Ok, so my dad is wanting to trade his 02 V8 Tundra in. The 4th gen is at the bottom of his short list and I was wondering what the general concensus was between the 6 and the 8. He will be towing a small utility trailer but mostly it will be just him driving it and maybe 1 or 2 passengers. The get up and go off the line doesn't matter to him that much...he could go to a 4 cyl and be happy. Also, what are you guys getting gas mileage wise for both engines. The cost difference between the 2 engines is not even a factor, and really gas mileage isn't eather but he feels better about not getting 10mpg Thanks.

 

if you're towing... just get the v8. comes standard with tranny cooler n all.

 

Dad just traded his ML320 for a new 04 black sport 4X4 with the 6-loaded. I drove both and I swear the 6 felt quicker. Either way it was nicer than the Benz- it makes me want to upgrade. He got it for a little over 31K. List was 36K. A bad-ass ride and it drives awesome.

 

ml320 is nothing but a minivan. ew.

 

Hey josh, I recall reading a post on this forum where both the guys raced there 4th gen runners. One wasa v6, and one was v8. I think the v8 ended up beating the v6 by one or two tenths of a second. So accel wise they are about even. If you plan on towing then the v8 is probally the best idea.

Another thing to tkae into consideration is that trd has an s/c for the v8 and not the v6 atm...only if speed matters to you

 

It seems the genral consensus is that the V6 gets 1-2 mpg better. The V8 has a 5 speed gearbox which gives it better range in the lower ratios, which gives it a substantial advantage for towing and off road.

In 2005 the V8 will get VVT, which will give it more HP and most probably a substantial gap in performance over the V6. CUrrently the V8 has an advantage in off the line power and they are about the same on the highway.

DOnt know if the V6 will get a 5speed box for 2005.

So just take your pick, but either way probably wait a bit if you can for the 2005 models as it will have a couple of improvements, engine gearbox and probably some other.

 

The V6 beat the V8 (but basically dead even) in that test as I remember. It's somewhere here..

There is a TRD s/c for the V6, it's coming to coincide with the VVTi V8 intro.

There is so much written and argued about v6/v8 that a search will yield more info and debate than you would ever want.

 

I have the 6 and I am a little dissapointed in it. It is an 03 so I don't think that the kinks were worked out yet. It's been to the shop twice for moderate reasons. If I could do it again, I would have got the V8 or waited for the 05 w/the new V8. The V6 doesn't lack too much in power though. Also towing-wise, the V8 would be much better.

 

v8 ... who doesn't want more power .. this is a pointless debate

 

 

No image ????

 

If he's going to use it for towing I'd have to recommend the V8. My lifetime average is 16.7 mpg with a total of about 17K on it. In town it gets about 15.5 and on the highway at 65 - 70 I average around 20. The few times I've towed (all small stuff) you didn't even know it was there.

 

Consumer reports recommended the V8. The V6 had a higher incidence of repair if I remember correctly. I drove the V8 a couple of times and it's smooth, torquey and turns somewhere around 2K at about 70 mph. It's sweet.

 

Power numbers are darn close. Displacement is close so I imagine economy comes in close too.

My folks have the 4.7 in a Sequoia and it hauls. It gets 16 mpg with a heavy city driving diet. It is a nice and proven engine with aftermarket support right now instead of pending for the 6.

There is a 5 spd with full time behind the 4.7 and only a 4 with part time behind the 6, right?

Ultimately, I would keep an eye on the trim and features besides the engine since the engine dictates that in some instances IIRC.

 

in comsumer reports they rated the v6 bad because they did not have suffiecient data since the engine is a new all aluminum block and they based their scores on old v6's most likely.

i have the v6 sport and i am more than happy with it. it has 4500 miles on it now and i sold my suped up celica for it and i am not disappointed at all. and the gas mileage is way better than i was even hoping for...

 

you probably can't go wrong with either motor, but with the lower torque curve on the V8, it doesn't even break a sweat. it just goes.

 

If he is coming from a V8 Tundra get the V8 4Runner

 

Doesn't the V6 have more horsepower?

 

Yes, but the V8 has more torque and horsepower is not measured directly, it is simply calculated from torque:

HP = Torque * RPM/5252

- Maximum acceleration at any speed occurs at the HP peak.
- Maximum acceleration in any gear occurs at the torque peak

 

the lower 1st gear in the 5 speed is nice. V8!