Toyota Towing 3.4 vs 4.0

Backstory - We bought a 1998 4Runner with a 3.4, auto, 4x4. Then we bought a small 1500 dry weight trailer, Taxa Cricket. Last week we took it on it's first trip and I am guessing with everything loaded we maybe be were 2500LBS including humans. The 4Runner towed it great until we got to hill or strong headwind. While it does have a 3500LB tow rating that doesn't mean it can pull a small trailer up a mountain pass.

While this problem could be solved many ways, we have narrowed the paths forward down to two.

1 - Supercharge the 3.4 with the supercharger and 7th injector setup from URD. Cheapest idea.

2 - Buy either a 2006 - 2010 FJ, 4th gen 4Runner or a Tacoma. While each one of these are different, they all have the same basic running gear.

Question - What would you do?

Thank you for taking the time to offer input.

I have a 1997 T100 with 3.4. Father in law has a 2001 Tundra with 4.7 V8. Both trucks are 4x4 and automatics.

The Tundra is substantially more capable than the T100 when it comes to hauling loads. Massively more capable. It also gets slightly better gas mileage.

I've thought about supercharging mine, but have passed on it. Not at all sure the rest of the truck would match or handle the power increase. Not sure if the engine would either for that matter.

I have a 99 4 runner and towed a Spitfire on a Uhaul trailer about 150 miles. It was all it could handle. These 4runners are already under braked. I think you need a bigger vehicle if you are going to tow often or far.

4th Gen 4Runner with the V8.

z31maniac wrote: 4th Gen 4Runner with the V8.

This. I sold my 3rd gen 4Runner (and First Gen Tacoma) because neither could tow as much as I wanted. The 4th Gen 4Runner I had was a beast.

I vote blower. My runner was an awesome truck that wouldn't die, my pappy's 4.0 taco was less than awesome, it was ok, but never awesome, it's been replaced by a minty 22re hilux if that tells you anything.

z31maniac wrote: 4th Gen 4Runner with the V8.

This.

I have a v6 4th gen, get the v8 if your towing much.

Mine tows my trailers fine, but lift, tires, bumpers, etc all makes towing suck more. If you end up wiht a v6, the 05+ ones got a 5 speed that helps.

Thank you all for the feedback. The trailer is only 1500 dry weight so maybe 2000lbs when loaded. It does have e-brakes so braking down grades seem fine. I love the cheapest path of adding a blower but I am concerned about spending $4K on a $8K car to be in the same place of it not pulling up a hill. I guess is what I am looking for is just some level of assurance that the money won't be wasted.

Again, thank you all for your time.