Are first gen V6 Tacomas underpowered?

Tl;Dr marked you down as yes

 

As weird as it is, depending on what gear/rpm I'm in, I think the truck has some pep. Or maybe it just makes a lot of noise and goes nowhere haha.
Sometimes I love hearing that V6 just baaaaaaaaa moving this big chunk of steel haha. I've gotten more enjoyment from it now that I have a daily driver and rarely drive the machine.

EDIT: When going 65-70, yeah I wont overtake anyone and its gutless, but I really shouldn't be going any faster than that in this thing. I think it's great overall. Maybe a supercharger for fun someday, but I love the reliability.

 

I've been driving mine since 2004... never had an issue where I thought it was "under powered." It's a mid sized truck with a mid sized truck engine.

I'd much rather have the reliability of the 3.4 than have some other motor with "more power" (that I don't really need) that have more issues.

 

01-02 throttle is different than the 03-04 (electronic). are you saying that 01-02 is a different design than 95-00?

 

Stupid me! My step dad’s truck that I have been driving on occasion all these years is a 2002 Tundra with the 3.4 V6. Granted it’s a manual transmission, but I’ve driven it so many times (even with weight in the bed) and never once felt like it was underpowered.

I have to imagine if I feel that way about the Tundra with the V6, the Tacoma will feel just fine.

Granted the one I am looking at is an automatic, but still...

 

it's not that much different manual to automatic. you'll see...

 

All freeways in Poland have the speed limit 87mph, so the "normal" speed is 100mph if you want to stay on the left lane for longer time. I was in hurry once going to the meeting a couple hundred miles away, so I jumped on the left lane at 100mph in my 2012 4Runner. I still needed to step to the right lane from time to time letting some faster guys (doing close to 120mph) pass me. I'd say it was very exhausting driving. So on the way back I just "joined the crowd" at 70mph on the right lane and relaxed all my way to home. So even if driving fast and aggressive is possible (that 4Runner has some kick), I would not do it on the long run. Not fun, at least for me. I'm to old for that $hit.

Saying that I tried once how my 25 years old Tacoma (2.7 4x4 with MT and camper shell) is doing on that freeway. I had no problem getting to 90mph (on 4th gear) and I did not want go faster because I did not want to push the limit on my tires. My "tired 150hp" did quite well. "No problem" means keeping with other fast driving cars, who are in hurry.

I'm doing a lot of country roads driving lately (with speed limit 56mph) and I have no problem with accelerating to pass the slower traffic. Downshifting to 3rd gear is a key. While my truck can happily cruise at 55mph without bogging the engine (that is below 2k rpm), short shifting it to 3rd makes it agile enough for safe passing.

I did not drive 3.4, but looking at the power curve it should be at least the same or better than 2.7. Of course if you have AT you need to learn from your truck how to force it to downshift aggressively otherwise it will feel "sluggish". If you have 3.4/MT I'd say this is the best combo for comfort and power. In good hands it will not feel sluggish at all.

 

On 4 runners its 96-00 than 01/02

 

I've driven it from Houston to El Paso before. Speed limit on I-10 for much of Western Texas was 80 or 85, so it's about 7 hours at those speeds. Wasn't an issue at all in my 2.7 packed with luggage and people.

 

With a 3.4 m/t and 265/75/16s I have no issues passing someone unless they accelerating aswell or going above 80.
I’m sure that will change when I install 285/75s.

 

Cool. Its just not for me. I prefer cruising at 80 in my Lexus.

 

I'm running a 3.4, auto, 4.10s with 285s and probably +600 pounds (racks, boxes, tools, rtt, etc)

And I'm still 100% fine with the power I've got.

Do I want 4.88s? Sure.
Do I want a Supercharger? Yes.

Do I need them? The 4.88s maybe. Would help trans temps.

 

Definitely not looking forward to doing that again though. Mostly because these seats are not so comfortable for such long distances.

 

What model Lexus? I have the '16 RX350 and 90mph cannot even be felt by me or the RX. It's amazing how they cheat the wind now.

 

I love my V6 1st gen. Gets me from point A to point B.

 

I agree with this.

Having owned both a 4.0 YJ and XJ I would agree with this. The tacoma has more top end power where the 4.0 made all of its power around 1200rpm. The 3.4 likes to be revved more than a jeep.

 

We have a 2013 ES350. We're looking at a new ES or going to the RX. Its my wife's vehicle and decision ultimately, but I prefer a car. They are just easier to drive in the city.

 

I've never had a Supra but I have yet to own a Toyota that isn't a dog. Had dog Chevy 6's too but at least they had the excuse of pulling 3:23 rear gears. (with the same size tires as us).

 

Well its deff faster than my 4cylinder auto, you can always get a sc for it, or get a 1st gen Tundra v8

 

I had a 1992 Toyota truck extended cab 4 cylinder with 31’s on it. A good friend had the same truck with 33’s and a V6. After riding in his mine was sick. I couldn’t stand the 4 cylinder but they are tough engines.