WEINERDOGBONE

iTrader: (1)

I just returned from a 2800 mile round trip while pulling my boat with my 99 4 Runner. I didn't really pay any attention to the lack of power from the 3.4 motor before but, I was about ready to scream by the time I got home. The boat is about 2500 lbs fully rigged. The Yota struggled to keep up with other traffic at 70 miles per hour. Once up to speed, it took forever to stop. I've only towed for short trips of about 2 hours before so I didn't really see any problem.

Good God this vehicle needs a V8 and decent brakes. On the bright side, the 4 Runner is reliable as heck with 134k on it. I really lost some love for it on this trip. I'm thinking it needs a 302 Ford motor or possibly a 350 Chevy.

For those of you who have done an engine swap, was it worth it? I need that new 5.7 Liter Tundra but don't want to pay for it.

DailyDrive

Okie.

24x4runnersport

supercharge it or get rid of it if you aren't happy.

Yukon

Wow you got up to 70 towing a real boat? Thats impressive. Towing my jetski I don't get much above 60 ever, and going up hills its usually around 30-40. passing is a non-option.

WEINERDOGBONE

iTrader: (1)

Yikes. I guess I gave it a workout.

theizzardking

my ride before the yota was a 1998 5.9L Magnum V8 with 245 hp (183 kW) 345 ft·lbs (468 N·m) stock after 4.56 gears and a few other mods i was at about 280 and 360 or so never dyno'd it but seemed about right compared to other cars in the weight/hp class or comparable i sold it for the 4runner becuase in the 200K i put on it the amount i spent on repair far exceeded the upgrades and what i pretty much paid for it, point is the yota is the best vehicle period, sure you could get a jeep cheaper and with more power but it's just not worth it, you maybe getting there slowly but you got there in one piece!
be happy with that before you start talking mopar ,ford or chevy motors in there think about reliability, honestly that and the factory locker are the only reasons i bought the 4runner.
don't worry be happy now!!!

interesting reading
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...par/index.html


fyi, just bought the yota a week ago so mass newbie to these guys, but feeling the pride!

The Ruckus

So towing's really that bad, eh? I'm about to take my first hauling road trip with the runner this weekend, going down to nashville to haul a 12x8 uhaul filled with furniture back here to michigan. I was planning on cleaning the MAF, throttle body, and putting in new plugs. Sounds like I might add an early oil change to the list. Tell me, ( I guess I could search, but since we're talking about towing) I should switch OD off when towing, yes? Even at highway speeds? ETC on or off for such a load?

Lumpy

I'd turn it off heading up long hills just to avoid it shifting so much...

As far as the OP and towing I think you did alright with that...70 MPH with a 2500lb boat.

Mtn Mike

iTrader: (1)

I tow a 6x12, 2000 lb cargo trailer with similar results. The 4Runner does fine around town, at speeds less than 50 mph. But when I get out on the interstate I really "know it's there" so to speak. Maintaining speeds over 60 mph feels like a real strain on my 4Runner. I'm sure the wind resistance of the cargo trailer has a lot to do with that too.

If I were going to regularly tow a trailer more than 2000 lbs I would definitely get a domestic V8 junker as a dedicated tow rig.

WEINERDOGBONE

iTrader: (1)

It is that bad. It does tow somewhat better with the OD switched off but the engine runs at higher rpm's and you use more fuel. I couldn't say on the ETC. I've never really used it.

You can clean all your intake parts but it won't make any difference. Mine is very well maintained. I've towed all kinds of crap with this 4Runner but it was the length of the trip that made it excrutiating. I did look at the superchager as suggested above but I have 134K on my engine. I can't imagine that it would make sense to drop 3K on an engine with my mileage.

I'm going to ruminate on it for a while. I may buy that Tundra and give the 4Runner to my son. He just loves it.