How happy are you with the 2.7L 4x4

OP,

You might also want to take into account resale value down the road. Not many would want the 4 banger even though it's a good engine just cause many Tacoma buyers either use it for offroading or hauling/carrying stuff.

 

Its kinda nice when you see threads about engine problems and tsb’s, panic and then realize youre ok because you got the reliable 2.7.

 

Curious what engine problems have been reported? I’ve seen some transmission issues but not the engine itself.

 

People are complaining about the atkinson cycle on the v6 which I don't mind. Just turn on ECT and it has enough power for the things I need to do including hauling/towing.

 

1. CKP/CPS failures

2. Stuttering/hesitation while accelerating

3. Excessive white smoke and power loss going up steep inclines.

4. Coolant leaks from a piece of metal rubbing against a hose on 3.5L with tow package.

 

Ive heard about the cps but I dont know about 2,3,and 4 tho

 

Hopefully by 2019-2020 they’ll perfect the 3.5 liter tho

 

High pressure fuel pump. Cracked something or others leaking coolant.

 

Why can’t you use a 2.7 off road again?

Maybe you’re suggesting it’s not optimal. Why?

 

Every time I click the thread. And then every time I’m like wait that doesn’t concern me.

 

Much happier than ever. I would like to keep continue my journey with happiness.

 

It can be used off-road, but those that mostly get a Used tacoma looks for one with a bit more power. If you add lift, sliders, full skid plates, bigger/heavier tires w/ spare and gears; it’ll be too heavy for that 4 banger. If its for light off-roading, then ya it’s fine. For hunting, if you hunt in populated areas, I guess it’s fine. But if you go in deep, you need extra gears and almost the same setup minus the lift as off-roading/wheeling, then you take account for how many people will be riding with you and your kills which I sometimes hunt boars that can get up to 300 lbs easily then that little engine will be working overtime.

 

Thank you for the details.

 

I am curious of their emissions systems, as the North American market is very strict on emissions, I would hypothesize the manufacturers have more leniency overseas. And look here; I found this:
Toyota Hilux Specifications
For the sake of generalization; this Toyota Hilux D4-D has the towing capacity of 2500kg, powered by a diesel engine; a feature not available to the North America market. Perhaps you were referring to an I4 gasoline Hilux I haven't found yet.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...rrior-expo-build.319995/page-27#post-16235969

I'd say he does more than "light off roading" with "that 4 banger".

 

You've a good point, but keep in mind what the Original Poster is looking for;

And to you, Sir OP @Jayhawker100, being that your Corolla is much lower to the ground, is more balanced over its axles; please do not make the fateful decision of driving a pickup truck as you would a Corolla. They are much lighter in the rear and is recipe for disaster if not taken into account and driving habits adapted to suspension, top-heaviness, and uneven weight distribution that all pickups inherit.

 

For off roading and hunting, I would not consider the i4 to be underpowered, actually if that's mostly what I wanted it for, I would have had no issues keeping it at all!

Pretty often I rode with 4 people in the truck and 200+ pounds of equipment and the truck drove just fine. The i4 would be perfect for off roading due to the bulletproof engine and not needing to go fast when doing so.

 

0-60 test isn't much of a test for a truck. Holding to that standard only proves that a driver is inept, and cannot account for 3 extra seconds to merge.

I will say this, OP is from Kansas. I've driven through it, twice with a pretty full load. Western Kansas is up close to Denver elevation, and there is a pretty noticeable loss in power. I wouldn't go I4 Taco out there, unless I planned to boost it.

If you plan to drive in the mountains, I'll share my experience heading up N. St Vrain into Estes Park. You are living in 3rd gear, north of 4k RPM's to keep up with traffic. Even with an empty bed, coming back to Estes Park from Boulder wasn't fun. The truck sure did it, but it would not have kept up if my camper were attached, or if I had a full bed of firewood.

Back home, the 2.7 whips me around pretty good. Throws me back in the seat when I command, it's generally impressive for what it is. In Colorado, the truck will go ... but it will not put you back in your seat at all. I've used all available octanes out there ... very little difference.

It was nice coming back home, first time I noticed a huge difference was pulling through the mountains of West Virginia. There are some pretty ridiculous grades going through that little section of rt 70, and it pulled me very firmly through them.

So really, just be aware of your local environment and choose the best vehicle for that.

 

I agree, most people do opt for the bigger engine these days, There are more 6cyls manufactured, more trds manufactured as opposed to the 1st gen, where trds were special and 4 bangers were the standard. The trend is leaning away from 4cyls. But it wasn’t always like that. Toyota’s pickups in the US were all 4cyls at one point and the main draw was it’s off road capability, which still carries over today. It’s the TREND that has you believing you need/should have a 6cyl to off road. It’s not true. It wasn’t then, and it’s not now, unless hills have magically become steeper. Like inflation. Hill inflation? I’ve owned one 3.4, never took it off road. The rest were 4cyls. All over the Southwest I’ve wheeled 4 cyl exclusively, and now, northeast. If we’re talking “power” off road, you’re gonna lose traction before power becomes a problem. I can’t remember any time I’ve needed or been able to even use more power in my off road scenarios. Before the ice set in, my trails, which I’m on weekly, are pretty fun. There’s a Jeep trail that branches off an FSR and it’s packed full of obstacles, and there’s a summit trail that requires traveling up massive, steep rock formations each about 100’ Long. I am dipping into my power about half way. In others words, I have loads of unusable power. Now, if you wanted to do this trail at 90mph, I can see your point. You would need more power. But you’re not, because that would be stupid and you would die. See what I’m saying? Even with a deer in the back. The notion you need 6 cylinders to off road is a myth, and I’ve never been one to follow trends. I’ve also never been one to wheel with 4 passengers, that’s about as necessary and desirable as a bag full of dog hair. I’m in my 30s and do not know when this became a thing.


A lift? That doesn’t add any real weight. The weight of a Fox resi over stock? A few leaf springs MAYBE? I have bigger, heavier tires and a spare mounted to my steel .120 dom tubular bed rack/canopy. I carry camping gear and 1 other person. Never at any point has my Toyota 2tr struggled in the slightest. This truck sits next to an 01 4cyl in my driveway. I went out of my way to get a 4 cyl after driving them for 2 decades. Why do you think that is? I’m starting to wonder if anyone of the detractors has ever even drove a Toyota 4cyl manual.

You’re probably right about resale value though. Not a lot of people would find the 4 cyl desirable. Sadly, that’s due to what I said above, basically people hearing the same myth over and over and never questioning it, just believing it. I can just see someone now with this blank look regurgitating specs... “I need a v6 with kings. No I don’t want Fox I want KINGS”
It’s a good thing I don’t sell my trucks anymore. Geeze.

 

4 cylinder trucks years ago were much much smaller than today.
Thats the problem.

2900 lbs vs 4000 approximately.