4cyl for work truck?

IMO that has more to do with how cheap/reliable they are, not necessarily because they are the "ideal" platform for hauling shit around town.

That said, a 4cyl will work just fine. But don't expect to be hauling ass up those mountain passes...

 

Sounds like the 4 banger should meet your needs just fine. Go with the 5 speed!

 

Oh god yeah, don't get an auto if it's a 4cyl. My 5 lug was a 5 speed and did alright. I also test drove a regular cab prerunner auto and that thing was a dog. Like an old dog with hip problems.

 

Judging by what you said, you will be ok with the 4cyl. I have the 2.7 and I haul tools, logs, wood and I even pull trees out of the forest with it. No problem

The only thing is hillls. It struggles to get up hills and it's worse when you are hauling, but other than that, it's a real workhorse

 

Thanks for everyone's responses. I'll post what I end up buying.

 

I think a 4 cyl is plenty..especially if a stick. I have filled my bed with gravel and it sucked, but got er done. I have seen plenty of redneck carpenters in my neck of the woods hauling all kinds of shit in beat up ole 4 cyl's. Unless you are climbing mountains or some b.s., you should be fine. Especially with a stick.

 

Well since you seem to be going from a Dodge Van that was old and tired you should be fine.

If you were going from a 3.4 to a 4 cylinder I know I would not be Happy

 

If you're not in a hurry to get anywhere it's fine. 300lbs of tools is nothing. It'll do 90 with 2000 lbs added to it, just doesn't get there quickly. Don't be afraid to abuse it either. Before I turbo'd mine I'd regularly get close to redline. Change the oil and check valve lash every 100k and it'll run forever ever.

I had the lce header and it took about 2 seconds off my 0 - 60 and brought peak torque down to a more usable rpm, 3000ish.

 

I use mine as a work truck and I've loaded it down pretty good. 300 pounds will be fine, I've loaded it with all sorts of material and it's fine. Just be sure to get a manual.

 

No

 

Save up for a v6

 

Yea 5 speed manual for sure! Automatic is out of the question.

If I have the thing loaded down I’m not expecting it to act like a Cummins, but I drive our local grade here pretty often and it’s pretty frustrating going so damn slow with a minimal amount of weight. We live on the coast so it’s not like I’m ripping up mountain passes all the time but the grade is 8 miles and the other is 15 at like 7 or 8%. Anyway I’m just gonna test drive one this weekend on the grade and see what it does cause slow to someone else might be hella fast to me. Haha!

 

I know the grade you are talking about, you will probably be fine as long as you're not planning on doing 80 up the grade. Stay out of the left lane and you'll be fine.

 

If it's that 101N grade north of San Luis Obispo then you'll either have to wind it up in 3rd or go slow. Waldo grade north of the Golden Gate is 6% and isn't a problem in 4th. Go to altitude though and even lesser grades become a grind.

 

Prepare to shift down...

 

@budchilli88 if you decide a yes just remember lce headers will put your torque/power band from 3500rpms to 3000rpms. Intake down to 2750rpm & add exhaust down to 2500rpms.
I my self have yet to do any exhaust cuz it's a 4banger & no matter what exhaust you use it gonna have that ricey sound. Headers actually deepens the tone a lil to hide the ricey sound.
One last thing I can tell ya is I generally shift between 2k & 2.5k. Going up & down mountains on 30 3krpms in 3rd gear is generally gonna carry you up hill slowly but surely

 

Cuesta grade'll probably take 3rd in a 5 speed unless you're going above the speed limit at the bottom.

 

Got a 2.7 5spd and I live in the hilly area of Ohio. First daily driver 'stick' I've had since '75. Not a problem, just more 'driver' input is required. The 2.7 is a torkey little devil if you pay attention and keep it in it's sweet spot.

 

Mine sounded like a rice rocket with the header and flowmaster 50 series. It was joked that I should also add a vtec sticker on it...

 

Ill agree but the exhaust to me is what makes it sound ricey. I just have the lce headers & injen intake. Still running factory exhaust.