CoedNaked

Well the latest news is that they have dropped the V8 for the redesigned 2010 4runner and now have a beefier 4.0 V6 with Dual VVT-i that apparently has 268 HP and 273 foot pounds of torque. Apparently the new 4runner is going "back to its roots," or so "they" say. They will also introduce the 2.7 4 cylinder engine into the 4runner with something like 161 HP and 184 foot pounds of torque. Also, slightly improved ground clearance is apparently the order of the day.

I just hope the 2010 Tacoma also gets the same improved Dual VVT-i 4.0 that the new 4runner has. A lot of guys are bothered that the new 4runner won't have the new 4.6 Liter Dual VVT-i V8 found in the Tundra/Sequoia, etc. that they just came out with (310 HP, 327 foot pounds of torque), but I have a feeling that the new 4.0 with Dual VVT-i will be a stout bastard and have more than enough cajones to get the job done towing, or otherwise.

Mic09dcsm

I don't think so, my mom's 4.0 in an '05 Tundra has a six speed and it's disappointingly slow, I doubt the addition of Dual VVTi would make much more difference, as they say there is no replacement for displacement.

scuba

Thats cause its a tundra, too heavy for the 1GR.

Second. They revamped it and gave it about 30 HP and TQ

Im willing to bet there wont be many complaints with the 4L for normal driving habits.

The 2.7 though, Im thinking its a little to small to move the weight of a 4Runner..

Belize Off Road Team

I hear their just going to offer a S/C TRD package for those who want more power in place of V8 power.

CoedNaked

The 4.0 V6 with improved HP/TQ and Dual VVT-i will easily allow a 4runner or Tacoma to comfortably tow up to the limits they should safely tow (around 6500-7000 pounds) considering their size, weight, and ability to influence trailer sway/control towable loads.

A 4.0 V6 in a full size truck is for stripper trucks that want basic fuel economy that don't tow often, or a lot of weight.

scuba

Double post FTL

M1911

The V6 just won't have the low-end torque of the V8. Even the 2003 4.7l had 320 ft-lbs of torque. HP is not that important for a truck -- it is torque that is important. Color me unimpressed.

CoedNaked

So M1911, you're buying a 2010 4runner and you're going to be towing 6500 pounds all day?

When the Tacoma first came out with the 4.0 with Single VVT-i, most reviewers said it felt like a "weak V8," which is a compliment.

Torque IS important for a truck, which is where Dual VVT-i comes in. The 4.0 has pretty good displacement for a V6, plus Dual VVT-i means a significantly higher percentage of peak Torque is available throughout the RPM range, PLUS, Horsepower is how the engine uses it's torque. The new 4.0 Dual VVT-i's HP and TQ relationship (figures close together) is similar to it's big brothers the 4.6 and 5.7 V8, just on a smaller scale obviously. Considering the Tacoma & 4runner weigh significantly less than the Tundra.

In fact for comparisons sake, lets say the TAcoma gets the Dual VVT-i 4.0 next year, which I think it will. The heaviest configuration of this truck weighs about 4150 pounds.
The Tundra's heaviest configuration weighs around 5500 pounds.

Tacoma (4150 pounds) 4.0 liter Dual VVT-i 268 HP, 273 TQ:
15.2 pounds per foot pound of torque
15.8 pounds per HP

Tundra (5500 pounds) - 5.7 Liter Dual VVT-i 381 HP, 401 TQ:
13.7 pounds per foot pound of torque
14.4 pounds per HP.

Tundra (5500 pounds) - 4.6 Liter Dual VVT-i 310 HP, 327 TQ
16.8 pounds per foot pound of torque.
17.7 pounds per HP.

Yes, perhaps there are other things to consider such as gearing, and the Tundra has one more transmission gear for each of it's V8's (6 speed auto versus 5 speed auto in the Tacoma). But the 4.0 engine is very well suited to the Tacoma, and for those who need big boy towing capacity then you step up to the Tundra 5.7 or a Domestic Diesel.

M1911

I've got a 2003 V8 4Runner that will need replacement down the road. I won't replace it with a 2010 V6 4Runner. I like torque. I like a lot of torque. Right off the line, down low in the RPM. That is what moves the truck off the line effortlessly, with no fuss, no muss, and low revs.

The 4th gen V6 4wd limited 4Runner weighs around around 4300 lbs. I doubt the 5th gen will be significantly lighter.

Yes, dual VVTI helps reduce the peakiness of the engine. But it will still be down 50 ft-lb of torque off the V8 specs.

If you like the V6, great. But Toyota risks losing folks like me who want the V8.

Dan.3

Sweet............. bolt in upgrade for my GFs 04 4runner and hopefully they have the supercharger to go with it. Otherwise forget it.

JGage

Fail, offer the V8. Spending $500-$1k more for the V8 vs. $5k for a Supercharger, no thanks. I personally like the power of the V8.

FWIW: Nobody knows if we are going to see the V8 or not, the .pdf that states "No V8" is for Canada.

CoedNaked

The V6 could have 400 HP and 400 ft-lbs of torque and you guys would still need "the V8"

Will Toyota meet their emissions requirements, which have been mandated by your federal government, if they stop offering a V8 when they don't need to?

JGage

Naw, I'd be interested in that.

Matt16

I for one REALLY like the idea of the 4Runner going back to its roots. I drive a 22RE (~90-100rwhp) 4Runner that usually weighs around 4500lbs. No it isn't a race car but it gets the job done. If I wanted a race car, I'd BUY A RACE CAR.

It would be nice if:

• ground clearance went up
• price went down
• mpg went up
• "yuppiness" went down
• and most of all, if a 5spd was offered

SEAIRESCUE

If Toyota is serious about selling trucks in the US they need to introduce a turbo diesel into the domestic market yesterday. The new Tundra would have been the ideal platform to make the offering. But, they continue to piss off the US market with their wheazing little motors. I admire their platform designs but past experiences with the 3.0 V6 and the forklift 22R damaged their reputation..not to mention their arrogance in the sales office and repair shops. My next truck may just be a diesel Ford.

M1911

Nope. 320 ft-lbs with a nice flat torque plateau like the Ford EcoBoost would be more than enough for me. You can get that out of a sequential turbocharged V6. You're not going to get that out of a naturally aspirated 4.0 V6.

I don't what you are trying to say here. Are you asking whether dropping the V8 will let Toyota meet the CAFE fleet mileage requirements? Given the small number of 4Runner sales (a couple thousand per month), the difference in mileage ratings between the V6 and V8 won't amount to a hill of beans.

M1911

I would love a turbo-diesel powered 4Runner, but it is not going to happen. Ford, GM, and Toyota were all working on diesel engines for their light-duty pickup trucks. All three canceled their programs.

Don't hold your breath for a diesel Toyota here in the US. It is just not happening, unfortunately.

Roadtripr

But why not, they already have them in the Prado outside the US (getting about 40% increase in mpg too)

M1911

1) US diesel emissions regulations are still stricter than the EU regulations. Diesel engines sold in Europe won't meet the US EPA and CARB regulations.

2) The engineering cost to bring the diesel engine in compliance with US emissions regulations is substantial (design, emissions testing, EPA mileage testing, etc.).

3) The emissions hardware itself adds another $1000 or so to the cost of the vehicle, on top of the added $1000 cost of the diesel engine over a gas engine. The emissions hardware also reduces fuel economy.

4) The 4Runner is now a niche vehicle, only selling a couple thousand per month. A diesel engine would thus be a niche within in a niche. They'd never make up the engineering cost over the low volume sold.

I'd love to see the 4Runner with a diesel engine. But it isn't going to happen anytime soon.