V6 or 4 banger What should I get?

My parents bought the 2016 4Runner and it puts down the power very nicely. Compared to my 3.4 that 4.0 with the dual variable valve timing feels like a whole different beast.

 

3RZ:

Pros: lightweight, MPG, easy to work on, timing chain.

Cons: valve adjustment every 60k required or you'll burn exhaust valves, susceptible to cracks around the valve seats, less power.

5VZ:

Pros: power, no valve adjustments required, stout heads.

Cons: more difficult to work on, will lift a HG if overheated, timing belt changes required, coil on plug ignition can be finicky.

I've owned a 300k 5VZ and a 350k 3RZ and had great experiences with both. I would opt for a 3.4 if possible because the heads are better. No messing with valve adjustments is nice.

I had to rebuild and weld cracks in the head on my 3RZ at 325k and by 350k all the bearings were roached. Still had oil pressure but there was a ton of being material in the pan. My 5VZ was humming right along at 300k

 

We all had to make the decision when we bought our trucks and both have their pro's and cons. Since you don't plan on towing anything, it doesn't make sense to get a v6. (Waste of gas). If you opt for a 4 cyl, i'd go with the 2.7 manual tranny, bc if you do wanna tow you can do 3500#'s and don't need a cooler.

The 6's are nice but i'm not a fan of timing belts. Why in the world they don't have chains is a mystery...i have 140k on my 2.7 and haven't replaced anything but the battery terminals, battery, filters, oil, fluids, belts, tires, alignment adjustments and brake pads. Probably needs new shocks but she runs like a champ.

 

Have you ever done valve lash on a 3RZ? Whoever designed the shim over bucket adjustment should be kicked in the balls. Exhaust valves DO tighten on the 3RZ with mileage.

 

Nope, at what mileage does that usually need to be done?

 

OP, this is a tough question to put out on TW, and the responses back that up. There are good arguments for both engines. Probably more important is what you are going to do with the truck, and your driving style.

I've had four 2.7L 4wd auto extracabs, and don't regret any of them. They fit my purposes and driving style. I do almost all my own maintenance and repairs. That said, the 2.7l should get better gas milage. I didn't have a great power expectation, so no disappointment there. 1st gens are compact pick ups. Neither the 2.7 or 3.4 can tow my skid steer. For just about everything else, my 2.7l is my daily driver. I'd be hard pressed to give it up for anything else. I'm not against the 3.4l. If that's what you need, then get one. You'll have more power and towing capacity.

Either way, they are just a ton of fun to drive.

 

Nvm, i see every 60k...guess i'll drop her off at the dealer soon for an adjustment.

 

I haven't done that either. I'm at 160K+. Prior owners may have, but I doubt it.

 

Watch out I called like three dealers two had no idea what I was talking about and another had to google how to do it, they said 2k for an adjustment

 

I have both the 2.4 and a 3.4, and I prefer the power of the 3.4, especially when loaded.

An interesting note about valve clearance checks (you can read about them by searching this site) is that they are not part of scheduled maintenance but should be. The consensus seems to be @60K for the 2.4 and 2.7 (they have a tendency to tighten), and @100K (or longer) for the 3.4.

 

A good independent shop can do it as well.

It's not technically that difficult to change the shims. Pull the valve cover, measure lash, pull cams, measure shims, do some math, replace shims and put it back together.

Problem is that you don't know what shims you need until you pull your current shims and measure them so it's a multi-day project or a bunch of work done twice.

 

I miss the power of the 6 but the 4 gives me a full 55 miles more per tank.

I drive mine cross country - so the extra 55 miles makes a difference.

 

My experience between the 4 and 6: the lack of power with the 4 was really noticeable to me while the gain in MPG was marginal. The trade off did not seem worth it and I went with the 6.

 

I have driven lots of the older Toyota's with the 3.0 and 22re. The 3.4 has way more power than those and with proper maintenance will last just as long. I have also owned multiple 1500 from other brands and my 3.4 Tacoma has outperformed all of them. My vote is for the 3.4.

 

Get the V6. I got better mpg with my 3.4 Prerunner then I do with my 2.7. And the 2.7 is a gutless turd. So gutless I supercharged it just so it would not feel underpowered

 

You lie! I was lucky to get 16mpg on 31s. Now I'm supercharged so to hell with mpg

 

Yeah i'd love to see some data to back up the 24mpg claim. I'm skeptical after you said the power difference was nill

 

Yep exactly what I did,, it took a while to find my combination.

 

There is no replacement for displacement.

 

I love my 3.4