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V8 vs. V6 in 4th Gen 4Runners

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by Teamroper, Apr 26, 2017.

  1. Apr 26, 2017 at 10:25 AM
    #1
    Teamroper

    Teamroper [OP] New Member

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    Other than the slight difference in gas mileage, which engine seems to last the longest and is more maintenance free? The V6 or the V8? Looking online right now I've seen quite a few V8's that are cheaper than the V6's. I was wondering if other than the gas mileage factor is there another reason that they may be a little cheaper.

    Also I will not be pulling anything big at all so the towing factor is not part of my deciding factor on which engine to get. Any advice is great appreciated. Thanks ahead of time.
     
    Bob likes this.
  2. Apr 27, 2017 at 12:58 PM
    #2
    4thgen-mg

    4thgen-mg New Member

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    It's a pretty heavy SUV. go with the 8..
    My 4th gen 8 gets pretty good gas mileage and never breaks a sweat, even when my wife drives it. And she thinks she's Mario Andretti behind the wheel.
     
    Teamroper[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  3. Apr 27, 2017 at 5:02 PM
    #3
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    Theres so many schools of thought here but realistically it comes down to personal preference and your gut. Early v6's had headgasket issues, some v8's had their own problems that came up. If you think youd regret getting a v6 get the v8, if you think the v8 is a waste of money and you dont want full time 4wd get the v6, drive both though
     
    Teamroper[OP] likes this.
  4. Apr 29, 2017 at 8:05 AM
    #4
    keakar

    keakar New Member

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    just bought an 06 with 4.7 v8 and drove it 330 miles doing between 76-85 mph the whole way and got 17 mpg, don't even think about mpg making any difference between having a v6 vs a v8 because its only like 1-2 mpg difference, or to put it another way, a difference of $3-$4 cost to drive it per tank of gas and the v8 has a ton of power compared to the v6. if you tow anything get the v8 or you will regret it and only get a 4th gen between 05-09 years because the 03-04 v6 have head gasket issues and the 03-04 v8 have less power then the 05-09 ones

    in 4wd you might be better to get the v6 because if you get the v8, it stays in 4wd all the time so
     
    bahndrvr and Teamroper[OP] like this.
  5. May 2, 2017 at 12:40 PM
    #5
    wnelax04sr5

    wnelax04sr5 New Member

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    v8 is a better option if you tow because it has more torque and a higher towing capacity, but by no means is the v6 a slouch or incapable, the HP and TQ numbers are very close between the two motors. I've been towing with my v6 since I bought it 70k miles ago and never once has it not performed to my expectations, with a 18' utility trailer mind you
     
    Teamroper[OP], jester243 and RonT4R like this.
  6. May 3, 2017 at 6:44 AM
    #6
    bahndrvr

    bahndrvr New Member

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    2003 4Runner SR5 v8 - Temp Front: Top hat spacer 2.5" on Tacoma struts/springs Rear: TJM/King heavy extended Tacoma shocks 315 BFG AT KO2's (35's) Thrush Welded muffler and rear watermelon delete with turned exit K&N drop in, and extra filter delete Strengthened/Welded passenger side front diff mount Front diff drop - due to the top hat spacer and massive droop.... Scion headunit CB Other stuff done, 6th 4Runner:)
    Have put this on this site on other post, I owned a 2004 v6, and own a 2003 v8 now. I get better mileage out of my v8 than I did the v6! Something about the 5 speed auto and the v8 just work so damn good together!

    I was so frustrated with my 04 v6 I tried the cold air intake, magnaflow exhaust, etc, it saw an improvement from those but I can say the only thing I have actually seen increase on mileage on both the v6 and v8 was going up in the octane of gas!
     
    Teamroper[OP] likes this.
  7. May 3, 2017 at 8:34 AM
    #7
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

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    I think the 05's and up got an improvement in horsepower, not mileage. My 2004 got close to 21 mpg with the V6 my 2007 only gets 17.5 mpg. I drive the same so the only difference is that my current tires are more aggressive tread and I have leveled the front with Bilstein 5100's.
     
    Teamroper[OP] likes this.
  8. May 3, 2017 at 9:30 AM
    #8
    keakar

    keakar New Member

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    pretty much, it upped the hp and torque but not the "rated" mpg but it stands to reason if it makes more power it will use a little less gas because it doesn't need to work as hard. because they have 15 more horsepower and more torque so you "can" go a little easier on the gas pedal, so I would bet driving both the same way, side by side, the 05-09 would probably get at least 1-2 mpg better in "real world" testing
     
    Teamroper[OP] likes this.
  9. Jul 16, 2017 at 2:28 PM
    #9
    Jbreezin

    Jbreezin New Member

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    Camberg upper control arms,sway way 2.5 front coil overs. Toy Tec 2.5 hd coils in back with fox.blew out rear sway ways one unrebuildable. 20'rockstar wheels custom painted 33/12.5 Mt demellow front bumper white powder coated. Custum white leather int. Totally custom grill took me atleast 60 hours and 500$ to make, adjustable rear control arms.flowmaster. real nice sound sysem. Did all that in 6 weeks and then got hurt. For under 12,500
    I have v8 with 230,000 with no issues ever. Of any kind. I have two 05 4runners i really see a difference in power that's too noticeable. It's when it comes to gas mileage. the V8 gets 12.3 right now. In town mostly. I dont see it getting 15 in any scenario. The V6 gets about 18. The v6 has 196,000 no issues ever.
    If I was going to buy one again the biggest thing I would want is the sport so it had to hood scoop.
     
    ethancline24 likes this.
  10. Jul 16, 2017 at 4:27 PM
    #10
    Ric

    Ric New Member

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    so did you ever get a new 4runner? I will till you the V8 is full time 4wheel drive, meaning if you wheel it, and snap a CV you better have a spare lol
     
  11. Jul 19, 2017 at 6:21 AM
    #11
    Teamroper

    Teamroper [OP] New Member

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    Well I ended up buying a 2000 SR5 Sport with the V6 and love it.
     
  12. Jul 19, 2017 at 7:04 AM
    #12
    Ric

    Ric New Member

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    Nice, the 3rd gens are great off road. Almost bought a 2000 last week myself lol
     

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