How happy are you with the 2.7L 4x4

Alright guys, the Tacoma purchase should be coming this summer. My budget is pinning me between 25-30k which means I am going for the 2.7L 4x4 SR, 2018. I was hoping some owners could tell about how satisfied they are with this engine. I won't be doing any towing and any off road play will be limited to the worst central Kansas can throw at me (aka drainage ditchs). I won't be hotroding this thing either - although I do merge as soon as possible and don't like getting passed on the highway. Has the 2.7L 4x4 met your expectations for daily driving with weekend adventures? I currently drive a '16 Corolla with their 1.8L and is zippy enough for me.

I wish they had a V6 option in their SR line. The '18 Nissan Frontier SV comes with their 4L V6 4x4 that pushes out about 100 more horses and 80lb more torque - and it is priced similar to the Tacoma with the 2.7L.

 

Spoiler: Bad advice based on limited experience (just want to sound smart and chime in)

Given the fact that my truck is ~18 years old (2000 Tacoma), and there are two generations of history engineering differences between my gen and your gen, I'd say generally speaking; an I4 4WD Tacoma is hands down the best all-around pickup that budget money can buy.

All I could think of as in differences between two seemingly similar vehicles based on engine size are as follows (taking into account I drive a 1st Gen Tacoma):
[info site]

Spoiler: 3.5L V6

3.5-Liter V6 DOHC 24-Valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with VVT-iW (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide) intake and VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) exhaust, with 278 hp @ 6000 rpm/265 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm (bore x stroke: 94.0 x 83.0 mm; compression ratio: 11.8)

• Passing power
• Mountain roads
  
• Less shifting
  
• Family driver
• Tow up to 6400lbs
  
• Camping with a ton of gear and guests
  
• More costly maintenance
• Big performance gains by aftermarket
  
• Big Sibling

or the other route:

Spoiler: 2.7L I4

2.7-Liter DOHC 16-Valve 4-Cylinder with VVT-i; 159 hp @ 5200 rpm; 180 lb.-ft. @ 3800 rpm

• Enjoy the scenery
• Country roads
• All-around slower
• Daily driver
  
• Casual towing at 3500lbs
• Adventure-capable
• Less costly maintenance
  
• Limited performance gains by aftermarket
  
• Little Sibling

I drive a year 2000 Tacoma 4WD Xtra Cab 2.7L 3RZ-FE (4cyl) which is plenty for my lifestyle. I am confident in my truck's capability such that the practical application of those capabilities exclude drag races, track cornering, and heavy towing.

The added benefit is that you may have leftover cash to build up a good sound system, your offroad capability, or savings for when other more important things go wrong.

Edit: In addition; I test drove a 2007 2.7L Tacoma SC 4WD and felt the body was a beast; far too large. As compared to the 1st Gen Tacoma; a much smaller and know exactly where your tires are, kind of feeling right off the bat.

 

Well you’re in luck. Surprise surprise, its this guy again. So you say your budget only allows for a 2.7. That’s great news! Because it just so happens that if you aren’t towing, the 2.7 is the better option. And if you ARE towing, well, you’re probably better off looking at the full sizes. No offense to my bros with the 6cyls, you know I heart the fuck out of most of you. Most. Not all- I want to be clear. Its a little known fact that Toyota’s 2.7 4x4 is the god formula for a nearly indestructible, multipurpose off road utility vehicle. The engine is stout. It doesn’t win races, but it makes up for that with the life expectancy. If you want to go 90mph, you can. If you want to go over, you could. It definitely goes well above the speed limit. If you want to go 215 mph in 10 seconds, not gonna happen. The 2.7 is also super awesome off road, because you can haul ass in the dirt, up hills, down hills, and you won’t miss the extra 2 cylinders. Know why? Because unless your truck was built by Geiser bros, or you race for McMillan, you’re probably not going to hit 90mph on the trails. As an advocate for Toyota 4 bangers, I say do it, and do it knowing the bright side is the proven engine. Also get a manual. Otherwise everything I just said might not apply. Auto trans these days hamstring your overall performance in favor of fuel efficiency. Shift your own gears on the 2.7 and you’re a jackrabbit.

Going back to sleep, it’s my day off. I woke up... I just had this feeing someone needed my input

 

Very happy with it.

Also, there is a 4x4 V6 SR.

 

I just picked up a 3rd gen 2.7 with the 5spd manual transmission. I test drove both and decided to go with the 2.7. No, it isn't a speed machine, but the lower initial purchase price along with the long term reliability that these things have was the deciding factor for me. Like the poster above said, as long as you are realistic about what you want out of the truck then the 2.7 is great little engine.

 

If you're going to bro it up with a lift and big tires get the V6.

I like my 2.7/5MT but I wouldn't have bought it had it not been available with a MT. Most of my driving is in town so the gearing and torque curve is perfect for me. When I drive on the hwy is the only time I feel like the truck is under powered so if my intent was a lot of highway I would opt for the V6.

