[Mangie Rover]

I've had a few 4.6s and am considering pros and cons please....never had a 4.0 so I'm not sure what sacrifices to expect. Only thing I'll ever be towing is about 2200lb boat.
Thanks in advance all!

 

[Richard_G]

I've got one of each, not a lot to choose. 4.0 litre might be marginally slower when towing up hill but not by any noticeable difference.

 

[NorCal RR]

I had a '95 4.0, now a '99 Bosch. I didn't find the difference to be dramatic but it was noticeable. Better torque when passing or accelerating in top gear was the biggest difference.

 

[95classiclwb]

I have a 95 classic, a 2k p38 both with 4.6 and a 01 d2 with 4.0. as stated above, I feel I have to push the d2 just a little extra hard when passing or driving up hills. other wise normal drive.

 

[Escape]

4.6 will be about 15% better (torque and power), simple maths. If you'll notice and would mind or not will depend on your driving style.

Filip

 

[romanrob]

In case reliability is a factor, my GEMS 4.0 seems very reliable (in a 90) only ever had the water pump changed, but it's always been serviced regularly. It has never had to be opened up for any reason, despite having the odd over-heating incident. It purrs a little less than it did 15 years ago, perhaps (i've owned it that long), and probably needs a new sump gasket at some point. I have less experience of a 4.6 but my n=1 experience is that they seem to be more trouble

 

[Gordo51]

My 2000 with the 4.6 seems to have more pep than my 98 with 4.0 did. I quite like driving it even though I also have a 2008 RRSC.

 

[Richard_G]

Thor engine, in both capacities, produces more power and torque than the GEMS. The longer inlet tract gives more bottom end which is why things like the Morgan using the GEMS engine has shorter trumpets to give more top end.

 

[dave3d]

The 4.6 has a stronger gearbox than a 4.0. A factor to consider if you tow a lot.

 

[Gordo51]

I think the front diff is also stronger. If I were buying a P38 I would hold out for a 99 or newer.

 

[Escape]

Thor engine, in both capacities, produces more power and torque than the GEMS. The longer inlet tract gives more bottom end which is why things like the Morgan using the GEMS engine has shorter trumpets to give more top end.

Actually, the Thor is slightly down on top end power compared to the GEMS. But they do offer more torque and earlier in the powerband. Which makes them nicer to drive, especially with an automatic.

Filip

 

[Reinhoud]

I have a Discovery 1 V8, I put a 4.6 in her, so it was just that 600cc more, there is a noticeble difference, it all goes smoother/easier..

What's said before, the 4.6 has a stronger gearbox, and a 4 pin rear diff if I'm correct.

 

[Sandpoint]

Coming at it from a different angle, as a noob 4.6L owner and driver, I would not want any less as the overall power to weight is considerably less than any of our other SUV's and trucks. The 4.6L powerplant and trans are smooth and capable, just not fast.

Admittedly, I am spoiled by today's uber SUV's and larger V8's and have to contend with high altitude in the Rockies. YMMV.

 

[jteuvonnen]

I try not to tow things with the P38, for fear of expensive breakage that may result. Neither a 4.0 nor a 4.6 is a good vehicle for towing, IMHO. If you have to get a P38 for this purpose, get the 4.6 because it has a stronger transmission (4hp24). If you can, get the Bosch 4.6. The 4.0 has a 4hp22 which is too weak to be towing anything that you wouldn't tow with a Honda Accord.

In terms of power both 4.0 and 4.6 leave much to be desired, so towing will be a frustrating experience. I have a Bosch 4.0 on winter tires, because it's handles snowy New England winters much better than my supercharged Jaguar. Range Rover is spacious, comfortable and very capable off-road vehicle, but truck duty just isn't its strong suit.

 

[Richard_G]

I'd disagree, I bought my P38 (to replace a Classic) purely for towing and probably 75% of the mileage I have done in it over the last 8 years has been with anything between 2 and 4 tonnes an the back. They are a superb tow vehicle with the EAS making the biggest difference.

