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How to increase power for towing?

nman

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I will be using my new 4 Runner for towing. Will be towing an enclosed trailer and motorcycles up into the mountains. Where should I start my research? Looks like there is a cold air intake and an intercooler from the 6th element. Get a tune from OTT. Also, maybe a magna flow exhaust, but I have the hybrid and don't see anyone doing that on the hybrid yet.

I had a Tacoma that just sounded like it was struggling trailering up and down the mountains, so I want to give my new 4 4Runner some help
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Sonog

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How heavy is your trailer? I also came from a Tacoma V6 and have the 4R hybrid. The 4R tows my 2200# boat with ease compared to the Tacoma. The improved torque is useful. You might be pleasantly surprised, although my boat is pretty light for comparison.
 

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Use premium gas.

Cold air intakes do little to nothing for power, they're for sound.
 

Lrpendant

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I've towed our cargo trailer (4000-5000 lbs) about 5000 miles so far, including through the Colorado peaks on I70 and eastern peaks thru Penn. I have the OR Hybrid and I have all the power that one would need or expect. Sure the gas mileage sucks, but as suggested, I use premium fuel while towing. My last 4Runner (for 15 yrs) was an 2002 SR5, with the V6. I'm actually using the same trailer and I think the 2025 tows better and has less issues with mountains.

2025 4runner 6th gen How to increase power for towing? HVOO5918


2025 4runner 6th gen How to increase power for towing? IMG_6106
 

Nodak

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there is no difference between 87 and 91 or 93 octane gas, they have the same potential energy.

the higher the octane only prevents premature detonation at a higher threshold. its all about the compression ratio that the engineers set on a engine.

The higher octane rating means the fuel can withstand more compression before it ignites, and an engine built for it can be tuned to optimize spark timing and boost for more power. Using 93 octane in an engine designed for 87 will not provide more power and can sometimes slightly decrease performance, while using 87 in an engine that requires 93 can cause knocking and long-term damage.
slightly decrease performance (this is mostly throttle response and sometimes mpg)

emphasis is my opinion
 
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CO/ZA

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there is no difference between 87 and 91 or 93 octane gas, they have the same potential energy.

the higher the octane only prevents premature detonation at a higher threshold. its all about the compression ratio that the engineers set on a engine.



slightly decrease performance (this is mostly throttle response and sometimes mpg)

emphasis is my opinion
This has been posted to nearly every thread on this, but here is a stock 2024 Tacoma making an extra 20hp using 91 octane instead of 87.



The small turbo engine can in fact make use of the extra octane rating.
 

Jakethewhippet1

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What is the difference at 3000rpm where most people tow at, maybe 5hp at best? And that's at full throttle. Stillen is trying to sell a product. At least he mentions the Taco came with a cat-back system.
 

HVLA

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What is the difference at 3000rpm where most people tow at, maybe 5hp at best? And that's at full throttle. Stillen is trying to sell a product. At least he mentions the Taco came with a cat-back system.
Stillen isnt a gas station.
 

Jakethewhippet1

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I hope not because they wouldn't sell much gas if they told you to get "20+" additional hp #1. you need to use California 91 premium gas and #2 you need to keep engine revs between 4800 and 5200 rpms.
 

xraytekca

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This has been posted to nearly every thread on this, but here is a stock 2024 Tacoma making an extra 20hp using 91 octane instead of 87.



The small turbo engine can in fact make use of the extra octane rating.
yup! costco 91, free hp!
 

HVLA

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I hope not because they wouldn't sell much gas if they told you to get "20+" additional hp #1. you need to use California 91 premium gas and #2 you need to keep engine revs between 4800 and 5200 rpms.
20hp is 20hp. If you want to save $400 a year and use 87 you definitely can. Dont know why everyone gets so worked up about this.
 

127.0.0.1

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did your tacoma have the Iforce hybrid driveline ?

how about tow something first, then decide if it has enough grunt or not ?
 

fur_runner

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did your tacoma have the Iforce hybrid driveline ?

how about tow something first, then decide if it has enough grunt or not ?
100pct agree. The hybrid has more torque than an 18ft U-Haul, so I'm not sure you need to worry about towing some bikes
 

PierceVonCloud

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I had a 5th Gen 4runner and now have a 6th Gen with the iForceMax. I tow a 3800 pound camper and made the trade specifically for a better tow vehicle. People don't seem to be aware that the hybrid 4runners have more low end grunt and more usable power than the old V6 WITH A SUPERCHARGER. Good grief. My 6th gen pulls the camper effortlessly. No more worries about wind or hills. This is on 87 octane by the way. I think the V6s with Magnusson superchargers needed 91.
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