Show us where the new 3.5L fails for offroad or towing /to the old 4.0L

Ain’t no inclines in the Georgia swamps. Give me low end torque and a little more ground clearance. Most full size trucks are to big to go down in the swamps and usually get stuck because of weight if they don’t end up getting ripped by a cypress knee. I gave my last F150 to one of my sons because the weight of the truck just kept sinking and left me down and wet for two days. More to that story.

 

It really is this simple, but if you do sell, be sure to stop by and talk people out of liking their truck.

 

The 3rd gen isn’t that bad if you actually just press the gas.

 

Majority of them will last more than the warranty period. To assume that they wont is just dumb.

 

I agree with the gearing . Toyota has added some gears for mpg. It does not mean we all need to be in and use them at all times , but they are there. If they put a 15 speed transmission with 11 overdrives , would anyone expect to use 15th gear at any time besides down hill ?

 

Well, add one more to your list. My truck down shifts not one gear but two and revs to 4000 rpm on slight inclines if it is in cruise control. I traded in a perfectly good 2013 with a 4.0 L and that was a mistake. The 3.5l engine is extremely weak compared to a 4.0L.
I've seen people post as if there wasn't a huge difference between the 2 engines and I cant help but wonder why. Maybe they just have never had one with the 4.0L. There is a huge difference and the 3.5L engine is too weak for the Tacoma. The gas mileage is worse and there is no gain or benefit other than Toyota can use the same engine that they put in cars. I suppose they wanted even more profit.
Ive been a huge tacoma fan and have bought 3 new ones, but this last Truck has really soured me on Toyota. Most people aren't going to come on this Tacoma forum and bad mouth the truck and that's why you haven't heard many complaints. Ive written Jim Lentz and Akio Toyoda both with a very long (physical mail) letter detailing my dissatisfaction with the 3.5L. The 3.5L is not sufficient for the Tacoma and people need to hear and know that.

 

With more robots building vehicles. The quality is going down for sure.

 

Automation is mostly in the Texas plant... baja was the slow one to come around.

 

I have installed a Volant Cold Air Filter on my 2018 DC TRD SPORT 4x4 and dual catback and I use the ECT on both shifting and Auto because it is almost like a different truck when it is activated. No problems pulling My Bassboat 70-75mph otherwise u damn near get run over in SoFla.

 

But not reputation...FORD.

Every time I am behind an Explorer with a cracked lift gate piece they designed and would not take care until a class action lawsuit, I remind myself, never buy a FORD.
I had a Ford once, never again. POS.

 

It’s the best small truck available. Live with it or sell it, quit whining about it.

 

A 4.0L can cruise up a slight incline on the highway in cruise-control without downshifting 2 gears lower and doing 3800 rpms for a long time.
A 3.5L can't do that. I'm reminded of that whenever I drive mine. People aren't making those stories up - unfortunately it is very true. A week or two ago I wrote a 6000 word letter to Jim Lentz and Mr. Toyoda about the issue and how the 3.5L is too weak for the Tacoma and was an unacceptable change. Toyota thought that they could make even more money with manufacturing efficiencies by switching to the same motor that they put in their cars.
I urge anyone that agrees to take their time to write Jim Lentz and Akio Toyoda and let them know that the new motor was a bad idea. Write a physical letter and fill their mail boxes up. Postage to Japan is less than 3 bucks for even a very long letter.

 

I've had my 3.5 on plenty of steep inclines, hasnt failed yet

 

I did WA to Colorado via Moab up through Montana to WA in my 2012 4.0 towing my 4500# trailer last June/July. Did the same last week WA to Jackson via Montana, back through Idaho, even doing Teton pass at 10% grade.

All I can say is the 4.0 is linear with the pedal, just keep pressing it, lower redline.

The new 3.5 (not really new) had a smarter transmission (in ECT) and would take the hills at 4000 rpm and not deviate when pressing the pedal. The shit knew what to do. It gets the job done. Sure 8mpg in the passes, but 21 without the trailer. I'm pretty amazed. It's apples and oranges.

I hear they are planning a tundra with 3.5 plus hybrid. I'm buying that shit when it comes out.

I like the new engine, sure it could have 9 more gears, but it is more than fine.

 

Sales don't reflect your views. The EPA guidelines don't reflect your views. Glad it made you feel better though.

 

How I imagine their faces when they read that letter and then also know that Tacoma set a first half year sales record this year.

 

Exactly.

 

First, you know that the motors are nearly identical in power output? So your claim there is objectively false. Second, what exactly is wrong with operating in the higher RPM range? It's not going to detonate the motor and the motor is still going to last 100s of thousands of miles. I see everyone complain about this, but no one says why. My old Ram and old Chevy did the same roads at less RPM with worse MPG. If it's the perception that it should lope at 500 rpm on the highway go buy an old diesel or you could go get an electric car, those all have less RPM.

 

You moved on to another truck, time to find another forum...