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4 Bangers in the PNW

Discussion in 'North West' started by spaulding88, Oct 21, 2013.

  1. Oct 21, 2013 at 6:20 PM
    #1
    spaulding88

    spaulding88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sam
    Lacey, WA
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    Tonka Toy
    6" Pro Comp Lift, K&N CAI, All-Pro front bumper and Revenge-Fab Sliders, 285/75/16 BFG TKO's, Tire Rack, Flow-master 10 Series muffler
    How many people in the Pacific North West own 2.7L 4x4's, and how many feel the power is adequate for all the hills and mountains?

    Looking at getting a 2.7l, but want to know if I would be better off with a V6 instead.
     
  2. Oct 21, 2013 at 7:39 PM
    #2
    BradyT88

    BradyT88 Well-Known Member

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  3. Oct 21, 2013 at 8:07 PM
    #3
    spaulding88

    spaulding88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sam
    Lacey, WA
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    Tonka Toy
    6" Pro Comp Lift, K&N CAI, All-Pro front bumper and Revenge-Fab Sliders, 285/75/16 BFG TKO's, Tire Rack, Flow-master 10 Series muffler
  4. Oct 21, 2013 at 8:21 PM
    #4
    spaulding88

    spaulding88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sam
    Lacey, WA
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    Tonka Toy
    6" Pro Comp Lift, K&N CAI, All-Pro front bumper and Revenge-Fab Sliders, 285/75/16 BFG TKO's, Tire Rack, Flow-master 10 Series muffler
    Yeah I think the V6 will be more up my alley. I'm just ready to get back into a tacoma again.
     
  5. Oct 21, 2013 at 10:08 PM
    #5
    13Greysled

    13Greysled Well-Known Member

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    Tint
    Personal preference. If you drive in a very hilly town/city, it might get annoying having to work to get up to speed a lil, but more flats, they do fine. I have the 2.7 and I deal with Seattle hills all the time, just learned to deal with it. I do like 20mpg city though :)
     
  6. Oct 21, 2013 at 10:29 PM
    #6
    BradyT88

    BradyT88 Well-Known Member

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    His is also his Daily driver. haha
     
  7. Oct 21, 2013 at 11:15 PM
    #7
    MRJ

    MRJ Well-Known Member

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    Bucky
    Kent, WA
    Vehicle:
    '12 pyrite mica 4x4
    Snugtop SuperSport
    I live on Kent's East Hill. Drive up/down the hill to work in the valley every day. Drive to/through downtown Seattle every weekend. I have no problem climbing hills or keeping up with traffic. lifetime MPG is sitting right around 21 (mostly city).

    Without a load- just me and gf and daypacks- I've averaged 24+ on roundtrip to Westport..... with a heavy foot.

    Twice done the 305 mile trek to Republic, Wa loaded with 500+ lbs of camping gear/food/supplies, 200+lb snugtop and a passenger with no problem. This year's (round)trip averaged 22+mpg.... thats fully loaded over tiger mountain (meh), Snoqualmie Pass, Blewett Pass, Wauconda Pass, in 100* temps from Wenatchee to Republic and at speeds perhaps slightly above posted limits. I certainly wont tell you that with the mentioned load it has a top speed in 5th of 87mph, or that in 4th it'll do 89... nope, cause I would never test those limits...

    So, can it handle DD duty in this hilly region? yes. Can it pull the mountain passes at 70+? yes. Can it do so with a load? yes. Will it have an abundance of passing power under those conditions? hah!

    I'm happy with mine, but I dont intend to do much towing (parents' 1000lb skiboat/trailer at most). Someday I'll get my Chevy II back on the road should I need to satisfy a craving for speed.
     
  8. Oct 21, 2013 at 11:26 PM
    #8
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    Mount Vernon, WA
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    6000k HID's, AUX Reverse Lights, 3" Rough Country Suspension Lift, Pioneer AVH-P4200 Double Din, Underglow and footwell Lights, Camo Seat Covers, Duralast Tool Box, Blacked Out Badges, Grill, Front Emblem, Midland CB Radio, Amber Strobes, POWER REAR WINDOW, cup holder LED's, Firestik 3' in bed, console divider, Ultragauge.
    I'm in Mount Vernon, get a v6. I have a I4 and it's terrible.
     
  9. Oct 21, 2013 at 11:28 PM
    #9
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    Mount Vernon, WA
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    6000k HID's, AUX Reverse Lights, 3" Rough Country Suspension Lift, Pioneer AVH-P4200 Double Din, Underglow and footwell Lights, Camo Seat Covers, Duralast Tool Box, Blacked Out Badges, Grill, Front Emblem, Midland CB Radio, Amber Strobes, POWER REAR WINDOW, cup holder LED's, Firestik 3' in bed, console divider, Ultragauge.
    Are you using jet fuel or what? I have to keep it in fourth gear wide open going 60 up snoqualmie, when it's got nothing in the truck
     
  10. Oct 21, 2013 at 11:32 PM
    #10
    MRJ

    MRJ Well-Known Member

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    Snugtop SuperSport
    I didn't say it was in 5th the whole time. but it's far from wide open when it is in 4th.