 

[Escape]

Richard, I fully agree that the P38 makes a great tow vehicle. But that's by European standards. If you start comparing with big US trucks with 6+l V8s and rated to tow 10000lb or more, that's a different story.
I for one am very happy towing with the P38. And while it's true the ZF4hp24 is stronger, that doesn't mean the ZF4hp22 can't cope. I had a 4.0SE retrofitted with a 4.6 and used it extensively to tow car trailers. Never had any problems with the gearbox, which now has 377k km. Only drive train problem was a stretched chain in the transfer case.

Filip

 

[Reinhoud]

I try not to tow things with the P38, for fear of expensive breakage that may result. Neither a 4.0 nor a 4.6 is a good vehicle for towing, IMHO. If you have to get a P38 for this purpose, get the 4.6 because it has a stronger transmission (4hp24). If you can, get the Bosch 4.6. The 4.0 has a 4hp22 which is too weak to be towing anything that you wouldn't tow with a Honda Accord.

In terms of power both 4.0 and 4.6 leave much to be desired, so towing will be a frustrating experience. I have a Bosch 4.0 on winter tires, because it's handles snowy New England winters much better than my supercharged Jaguar. Range Rover is spacious, comfortable and very capable off-road vehicle, but truck duty just isn't its strong suit.

They're great for towing! Just don't go over 80km/h

 

[jteuvonnen]

Richard, I fully agree that the P38 makes a great tow vehicle. But that's by European standards. If you start comparing with big US trucks with 6+l V8s and rated to tow 10000lb or more, that's a different story.

Filip

I wholeheartedly agree with Filip, who is right on the money regarding European Standards. Fuel is expensive in Europe and large cars with powerful engines are expensive there. I believe the OP is in the US, where there are better towing options available at lower cost.

 

[Richard_G]

There is nothing available, other than a lorry, in Europe that is certified to legally tow anything heavier than 3.5 tonnes (7,700 lbs) so the Range Rover, Discovery and very few others are the only things that can tow this sort of weight. So they are built to be able to tow that weight but you might be putting things under stress if you tried anything heavier. In saying that, I've towed a boat and trailer that was nearly 4.5 tonnes in total and my car is an ex-police motorway patrol car where it would have been used to tow broken down 44 tonne trucks off the motorway. Not something you'd want to do regularly but they will do it if needs be as long as you are careful. I recently had the use of a 2001 Ford Excursion, the SUV version of an F250 with a 7 litre V10. Yes, that would pull a house if you wanted it to but the ride and handling was absolutely horrible compared with anything made in Europe or Japan.

 

[Bolt]

I try not to tow things with the P38, for fear of expensive breakage that may result. Neither a 4.0 nor a 4.6 is a good vehicle for towing, IMHO. If you have to get a P38 for this purpose, get the 4.6 because it has a stronger transmission (4hp24). If you can, get the Bosch 4.6. The 4.0 has a 4hp22 which is too weak to be towing anything that you wouldn't tow with a Honda Accord.

In terms of power both 4.0 and 4.6 leave much to be desired, so towing will be a frustrating experience. I have a Bosch 4.0 on winter tires, because it's handles snowy New England winters much better than my supercharged Jaguar. Range Rover is spacious, comfortable and very capable off-road vehicle, but truck duty just isn't its strong suit.

Wow!
You must need a serious rebuild on the engines of yours......:shock:
I am solidly with Richard here.
The P-38 is a fabulous towing vehicle. Strong, stable and, of course, very comfortable. I used my white 02 extensively in Hawaii to tow trailer loads of batteries and diesel generators up steep rocky "roads" on the Big island from sea level to sometimes 12,000 ft elevation. This was usually 4-6,000 pound loads plus a heavy duty trailer (With surge brakes).
The Rangie never missed a beat (Love low range!) and I had zero issues mechanically.
Fast forward 5 years, and the white 02 is now in California with 142k miles on it.
Just finished up a 400 mile high speed run down I-5 to So Cal, and a 500 mile trip up scenic Highway 101 towing a 6500 pound pontoon boat. Highway speeds all the way (55-75mph)
No issues keeping up with traffic, and passing slower lorries.

Oh, and YES the Eas is the real difference on these beasts for towing.
All that said, I have had a 4.0 and a few 4.6. The 4.6 gets better fuel economy, which I do not believe has been mentioned. Also, I have settled on the 02 as it really seems to have as many bugs as possible worked out of it.