Thinking about going from a 2nd gen to a 3rd gen

I'm definitely not debating that. What I am debating is those who whine about the 3.5L and basically make it out to be the worst possible engine. It isn't. Not anywhere close. The 4.0L has just been around for a long time. Whether or not it is more reliable is highly subjective, in my opinion. Especially on a forum like this. Especially since the 3.5L has only been in this application since 2016 but had been around for many years before that. They're just different. That's all. I have a 3.5L in my Tacoma and a 4.0L in our 4Runner. Both are solid.

In my opinion, the majority of the flak that the 3.5L gets comes from the gearing of the transmission and the programming of it. Outside of that I haven't heard a whole lot of reliability concerns directly related to the engine, especially without modifications or user error.

 

I highly doubt you will ever see another V6 in a Tacoma after the current 3.5, my guess is a turbo 4 across all Trim Levels

 

Must be an unintended consequence of towing with MT.

 

Ford ranger/mazda b3000 used the Vulcan 3.0L v6. Ford ranger/mazda b4000 used the 4.0L v6.

 

No issues towing with my MT. Tows great actually.

 

I don’t disagree. AT tows great as well.

 

Rumor has it the new Taco is going to be using a 2.4L turbo'd 4banger from the Lexus NX 350. Here's a good thread with input from someone (carmaker1) in the auto business. Take it with a grain of salt, but good insight none the less.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/found-this-interesting-2024-2025-for-4th-gen.645044/page-6

Personally, I'm very interested to see a turbo'd Tacoma. Turbo performance coupled w/ Toyota reliability - I think it'll be great. Hopefully they'll bring back Hino to help design the truck and give "Seatbelt Mike" the boot

 

I stand corrected. But the point remains the same. That 3.8L was used in many different applications from the Mustang to the Windstar and even the F100. Every manufacturer does it.

 

Yep. The 4.0L that was used in my Mazda b4000 was in the mustang as well. Good and reliable engine just very thirsty.

 

I should also point out that my towing starts and 6000' above sea level and generally only goes up from there. The rest of the Tacoma does fine the engine just lets it down, even with a supercharger.

 

Thanks for pointing that out.

 

I think a lot of folks should remember that these are midsize trucks, with naturally aspirated engines. They aren’t meant to have the torque of a V8, or the fuel economy and pep of a turbo charged truck. A lot of complaints likely stem from people who simply bought the wrong truck without knowing it. Each user has a different driving style and uses their truck differently. I agree that the Auto transmission is geared a bit tall and is tuned to up shift too quickly for my taste, but in certain driving environments it’s spot on (Flat areas near the east coast). Where I live and drive/tow, I can throw it into S5 or 4, and use the ECT button to make the truck drive far better giving the incline, etc. In my opinion, for this truck to be able to do both well, and be reliable, you can’t beat it.

 

I have a 2014 2G DCSB 4X TRD Sport and a 2020 3G DCSB 2wd SR5. As similar as they are, they are different and this is somewhat an apples to oranges comparison. When it comes to power, the 4.0L can peel out w 275/70/17s from a stand still while the 3.5L is not even close to spinning with 245/65/16s. 0-60 the 4.0L feels significantly faster but while moving at freeway speeds the 3.5L is more at home and picks up quicker- this could also be because the smaller tires and 2wd. The 3.5L easily gets 20 mpg with mixed city hwy and the 4.0L struggles to get 16 and that’s driving like a grandma. I find them both very comfortable for daily driving but the 3.5L get the nod for city driving. The 2G has a much more rugged look and feel to it and that gets the nod for weekend trips and off-roading. Can’t go wrong with either and neither is better at everything over the other but the 2G puts a slightly larger smile on my face.

 

I put 100k miles on my 2013 over 5 years before I bought my 2020 and sold the 2nd Gen.

I absolutely enjoy driving my 3rd Gen. Beats out the 2nd Gen in every way.

 

Came from a v8 T4R (Full disclosure - it was nearing 300k so the engine surely lost a little oomph). My Taco has been an upgrade in power and in fuel economy. About the only complaint I have is that I still feel a little guilty having the dogs in the cab because they are making a proper mess of the doors and windows.

I use my truck bed primarily for hauling coolers filled with ice, and (hopefully) deer/bear/gobblers in the fall, so it's a light duty truck 5 months of the year and a simple mode of transport the other 7, so bear that in mind.

 

He is talking about a second gen not 1st. I went from a fzj80 and I miss it but I still love the taco.
Also miss my first gen taco but the 3rd gen still awesome, different animal.

 

Should be interesting to see what the next gen Taco has under the hood.

A turbo 4 cylinder isn’t bad in a truck. I drove a fifth gen ranger for a year and the engine/tranny combo was so nice.

 

Toyota 0-60 Times & Quarter Mile Times | Toyota Supra, Corolla, 86, RAV4, Highlander, Camry, Yaris, Tundra & more 0 to 60 stats! (zeroto60times.com)

And yet the both run about the same 0-60 and the 1/4.

 

I'll stick to my VQ40DE. Low end grunt of a 1GR, top end power of a 2GR. Refinement and responsiveness of a VQ series V6.

Looking like my next truck will have a VQ38DD unless Toyota has something new in the works.

 

I wouldn't mind a 4banger turbo diesel!