Supercharge 3rd Gen or Trade for 4th Gen?

Hey Tacoma world!


Long time TW lurker finally posting because I don’t know if I’ve ever been this indecisive about a vehicle before.


I currently live on the Colorado front range and own a 2019 TRD Pro AT on 265/75/R16 Wildpeaks with 5.29s and OTT (75K miles). No other mods, just a diamond back cover and often my RTT for camping.


What I’m looking for: something to help me cruise comfortably climbing over mountain passes without screaming in 4th gear to maintain 60-65 MPH. (lol I know I know, then I shouldn’t have gotten a 3rd gen and hence why I’m considering another option). I don’t really care about 0-60 or 1/4 mile times. I don’t expect raptor or V8 performance, I just want to feel like I can climb at elevation reliably and pass other cars on the highway when needed.


Context: After 5.29s and OTT I actually really like the way the trucks drives. I thought that 5.29s alone were extremely underwhelming, but after adding OTT, cruising at 75 MPH feels like a piece of cake on the highway now (90% of how the vehicle is used) and the truck is FAR more enjoyable to drive. My issue is that once I start heading into the mountains it feels like I’m back to the square one with gear hunting all the way up (albeit slightly improved over stock). I usually just leave it in S4, but don’t really like running 3.5-4K+ RPMs all the way up the steep grades (lol yes, I know that’s where the torque and power comes from on these engines). Sometimes when climbing towards the top of Vail or Eisenhower Passes even 4th gear struggles a bit. Truthfully if I didn’t ever drive up into the mountains or lived at lower elevation, I probably be perfectly content and wouldn’t even be considering these options. I don’t tow anything, nor do I plan to in the foreseeable future. My trailer hitch really only sees my bike rack. There may be a day where I add sliders, but my truck mostly sees service roads or 3-4 out of 10 difficultly trails in Moab/Colorado, so probably won’t deck it out with armor or lifts as long as it remains my daily driver.


SO this is what I’m considering:


1.) Have R4T in Denver install a Magnuson super charger on my current truck. I’m estimating $10-$12K (might be high) install with spark plugs, gauges etc.

Pros:

-Keep my Voodoo Blue Pro (my absolute favorite Taco color)

-Less expensive than buying a new truck

-More power and torque should make the truck more fun and enjoyable either way. If the SC+OTT makes as much of a difference as 5.29+OTT did then it’s probably a very easy choice for me.

Cons:

-Assuming zero monetary ROI (although I hear the smiles per gallon are excellent)

-Potentially negative longevity/reliability impact

-Opens up a whole can of worms for other performance mods (lol maybe this actually belongs in the Pros section?)

-Having to use premium gas is a bummer

-I’m not certain if this will actually help with the mountain pass cruising. Will I end up wishing that I had just gone with Option 2 and be down ~$10K from where I started? I’ve seen a couple of others who went the SC route and initially seemed happy, but ultimately couldn’t make the truck work for them. Not to call anyone out, but OpelGT and the guy TFL Truck interviewed with the supercharged 3rd Gen come to mind.


Option 2: Trade in/sell my truck and drop another ~$30K on a 4th Gen. Knowing me I would really only have eyes for the TRD Pro (almost like I’ve seen this movie before) despite the OR being the better bang for buck. Assuming I can get $33-$35k for my 2019 TRD Pro, that would be another $30K+ I’d also have to drop on a new one. I did consider the Tundra, but really like the midsize of tacomas. And not ready buy Ford/GM again, didn’t have great experiences with either.

Pros:

-Turbo and Hybrid engine seems like a great combo for altitude. Hybrid doesn’t need air and I assume the turbo will handle what the hybrid doesn’t.

-Decent peace of mind with new truck warranty

-I’m actually a big fan of some of the new tech (particularly the improved adaptive cruise and lane assist). Makes long trips a breeze. My father owns a new Tundra with all the options and I can’t deny that I think the small comforts add up.

-IMO I love that the new Pro looks like a premium top of the line truck that stands out from the rest lineup.

Cons:

-Expensive

-Really expensive

-Lose a lot of in cab storage with the hybrid system (which I actively use in my current truck), but I’m sure that could be overcome with bed storage options

-New powertrain makes for many unknowns as far as reliability

-Had a 2024 SR5 as a rental for a week while traveling for work in Houston, wasnt as impressed as I thought I’d be with the non-hybrid power. Definitely wasn’t bad by any stretch, for some reason just thought it’d make more of an impression. So if upgrading would definitely want the hybrid (which is the only option for pro anyways).

