Looks like it's not a 7GR, EPC partially updated: 2GR-FKS

I just need it to tow my 3500 lbs (loaded) Casita trailer a dozen times a year or so. I think a Tacoma should easily be able to handle that much. My '02 will do it but it fusses a bit. I'd rather have slightly less power with a mid-size Tacoma than have more power I need in a huge pickup that sucks to drive/park daily.

 

Gears will give you the power you need. But I would still be careful. I would never tow anything that weighs as much or more than my truck without the proper stability controls and trailer brake controls. 3500lbs is a bit much for a 1st gen unless you keep it off the highways.

 

Exactly. I dont know if I would call small group, just look how many on this forum tow, haul, offroad (use the truck for truck purpose)

This group maybe smaller but its pretty significant, and I would say its a driving force behind Tacoma success.
I never seen Toyota advertising Tacoma as great grocery getter, all they run is a Tow/Haul/Offroad commercial all the time.
On this very forum there are probably 1000 threads that do nothing but complain about low torque when towing or offroading, heck people would not install superchargers or low gears if they though current engine 1GR is up to the task. So not sure how going to high revving smaller engine supposed to make them more happy.
As you said good portion (not sure about 75%) will be happy with new 3.5 the rest will simply go to something else.
Question is if Toyota is ready to advertise their truck as soccer mom dream vehicle to ponder to 75%.
Also How long it will last.
Honda Ridgeline was just that and it failed miserable. Honda learned their lesson. Toyota wants to try the same approach, let them.

 

Heck, compare it to some of the Ford engines from the 70's....and with much better efficiency, the 390 I had in my '76 F250 you were lucky to get 8 mpg's.

300 CID Straight-6 1973–79 117 hp (87 kW) 1973-1974 in Australian market also
302 CID Windsor V8 1973–79 130 hp (97 kW)

360 CID FE V8 1973–76 143 hp (107 kW)
390 CID FE V8 1973–76 161 hp (120 kW) 1975 390-4V, also available as 2V
460 CID 385 V8 1973–79 200–239 hp (150–162 kW)
351 CID 351M V8 1977–79 156 hp (116 kW)
400 CID 400 V8 1977–79 169 hp (126 kW)

 

The smog equipment they stuffed into those engines did contribute to those dismal numbers.

 

70's were awful for stock power.

 

This forum is not representative of the average Tacoma owner. If it was a quarter of us would have long travel or 35" tires.

You don't advertise small trucks as grocery getters but that's what a lot of them end up doing. They advertise the "manly" things you can do with a Tacoma to lure in those people that don't want a full sized truck, probably already have an SUV, and would go for something with a bit rougher image and drive. I've also never seen a Tacoma, or Colorado for that matter, commercial where the company brags up towing and payload capacities. The midsized market isn't about those numbers, and that's really the point at the end of the day. If you value those numbers highly you are probably better off with a fullsized truck.

Out of the what, 140,000ish members, how many complain about towing? Not even close to 25%. It's more like 2% or 3%.

I wouldn't say the Soccer Mom dream vehicle is the Tacoma. That status is still reserved for anything with AWD and a set of tv's in the rear seats.

Has Honda learned there lesson? I still haven't heard much about the Ridgeline. Did Toyota go and design and engine from scratch for the new one? I doubt it. Is Honda going to a full ladder frame? No. Honda hasn't learned anything about what Americans want in a truck at all.

 

I dunno, my 22RE trucks were fine offroad...it is the highway that killed them. I am sure the new engine will be fine for the majority of Tacoma buyers. Unless you have money to burn, vehicle choice is always a compromise. If the manufactures don't offer what you want...you can build something yourself. Hell, LS swaps can almost be done by a blind drunk monkey...pick your platform and drop one of those in.

There were some cool features on the Ridgeline...I like the IRS and that trunk in the bed thing...but too quirky other wise to be used as light duty pickup. No 6' bed for one thing...

Don't care if the Tacoma is considered a grocery getter...I am no longer in the Earth moving business...I surely don't need a vehicle for that anymore. Just need a "Life-Style" vehicle for hauling toys.

 

To show how far we have come. pretty damn amazing what modern engines can do, power, efficiency, and much cleaner burning.

 

I am getting tired of people saying "Don't buy a Tacoma for towing.". I say BS. I am not ever towing more than 3500 lbs so I don't want a full size. A mid-sized truck should be able to tow a small amount like that without much effort. They wouldn't offer a tow package if these trucks couldn't tow. I get that towing that towing at full capacity frequently is a bad idea, but a lot of us have less than 5,000 lbs of tows we like to tow around. Shouldn't need a behemoth truck for small loads.

 

The current (10 year old) 4.0 V6 is comparable to the 5.0 v8 of the Chevy Trucks in the late 80's if you compare torque #'s. Not far from the 350 either.

 

I work my Tacoma pretty hard. I'd say it's more like don't try to work a Tacoma the same way you'd work a 3/4 ton or you are going to have a bad time.

 

I didn't need a computer to diagnose anything with my Olds 403 Rocket.

I see Taco work trucks all the time. They're on tiny tires, low to the ground, and say "Orkin" or "Plumbing" on them and crap. Nothing at all like current Tacos.

 

It is all relative. I wouldn't buy a F350 to tow a semi-truck trailer.

I am in the same boat as you, own a Tacoma for a general use vehicle...and light duty towing....Hell, I could get by with a Suby or a VW...some of my moto buds have gone that route. Just not enough ground clearance for me, for when I do back country exploring with 4 wheels.



On the other end of the spectrum....I wouldn't buy a Semi to haul my motos...but I have seen it done.

 

Your definition of work is 500 lbs in the box. My definition of work is personel access to remote locations.

 

Stock suspension does suck. I tossed on some Old Man Emu HD Dakars...all was right in the world again...

 

We all know the reg cabs have a higher load capacity. An old dude in a brand new DCLB was at Home Depot and saw me loading like 1500+ pounds of cement bags into the 05 and almost crapped his pants.

 

LOL...and mine is working in a climate controled building all day. Working with Emanuel Labor gots real old....

 

I have one of the few careers where working inside means you aren't serving customers and making money. Being in the field is everything. Besides, trucks have a/c

 

I broke the stockers, repaired the broken leaf....broke the repair...then tried some 5 leaf Deavers, broke those...then I am "like" I am fixing these mothertruckers for good now, dang nabit!

The OME HD's were a bit too stiff...took out one of the two overloads...seems about "right" now. Anything too heavy for that setup, I grab my 1 Ton trailer.