    And I've actually never run anything but regular unleaded in it.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2013
  11. Oct 22, 2013 at 7:31 AM
    #11
    spaulding88

    spaulding88 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Tonka Toy
    6" Pro Comp Lift, K&N CAI, All-Pro front bumper and Revenge-Fab Sliders, 285/75/16 BFG TKO's, Tire Rack, Flow-master 10 Series muffler
    The largest thing I will likely ever pull is an 18ft Bass boat. I don't plan on doing a crazy build with this truck, just the basics i.e. 3" lift and some 265/75's and some weight appropriate trail armor.

    I just want to average better fuel millage than my old 08 DC.
     
  12. Nov 26, 2013 at 4:28 PM
    #12
    QuesoTaco

    QuesoTaco Member

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    Tigard, Or
    all-pro suspension, bumpers, skids and sliders, G2 wheel spacers
    I have a 2.7; it has enough juice, but it would be nice to have a little more. I can do some good wheeling with stock suspension and a couple hundred pounds of gear in the bed.
    But, in the city it would be nice getting up some of the steeper hills faster.
     
  13. Dec 4, 2013 at 3:37 PM
    #13
    maximilian55

    maximilian55 Well-Known Member

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    the 2.7 is a great engine. Ive got 280k on mine and it still runs strong and never gave me a problem. It'll do everthing fine, just might take you time. But if you want to get more power and give up a few mpg then go with the 3.4.

    I dont remember the exact numbers, but I know there is only a slight difference in mpg differences. If you really wanna save all the gas you can, then go 2.7. But if your not too worried about it, and want something more fun then go with the 3.4.

    (If you plan on putting 33s on the 2.7, youll definitly want to regear. I have stock gears with 33s. It gets me around, but i just have to keep it at higher rpms.)
     
  14. Dec 10, 2013 at 11:32 AM
    #14
    sportsguy

    sportsguy searchgeek

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    It's safe to say I now want a URD S/C for my reg cab... :) With the Wrangler MTRs already on, the S/C would top up the fun factor and make commuting much more fun... :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2013
  15. Dec 13, 2013 at 1:47 PM
    #15
    RyanC

    RyanC Well-Known Member

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    Puyallup WA
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    Lifted, 33/1250/15's, canopy.
    I have a 95 with the 2.7l with 230k, 33's, a 5 speed, a canopy, a full size spare, a hi-lift, and a few tools. it is regeared (not sure to what though) Is it under powered? yes, is it slow yeah its somewhat slow. If you are a good driver its really not that bad though, you can learn how to keep speed up and stay with traffic. I very regularly make the trip between Tacoma and Ellensburg and it does just fine up and down the pass.
     
  16. Dec 13, 2013 at 1:50 PM
    #16
    Koov

    Koov Well-Known Member

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    Drive both and see what feels best. I opted for the V6, the 2.7 was just a bit underpowered and I did not like the way it drove. I use my truck as DD and lots of camping and road trips.
     
  17. Jan 6, 2014 at 11:11 AM
    #17
    cosmicfires

    cosmicfires Well-Known Member

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    Everett, WA
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    Snugtop cab high canopy.
    I have a 2009 2.7L and live in the N.W. Power is more than adequate. It is necessary to gear down for steeper grades, this is why we have transmissions. I have no problem with it's power if I use the correct gear.
     
  18. Jan 7, 2014 at 9:48 AM
    #18
    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga Nuggety

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    Mike
    Keizer, Oregon
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    All the normal TW BS
    FYI the 2nd gens (05+) have a 4.0L V6.


    My opinion on 2005+:

    If you are doing no more than using it as a passenger vehicle with some small equipment, such as MRJ's camping load out, then you can probably get away with the 4cyl.

    Towing a boat and getting into more serious loads, such as bark dust, etc., I would say the V6 is a must. For that matter, the V6 is almost necessary for this size of vehicle just because of its size; it is no longer a small truck like before. On paper, it is the same weight and dimensions as a 2003 F150, where Ford gives you an option for a V8. When towing, the idea is to have a safe, comfortable, capable vehicle - not something that's running at the limit and straining.

    If you can't justify the MPG, reconsider your usage. Get an older tow rig that you use with the boat and only drive on the weekends, then get a tastefully used car that you rack the miles on.


    If you think you are going to save money by selling the '08 for a 4cyl, try writing it down on paper. Most people find that it takes years to actually see any rewards.
     

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