Worth buying a 4 cylinder?

I think the Rangers limited options and single powertrain choice will hurt it for atleast some time. Read many comments from people feeling underwhelmed with the new Ranger.

 

Agreed. One engine/trans option? That's a hard pass for me.

 

I feel like pushing 200 out of this platform from the factory is totally doable, it has strong architecture. But they’ve got MPGs numbers to meet, and the legacy of reliability from the 4 to maintain.

 

So you're saying to go for the engine based on it's history..

For 3rd gen I could see this being true against the newer 3.5L

But for 2nd gen you're saying the 4cyl is more durable than the 4.0L ?
And for 1st gen 4cyl more durable than the 3.4L ?

If you bought a tundra would you get the 4.6L or the 5.7L ?

Easy answers from me, 3.4L, 4.0L, 5.7L across the board

From what I've heard/read and from talking with my friends, the 3.4L 1stgen and 4.0L 2nd gen, and 5.7L are bulletproof motors..
You're saying the 4cyl motors are more durable of these generations?

 

I stated the benefits and why it wouldn’t be a waste of money, between the I4 and V6 of this generation.

I believe the I4s in toyota pickups are the most reliable 4s in production, and take that into consideration when making engine choices in a pickup truck.

And speaking on the 3.4, as I’ve had one, yes. The I4 was more reliable/durable. Especially considering the timing belt in the 3.4. It was reliable enough, but still a weak link in contrast to the 4.

 

Na I hear you, if you're happy with them than that's all that matters!
My first car was an inline6 '97 land cruiser. It ran like a tractor! Made it to like 350k before I sold it.. Loved that thing had the factory front and rear lockers sorta wish I kept it!

 

Definitely. And that’s what the information is for, so hopefully someone can choose a configuration that not only suits them, but gets them at least somewhat excited about driving.

I wish there was an updated version of that exact inline 6 in these tacomas, I think it would suit it well. Dual VVTI, made by Toyota in Japan, it would be the best of both worlds. But the MPGs wouldn’t meet the requirements... I’m in the minority, as I don’t count MPGs, I just enjoy the drive.

 

Until they bring out a Raptor with the 2.7 EB. And don't 90% of Tacoma buyers for for the AT/V6? Not like there need to be a whole bunch of drive-train options. I'd take Fords 10AT over the Toyota 6AT any day.

 

Oh definitely, that inline6 motor in a tacoma would be an absolute riot.

I wonder, Toyota was able to make a name for themselves of reliability from their vehicles and motors through the years.
Is this because they were excellent engineers or just because everyone else sucked? - in which they stood out from the competition
Maybe their manufacturing processes and tolerances were much tighter and consistent compared to everyone else.

The question I have, is this really relevant today?
In terms of technical breakthroughs of manufacturing processes and technology like CNC machining, automation and computer software.
Seems like anyone could be able to make these reliable engines these days.

Maybe Toyota was ahead of the game back then, but are they really able to still make a motor superior to newer motors designed with computer software, flow analysis, etc?
Is going to 300k+ more or less 'standard' for most modern engine designs?

Makes me wonder if Toyota will always be superior in longevity or if relative longevity has become the new standard.
Personally I think there may be some opportunity with diesel motors, whether it be in a F150 or Dodge Ram.. Man it would be cool if Tacoma had a diesel..

 

It's not like they just gave up lol. They're throwing tons of money at R&D just like every other company. Who knows what they're gonna release next

 

I could be wrong, but I suspect it’s a combination of quality control (Toyota japan), materials, and their modesty when it concerns how much they push an engines output.

And it’s this heavy diesel technicians opinion that because diesel fuel is married to boost, and boost is provided by an expensive and very failure prone component, and EPA regs require emissions controls beyond the reliability of the hardware governing them, that diesel is just not an option for me.

 

You're a diesel mechanic?

Hmm I always thought diesels were super reliable.

Honestly I hated the fact that regulators were super tight on emissions until I traveled to parts of Asia, China, and Thailand. And now I get it. They are absolute filth - the unregulated diesels are just terrible for the air, you can't walk anywhere outside without breathing that shit in. All the motorcyclists have to wear masks to cover up their faces. Just awful I would never want to live in that type of environment. Traveling around those roads made me so grateful to live in the states - specifically in CA where regulators are more tight I hear. But now I'm on board because I've seen and experienced how bad it can get.

 

Yes, and Diesel engines are high mileage engines, but there is a larger maintenance cost. Back in the day, there were production passenger vehicle Diesel engines that still refuse to die. I was too young to know that era, but today, new equipment is plagued with component failure, not necessarily engine failure, as the engines themselves are very reliable high mileage beasts. The higher costs are factored into operating costs for commercial companies using the torque to their advantage, moving heavy stuff. Diesel is perfect for that application. But for passenger vehicles, I can’t see the real benefit. The engines of yesteryear were simple and robust, but the emissions management today is a very expensive handful, as is the turbo itself. I personally don’t want to foot that extra cost.

 

V6. Period.

I test drove the 4 banger and the thing had a hard time getting out of its own way. The V6 however, suited my needs as I highway drive everyday and need to merge at a pretty fast clip.

 

I owned a 2015 Prerunner DCSB 2wd 4 cyl... Loved everything about the truck... EXCEPT that it had little to NO get up and go, it was gutless. Plain and simple.

After owning that truck I said two things, I WILL own another TACOMA and I WILL NEVER own another 4cyl TACOMA!

**BTW... Nothing against the Toyota 4cyl motor, our Corolla has a 4cyl and it runs great and has plenty of power for that little car!

 

3.4l has a timing belt, a definite NOGO in my books.

 

I'm a diesel mechanic, and yes the new environmental regulations are making diesels shitty. Literally machines will come from the factory brand new with engine problems because of the dam DEF systems and other bullshit after treatment components. Much less reliable than older diesel engines.

 

...

 

No more true words have ever been spoken on this issue.