When contrasting the V6 and V8 versions of the 4th generation 4runner, I believe this final point is sometimes missed. When determining which model to purchase, specs, ratings, and performance testing all have a place and are highly helpful.
Having personally driven both models, I can tell you that there are some things that just don’t translate on paper. They are an element of the driving experience that can be felt and heard but are not likely to be detected by tests.
In This Article...
Sound
A V6 and a V8 4runner’s sound really differ from one another. While they have their reasonably quiet factory exhausts, it might not be as noticeable, but when they are modified, the difference is night and day.
It doesn’t necessary sound horrible to install a cat back exhaust on a V6, but it won’t exactly win you any admirers. However, a V8 4runner with upgraded exhaust will emit a loud growl that many unaware onlookers would never anticipate coming from a little Toyota SUV. The 2UZ engine has a lovely sound and gives you the impression that you are operating a premium vehicle.
The V6 is an engine that is notably louder, aside from the exhaust note. They are renowned for producing a stronger ticking and tapping sound than the V8.
Smoothness
All 4th generation 4runners felt supple and well-made thanks to Toyota’s excellent design. However, when it moves through the rpm range, the V8 is smoother than the V6. This is sometimes cited as the sole justification for Toyota’s exclusive use of the V8 in Lexus cars.
Amount of effort required
The amount of effort required to get the 4runner rolling is another difference between the V6 and V8 drives that you’ll notice. The V8 does this with easily and seems to never be working very hard. In contrast to the V8, the V6 needs more than just a little tap on the accelerator to accelerate swiftly.
An engine that doesn’t have to work hard is more likely to live longer, according to those who are concerned about reliability. However, there’s no reason to think that either of these Toyotas’ engines is more dependable than the other; they’re both excellent in that regard.
The V6 4runner can have trouble navigating steep ascents when it is overburdened with passengers and extra weight. The V8 won’t even perspire in the same scenario. Both will accomplish the job, but the V8 will do it more quietly, with less vibration, and at a lower RPM and temperature.
Rarity and future value
A V6 engine has been available in every iteration of 4runner. However, V8s are only available in vehicles from 2003 to 2009. The 4th Gen is the only one of the 5 generations to have a V8 engine. Furthermore, Toyota will never again install a V8 engine in the 4runner given the way the car market seems to be moving.
They are highly unique as a result. If the collector car market has taught us anything, it is that special editions of well-known cars will always stand out and be in high demand. The V8 4runner is an innocent-looking small hot rod that might someday be valuable as a collection.
The popularity of the V8 4runners is already becoming apparent. There aren’t many items offered for sale at any given moment on the used market, as you can see. The asking prices for the ones you do find are frequently rather exorbitant. Is this an indication that the values have peaked and will soon start to rise? All we can do is wait and see.
Again, the V6 models are in perfect condition. They were all popular and had a V6; it’s just that they mix in with all the previous 4runner generations and all the other platforms, such the Tacoma and FJ Cruiser.
Check out this video for a far more skewed viewpoint on the subject:
When did the Toyota 4runner get its V8?
Toyota only provides the 4Runner with a V6 right now. But a V8 was also available on the Toyota 4Runner from 2003 to 2009. Rusty frames were one of the most serious problems with the 4th-generation Toyota 4Runner, however subsequent vehicles from 2007 to 2009 are just as capable off-road as new 4Runners. Is the V8 in the 4th-generation 4Runner really one of Toyota’s most dependable engines, as Throttle House claimed on YouTube?
Is the Toyota 4.7 V8 an effective motor?
The 2UZ-FE 4.7 V8 engine debuted in 1998 and was produced until 2011. It’s a fantastic engine that provides an admirable blend of power, lifespan, and dependability. The Toyota V8 is obviously not strong in terms of fuel efficiency, though. Furthermore, no engine is flawless, and that also holds true for this one.
The Toyota 2UZ-FE has a lot of problems, mostly with cracked exhaust manifolds. On most models, keep an eye out for these issues to arise, but earlier models are more vulnerable to the manifolds shattering. Since it is an interference engine, replacing the timing belt is a crucial maintenance task. Water pumps may also experience leaks. It is an easy component to change in addition to the timing belt.
The Toyota 2UZ-FE 4.7L engine offers outstanding reliability all around. It has a sturdy, long-lasting design. If you keep up with maintenance, there’s a good chance the 2UZ-FE will reward you with a long, dependable, and satisfying life.
