs like new and tranny shifts
perfect. Had the dealer change tranny fluid at 100,000 miles.

V8 has timing belt. V6 has timing chain (last forever). New 4runners don't offer the V8 this year.

 

I had that on my Tacoma! Oil changes were so easy!

My 2019 has a cartridge filter, underneath, and I have to remove a skid plate to get at it.

 

if u dont mind gas

 

V8 if you plan to tow.
V6 if you don't plan to tow.

I bought new with V6 and it's been a beast. Been to every state in Western US half of US and on 100's of trails from desert, to high elevation Sierras, Cascades, Rockies, Montana passes, and snowy roads. It holds up unbelievably well and plenty of power on tap. At 150k miles it's still going strong and not a single thing wrong with it, ever. Easy to work on and maintain too. Oil filter reachable under the hood. If I had to do it again, I'd get the V6 again.