V6 or 4C for Colorado Mountains?

I had the wildcat x for a while. Loved the sound of that vtwin. The new one has a Yamaha yxz1000 motor in it

 

With the criteria that you stated fir you needs. I'd listen to the people advising you to go with the V6.
If you weren't going to carry much and were going with the stick. Then I'd say that that might satisfy your requirements.
But as you stated them. I think you'll need the V6.

 

They do sound great. Mine has the 700 v twin. Never rode the 1000 but would like too

 

My 99 taco 4 banger stick 4x4 AC did fine everywhere I went on the east coast. 3rd gear was my best friend with hills on the highway to maintain speed with 3500 behind me.

Rockies are higher so it might be the same performance but some I know with turbo diesels say they feel it up there compared to sea level.

 

1st gen was a smaller and lighter truck. For that the 4banger was more feasible

 

I have a 4 cyl 5 speed with an ARE shell and spend ~3 weeks a yr in CO on a hiking vacation. The 4 cyl is weak at sea level, and especially so at high elevations. It is fine on I-70 east of Denver on the plains. It struggles on I-70 west of Denver when climbing to the Eisenhower tunnel- I'm in the RH lane going ~45 with the flashers on. Yes, it will go faster, but I keep it at 2800-3000 RPM where it's happy. If you are going to drive the truck every day as your only vehicle, I'd recommend a 6 cylinder unless you just can't afford it. On steep dirt roads, even if they don't actually require 4WD for traction, I have to use 4WD low for power; I typically start in second gear and shift higher as necessary, because the truck doesn't have enough HP to climb slowly at lower speed / RPM at 10,000+ ft elevation where you're at a 30% HP loss vs sea level. You will have no issues with the 4 cylinder on dirt roads in 4WD low, but on the interstate it's often underpowered. It's not bad on most highways where the speed limit is 55- I only occasionally wish for more power on some of the high passes. The good news is it gets pretty good mileage; I've gotten as much as 25 MPG in CO and I typically get ~21 MPG at home.

Edit- I reread your post. If this is a secondary vehicle, my Tacoma is secondary for me, then I wouldn't worry and get the 4 cyl and save some $. This was my justification on the 4 cylinder. You can't be in a rush climbing passes as I said. Do not worry about excessive engine wear or strain; just keep the RPMs at a sane level, as I said and you'll be fine. I bought my truck new, it has ~115k miles on it, and I rarely exceed 3000 RPM as the giant 4 cylinder gets very buzzy.


at the Waldorf Mine, ~11,600 ft

 

V6 for sure.

 

Living in CO as well and take mine into the mountains plenty.

My personal opinion would be to get the V6. Even it feels pretty anemic at 6,000 ft, let alone 10,000+. I've driven plenty of 4 cylinders around town, and the mountains, and I've always been annoyed by the lack of power in this environment. They do it just fine....IF you're a patient driver, not a Jeremy Clarkson.

Wait till you get here, test drive both and decide for yourself, but I'd be surprised if you thought the 4 cylinder was going to be the right tool for your use.

South of Breckenridge, ~12,000 FT, V6 truck even struggles a bit with the trailer up that high

 

maybe shop a v8 Tundra the availability of them might be better on the market than the Taco, but the MPGs may be lower than a v6/4 banger

 

Been driving my ‘96 2.7 5 speed around front range Colorado since I purchased it in ‘95!

Rarely do I need more power. I don’t tow, or have stacks of stuff bolted on,though.

I live at 7k and to get there from town,it’s a 2.5k foot climb in 5 miles.
There’s only two steep grade sections where the 2.7 struggles...or climbing up to areas like Eisenhower as someone else mentioned.
Very few places I find, that the 2.7 is overly underpowered.
I also own a 2014 v6 and while it obviously has substantially more power, it’s not necessarily a game changer.

If you want a 4 cylinder, there will be very few times where you’ll think to yourself...damn I wish I bought the v6!

