OldvsNew

I have a 2nd Generation Tacoma, thinking about upgrading to the new model. How's the new engine compare to the V6?

 

Take one for a test drive. There's opinions and speculation, and there's time spent at the helm. I'd say the latter is far more valuable.

 

You’ll need to take a nice long test drive, but I’d guess a noticeable bump in pep off the line versus your truck, accompanied by a completely different aural experience, which you may or may not like.

Since your 5-speed is already a smooth shifter, more relevant for you might be having the three extra gears as it relates to fuel economy.

Otherwise, the 1GR is already a first-ballot automotive hall of famer. The 2.4T is a relative rookie w a lot to prove.

 

better.

 

The local shops haven't had any new models in yet, or at least they come and go so quick, so still waiting for the opportunity to test one out. Has the towing capacity been any different?

 

Gotta say, my 2nd gen was a great truck. good power that handled well, with nice interior that was well-built. My 3rd gen was a step down imho. Cheaper interior, rattles and squeaks, with a bit more GM feel than I've ever had with a Toyota. And I've had A LOT of Toyotas. I'm hoping Toyota found the path again and corrected some of their penny-wise/pound foolish decisions with this gen. I did see where Car and Driver mentioned some of the shortcomings of the previous design were corrected with the 4th gen.
For ages I always wished for a more accessible oil filter on a Toyota, and with the 2nd gen they delivered. Oil changes were a dream. Then the third gen came out and not only went backwards, but invented one that's the worst yet.

 

Tow capacity is lower than 3rd gen.

 

Not by a margin that makes a difference in what you can tow with a mid-sized truck though. I haven’t driven one yet but I’d put money on the truck that has low end torque making towing feel much easier.

 

If you need to tow what a 4th can't legally, it's not better. Easier on what ? Seems to be working fine for me.

 

Anything a 4th can’t tow a 3rd gen can’t tow either. The 3rd gen is a dog when towing, even after I supercharged mine it wasn’t great. The lack of low end torque makes the entire experience feel like a struggle when starting from a stop. Additional transmission gearing should also help with the constant multi-gear downshifts by letting the engine stay in the power band longer and adjust RPM more precisely to get back in it when needed.

 

Wrong. Legally ?
Read up on SAE J-2807 Tow Standards
That's what manufacturers use.

 

There’s a 300lb difference between a 3rd and 4th gen maximum tow rating. Thats not enough to make a difference. A 3rd gen towing 6800lbs is going to suck just like a 4th gen towing 6500lbs is going to suck. Neither is the right truck for that weight.

 

Why have extra power for $60K then ? The experience ?
Then what are the SAE J-2807 standards good for ?

 

This engine isn't new. Yes, it has a turbo, but it also has reinforced parts to make it more robust for truck use. I wouldn't hesitate to get this engine.

 

You mean like towing in 2HI uphill?

Cuz that’s the only time I felt like my truck was “struggling”. Last few months I have been towing my extra tall enclosed 6x12 quite a bit. Absolutely zero issues besides when starting from stop uphill.

 

Yeah.

~4500# is the most I’ll tow with my taco. Unless it’s a very short distance and it’s mostly flat.

 

I wonder why Toyota never bothered turbocharging the trusty ol’ 2.7?

I think it would’ve made a lot of people happy.

 

What are you towing?

 

A 7500lb/1000lb tongue weight travel trailer, but not with a Tacoma. With my Tacomas (2nd and 3rd gens) it was just a variety of fishing boats, sailboats, flat bed trailers and enclosed trailers, up to about 5000lbs at the heaviest. At no point in time with any of my Tacomas would I have ever said no to having more torque available at a lower RPM which is what the 4th gen engine delivers.

 

Then you know it tows a lot of those items just fine.