V6 or V8 4Runner: Which is better?
Politics, religion, and the question of whether the fourth-generation 4runner’s V6 or V8 engine is superior are the three topics that are frequently too divisive to discuss with others. If you have ever spent any time on the 4runner forums online, that is at least how it appears.
The truth is that both the 4.0 V6 and 4.7 V8 engines deliver excellent performance and dependability. While the V8 is smoother and gives more performance, the V6 is more fuel-efficient and needs a little less upkeep. Both are excellent choices; it just depends on how you intend to use your 4Runner.
There are many supporters of both the 1GR V6 and the 2UZ V8, and the majority of them aren’t persuaded that one is equally as good. The truth is that both engines are capable of handling every activity that an SUV might be used for, whether it be commuting, hauling, or off-roading. Both of them are poorer and better at different areas.
I’ll do my best to be as impartial and as informative as I can given that I myself possess a V8. It’s important to note that I’ve personally driven both the V6 and V8 4Runners.
Look at the chart below to see each motor’s advantages before we compare these two fantastic motors in more detail:
Let’s now examine each engine in more detail to see how it stacks up in various scenarios.
How durable is a V8 4Runner?
You might get 300,000 miles out of a Toyota 4Runner. Some drivers desire more, even though a Toyota 4Runner with 200,000 miles on it is amazing.
Does the 4Runner V8 need premium fuel?
The primary concern that most people have is that their engine will blow up if they use fuel with a lower octane rating than what is advised. That might be the case for some cars. But in this case, we’re explicitly referring to 4runners.
Your 4Runner will adjust the timing to keep itself safe if it detects any knocking or pinging from lower octane fuel. There will be reduced horsepower and torque as a result. Though it might suffer, your performance won’t be affected.
In the owner’s manual for my own V8 4runner, 91 octane is recommended. Since I acquired it about five years ago, I’ve been using 87 octane. For practically all of that period, it has also been raised with 285/70/17 big tires, so the engine is working a little bit harder than usual.
In addition, I recently drove a camper trailer over 10,000 km (2,220 miles) across Canada to the Rocky Mountains while using only 87 octane. I have never had any unpleasant effects, not even a hiccup.
The fact that other owners of the exact same model (4runner) in different regions have reported their handbook suggests 87 octane is one of the reasons I have felt confident using ordinary gas in my 4runner. I would anticipate Toyota to be more uniform in their demands if this was a rigorous guideline.
I guess I’m not the only one. I conducted a survey on my YouTube channel and both Instagram and find out what fuel other 4runner owners use. Surprisingly, normal gas is used by 85% of 4runner owners across both platforms:
Can a Toyota Tacoma be fitted with a V8?
The most modern Toyota Tacoma model has a V6 engine with a maximum output of 278 horsepower. This Toyota Tacoma model’s V8 engine could increase the top horsepower by more than three times.
It is truly amazing how the Tacoma’s V8 NASCAR engine manages to improve its horsepower to 900. The Tacoma revs to an astounding 10,000 rpm to reach 900 horsepower.
Tacoma’s attempt was far from being successful. Although the accelerator was floored, it was not being pushed to the very edge. As a result, the V8-powered Tacoma may even be able to push more than 900 horsepower, which is unheard of for a mid-size or mid-range truck.
Any truck’s ability to pull off 900 horsepower is impressive, let alone one that is generally only capable of providing a third of that. Imagine Tacoma’s potential if Toyota used this design and refurbishment as an example for their upcoming trucks.
The greatest Toyota V8 engine.
This greatest Japanese engine was made to be dependable, tough, and surprisingly affordable in addition to having a tremendous amount of horsepower.
Distinct cars have unique engine configurations that are created based on the placement of their cylinders and serve different purposes. Vehicles can have a variety of cylinder configurations, including straight, flat, W, U, and V engines, among others. As was already noted, several engines’ configurations in cars fulfill various functions.
The arrangement of the cylinders on two distinct, opposing planes with an angle in betweenwhich typically ranges between 60 and 90 degrees or even more in certain enginesgives the V engines their name. V configurations are frequently utilized in current generation engines since they can fit in most cars and help save space.
The standard notation for V engines is V#, where # stands for the engine’s cylinder count. A V8 engine, for instance, has eight (8) cylinders arranged in a V pattern. Cylinders in a “V” engine can range in number. V6 and V8 engines can be found in sports cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs, while V2 and V4 engines are frequently seen in motorcycles and were also employed in early automobiles.
