2.7 vs 3.4 thoughts

I’m looking to buy my first Tacoma. It’s hard to find a decent v6 that hasn’t been beat to hell. I’m going to be using it as my work commuter and beach truck. Does anyone have opinions on what motor would be the best option?

 

I have the 2.7, it gets great gas mileage.

 

The 3.4 all day every day. The 2.7 just doesn't have what it takes

 

It takes people every day to and from work.

 

If you want to run anything larger than a 27" pizza cutter you'll want the 3.4. I get 20 mpg mixed with 32" mud tires, stock gears, on my 3.4. I can't think of many reasons to choose the 2.7 over the 3.4 other than if you're going to drop some heavy cash on a turbo kit and build the engine up. The 2.7 probably has a slight advantage there simply with after market support.

 

If I do go with the 2.7 should I try to get a standard or is the automatic ok?

 

I have the 2.7l with 33x12.50 ATs. It’s does good enough for me, but it is obviously pretty slow if you’re trying to make it a race car, but it does fine up hills, passing, and jumping ahead at a stoplight. However, consider what gearing you have (I have the stock 4.30s with a manual transmission, so I probably have it better than other 2.7s.

 

I run 33s on a 2.7l it's fine, even more fun with the supercharger though. I just wouldn't get a 2.7 with an auto.

 

Agreed.

 

I appreciate all the advice. Now the hard part of finding one. Unfortunately I can’t post on the 1st gens for sale page yet.

 

LS swap... jk
I prefer the 3.4, do mainly all high way driving so i lke the passing power

 

I've got a 02 DC Pre Runner with a 2.7 and it runs very well but it only has 66k miles and supercharged , Doug Thorley TRI Y shorty header ,Gibson cat back and K&N CAI

 

I'll offer a different opinion.

It depends on how patient you are and whether you plan to tow.

I'm now an old fook at 50, but I do have the 3.4. I don't tow anything, I just want to get to the back country and have the agility to go even further than those heavy bloated domestics can, so my goals may be different. I have a newer Civic turbo as a daily.

Some of the 4cyl have manual hubs, which to me, are to die for, because they aren't taxing (spinning and wearing) the front axles on the highway. They're also lighter and require less maintenance. Off-road, lighter is your best friend; less a buddies companion truck, a six pack, a pistol with Speer gold dots and a winch.

I've owned two 22RE trucks and a first gen V8 Tundra. The 22RE 4 is slow, but if I want to go faster I'll ditch my truck for a car. In my mind a truck is not meant for speed.

 

2.7 auto in a reg cab is fine rolling around Denver, but doing highway speeds at altitude it leaves a lot to be desired. I'm only adding weight from here, so the supercharger thoughts have already crept in.

My buddy has an early 90s Toyota Pickup (reg cab, 22re, manual everything) and that thing is so much slower than mine. Great little truck though.

 

To me the 3.4 V6 is slow, so I can't even imagine what a 2.7 must feel like. And from what I've read in this forum, the mileage difference is between the 3.4 and the 2.7 is minimal, yet the V6 has a lot greter upside than the 2.7 in terms of power and smoothness. Towing ability has to be greater with the V6 too, though I'm not 100% sure.

 

I look at it this way, they're both pretty weak, 150hp vs 190hp, so neither one is gonna be worth a damn in a drag race. But the 4cyl has less parts and takes less engine bay space. It is really easy to work on and with a manual I have no issue keeping up on the highway with my V6 wheeling buddies. Now I have a supercharger on my 4cyl and I can actually outrun them but I haven't sacrificed any reliability or daily drivability. It is very smooth too despite my solid engine mounts.

 

Did we decide to buy these trucks for the towing or speed? No!

I bought mine for the other capabilities; namely a light truck with a factory locker that holds its value and was truly designed to go off-road. The only other brand offering a locker is a Chrysler product.

I've considered, if my truck dies from frame issues, what else is there in this world that does what we want in a truck (or what I want in a truck)? Nothing comes close, so I'm forced on to this brand if I want something that is very capable off-road. So I deal with the issues. My need also dictate I need a truck bed - A little jeep 'aint cutting it.

I guess it all depends on the desires of the buyer/owner.

 

You stay hating on Fiat Chrysler lol

 

I’m not at all concerned with break neck speed or towing. I have a heavily modified diesel that takes care of that. I ran across a very clean 4 banger with an automatic transmission. My off-roading will pretty much consist of driving on a very soft and unkept beach for fishing. I’m just concerned about the automatic transmission being my limitation.

 

I have both the 3.4 and the 2.4. The 3.4 is a double cab and the 2.4 is a single cab. So the weight difference between the two is about 1000lbs. 2.4 is great in the city. Bad on highway. The 3.4 is better highway. IMO