 

Have a 2006 Taco DCSB V6 Remember the effects that altitude has on fuel economy as well as horsepower. And yes I know that the ECU will adjust for it (somewhat). But my Taco performs a LOT better power wise in the eastern Appalachians at altitudes below 6,000 feet than it does when I get out in the Rockies! My fuel economy actually improves at higher elevations (i notice this on my motorycles as well). but horsepower is reduced because of that. my V-6 shifts a lot more, and has greater issues pulling trailers at 6,000 to 11,000 feet. off roading under even normal loads is similarly affected. Both engines are great and will last a long time. But at 120,000 you are about halfway through its life, assuming it was well taken care of for its first half. Spend the extra on the V-6 if you plan on any loads at all, camping, kyaks, pulling a small motorcycle trailer or small camper. I get 17 mpg around town. I get 22 mpg on the interstate. I average 19 mpg overall. in Colorado i get about 10% better than all those numbers once west of the front range (in the mountains). (I am an engineer and log every tank of fuel, miles and usage.) I have 131,000 on my '06 (bought it new). Wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

You state you will have a car for normal driving and will use the Taco for recreation (primarily). You mention a camper and gear. Go with the V-6. You don't want to climb I-70 to Eisenhower in the right lane in a 4 cylinder in third gear to try to keep up with traffic or not make everyone mad behind you. If you try you will overheat your engine in July running 4,000 RPM's just to stay 60 MPH. (I had that happen and had to run my heater full blast to finish the climb!) Overheating an engine shortens its life (warped heads at least) That camper and gear will be a drag (wind) and load on a 4 cylinder in the Rockies. And I dare say a 4 cylinder in third gear on the hill climb won't get as good as fuel mileage as the V-6. If you just plan on back roads and don't care about holding other people up behind you, then the 4 cylinder will work. Just remember to pull over often enough so you don't cause road rage. But since you won't be putting many miles a year on it any fuel savings you might, I say MIGHT, find will be lost in the aggravation of not being able to do what you want to do.

 

And, you might want others to chime in on this, but I believe the V-6 has a better suspension than the four and would therefore handled your camper and gear better, especially if you leave it installed all the time

 

Sorry to keep posting, but a couple observations:
1. you want a camper and gear. Then definitely the V-6. too much load and drag on a 4 cylinder in the mountains
2. you want a 6-0 bed. If that is a requirement then definitely the V-6. 6-0 bed hold 20% more than the 5-0 bed. 20% more "stuff" is 20% more load. Need 20% more engine! V-6
3. National "PARKS". The only one close to Denver is Rocky Mountain national park. Trail Ridge goes up to about 11,000 feet. You will need the V-6 for that. And it's crowded and people hate to be behind slow vehicles that can't keep up. Use pulloffs if you get the 4. The other National Parks are Black Canyon, or Mesa Verde. those are quite a drive, including up and over passes, many climbs. you will need a V-6. there are LOTS of National Forests closer to Denver, especially Nederland, Mt. Evans and environs. Great camping, but more remote and many places are gravel forestry roads. You will need 4 WD on some of those. and horsepower! V-6.

 

One more thought. Depending on the year you buy, the 4 cylinder might have a rubber timing belt which needs to be replaced about every 60,000 miles. Often used trucks are sold without this ever having been done. They are internal and expensive to replace. Newer models have chains and thus not an issue. Make sure the year you are buying and check service intervals. If they break, the engine is toast, junk!

 

V6 all the way. I just logged 1100 miles in 5 days, all of it in elevations between 5k and 11.5k, and averaged 20.9 MPGs on the trip. No load, no trailer.

 

Ditto to the general consensus: V6. Not even a sliver or a doubt. Have driven across the country and through mtn passes many times with a fully loaded truck. Any amount of weight beyond the driver makes a huge difference in power. Even the v6 can feel like it's lacking juice when loaded up and climbing a mountain and pounding hard in 3rd. Many times I've thought, damn, I'm so glad I didn't skimp and get the 4. Go 6, you wont regret it.

 

V6 for the win.
The I4 is fine on stock size tires with 4.10's but it is seriously lacking in go power in third gear with oversized tires

 

6cyl hands down.

The V6 is already a pig but the 4cyl will be even more miserable.

I live in the midwest but used to live in CO and I honestly don’t think you’ll be happy with a 4cyl at altitude with regular hill/mountain climbing.

 

Well the I4 engine is fine with the original size tires.
Not sure if the altitude between Windsor and Ottawa is different but I never had any problems until I switched to 33 inch tires.