4 cylinders not really a dog in comparison and function....

Since 1987, I have been driving mostly V6. The 02 DblCab 2wd auto I4 is my first I4 and no dog in comparison.

The two best of the lot I owned was a 01 4Runner 3.4L and 00' Frontier Crewcab. Also in the mix were first and second gen troopers ( tanks). Anyway I was posting the weight and power but inadvertantly nav'd away and lost the post, so this is the condensed.

Essentially in the "sport ut" genre, I have been pushing about 500-700lbs difference in weights and 70 HP and Trq difference. The 4Runner Auto was the best, 2nd and close 3rd were 00' Frontier CrewCab Auto and then the 2nd Gen Trooper w 3.2 man. My DblCab 4Cyl feels like it's on par with the trooper and Nissan.

I realize I don't have the 4wd weight and driveline drag, but the auto doesn't feel as sluggish as I would have thought in comparison to my ealier V6's.

This is my first 2wd in years except for a (short and bad) Pathfinder detour. The Toyota 2.7L has made a favorable impression, I like as much and in many ways better than my Frontier ( especially Drive-line Durability).

I'll let my 93 4.0 Jeep Wrangler do my dirty work for a while. Shucks if you have (or want) to get dirty from time to time, you can just about pick-up a YJ 2.5 I4 for about the price of upgrading a Toyota from I4 to a v6 and 2wd to 4WD.... but that's another forum and topic. Time to close

 

drive a stock 2.4.... you'll change your mind.

 

My last truck was a 6.6 diesel , the 2.7 may not be sporty, but it does its job very well. Simply, it goes up mountain grades just fine at a posted speed. Another truck i had was a 3.7 6 cyl dodge 4wd , it couldnt ever maintain speed on a grade.

 

My '09 2.7 had enough power to get me pulled over two blocks from the red light in a 45 mph zone. That's fast enough for this old fart.

My '79 had the 2.2R and got better mileage in fifth at 70 than it did at 55. Go figure.

 

I love my 09 2.7 I4. Hits a buck on the hwy in no time, which is faster than I need to go. I've hauled loads sitting on the load stops and had no issue moving it. Pulls a trailer or camper great. I couldn't ask for more.

 

My 2.7L 4x2 access cab feels way peppier than my old 94 3.0L 4x4 xtra cab. Kind of apples to oranges, but I like the better mileage and roomier cab than the old one. Decided against 4x4 this time as it only ever got locked in one or 2 times a year, plus the Auto LSD works well. Just wish the new truck had a sturdy steel bumper on it like the old one. Hate having to worry about destroying a flimsy plastic bumper in a snow pile.

 

My household has used a V6 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 and a Jeep Liberty 4x4 as daily drivers. They kind of sucked at that.

The Tacoma L4 is well balanced in my opinion.

 

Meanwhile, a Tundra 5.7L with the TRD supercharger has been tested by Motor Trend to do 0-60 mph in 4.4 s and the 1/4 mile in 13.0, which makes it quicker than the '93+ Supra Turbo. I guess expectations are different now.

 

I know what you mean Mopar and Nissan love some fuel as well as my two previous V6 Troopers. None breeched 20 mpg highway and average about 15 mpg city.

I agree the 2.7 is a nice balance. I just averaged 17 mpg city with badly worn out plugs that the prior owner likely had not changed maybe ever. Hoing to see some 19 mpg on the next tank based on my trucks driving environment.

 

You mean it doesn't require a tow strap?

 

Have a 2.7ltr 2011 access cab. Has good power especially after header and exhause upgrade. I went from a 5.7ltr tundra to the 2.7-night and day difference. The 2.7 ltr has not let me down so Im happy with it.