3rd Gen 2022 Tacoma 2.7 - don't believe the hype

I love my reg cab 4 cylinder, but i have no illusions about the space it provides. That is my truck for me and me alone. When i put my backpack, water jug, spare boots, and lunch pail on my way to work THAT feel cramped. Even my DCLB is honestly not enough space for a long trip with the wife, kid, and associated gear. Those long drives and overflowing gear are the only times i gaze wistfully over at a Tundra

 

Always wondered what an AC short bed with modest lift would look like. Maybe stupid, but maybe awesome. I’d think it would be a great little off-roader.

 

Pics or it didn’t happen lol

 

Let me say were I was we only got 2ft. Not the 5ft ppl got a little more south. That being said I have no pics as it’s was just me driving around and sliding around unplowed parking lots.

 

I get it, but that’s awesome man. Can’t wait till get some snow to test mine out.

 

Yes it’s required you must find unplowed lots to practice winter driving skills lol.

 

I was quite surprised also how good these tacomas are in snow the 2020 being my first one. I had a tundra, and would never go in deep snow where this tacoma's been.

 

I have(had) a SR 2.7 for 2 years/20k miles. Yes the mf is slow, it can’t pull a lot of weight but it was useful enough to pull a 18’ boat and a bunch of other stuff. The benefit of the 2.7 is the payload is like 200lbs more than the V6.

The 2.7 is basically a turn key motor. All it requires is oil changes and due to emission laws you are supposed to replace the plugs at 120k. Other than that, it’s one of those engines you just run til something goes wrong. Not many of those engines exist anymore.

My truck was ok. I personally think Chevy/Ford make a better truck in regards to ergonomics but it is what it is.

too bad Toyota makes trans lines of out tin. I’ve had plenty of cars go closer to 8-10 years before the lines start rotting out(NY road salt). I mean, the last time I saw 4 year old lines rot out was on a late 90s Honda. I lost a line while driving and lost a ton of fluid. I’m not trying to replace a transmission and the 6 other lines that run by the radiator, so off it goes. It’s bitter sweet because I intended to keep it for a long time, but at this rate of rust I really don’t think it’ll last 6 years. Engine might start but it’s no good when it’s spraying fluid.

 

Spraying undercarriage is always a plus

 

There are plenty of posts criticizing the V6/Auto config also. I'm pretty happy with my TRD OR's performance.
I think the lesson is make sure you test drive the config you want to buy. We all have our own opinions and expectations.
NOTE: I would have considered the I4 if I was looking to buy an SR/SR5.

 

Man, you make some great points. The V6 is fine to me but people make it sound like you are peddling a mountain bike. I think a lot of these people come from V8s or sports cars. I don’t get it. And there’s no substitute for test driving vehicles yourself and making an informed decision.

 

This is my daily driver 5 speed 4x4 2.7 ,16x8 265 75 16...reg. cab. 138k .I had the dealer put an oil pan in and they ordered the wrong part so I had a 2021 v6 Tacoma double cab (auto)as a loaner for a week and honestly couldn't wait to get out of it. Wasn't impressed with the not so much extra speed/power maybe it's the vvt stuff or I'm just used to stick shift but kind of like driving a refrigerator,

 

I hope you never get rid of that truck. It looks perfect and you got no miles on it. How’s the frame?

 

I would have considered a 4cyl if they offered it with a MT.

 

I agree with much of that, but considering an sr or sr5 with the I4 over other tacoma trims would be strictly ones preference. I test drove the sr with the I4, and didn't see it as an option i'd take. The truck was just plain slow on any hilly grade. The v6 sr5 i tried was much similar to the tundra i had with some giddy up when needed. All in all as stated...be sure you test drive these trucks before making up your mind what you want.

 

I spent 15 years in my 2004 2.7L 5speed manual. It was an awesome truck. I was very disappointed I could no longer get the 5 speed manual when I had to replace the 2004, totaled it in 2019. I got the Utility package 4x4, it's all I needed. My biggest gripe when I drove it was the lag in throttle response. I fixed that with a throttle amplifier and always, and I mean always drive in S mode. I like having input when I'm driving. It is no race car by any means and I knew that when I bought it, what it is is a reliable dependable truck.

 

I knew I wanted a TRD-OR so I didn't even test drive an I4 config. But I understand the appeal of a 2.7 AC 4X4.

 

I guess it would appear to many on cost alone, but after driving both access cab trucks, one with the I4, and the other a v6, it came down to what i'd been use to...a 4.7 v8 tundra. Just the weight of these gen3 tacoma's made the I4 feel underpowered to the point, toyota shouldn't of even offered it in a normally aspirated version. The v6 felt like a rocket in comparison.

 

the frame was replaced in 2012, last year i saw some crossbars{bolt on} had started rusting but the frame still had the black weather coating toyota used on the new frames for northern states so i scuffed it all up and used chassis saver magnet paint {brushed}on it and did the inside with the atwood product with the 360 nozzle. i also put in a new gas tank and fuel filter, full exhaust headers, cats and muff. new coil packs too. other than that its all original. when it was at the dealer i had them check all suspension and steering and said fix as needed, the guy seemed pissed that it didnt need a boot, or bushing or anything. i didnt believe him..so i dropped it off to a local guy and he said the same so i magnet painted all those parts too. slowly buying random parts to keep on the shelf for when something finally gives!!
pulls my 18.5 lowe roughneck with a 40hp tiller on a galvanized trailer{almost 3k lbs} from and to the mountain top.

 

That’s awesome man and that’s a great idea to store parts. Glad you got the frame replacement. I hope Toyota finally has that solved for the 3rd gens but we’ll see.