The 1GR-FE is a 4.0-liter V6 gasoline engine designed by Toyota for SUVs and RWD/4WD pickups. This 4.0-liter member of The Toyota GR engine family, together with 3.5-liter 2GR-FE, replaced the previous MZ V6 engines. The 1GR was first available in 2002 in the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser Prado. After update in 2009 (Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE), the engine continues his life and still used in some four-wheel drive Toyota and Lexus vehicles like Toyota Tundra and Lexus GX 400.

The 1GR engine has an open-deck 60-degree V angle aluminum cylinder block with cast iron liners. Inside the block, there is a forged steel crankshaft with nine counterweights and four main journals, forged connecting rods, and aluminum alloy pistons. The engine uses oil jets mounted inside the engine block which sprayed oil to the bottom side of the pistons for temperature reduction. The piston skirts have a resin coating to reduce friction.

The engine has aluminum cylinder heads. The double overhead camshafts are driven by the primary and secondary timing chain. The primary timing chain drives the intake camshafts and then the intake camshaft drives the exhaust camshaft via the secondary chain. The first 1GR-FE engine (until 2009 model year) had the variable valve timing (VVT-i) on the intake. Cylinder heads for this engine have four valves per cylinder. The valves are actuated via shimless type valve lifters. The heads are covered by aluminum cylinder head covers.

There is a plastic intake manifold mounted on top of the engine. The intake is equipped with Toyota’s Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS). The special air control valve varies the effective length of the intake manifold according to engine speed and optimizes the engine output. The Toyota’s Electronic Throttle Control System-intelligent (ETCS-i) system is also applied. The engine uses a sequential fuel injection system with twelve-hole fuel nozzles for each cylinder. The ignition is the Toyota’s DIS ignition. Each cylinder has individual ignition coil integrated into the spark plug cap. Each head has a stainless-steel exhaust manifold (header) with an integrated three-way ceramic-type catalytic converter.

Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE

In 2009, the Toyota started production of the upgraded version 1GR – the dual VVT-i 1GR-FE engine. That version features not only the variable intake and exhaust valve timing system but also the significant changes in mechanical parts. The bottom of the engine received a new crankshaft with five balance weight, pistons with optimized shape produced 10.4:1 compression ratio versus 10.0:1. The engine also got redesigned cylinder heads. The camshaft housing now is separate and the valves actuated by roller rocker arms with built-in needle bearings. The valvetrain is equipped with hydraulic lash adjusters.

The pressure in the injection system was raised from 284 kPa up to 324 kPa. The position of the injector nozzle moved closer to the intake valves. In the intake, the ACIS system was omitted. There is a simple plastic intake manifold and electronically controlled throttle body (ETCS-i). The nickel spark plugs were replaced by iridium-tipped spark plugs (Denso SK20HR11). The Dual VVT-i 1GR has new headers (exhaust manifolds).

Engine Specs

Manufacturer

Kamigo Plant;
Shimoyama Plant;
Tahara Plant;
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama

Production years

2002-present

Cylinder block material

Aluminum

Cylinder head material

Aluminum

Fuel type

Gasoline

Fuel system

Fuel injection

Configuration

V

Number of cylinders

6

Valves per cylinder

4

Valvetrain layout

DOHC

Bore, mm

94.0 mm (3.7 in)

Stroke, mm

95.0 mm (3.74 in)

Displacement, cc

3,956 cc (241.4 cu in)

Type of internal combustion engine

Four-stroke, naturally aspirated

Compression Ratio

10.0:1
10.4:1 – Dual VVTi version

Power, hp

236-285 hp (176-210 kW)/5,200-5,600

Torque, lb ft

266-285 lb-ft (361-387 Nm)/3,600-4,400

Engine weight

366 lbs (166 kg)

Firing order

1-2-3-4-5-6

Engine oil capacity, liter

5.2 (5.5 quarts)

Engine oil weight

5W-30Oil recommendations and capacity may vary depending on the car model, year, and market. Please check the service manual specific to your vehicle!

Oil change interval, mile

6,000 (10,000 km) or 12 month

Cars with this engine

Toyota 4Runner/Hilux Surf, Toyota FJ Cruiser, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser 200, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120/150, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Fortuner, Lexus GX 400