Engine difference in 2nd and 3rd gen tacos

Ooops.

I wrote.
Compare stock AT 4.0 with AT 4.0
Compare stock MT 4.0 with MT 4.0

What I meant (but you knew that):
Compare stock AT 4.0 with AT 3.5
Compare stock MT 4.0 with MT 3.5

However, going from a really chatty topic of who's Gen motor is better than who's, to straight up "crickets" is very interesting.

 

Let's not forget this thread is about the differences and not what's better. They are both great motors produced by a great company. It is the application that has become skewed. Because the two motors couldn't be more different, how can you match them to the same application? The 4.0 has the low end power band which is great for motivating heavy loads. The 3.5 has smooth but firm acceleration which great for commuting on the freeway. It would really been great had we been given a choice.
Please no reminders of Ike's Gauntlet and the 44 seconds! We all know the 3.5 has more hp and hp means speed but the hp is out of reach at 1500 rpm where your at trying to get that load moving. Am I explaining this right? That's how I see it and why I chose not to buy the Gen3.

 

I have a 2014 six speed manual. About a month ago, we were driving through St. Louis on I-44 to go get a puppy south of Rolla, Mo. In traffic, I was amazed at how peppy my little 4.0 was. Out here in the country, you have no frame of reference. Driving down the interstate on the big hills, around traffic, it felt like a sports car.

I haven't driven a newer model but I'm plenty happy with the power of my manual transmission 2nd gen.

From everything I've read, they're the one to have.

 

Exactly.

This thread was quickly drifting away from the "engine differences" and moving into "which is better" zone.
Thus why I threw that out there for those to put up or shut up to get the thread back on topic. Seems to have worked.

 

Let’s face it the Tacoma in all generations is pretty limp when it comes to acceleration. I supercharged my 2nd gen TRD Pro. I can’t imagine towing anything near the manufacturer stated towing capacity in either without a super charger. Plus I can fly past those 3rd gen fools (and probably those future 4th gens).

Super chargers rule.

 

I drove a third gen for a lil over a week and clocked about 1500 miles on it (loaner pre-runner from the dealer). Some things I noticed was the ECT button was back... Power rear slider for the win! And not much else really impressed me with the interior. It was only the SR5 though. Lane shift alert and front end smash alert felt like it was designed for people that use their smart phone and drive..

The engine and tranny combo took a while to get used to though, I drive with a heavy foot so I guess I totally missed it not having any low end power! It seemed like after a few days the truck learned how I drove and adapted to it, drove it 1200 miles on I95 and was impressed with the speed and power at 80mph+ and really didn’t have any issues with it driving around town. Gas mileage was extremely impressive compared to my 4x4 second gen on the interstate at 80+ speeds. 250-260 miles on my 2012 4x4 at those speeds with larger tires compared to 350 ish on the stock pre runner 2018. (I know comparing apples to oranges but 80+ in any truck is going to suck gas)

I had read negative stuff about the third gen but when I turned it back into the dealer I was actually impressed and the short time I drove it I feel like Toyota got it right again. Longevity I think is still in question compared to the 4.0 though. I will keep my second gen 4.0 for ever and I highly doubt my next new vehicle will be a Tacoma again, but if it was I wouldn’t hesitate buying a third gen!

 

Serves you right. What kind of animal abandons a 2nd gen Taco?

 

Serves you right. What kind of animal abandons a 2nd gen Taco?

 

Are we seriously going back and forth about which generation is better??? Who gives a fuck? At the end of the day, we love our Taco’s. Now let’s post some pics!

 

Stay off-topic damnit!

 

Agreed

 

Just remember Lads and lasses, only in North America did they put a car engine in a truck. Not in any of the foreign markets. Good ole 4.0. Pretty certain the single vvti version.

 

I dont see it or feel it. My 2018 has plenty of power and it is smooth withno " gear searching " that I notice. As far as looks my truck looks great and the inside with all the new tech .....really nice. Go look up the specs on both generations , the 3.5 has a more powerful motor with better fuel economy.

 

Did you dig up this thread to say what matters to you is that your truck “looks great” and has “all the new tech” inside it?

ignore the rest of this if so..

4.0L vs 3.5L.. Toyota can put what they want on paper but “there’s no replacement for displacement” in stock engines.

When I bought my Tacoma I test drove a 3rd gen and 2nd gen and gave them Both a good rip off a stop light.

The 3rd gen got its way to higher gears once it kicked off some of the fuel economy bs they have in it, then kicked in decently. the 2nd gen roared from the start and kept going until I let off. Me, my wife, and the employee preferred the 4.0.

Lower end torque / throttle response- 4.0
Higher HP performance at higher speeds- 3.5

Ive also driven my buddy’s 2018 TRD OR and feel a good amount of throttle response lag in comparison. That alone is enough to keep me away from a 3rd Gen as long as my 4.0 keeps running.

To each his own.. these are just my reasons.

 

I test drove a 2019 3.5, contemplated buying it. Found a 2007 4.0 mt 6 speed, right away I could feel the difference. The 3.5 felt like nothing in the low rpms, then decent when I hit higher rpms. The 4.0 felt superior in low and high rpms.

Do manufacturers fudge their numbers to make sales? Absolutely.

I like to drive fast. I like to not have an idiot playing with their phone in front of me more. I hear people say how slow the 4.0 is but, I can get out from a light and be ahead of phone drivers, and have enough power to stay in front of them. I know it doesn’t pull more than 1g of acceleration. But I don’t really need that out of a truck.

 

I test drive the ‘16 and found it to be lacking in the bottom. The same day I test drove my ‘13 and bought it. There is no comparison in performance from these engines. The 3.5 definitely has more power above 4000 rpm but I rarely ever drive my truck like that. I’m always between 1500 and 3500 rpm. For me the 4.0 is a better truck engine.

 

pretty happy with the 4.0 power and mpg (comparing it to 4runner 3.0)

 

Go get a Sprint Booster(fixes crappy throttle response) and you'll love(well...like very much) the 3.5

 

I’ve heard re gearing, pedal commander, and now Sprint Booster..

Don’t have any of those on my 2nd gen.. but if I did get a 3rd gen, id leave em off. I leave most of my main components stock so I get the most out of it.

 

I just bought a 2022 Tacoma. I took it to get a tune and it is a super truck.

OTT tune eliminates the " Gear Hunting" and the sluggish engine"