I4 or V6 which one?

I actually much prefer the looks of the DCLB, but I found a better deal on a SB and like it well enough, especially parking.

 

BBWWA neighbor works for Terminix. light load ? you have never seen them loaded then! he runs the shit out of it and its always over loaded !! never a problem. leaves a.c on and idling for hours in summer. "just keeps on keeping on" I bought one over the new 6 just for these reasons!!your dreaming if you think its a pavement lightweight !!

 

No giant tires, no lift kit. 62 miles a day back and forth to work. Doubt I would off-road with it, other than to fetch fire wood and haul Dirt Bike.

 

4 banger does fine with dead weight, I routinely carry 800-1000 lbs with no problem, it’s on steep hills or altitude that it suffers or if you bought it thinking it was a rocket sled.

 

Unfortunately the USS Enterprise had the I4.


Get the V6. No regrets

 

Put 265/75/16 on my 4 cyl access cab. Highway acceleration was shit. Load the bed, and a passenger....slug

 

Yup, it's geared high.
Bigger tires changes the final drive ratio and drastically increases the rotational weight (factor of 7x actual weight difference) people regear even 4.0's when necessary. Don't blame the motor, you made it that way, you fix it.

 

Welcome to the site. I have owned a 2017 4x4 Access Cab 4 cyl auto. I have also driven the double cabs 4x4 in auto and manual. I have never towed anything with the 4cyl. From dead stop, acceleration of the 4 cyl with the 4.30 gears is great. Going on an incline at highway speed, you know it's a 4cyl. I did went up a tire size to 265/75 from 245/75 and that impacted mpg. Stock form, I was getting 24+ mpg hwy and average about 20 city/hwy. With going up in tire size, that was brought down to about 18 combined. So basically equal to the V6.

My advice to you is drive both and think about your usage. The 4cyl is great and is a proven motor but it's no V6, it lacks after market support like a tune or even updates and TSB from Toyota. Unfortunately the manual 4cyl is no longer available but it is still available in the V6 (4cyl 4x4 manual can still be had used) I strongly suggest going 4x4 regardless. A lot of the members here complain about the automatic transmission shift logic. It's also the reason I no longer own a 3rd Gen and personally know at least 2 others that bought the 3rd Gen auto and no longer own them as well.

 

Ya for sure. It did everything I asked it to do....just not fast. haha

 

Reviving this post.....old truck is just too rough. Heading to Texas next month (August) and really want to come back with a 2nd generation DCSB AT. Is there a quick way to tell what rear axle ratio it is equipped with? Or do I have to get code/serial number and contact a dealer? Should I be worried about a truck with 150k miles on it? or more? Generally speaking. Will I really regret an I4 in that truck?.....1600 mile trip back home. Screaming it's guts out on the interstate? Is there really that much difference in gas mileage, since they probably put steeper rear gears in the I4 to move that truck? Thank you everybody for past and future replies. going Prerunner

Jim

 

I4 has a cast iron block, known for its reliability. 6 cylinder has an aluminum block, though it also appears to be reliable other than Ive seen a view timing chain cover leak issues that costs thousands to repair (rare). If you don’t pull much weight I4 should be fine and it costs thousands less. If you need/Want more power, or trailer load often, then get the 6 cylinder. Test drive them both as folks suggest.
Unloaded my 2.7L 4 cylinder has no problem doing 75 mph on the interstate while still getting over 20mpg. In cruise I’m at 2100-2400 rpm at 75 on flat or slight grade. it’s true on a hill it can shift and hit 3500 rpm, and Ive even had it down shift 2 gears when changing lanes behind a slow driver in cruise and rpms at redline momentarily. This engine was made to run at higher rpm if needed that’s where the power and torque peaks are. I love it.
I got a brand new 2019 access cab Utility long bed I4 for $23700 + fees and taxes for the reliability and value, it’s exactly what I wanted. My Access cab Max bed load is higher Than a Double cab 6cyl. My trailer pulling load Is less than a 6.

Do your own testing and buy what’s best for you.

 

Cheaper insurance, cheaper tuneups and better fuel economy with the 4. If you drive a lot of steep hills get the six if you’re driving flatland most of the time get the four. Good luck! Edit: the 4 will run with the big dogs on the interstate... all day. All damn day!

 

This should be the link for determining your rear axle ratio:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2005-2016-tacoma-axle-codes.408019/

And look at Post #12 for the door jam sticker and what you’re looking for:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/what-size-diff-do-i-have.424578/

 

For example, mine is “A02A”, which means —
A = 8” diff
02 = 4.10 ratio
A = Open, as in no e-locker.

 

had them BOTH

each under different environs & expectations ................. NO regrets in either case

#1 DCLB V6............current Acces Cab i4 neither 4wd

good trucks

i will say many ARE NOT realistic in their expectations

then compare with Tundras .....F150s & silveradoz

Toyota did NOT make Tacoz to compete against FULL SIZED

yet when it comes to midsize trucks ................. #1 seller !!!!!!!

get real / be real & U wont be disappointed

good luck

 

Thank you for all the replies in such a short amount of time! Great site. Road Dog...I have no expectations of a Taco (wait...am I allowed to use that term without owning one yet?) being a F150 or Silverado. I don't want or need that size truck anymore. Plucky, thanks for that link for ratios...that will help.

 

Here’s a link to detailed product information for 2020 Tacomas, includes drive train, features, and option packages for all models:
https://toyota-cms-media.s3.amazonaws.com/toyota-pdfs/2020_Toyota_Tacoma_Product_Information.pdf

 

Get the V6 and 4WD. That way you won't be wishing you did!