-Really don’t like the 2024 or 2025 Pro colors (Terra and Mudbath), nor do I like white/black/grey trucks. So picky, I know, but blue or green trucks are my preference.

-Have to accessorize all over again with bed cover, RTT mounts, etc. = more $$$


Option 3: Count my blessings, be grateful for how fortunate I am to even have these options and leave the truck as it is. Learn to drive a bit slower going up mountains if I don’t want to hear the truck at high RPMs.

Pros:

-Free

-Maintain reliability

-Still love the truck 90% of the time

Cons:

-10% of the time wish that I’d done one of the other options lol.


If you’ve read this far then much appreciated, and TIA for any input, words of wisdom, or experience with similar set up!


TLDR: I’m trying to decide between one of these options

1.) Supercharge my 3rd Gen (nearly stock apart from 5.29+OTT) and be happy that I have one of the best set ups you can find for a 3G taco.

2.) Trade in my 3rd Gen TRD Pro for a 4th Gen TRD Pro and be happy with (allegedly) one of the most powerful and smoothest powertrains on any taco ever. Not to mention all the other creature comforts that have been added.

3.) Count my blessings, be happy with what I’ve got, stop lurking on TW and just go out and enjoy my taco as it is.

Pics of my current truck

 

What's the concern running higher RPM's up the mountain passes, reliability or just a comfort thing? People always seem to be afraid of high revs for some reason, but as you mentioned, that's where all the power is and where the engine is happiest when going up huge grades at elevation. Toyota tests engines way more rigorously than anything we'd put them through as owners, like revving from idle to redline 200,000 times, or running under full throttle operation for 180 hours straight. Reliability-wise, I wouldn't think twice about it. You could always go to a severe service schedule and change your oil every 5k if the revs scare you.

If it's a comfort thing, then a supercharger isn't going to significantly help your RPM's, it's still not going to make power/torque down low. The 4th gen is probably a better option than trying to change the way your 3rd gen drives, especially considering the cost of supercharging, which could negatively impact your long term reliability, so what are you really accomplishing there? Obviously something with a v8 is significantly better than either a 3rd or 4th gen for your specific situation, so you could look at something like a 4th gen 4runner or some Lexus offering if you were open to switching to an SUV.

I'd vote option 3, 2, 1, in that order. I have a manual truck and have been over those mountains a few times for road trips, it was easy enough to toss it in 3rd for the really steep long grades or 4th for the less intense climbs and leave it there, but certainly it needs to be running at 3.5k+ RPM's to even stand a chance, which I personally see no issue in doing. No sweat in affecting the reliability IMO, certainly not anymore than adding forced induction to the equation, and if it's a comfort thing, turn up the radio to drown out the noise and enjoy the revs.

 

3rd option, but that's me.

Reliability is a question with the 4th gens and as much as we all love more power, the FI add ons also add complexity and reliability concerns.

But that's just me.

 

The premium fuel requirement with a supercharger doesn't just cost more money, either. It also limits your access and trail options. Lots of places in the deep country that reliably stock only 87 octane.

 

I’m sure this thread will get a lot of replies and interest, adding to some of the great points already made.

3! All day.

I think when you love these trucks, and you love to modify them.. we have a tendency to chase the rabbit.. looking for that next ‘thing’ to make the next step ‘forward’
I think getting out and enjoying my truck, much like how you put it in option 3, is almost() always the best way to scratch that itch.

 

Hybrid engines are a stupid scam! Can’t beat a turbo for altitude driving so I’d go with that.

 

Appreciate your input! Definitely a comfort issue more than anything else. My last truck was a 6.0L powerstroke, so anytime I see the RPMs that high I have to remind myself that it’s normal for this truck lol. No arguing the turbo diesel performed well in the mountains, but regular maintenance combined with unanticipated repairs, bulletproofing, diesel cost, etc. made it more expensive than I cared for. I don’t tow or haul anything, so it was just way more truck than I needed. I do love how much more reliable my taco has been and certainly hate risking that if I were to go the FI route.

 

It’s a great point! Every snow storm or “challenging” trail my truck gets me through makes me appreciate it that much more!

 

I hadn’t even considered that. I do t think I’ve ever been that far out, but a good thing to keep in mind. Thanks!

 

What makes you think that about hybrids? I’ve driven a few and they’re starting to grow on me.

 

Supercharge. Most fun option

 

Can’t do all your research for you but you said you do a lot of highway, where hybrids really suck.

