V4 vs. V6?

I realize that this tread was started 2 years ago. But I still couldnt really find the answer to a few things.

A few words to the situation that I'm in:

I need a new (new to me at least) truck. Currently driving a 1995 Mazda b2300, I4. It's holding up well. But the rust starts to work on it and I don't really feel like repainting it. Plus it's 2wd and reg cab. Just doesn't suit my needs.

I don't need a truck for towing. At least nothing serious. Maybe a load of fire wood every now and then. Which on my trailer means about 1500 Ibs, plus whatever I can fit in the box. I should stay way below 3500 Ibs.
But for my recreational towing needs, I got my Pathfinder V6. With air bags and HD shocks in the rear, it does good enough a job for what i use it for.

That's why I am on the lookout for a 4 cyl truck to replace the mazda. I use the truck to commute to work every day. So I don't want a V6 that costs me a fortune on gas, if I don't need it. I live surrounded by hills and wanna get out there more often. As the Pathfinder is the wife's car, I need a 4x4 truck, that can still fit me and my two kids. Plus a buddy, if needed.

I always liked the Tacoma. Big fan of Toyota in generell. My main question, for those of you that own the 4 banger taco is:

Is the I4 4x4 manual taco powerfull enough to get me up steep logging roads and mountain trails. Loaded with a small ATV? I have read that the 2.7 doesn't come with an option for a rear locker. But I am assuming that I can swap in a V6 rear axle? Or is the gearing of the diffs different for the V6 and the I4, and I would end up swapping front and rear?
And how well does the low gear 4x4 work, when in steep and difficult terrain, hauling something heavy in the box.

Please share your experiences and help me to decide, if the 4banger fits my needs. Any adivise in the matter will be much appreciated

 

Based on what I just read and since you're going to be hauling people it would be best to go with a double cab. Access cabs are cramped, even for kids. I had one before and would never wish anyone to have to ride back there much more than 15 minutes at a time. That rear space is only good for cargo and maybe a small dog, for people it's hell. That said, the double cab can be had with a 2.7, but only in 2WD, automatic, and of the 5 lug variety if memory serves me correct. I can honestly say that my V6 gets the same mileage as my old 2.7 did on the highway, MPG suffers a little more in town, but cruising down the road I can get the same MPG or better with it. Just something to chew on, and if you do go with a double cab and want 4WD, V6 is the only way you're going to get it.

As far as hauling abilities go, the 2.7 is more than up to the task! I used to haul around a Yamaha Grizzly 660 in my old truck just fine, of course the suspension was upgraded over stock because stock springs are weak as shit in these trucks but I hardly noticed the ATV in the back at all and it hauled it everywhere just fine. Also, I sometimes towed a 3800# motorcycle trailer loaded with bikes and gear from time to time without any issues at all. The truck wont get you to your destination very fast with a load like that, but it will eventually! Haha

Lockers aren't really necessary unless you're into hard wheeling. Another thing I can say from experience in the past with wheeling. I installed an electric locker in my old Jeep CJ5 thinking I would use the hell out of it and maybe used it half a dozen times the 7 years I owned that rig driving on various types of terrain from moderate to extreme. Lockers are good if you need to get out of a bind but that's about where they stand. Unless you're going rock crawling, don't expect to use it very often!

 

Thanks for the input. I was questioning myself, how realistic it is to haul people around in those access cabs. Its a real shame that they don't built the 2.7L as a double cab, with 4wd and manual trans. That would be a match made in heaven
If gas milage realy doesn't vary that much, I might reconsider and go with the V6. I'll test drive them both anyway. Jyst won't be able to test real live ATV hauling in the bush with them I guess. I don't think the dealer would be very happy with me, hahaha.

 

there are some years that are double cab four cylinders. i don't remember what they are. gas mileage is same for v6 and i4

 

Yeah, like I said with my two trucks, the mileage is hardly any different on the highway but the V6 does suffer more driving around town than the 4 banger did. But my old truck had the 5 speed manual and my current truck has the auto so that may have something to do with it as well. I do really miss that manual tranny though on some days. I myself am toying with the idea of finding another Taco or small car with a stick in it just to have when I'm feeling in the mood to row gears.

 

I really don't know why they offer the double cab auto in a Cyl it's probably the worst combination ever..... I have an ac cab 5spd I've had people in the back on trips but ya never again lol... if you need the space for kids or people etc get the double cab v6, short box if you're wheeling, which is available in a 6spd.... the 4cyl is amazing in love it wouldn't trade my truck for anything but if you get a 4cyl auto you will hate your life and probably trade it in.... that being said the v6 is a thirsty pig.... again I recommend the 6spd vs the auto everyone I know with a 6spd gets similar milage to my 2.7 everyone with an auto can't come close

 

That's odd, nearly all the reports I've read on the topic of 6 speed gas mileage on these forums concluded that they got WORSE mileage than the auto. Even the window stickers at dealerships rate them lower, but I don't know for certain because I've never owned one.

But I definitely agree on having a double cab to haul people in, there's no other way to do it imo.

 

Those are 5-lug, so no 4x4.

Not even close. The fuel consumption difference is literally the same ratio as the difference in the number of cylinders. The 6 will burn 50% more fuel than the 4.

 

This statement may be a bit exaggerated... by what I've seen here on TW, most 4.0 Tacomas get between 16-20, and most 2.7 Tacomas get around 20-24. So the worst case scenario (16 vs 24 mpg) yes that's a 50% increase. Worst case.

A larger engine can make the same power by using less throttle. So here is the important part -- **depending on the load (towing/hauling)** -- a larger engine using less throttle may actually get BETTER fuel economy than a smaller engine that is working its butt off.

In the end, there are SOOO many variables when comparing fuel economy that this discussion of 4.0 vs 2.7 is kind of pointless :leaving:

 

Toyota has been behind the curve on the 2.7L (mostly due to 1+ years out of commission due to the tsunami) and its starting to show its age. I suspect that the 2017 (or maybe 2018) will have an updated I4 platform if you can wait that long.

If not, the 2.7 won't win in any power/speed contest but it will get the job done.

 

While I'd agree that there are many variables, ANY suggestion that a larger engine *of equal engineering* will EVER use less fuel to make the SAME power, is utter nonsense.

 

In the sense that I believe @DGXR was speaking, there are cases where he is correct. My LT4 turning 38's netted better mileage than my 2.5 in the same vehicle, post swap. The LT4 had a much easier time turning them than the 2.5. I'd say that would have been the case for the 42's and 48's, but I never ran the 2.5 with those.