Initial thoughts going from v6 to 4cyl

I thought the V6 MT was already out?

 

Previous versions were just ported from A/T tunes. Only one guy on the planet has 1.03, the real M/T tune!

 

The 3rd Gens left the 2nd Gens in the dust I'm guessing.

 

Our results are extremely uncredible Considering we’re just some bros trying to piss all over each other’s trucks for funsies. Considering the “circumstances” that we argued over ad nauseam after the fact (which is about standard for these things) the general idea that manuals get there quicker was reinforced whether it be a 4 or a 6 as well as the notion that the one extra vvti helps this newer version of the engine out a lot. So imagine me letting loose a torrent of warm yellow “I told you so”

 

I've considered this change; I'm perfectly happy with my 3.5 V6 auto but I'm thinking that an Access Cab might work better than my DCSB, so why not trade straight across or even cover taxes and get a 2.7 5spd MT. Plus get a new truck, as I already have 40K on my '16 TRD OR. But I just read that the 5spd won't be available in '18

 

My sister has a 5th Gen 4Runner 4x4 auto with the dual vvti 4.0 and the 4runner is heavier than the Taco and she also has bigger and heavier 275/70R17 K02's in E load and her lowest mpg is 17+. She drives heavy on the gas. When it was on stock tires, highway mpg was 24+. If her 4Runner is getting that on the 4.0 with a 5 speed auto, I'm sure it can get that mpg or better on the Taco especially with the 6 speed auto. Dual vvti would have been a much better motor for the 3rd Gen regardless.

5th gen 4Runner is 270Hp @ 5.6Krpm, 278ft lbs tq @ 4.4K rpm - weighs 4,675 lbs in 4x4 auto
3rd gen Tacoma is 278hp @ 6Krpm, 265ft lbs tq @ 4.6K rpm - weighs 4,480 long box in 4x4 auto

 

how was your mpg before and after the ovtune?
im assuming less since i would be driving in the power band more often.

 

You would assume correctly!

It's more fun to drive with the tune (M/T FTW!) so that plays into it for sure. If I drive normally though, say on my daily commute, i'm doing a hair less than stock (less than .5L/100km difference, whatever that is in mpg). I've done my max mileage loop (approx 75km) on OEM and OV tunes, and the results were (according to the truck's trip display):

OEM: 8.2L/100km

OVtune: 8.3L/100km

These look like bullshit numbers, but the loop is done on back roads where engine RPM is below 2K in sixth. In any case, the important takeaway is that the difference is almost insignificant. I'll take that tradeoff every time!

 

You want something that drives like garbage, try an 84 Nissan Sentra I had back in high school. That thing would not accelerate anything above a 2% grade.

I doubt I'm in the minority, but I personally think the 3.5 drives just fine. Perhaps little improvement needed, but I am 100% happy with it. And that's coming from a 375hp, sub-6 second truck I had last.

Regarding the 2.7, I drove the 1st gen in the past. Not impressive, but a good work horse. If I didn't live at high elevation and towed on occasion, I would probably be ok with it.

 

Interesting, I find the opposite on mine. Shift points are perfect. No hesitation. No hunting for gears. Albeit, I'm easy on the throttle, so we may have 2 very different driving styles.

I couldn't be happier with the 4 cyl. And love that the 2TR-FE is arguably one of the best 4 cyl's made.

Not a huge fan the 2GR-FKS. Block is good, don't care for the emissions designed head.

 

I find that if you're not aggressive on the throttle, the auto shifts just fine.

 

Good points here. I typically like to drive cars using as little power as necessary, very smooth and linear. The gearing/power of the 2.7 is a different animal and just doesn't like that approach. It loves high revs and that is still weird to me, but I have seen what a beating these engines can take(overseas etc) so I guess I shouldn't worry.

 

Granted, the 3.5 also likes revving like a madman and not being driven with minimal power/revs.