I would make sure my option package included remote keyless entry as the passenger's door has no keyhole and must be unlocked from the driver's side--a PITA at the grocery store or any time you need to get in the passenger's side first.

Are you certain that you absolutely need a truck? Keep in mind that the avg everyday fuel economy of these trucks is ~20MPG. Some get a little more, some a little less but that is pretty close to the average.

 

I've got a 2016 2.7 SR Utility package and its the best truck I've ever owned. My last car was a Mustang Bullit and I don't miss it. Has about as much HP and TQ as the old 3.0 V6 but much more reliable. Also if you want more pickup you can always throw a set of gears in the rear end and a header from LCE which I am planning on doing to mine. But you better start looking for a used one if you want a 5spd. Toyota canned the 4cyl 5spd for 2018 and you have to get a TRD Sport at almost 35k before you can get a manual as an option.

 

Just to second what he said about the 5spd...don't waste time. I found the last one within 3 hours driving time from me that was brand new with the 2.7 and 5spd. At this point if you want new you need to find a dealer who still has a 2017 floating around in the back of their lot or else your out of luck..

 

Really? $25k-$30k for a 4x4? It's $40k here in LA. Wow, I'd jump on that deal right away.
I like my 17 4x4 Sport DCLB. I actually use mines for both work and play. Mileage is not good as listed but way better than my old 2000 Nissan Frontier. Gone off-road and hauled lots of stuff, but it's just mainly city driving.
I live in a hilly community so maybe that's why my mileage is only 14.7 @ 6000.
If I wanted something fast, I jump in my wife's 425i BMW. Driven to the local mountain all without any trouble passing slower cars. The Tacoma engine is strong enough to pass most 4 cylinders in the steep inclines.

 

I purchased a 4x4 2.7 SR5 AC 5MT back in 2014 and I have to agree with the general sentiment that if your expectations are realistic, it's a great engine/transmission combo. It's definitely not a speed demon, but it gets the job done just fine. The mileage seems to hover between 17-20 regardless of what I'm doing (puttering around in town or 80mph down the highway). When a hill comes, you may have to downshift, but there's always enough power to be had, sometimes you just have to find it. I've driven the 2018 V6 and there's definitely more power, but I didn't find it to be excessively so, at least not for in-town driving.

Oddly enough, I only have 2 months left with this truck. I originally purchased it to be a secondary vehicle with the intention of buying a car after it was paid off (I got rid of a lifted XJ and a Jetta TDI to get the truck). The reliability/longevity of the 2.7l is legendary and was a perfect fit for the intention of keeping it for 20 years. When I made my final payment, I considered getting a car but realized that I was actually enjoying driving a truck everyday and didn't see the need for a car. However, if it was going to be my only vehicle long-term, it was gonna need 4 doors. My 2018 DCSB OR 6MT is on order and should arrive in March/April. I'm planning on trading this one in, but if you can't find a leftover 2017 2.7 MT and don't mind driving to PA, there will be a low-mileage 2014 2.7 AC 5MT (complete with foglights and factory NAV) available below your price range

 

The 2.7L will do what you need it to do. Even some light towing. I would highly encourage some thorough test drives. It is not a high-performer, as stated many times. If you can live with that, it is an excellent engine. I test drove a 1st gen 2.7L back in the day (single cab). Nice truck, but I knew that I would not be satisfied with it, so I bought a 3.4L. That little V6 was a stout little engine and I had no troubles at all. I expect the same out of this little 3.5L engine. So I wouldn't let longevity deter you from a V6. If it were me, I would get a used V6 over a new I4, but I do live up in high elevation with some steep mountain passes.

You can't get a MT anyway, but to me, it seems the auto has an extra gear and lower rear (4.30), which I would personally prefer.

 

Love my 2016 SR 4x4 5 speed 2.7! Granted I have done lots of mods to it and running 285s. I'm not in any rush to get anywhere fast, if I was I would have bought a sports car, and I'm not afraid to get in this thing and drive it anywhere cause there is nowhere it will won't go!

All my mods can be found here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...x4-5-speed-access-cab-build-bs-thread.427983/

 

In the ACLB?

 

The Manual has 4.30 and Automatic has 3.91

 

Nope, DCSB.

 

For a 3.5L, that is correct. But we're talking 2.7L here.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...ons.download&usg=AOvVaw3YUHHDzZrr4DyEyH5VYfM-

 

This. 2.7/5MT has 3:91s

 

Really like my 2.7L not sure i'd buy one with an automatic transmission. I've drove a v6 6 speed slight power difference but not by much.

 

I'm not sure why Toyota did this (maybe CAFE). I wish they would've just kept the 4.30's for both auto and 5sp. In fact, I wouldn't mind if the auto came in lower at 4.56 like they used to in some of the 1st gen's.

 

Probably looking at final drive ratios and hwy mileage. I think the 6spd MT with 4:30s and the 2.7L would be great.

Except for the reverse ratio in the 6spd sucks. Poor bastards trying to back a boat uphill got fucked.