Toyota V8 engines are they dependable?
You’ve probably heard of engines like the 22 R-E, 2UZ-FE, and 1GR-FE if you’re a serious Toyota aficionado. The reliability and usability of Toyota’s trucks and SUVs were really cemented by these engines. However, Toyota debuted their largest engine to date in 2006: the 3UR-FE 5.7L V8.
One of the best engines for a full-size pickup truck or SUV is the Toyota 5.7 V8. It has been utilized by Toyota for the past 14 years with good reason: it provides both dependability and outstanding performance data. The engine’s poor fuel efficiency is its sole serious flaw.
How durable is a Toyota V8?
The quick answer to how long the Toyota Land Cruiser lasts is as follows: The Toyota Land Cruiser may last you anywhere from 15 to 20 years or more with proper maintenance. The Land Cruiser can withstand over 300,000 miles of demanding use before breaking down because to its tough design.
Exists a 4-cylinder 4Runner model?
There was a 4Runner for everyone, available in two- or four-wheel drive, base, SR5, and Limited trim, and with two engine options. A 2.7L four-cylinder or 3.4L V6 engine, both with many cams and valves, were available.
Can you install a V8 in a fifth-generation 4Runner?
It has taken a while to prepare for this interview. Long before Jason (the founder of RSG Offroad and RSG Metalworks) put a 5.7L V8 into this monstrosity known as the T40R, we floated the notion. We initially mentioned their rock sliders in 2018 and mentioned having an RSG Offroad interview and review of the T40R at that time. Jason and I were both busy, and like most essential things in life, it was simply put on hold.
Since the beginning of 2018, Jason has been working hard to expand both of his businesses and give the T40R a 5.7L V8 Tundra engine with a Magnuson Supercharger. You did read that correctly. This 5th Gen 4Runner has a blown Tundra V8 in addition to running straight axles on 40-degree mud terrains.
The T40R was so very rad when we finally got to hook up with Jason at his shop in Lakewood, Colorado!
Well, our 4Runner delivery was delayed by 4 days, so we ended up with too much free time. I had to wait four days in downtown Denver, Colorado, for the delivery of my 4Runner. With that said, Jason picked me up in the T40R after stopping by my hotel, and we started driving down the road with straight axles and a blown V8. It was quite noisy.
This 4Runner is Insane!
The 4Runner’s body was not intended to withstand the volume of noise that a supercharged V8 produces. You can actually feel the sound in your body since it is that loud and aggressive. It’s really excellent. I was completely awake for nearly an hour. I was just utterly amazed by what Jason had produced. It’s as if a bad guy started drinking beer, Jason had a few too many, and the T40R was born. This is an absolute monster!
The level of talent required to remove a complete ECU, all the wiring harnesses, and the engine from a Tundra, replace them all into a body that is 20% smaller, and yet make the interior look factory-fresh is insanely astounding. This guy can build a mean 4Runner.
We Found Some Time
In the past month, we got the opportunity to visit RSG Offroad and the RSG Metal Works facility in Colorado, and I can genuinely say Jason is one of the coolest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Everyone he worked with at his shop, his family, and on his crew was simply truly cool and incredibly humble.
In Lakewood, Colorado, Jason runs the Off-road servicing and installation business RSG Offroad with a fair amount of success. They have a wide range of off-road expertise, including switch wiring, lightbar wiring, armor installations, tire/wheel mount and balance, body mount chops, sales, servicing, suspension installs, and much more. Look up RSG Offroad if you’re looking for a trustworthy shop in or near Colorado.
While I waited for Jade (our 2016 TEP, shown above) to be shipped in from California, we spent the day with Jason and his team. The opportunity to see both RSG shops was tremendously exciting, and I was truly astounded by what Jason has created. Jason has established quite the brand, from his 6-bay servicing and installation business (RSG Offroad) to a full-fledged team of fabricators in another (RSG Metalworks).
While we’re discussing the brands, you might be wondering what distinguishes RSG Offroad from RSG Metalworks. The firm that manufactures all of their branded armor, including rock sliders, skid plates, and other items, is RSG Metalworks. RSG Offroad is their service and installation store with a parts showroom.
I’m really excited to present to you the T40R build overview and long-awaited RSG Offroad interview.