Use Case For 2.7 Auto 4x4?

Hi all. I've done some reading here about the 2.7 RC 4x4 auto; the consensus is that it's a dog and best avoided. Here's the thing, I'm relocating for work to a small island that has a max 35 MPH speed limit... no highways. What there are is super steep roads and driveways I'd need to get up and down. I would never need to tow anything but would do some moderate hauling, well within the payload capacity of the base 4x4. I have an opportunity to pick up a well cared for gen 2 2.7 4x4 auto for relatively cheap, I can't test drive the vehicle because I'm offshore. Have I stumbled into a use case this particular model is well suited for or am I going to be miserable?

 

Lots of people exaggerate how "bad" things are. I'd have no problem taking a chance on it in your situation. Keep in mind the 4 cyl likes to rev high so don't be afraid to put your foot in it and scream up a hill. It's what it was designed to do. If it turns out to be that bad, you can always dump it later. My biggest issue wouldn't be the 4cyl auto, it would be the whole sight-unseen thing.

 

Does "island" = salt air = rust?

 

Welcome to TW!

Have you ever driven a subcompact like the Yaris, Echo, or Scion iQ? The 2.7L 4x4 has a worse power-to-weight ratio than those. Some people are OK with it (it's still peppy compared to many 1980s Toyota trucks). I'd shoot myself if I had to deal with it daily.

Not sure how much research you've done on these trucks. Depending on the model year and mileage, the 2.7L may be susceptible to coolant pipe cracking ($$$) or air injection pump clogging ($$$$), along with other 2nd gen issues like leaking steering rack, worn out wheel bearings, and frame rust. These things can't be prevented by simply keeping up with scheduled maintenance.

 

Yes sir, this island is out in the middle of the Caribbean. The truck appears to be rust free... if I can work the truck for 5 years before it rots away I'll be happy.

 

I've driven my girlfriend's Rav4 with the inline 4... it's no fun but fun isn't necessarily what I'm looking for with this truck. It needs to get me from point A to point B on rocky / sub-par roads reliably and carry the occasional load.

FWIW, The truck I'm looking at is a 2014.

 

Shame it's not a stick. I say go for it. It'll do fine

 

That's the final model year for RC, new enough that none of the typical issues should be present. Short of outright abuse or neglect (e.g. repeated neutral drops, never changing oil), send it!

 

For the record, I run a 4 cyl access cab 4x4, with heavy larger than stock tires, with a camper shell, with a ton of gear totaling between 400 and 1,000 lbs, all throughout the Sierras from sea level to 10,000 ft and back down again. Granted, I do have a manual transmission. Am I constantly downshifting from 5 to 4 to 3 to 4 to 3 to 4 to 3 to 4 to 5 to 4 to 3? Yes. Is it capable of always maintaining the speed limit even loaded down at high altitude? Yes. It will do what you ask, just know what to expect. Toyota put this engine in city buses in Japan.

 

This is only a problem on, I think, 2005 - 2008 or maybe 2009. Definitely not a problem in his 14.

 

Thanks for the response.

Re: managing expectations, the max speed limit on-island is 35 MPH, 10-20 MPH is more realistic. So long as it's sure footed, reliable, can crawl up a steep hill at low-ish speeds, and can occasionally carry ~1000 pounds, I'm good!

 

For that I'd expect to be in first gear. I went up Old Priest Grade (notorious section of CA-120) once in mine loaded to nearly payload and I couldn't shift to 2nd gear. It's a 17% grade and curvy, I basically walked up it at around 15 mph.

 

Ugh, that sounds like a real drag. I've been in a similar situation with my girlfriend's fully loaded Rav4 going up what seemed like a ~20% grade... pedal to the floor and going like 5 MPH.

 

2.7 is rock solid & proven

 

I might have been able to get into 2nd if I could have gotten some speed....the problem was the curves as much as it was the grade.

 

For this use, you are golden with a lil RC 4x4 Auto. The auto trans was the same one used for a LONG time in the 1st gen taco and 3rd gen 4 runners, reliable and proven as its the 2.7L motor. 4Low will be nice to have and that lil truck will go anywhere you point it.

 

Update: I bought the 2.7 Auto 4x4. Turns out this truck is well suited for light duty use on an island with low speed limits and terrible (often unpaved, steep, and rocky) roads. Thanks for the guidance guys!

 

What's the name of the island?

 

I have a 2013 RC 4X4 auto. I love my li'll RC. Only problems with it, is driving at hwy. spd. (55 to 65 mph. Hi gear, converter locked) Mine is straining just to keep itself going. Where you are, you'll never be in hi gear, & the converter doesn't lock if in the lower gears. Should work great for you. Congrats

 

I get a little chub when I get the chance to go into 1 LO and power up a super steep rocky hill in my 4 banger. Little engine that could.