Considering SR 4x4, but what about 4 cylinder??

As a personal choice, I also like the ac better than the dc. I don't need to haul people so i don't need the extra weight from the dc.

 

Which means that it is good for the 4-cyl that it is STILL more efficient than the 6.

Wow, that is one heck of a list of complaints.... fortunately *none* of them impact mine, which is a newer model. So obviously, they've been addressed sometime in the several years since yours came off the line.

 

The funny part, since this manual transmission is a carryover, all they have to do is put the new 3.90 rear gear in and the current N29 speedo gear will put the odometer within 1% of accurate with the same tire size.

I will agree this engine is efficient. It can average 25+ mpg on a trip even with the 4x4 drivetrain; I've done it multiple times. (Un)fortunately the new V6 will do that too. Now if they make a four cylinder with the same tech as that new V6, that would grab my attention.

TBH if I'd have bought the 4 speed auto, I bet 90% of the complaints I have about this truck would never have happened. Yeah, it would have been slower than I would have liked thanks to the wide gears but I could have lived with it. The other reason I switched to the four cylinder was ease of working in the engine bay and in that respect it wins in spades. Who knows, if the six speed auto has fairly close ratios from 1-4 it could be a decent combo. I sincerely doubt that it'll bring its mileage up to that new V6 though, let alone beat it. If Toyota proves me wrong though, more power to them.

OP wanted a real-world review and I wasn't going to be any less than honest. I'm glad your truck doesn't treat you as mine does me, tgear.

 

I like my cheap 4 cylinder, 5sp base model. Not even the SR5, just a plain Tacoma. I'm not much into creature comforts in a truck and am happy with what little it came with. For the money I've saved, I've upgraded wheels, tires, suspension, and soon to be gears and locker for far less than I would have spent on the TRD model.

As far as choosing the 4 over the 6, it all depends on what you plan to do with it. I don't plan to tow or haul with my Tacoma beyond it's capabilities. I have bigger rigs for that. The 4 cylinder offers plenty for what I use it for, I just wasn't happy with the gearing. In my opinion, a low HP motor needs low gears to make it work. The 4cyl is fine at highway speeds but suffers on the low end. I spend more time driving under 55 than over and rarely need quick acceleration. I'm in the process of regearing to gain more low end power.

Another reason I chose the 4cyl is perceived longevity of the motor. I plan to get over 200K miles from this truck and figured the 4cyl would be a better bet than the 6. May not make any difference.

 

I too have had several of these "low rent" Tacos. I only modified them to either help towing or increase longevity or expand use.for minimal expense. Like, adding a front receiver hitch, cap and racks. I did find all the limitations you referred too. I thought about changing gearing too. Then I just decided to not use it where I need that additional expense.....or buy a more powerful truck. It's always a balancing act.

 

In my experience, the tech of a four to give good mileage while dragging around a 4 wd system, does not exist. This is a situation where a loaded truck (in this case loaded by front diff/ transfer case etc. ) needs more power to be economical. If you tow much weight with a less powerful motor, you tend to use more gas then a more powerful one of similar design. The Four works great with two wheel drive. But, add 4 wd and/ or the drag of an automatic, especially Toyota's archaic four speed, it just has to work too hard. I could average 25 mpg with 4 wd and a four cylinder. But, it was a manual, the speeds were relatively low and I carried very little weight. If you had the four speed auto, in my experience, you would have saved shifting but everything else would be much worse.

 

You're going to have a lot of butthurt after this comment.

 

What is your point. The 4 wd is more efficient with the six . The greater the weight you carry or the faster you travel, the greater that difference will be

 

V6 is definitely on the AC still. And if you can afford the v6 go for the 6. It's stronger and more fuel efficeient. I bet the v6 would pay for itself over the 4 banger in due time because of the fuel savings.

 

I agree with you, but all 4cyl 4wd owners will be offended that you haven't anointed the 2.7 the greatest most capable engine of all time as they typically see it. I'm just saying there's going to be a lot of broken hearts and butthurt by your comment. Just like a lot of 2nd gen owners feel the need to defend their ownership now that the 3rd gen has arrived for some odd reason.

 

;-))) I hear you ! It was me who will not reach for that bar of soap.
I struggle to see why one would buy a four to save money, then add plus tires , load it up and decide the solution was to change the gear ratio then expect the 2.7 to give him 200 k trouble free miles. I liked my trucks with the 2.7 and they were quite functional. But the difference between being functional and actually enjoying a trip while loaded is found in owning a six.

 

Is there a 4x4 DC SR with convenience package including black SR alloys available with MT? Either 4 or 6 cyl, or does this combination not exist?

 

I don't think it's a stretch to expect 200K out of my 4cy. Like I said above, I don't try to use it in a way that's beyond it's capabilities. I have bigger trucks for that. I also don't spend much time on the interstate at 70+mph. I don't need to be geared for that. Most do. I don't. As far as enjoyment on trips, depends where I'm going and what I'm doing. Unless it's a camping or hunting trip, I'm not in a Tacoma. Taking trips wasn't a factor in my decision. I'm more than happy with the 4. Probably would be just as happy with the 6. Gas mileage? Who knows. Don't care. When it gets empty I fill it up.

It's your money, spend it on what you want to. Toyota doesn't sell a truck equipped from the factory the way I want it so changes would have been made no matter what I bought and how much it cost. If you plan to drive a factory original truck, the loaded TRD is a good deal. Just not for me.

 

7513 - SR ACCESS CAB 4X4 4-CYL. M/T LB - $ | $ 24825

Only manual option for SR.

 

A golf buddy who is single owns three trucks...so what does he buy for a forth car ? Another truck. According to him, no sense changing wo winter tires when you can just change to a winter truck with snow tires. His "most traveled" truck is a four cylinder standard cab Taco which he really likes for routine economical travel. But all he puts in it his his girlfriend and his golf clubs. And that's fine.

I liked the four cylinders I had. But, we never took the truck for long trips until I got the six which rides significantly better up front. Now my wife likes to drive it more then her car. She likes to cruise along at 80 in our state where the limit is 75 in places carrying a bed full of gifts and luggage for the grandchildren.

 

I'll add this: When I bought my Tacoma, is was for a cheap extra vehicle. We had two teenagers at home at the time and 4 vehicles less than two years old. I didn't feel like spending lots of money on it. It's now my daily driver, but not used for big boy truck stuff or trips with the family.

If I was a one vehicle owner or lived in an area that required high speed driving and lots of merging, I would not get the 4cyl. If I only had one truck and actually planned to use it as a truck, I wouldn't get the 4cyl. In either case I probably wouldn't get a Tacoma though.

For my needs, the base model was priced right and the 4cyl allowed me to do what I wanted to do. I knew when I bought it I'd be changing several things in the future. I can also afford to be wrong. I'm more than happy to pay for gears vs paying for HP.

 

Speaking of kids..when my kids began to drive, they got to fight over the base model truck. It was a four cylinder five speed. They both liked it and I liked having them drive a tough, not too fast vehicle they could not put a ton of other kids in a back seat. They learned to go in pairs.

 

My daughter learned in the 5sp. I thought learning to drive a stick would make her a better driver. She promptly wrecked my avalanche after turning 16. Maybe it was because it was an auto and her attention was elsewhere.

 

That is a shame it is not available in DC with 6speed MT and V6 in SR 4x4 trim. Has probably more options than my 07 TRD which is perfectly adequate for me, but will need to be replaced at some point possibly before 4th gen arrives.

 

You'll need to jump up to the base TRD OR for v6 mt dc. SR is a really good value imo.