2020 Tacoma 4cyl or 6cyl more reliable?

100 percent true statement. As a former ZR2 diesel owner, all problems I had were emissions and def related. Such a shame to because the bones of that baby d max was pretty epic.

 

Thing is those old 22re powered 4x4 toyotas were light as hell compared to these porky gen3 trucks, so that extra hp the i4 makes takes a big hit toward equalling out. Granted todays 4 cyl tacoma's aren't as bad as yesteryears, but after driving one, and coming from a 4.7 v8, they didn't have enough poop for my liking, especially when i need to tow my 2k plus lb boat over the hilly roads here. I guess if a 4 is what you've been use to, thats fine also.

 

I don’t disagree with what you are saying, last time I towed a heavy boat I had it was with my Ford F-150. I’m used to every size motor in my lifetime though including the old 396 SS Chevelle, GTX 440, even my wife’s new Accord 2.0T turbo will do 0-60 in around 5.6 seconds lol. Even drove a friends V6 Tacoma he bought around same time I bought mine - definitely a little more get up and go than the 4 cyl, but he still complains about it shifting gears so much.
Bottom line I know engines, have actually rebuilt one adding performance cam and pistons, and knew what I was getting in the 2.7L - it gets the job done. I chose it primarily for its proven reliability. We should compare notes on reliability with your V6 in 5 or 10 years. Hopefully both last a long time.
Regarding towing a heavy boat long distances, I wouldn’t do it in my 4cyl, I wouldn’t even do it in a Tacoma with a V6, that’s full size Ford, Ram or Tundra territory there IMHO.

 

Cookies are the best desert!!!

No! Cake is the best!!

This is a subjective question and depends most on personal preferences/needs. Its not an objective “Better or worse“ scenario.

Toyota’s engines are all pretty good in reliability if you take care of them. Most on this forum understand that

 

Definitely cake

 

I could also attest on toyota 4 cyl engines that they are reliable, but if their v6 is built anything along the lines of their v8's, there's nothing to worry about. I put nearly 300k miles on my 2001 tundra, a lot of it hauling an enclosed trailer, and 2, or 3 sleds 500 miles one way to quebec, not to mention hauling my boat to the shore several times a season. After 19 years it still ran great.
I've already towed with the v6 tacoma, and its fine, just doesn't have that lower end torque like their v8, and runs slightly higher rpm longer. As far as driving with light loads, its perfect, has the same shift points according to the roads just like the tundra did, and just as smooth. Cruising in 5th and 6th gears is even nicer...lower rpm, and saves gas.

 

I had the 2.7 in a 2010. It was a great truck and fun to drive. Back to the roots.

Does it have lightning fast acceleration? No. Will it be enough for your needs? Yes.

It’s a good engine. I pulled an F150 full size out of the ditch in 4LO with it. The F150 was buried in snow. I also hauled 2000lbs of gravel in the box for a number of trips. The engine handled it fine. But again, not lightning fast.

It’s all what we’re used to. In Europe where engine size raises your insurance they would be plenty happy with this engine. That being said. I drive a 3.5. But if I could get the TRd Offroad with a 2.7 I would buy that.

There are plenty of examples of this engine lasting forever. Both engines are plenty reliable.

 

I dont think the 4 cylinder would be a good match for the current Off Road as it just too heavy. When the 4 cylinder Manual was available in 2016 and 2017 it was only in the SR Access Cab because it was lighter.

 

2.7 with gears will tow, but won’t be quick. Realistically the 3.5 is probably better for you, and by this point they’ve worked out the kinks the engines had upon initial release.

 

I've towed with the old 22re in a lighter 4x4 truck in those days....yeah you eventually get there, but i had to wring the guts out of the engine/truck, and it never seemed good to do so. Can't say its still the same with a 2.7, but it leads me to think so from my test drive.

 

Correct. 2017 was the last year of the 2.7 + 5spd R156F tranny... I specifically looked for it and found it CPO.

To all those shitting on the 2.7 - No doubt the 3.5 provides more power, but if you know how to drive a manual I4 properly, it’s not bad for shitty 3.91 gearing. Now, if you drive like a bitch keeping it under 3k rpm for “better gas mileage” when shifting proving you don’t understand torque curves and engine load - yes, you’ll think this motor is downright horrid and it’ll put unnecessary strain on it IMHO.

BUT, Toyota should’ve went 4.30 rear just like the V6. It would be perfect for stock configuration.

stealing this from another thread because it’s soooo true

lol

 

Well at least Toyota listened to you for the 3rd gen 2.7L I4 automatics, rear end gear is 4.30, same as the V6 manual, while the discontinued I4 manual rear gear was 3.91 as you said. Interestingly the V6 auto differential gear ratio is 3.91, while both I4 and V6 automatic 1st gear ratio is the same, 3.60. V6 manual 1st gear is a hoss at 3.98.

 

It is kinda odd that they didn't use the 4.30 gears with the 4 cylinder Manual back when that model existed.

 

Congrats on finding one, that couldn't have been too easy.

 

Yeah it is, made me curious so I went back and looked at the specs, maybe it was a compromise due to the only 5 speeds in the I4 manual and the 5th gear ratio to ensure an adequate top end speed. Take a look at this chart and compare the I4 manual 5th gear ratio compared to the V6 manual 5th and 6th gear ratios:
Edit, 2018 Tacoma specs lists a 4-cyl manual, however it was discontinued for 2018, so see the 2017 specs below:

 

Thanks, I was actually trying to find that chart earlier today too, lol.

 

This is my first Tacoma, so I had (and still have) a lot to learn, already learned a lot here. Did a lot of research here and upgraded my SR to OEM fogs, Intermittent wipers, and Keyless Entry (electrical in my background so not a big challenge other than taking my dash apart lol). Been saving manuals, electrical diagrams, etc.
I put the specs (Toyota Product Information) for 3rd gens 2016-2020 here:
Toyota spec. list IMPORTANT
I still have a hard time finding them at times

 

was such a stroke of luck. Drove from Sacramento down to Modesto and snagged it within 2 hours as another guy was grabbing lunch (before trying to buy it after already being there)

correct. But it’s stupid because my 5th gear at 3000rpm on stock 245 tires is ~89mph. Who the fuck needs that tall of a 5th in this truck? No one.

4.30s would have put it around 80mph @3k rpm when you do the math - perfect IMO considering past 75mph this engine needs to be up in the powerband to be worth a salt in a headwind and passing.

 

I'm with you on that bro, my I4 automatic 1st gear is a beast with the 4.30 rear end, my 6th gear runs me at 2200-2400 rpm at 75 mph flat highway with a 0.58 ratio (!), but its running at the low end of the power band there even with the 4.30 and it doesn't take a huge grade to make it downshift. I would have been fine with just 5th and a little loss in mph, but it's all about the milage ratings game. Still I've learned it works just fine, and running higher rpm when needed doesn't bother me either.