Is the 4 Cyl. more reliable?

Just wondering if the 4-cyl. Tacoma is more reliable than the 6-cyl.???

Are there any ways in which the fleet trucks are designed to be more reliable than the consumer trucks?

Is there a website that provides actual data on the reliability of the 4-cyl. Tacoma?

 

These questions have no absolute answer. I have had both. The 4 cylinders were just as reliable as the six, provided you didn't tow much, carry much weight, drive at high speeds and generally work them as hard. The unknown is the transmission. I had clutch problems trying to tow with the 4 at near it's maximum rating but never have with the auto mated to the six at much higher weights. The transmissions will also work much harder at it's near maximum rating. Generally, if you just use the truck around town and carry loads of styrofoam, go for it. If you use it like a real truck, the bigger the better. Reliability is tied more to use then it is to motor type.

Besides, just getting the tow package which is only available with the six, has the potential to extend motor and transmission life regardless of how you use it. If you can afford it, get the six. There is no reason not to otherwise. It does no good to try to go down the reliability argument unless you're just trying to be cheap. Even then, the new six uses no more gas.

 

4cyl is life. When talking specifically the second gen tacoma the 2trfe blows the 6cyl away when it comes to usage that won't destroy your wallet. Meaning you can run with 6cyl trucks all day long on the roads and on the trails (provided you've acquired a 5spd and not the auto which is full of sadness and disappointment) and drive right on by the fuel pumps as all your buddies have to fuel up. Pretty much sums up every weekend and wheeling trip I've ever taken in my 4cyl. Both engines are reliable but it all comes down to personal preference. If you want to tow buy a half ton. The 3rd Gen seems ok as long as you buy and manual and just reseal your 3rd member and not act like a little bitch about it. The 3.5 is a cool engine which has curbed the Toyota v6's notorious fuel hungry reputation again personal preference

 

Exactly, personal preference. I have had Toyota V6's and 4 cyl and they are both very reliable. Here are the reasons I like my Taco 4 banger:
- Gas mileage. With all my mods, which are heavy as shit, I still get 19 MPG.
- The 4 cyl/5 speed combo is iconic and I dig wheeling it. There is something I like about doing more with less. I go anywhere my v6 or v8 friends go.
- My 2015 4 banger cost 25,000 with 5000 miles on it. Compare that to a V6...ouch.

With that said, if you want to tow a lot or go wicked fast, get a V6.

 

I hear this mentioned anecdotally all of the time on Tacomaworld, but have never seen any evidence of it.

 

7 years, 136k and no problems. Edit: 9 years 146k no probs. Edit: 11 years 155k- valve cover, spark plug tube gaskets, new plugs and coils

 

Yeah it's like the anecdote of the 22 long rifle caliber has killed more people than any other so it's effective. I have never actually seen any data to back this claim up but people say it all the time LOL. I will say this I have run both types of engines and both have done equally well reliability wise.

 

1) Generally, yes. But of course it depends how the truck is used and if maintenance is consistently done.
2) Fleet trucks are typically base models, with minimalist trim levels/options. But not always. Depending on the purchase volume, sometimes the purchaser can get the manufacturer to agree to add special equipment (different tires, extra lights/auxiliary power wiring, grease fittings where they would not be, etc) for a price. And some of this special equipment could extend the life and dependability of the vehicle. But the purchase volume has to be enough to justify the extra processes to change this equipment on a base model that would not otherwise have it installed during normal factory production. Outside of these special agreements for volume purchase, the fleet units are mechanically the same as retail/consumer vehicles. That is my understanding.
3) Not to my knowledge. Toyota 4-cylinder models (including Tacoma) are well known to run practically forever with basic maintenance.

 

Is the 4 cylinder more reliable?

That was my understanding and also why I bought mine.

 

This is my 3rd Toyota 4 cyl truck, and I'm yet to have an issue (that wasn't my doing).

290k on the '83 22R (only about 60k from me). 175k on the '94 22RE (about 70k of those from me).

Outside of the typical timing chain stretch on the '94, they have been flawless outside of the corrosion issues. It still runs like a champ, but it clatters a bit on hills due to the stretched chain. It has been doing that since I got it 9 years ago.

My '17 will have Krown treatment every year for its entire life, so I hope it lasts 20+ years like the previous trucks did. I still own the '94, but it's about ready to be sold as I just removed it from my insurance.

I'll ride with Toyota until I have reason not to. I'm already 26k into the new truck, and 0 issues ... so this one seems to be a winner as well.

 

Have had my 15 Taco sport for almost 2 months now an love it. When I was shopping test drove a 3rd gen 4cy 5 speed access cab 4x4 it was a very fun an responsive truck to drive but the v6 was just a better experience for me. My neighbor has a 05 5 lug base model auto he has 225k on it just normal maintenance he says averages 22-23 mpg.

 

381,000km's on my 4-banger, can't speak for a 6, never had one.

 

Talk to a Toyota mechanic, they'll tell you which engine they see the most

 

Are there any current or former Toyota mechanics on Tacomaworld?

 

no clue

 

My 4.0 six in a 4X4 DC gets 20-22 hwy, 17-18 city and it didn't need any mods. It'll tow 6500 lbs if I want to.

See what you get for the 4 banger at trade in time. It cost less because it is worth less down the road. The 6 cyl will retain a higher percentage of its value and cost less in the long run.

There are plenty of 6 cyl engines over 400,000 miles with no major issues.

 

I bought the 4cyl for MPGs and reliability. I've always had success with 4cyl engines. I like the extra room in the engine bay.

 

Fleet vehicles don't have the smallest engines available because of reliability, they do it for cost. A few grand per vehicle adds up quick.

 

Simpler design with less parts -- there are fewer things that can break, hence, more reliable??? I dunno, just stating conventional wisdom.

With a fleet, why buy what you don't need? Most Tacoma fleet trucks don't need the extra power and speed of a 6 cyl.

 

My local Toyota dealer talked me out of buying parts I thought I might need and just wanted to have around for when they wear out. He said that he doesn't know of any 4 cyl Tacoma's in the area because one has never come in for repairs and at the time he had been a service manager there for 10 years. He said the 2.7 5 speed manual I have is probably one of the most maintenance free vehicles ever made. As far as reliability I doubt there is any difference and there are a lot of 6's out there with well over 300,000 miles on them. The four cylinder will obviously be cheaper to maintain than a 6.