Downsizing from a v-6 to 4-cylinder?

Hey all!

Would appreciate some insight on the following topic.

I am presently giving strong consideration to downsizing from a 2015 V-6 SR5 access cab to a new SR 4-cylinder access cab. Both are 4-wheel drive.

Both of my Tacomas to this point in my life have been V-6 models. I have no experience with the 4-cylinder engine. The V-6 engines have been very reliable, but I just don't need that many horses in the barn these days. I seldom tow and when I do it would be less than 1,400 pounds loaded.

Has anyone made the switch from the powerful, torquey V-6 to the slower, but more fuel efficient 4-cycinder? If so, did it prove to be a reliable, long-lasting engine for you?

 

Just pull two spark plugs on opposite sides and giv'er the beans?

 

Ask this guy

https://drivetribe.com/p/12-million...hMMJSdOKR_9GBZRXbQ?iid=BetYLjeRToCxxeKoZ9AFtA

 

I can’t speak to this engine but I’ve had a few Toyota 4 bangers and they have always been super reliable.

 

The 2.7L Toyota engine exhibits legendary reliability. You won't find much here when doing a search for 2.7 troubles.

 

I owned a 2017 SR 4cy 5 speed 4x4 and currently own a 2020 TRDOR V6 auto. My 2017 was a very good truck and if you are not afraid of putting your foot into it did fine for everyday driving. Legendary reliability. The gas mileage between both my trucks was hardly noticeable.

 

I had the 2.7 in a work Tacoma and I didn’t even noticed a difference.

 

Don't do it kid, don't do it

 

After driving various Toyotas over the years I've had better longevity with the 4 cyl than the V6. You won't win any races but it just seems to last forever. The 5 speed manual peps it up a bit, but I don't think it's available in the 4 cyl anymore.

The Tacoma 4 cyl had a hard plastic coolant bypass hose up to about 2012 that was a known failure point, but I hear they are all metal now.

My current Tacoma is a 2012 and has the plastic coolant bypass hose, but I plan to change it to the metal one very soon before it fails.

 

The 3rd generation V6 is not torquey
and MPGs are nearly the same between the two engines.

 

The 4 cylinder is offered to meet a price point not efficiency. There isn't a big difference between MPG in the real world

 

Don't do it for better fuel economy because the difference is negligible.

 

Fuelly shows 4 banger is maybe 2-3 mpg higher. Personally I find my 4 is pretty efficient if I don't drive with a lead foot and I can get around 25mpg, all local and bigger tires has me at just over 20mpg. Best part is one tank of fuel lasts over 400 miles so I rarely have to get gas. Does best on local roads at around 50mph.

You'll definitely notice less passing power on the highway but she'll keep 75mph no problem. I like mine and bought it knowing I'd sacrifice power for mpg and trusted reliability. Not to say the V6 isn't reliable but when I bought mine that engine was still kinda new.

 

Have you ever driven a Tercel? Did you think, damn this thing is gutless or were you just happy chugging along reliably. If it's the latter than you'll love the 4cyl. My 2011 4cyl was an awesome truck, I towed every once and a while and you wouldn't really find much driveablilty difference between the 4cyl and 6cyl towing around town, they gear it accordingly so it never struggled from a start. The only time I noticed the lack of power was on the highway with larger tires, I would just have to drop it down to 4th on hills (even slight ones). Otherwise great truck, but I wanted a 4door and my commute went from 100km to 20km so why not have more power.

 

Hey! I went from a brand new 2020 Tacoma TRD OR V6 with the 6 speed auto to a 2010 2.7L Regular cab 5 speed manual (huge change lol). I don't mind the power loss. It's not a power house but it's livable and gets me to and from work easily!

As far as longevity, can't speak on that because I've had the truck for less than a month. Reliability? It hasn't broken down yet at 148k miles. I drove over 3 hours to get it and 3 hours back home and it didn't hiccup even once. But time will tell.

If you're okay with the loss in power and towing capability, the 2.7L is a great little engine. I went from a WRX, to the 3.5L Tacoma, to my current 2.7L. The slow is real but oh well! Good gas mileage!

 

My 1st 2 Tacos were 2.7s. I never saw 25 mpg.....even with a manual transmission and a light foot.

Any significant difference is just on paper. In the real world that difference basically evaporates for most people.

 

Yes the v6 is so dam powerful … is it Friday yet ?

 

Keep with the 6 fuel mileage not that different, but you will never regret not having the power and towing capacity the 6 will have.

 

I sort of agree. I only saw 25mph once, but that was when I first bought the truck and drove it for 3 hours back home and did a lot of highway driving when I got home. Last fill up was 20mph. If someone does highway driving ONLY and nothing else, I can see it being possible.

 

No....not your Camry motor turned sideways. You must be talking about the mighty 1GR 4.0 from the 2nd gen.

That ought to send this thread into a new direction....and some triggering along with it.