Enough Already! Your Truck's T, HP and RPM Explained

We need some more folks at the butthiss thread.

 

Wow, something I can agree with you on . My old beater (99 pathfinder 3.3L V6) was 180 hp back in the day, it was rated at 5000 lbs. A half ton in the 90s had way less hp than 278, and also about the same torque, rated to tow at or more than what our trucks are.

No it's not going to be a power house, and obviously not going to be the same as your 3.5 ecobewst. But it's perfectly fine out of the box and does what it was designed to do. If you want more ass out of your truck you should have gotten a Tundra, Silverado, F150, Ram, etc. These trucks weren't designed to be a half ton truck. They also aren't designed to make neck breaking power.

As for the gear hunting eh. I do think it's a little excessive. But I plan on the OV tune to fix that. I can see if you're towing 4k+ lbs where that can cause overheating problems. But it also says in the manual you should use the ECT button and put it in 4th gear manual mode when towing heavy loads to keep the truck from going in and out of OD.

 

EIGHT WORDS TO MAKE EVERYONE LOVE THIS TRUCK:

DRIVE YOUR TRUCK LIKE YOU JUST STOLE IT

 

I've driven many cars/trucks in my life. What I'm going to say is probably going to annoy some folks.

Toyota COULD have probably done a better job at positioning the power-band of this truck. There are gas engines out there that produce torque and HP at very low RPM's and those that produce them at much higher. Could this 3.5L V6 have more HP? Yes. The Camry gets it, but with higher RPM. Could you potentially make max Torque and HP at <2500RPM's? Yes, look at Mazda's SkyActiv turbo engines. Of-course, we aren't comparing apples to apples, but the bottom line is: Toyota could have probably adjusted the power-band specifically for the Tacoma only. They just prioritized efficiency above all else.

There's nothing wrong with questioning the odd gear switches or the high RPM power of the new Tacoma's. Heck, if you bought the truck, then by all means you have the right to complain about it. I bet you'd never trade it for anything else, though...

I'm sure that over the years we will see improvements to such things from Toyota and probably other automakers. Perhaps, even, a more diesel-friendly market will open up in the US and we will see Tacomas with a similar Diesel engine that the Hilux gets.


..Just my 2 cents..

 

I'd be happy to at least get "City MPG's" while driving highway... EPA thinks that highway speeds are 55mph or something. I guess maybe during the 1940's it was.

 

Me looking for a choice of good mid size truck other than Tacoma

 

You are never going to see a Tacoma Diesel from the Factory, you could always do some sort of a swap if you had enough cash but it would never make financial sense.

 

I traded mine in for a 12 year old Corolla 6spd manual.

And Holy shit it can hold a gear now.

You'll see a hybrid or electric Tacoma before you ever see a diesel one here. HYbrid I actually wouldn't mind.

 

You are in luck! https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a25399687/hyundai-santa-cruz-pickup-truck-future/

 

@shakerhood @hiPSI any word on the hydrogen systems that Germany is all but committed to? I know they're all in for using it towards the grid, but have been trying to make it safe enough for passenger vehicles.

 

The US makes it too hard for manufacturers to bring diesels in. Meanwhile, people are driving diesel everything in Europe and throughout the world.

 

Nope.

 

There are full hydrogen designs in place and ready for when the general public is ready and also the infrastructure is ready. Right now, nobody is in the mood to gravitate towards hydrogen. The number one reason is cost. It's like "Hey, let's spend $20 to manufacture fuel that we have to sell for $10 to compete." It's easy to forget these guys are in the business to make money.

 

I regeared to 4.88’s, and although she ain’t no bat out of hell, she’s got some kick and I’m happy.
I wasn’t one who needed all of what a tundra offered, yet knew the Tacoma in stock form wasn’t perfect (isn’t that the reason why we join forums and modding is about? - to improve to our personal tastes)
Anyways, I don’t tow daily or even monthly. But, When I do, it’s a half ton trailer with at least 2000 lbs in it, or I’m going camping for the weekend with several hundred pounds. The Tacoma does exactly what it’s suppose to do flawlessly and a ton better than its predecessors (remember, I’m geared). I’ve had supercharged 3.4’s with 7th injectors and this truck still out performs.

Everyone who complains should do themselves a favor. You bought brand new because you want the Toyota reliability right? Just spend the couple grand in regearing and never look back.

If you’re 100% completely stock and with stock sized tires, I honestly have no idea what the bitching is about. Go drive a 3.slow or armored stock 3.4 motorized 4Runner up Mauna Kea and come complain. The charged 3.4 could move, but just still lacked in torque imo.

The new 3.5’s got the guts, it’s up to the owner to make the proper mods to feel/realize it.

Entune and all that other technology crap is just added features that aren’t important. People still bitch about that as well. Remember what you got and be happy, cause Toyota could’ve gladly saved on costs and given you a radio...AM radio that is, nothing else hahaha

 

Truck never felt slow to me and that's coming from a Silverado with a 5.7L. The 3.5 Tacoma just feels like a Honda engine. You have to rev it. The gear hunting on slight grades I get is annoying but can be solved with a shift controller, tune or maybe a TSB some day. Personally though, I'd rather have more torque and less shifting in trade for a bit less mpg. Towing and mountains with a revy engine just isn't fun. Currently I'd getting stellar mileage.

 

[="melikeymy beer, post: 18997363, member: 165964"][/QUOTE]

 

So you weren't driving in '74 - '95 while the Federal limits were 55?

While there wasn't much compliance and almost no benefit, it was still a thing. Many vehicles of the era even have 55 in a different color on the speedo.

 

Dont get me wrong I really like my '196MT just tough to get used to driving it in the mountains compared to my f350 diesel. Not used to running rpms over 2000. I'm finding it tough to adjust and drop to fourth and hear the engine rev up!!! Scared to break it!

 

"55 saves lives"

 

And it doesn't get towed to the dealership.

Thanks Toyota.