They truly are the worst of both worlds, the ICE dragging along and re-charging a heavy ass battery…

 

Honestly, #3. Learn to slow down and enjoy the drive and the view, even if it's your backyard and you're used to it.

Boost still struggles with higher elevation. Gotta have air to build boost. Throw a mass produced tune into the mix and it can struggle even more and will "probably" not see as great of performance with big changes in elevation. A tune where you get on a dyno and dial everything in will be better because you can tailor it to your truck and your conditions, but sometimes that means multiple sessions to get the best performance overall when you see big elevation changes. With that said, turbo>supercharger. Yes, superchargers give immediate power but they lack torque, which is what you want for low rpm oomph. A turbo that spools at lower RPM will net you more torque sooner than a SC.

I fully understand where you're coming from as I had a tuned diesel before my taco. I really miss that diesel torque and to be honest you will never get that feeling from a gasser. So even if you SC'd or bought a 4th gen, you'd probably still want more coming from a dirty D. The 4th gen would get you closer to that feeling, but it's still not the same.

 

Another discussion on this topic:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/magnuson-supercharge-owned-3rd-gen-or-buy-a-4th-gen.838171/

 

I’ve owned a twin turbo BMW for 16 years and only retired it from daily duty when I bought my Tacoma. That car makes 400lbft of torque at 1500rpm.

Saying all that because I completely agree with you. Just need to treat these trucks as their own thing and meet them on their terms

 

I just ordered a supercharger for my 19 so that's where I stand. I'm in it for the fun.

 

My X5 was a diesel and made 600lbft at around 1500rpm as well. That thing would launch so gd hard it was insane. I miss that thing, I low key regret selling it for the Taco, but it just wasn't ideal for our desires to get farther off the asphalt.

Years ago I had a Infinity G35 that I boosted. Forged internals, stock head but upgraded springs, GT35R blah blah. Made 515whp/509lbft @ 3800rpm. I had a buddy who had the same car but he SC'd and made 502whp but only like 400lbft @ ~3200rpm IIRC. I'd take him for a walk every time.

 

I'd say #3... The manners in this engine does require a bit of re-programming the driving brain to push into the higher RPMs...

I would say to go the MT route as that would address some of the issue - but an MT Voodoo blue taco might be difficult to execute (AND it would also imply buying a vehicle and losing the history with yours, which is what I mean to steer away from in my suggestion...

Altitude sucks significant power from internal combustion engines... We spend a significant time up in Tahoe, (6300 feet at lake level - and we venture higher from there...).

Toyota killed the PRO for me (Detuned engine on the Manual Gearbox) and the 4 cyl... and I am not interested in the other hybrid versions.

I am sticking with my PRO as there is no compelling reason for me to get one of the new Tacomas. (I am not getting a manual hybrid - this is not an elegant solution as it INCREASES complexity Carrying TWO Drivetrains is stupid! (Especially if one of them is an internal combustion engine!) - While a full EV dramatically reduces it.

I am waiting for the right FULL EV truck to replace my Taco. The tacoma is the only internal combustion vehicle left in our ownership. We also drive EVs in the mountains and the power loss from altitude is exactly ZERO percent. -It is wonderful.

From the use you describe, you might consider an option 4 - an EV Truck. If you are considering a 4th gen purchase with that price jump, that may get you into an EV truck and it may solve some of the main issues you've highlighted; Comfort (ZERO Engine noise), ZERO gear changes - ever, Tons of torque for climbing available from a standstill, and ZERO power loss at altitude.

I would encourage a test drive.

There are not many options in the EV Market currently as far as trucks (but they are coming!) - I do keep looking at the Rivian. (No Cybertruck for me - thanks!). So I've opted for option #3 myself - for the time being.

I'll finally surrender my third pedal and only for a full EV off roader - and I'll do it happily then! - but no sooner!

 

If it were me id keep it the way it is you're not stressing the engine. If the power bothers you i would wait another year for the kinks to iron out and get a 4th, a 5.29 SC 3rd gen would be comparable to a stock 4th gen but the word is STOCK. When tuning, higherboost, exhausts, chargepipes etc start rolling it would not even be a comparison. I prefer the size, exterior look of the 3rd gen but once you add a blower i think it would be splitting hairs with reliability. Boosted cars have less loss and do respond better to higher elevation vs N/A

 

Appreciate the perspective! Low end torque from diesels really are something else… but definitely gotta pay to play. And I did not want to pay lol. Agree on the tune, but I was really impressed how effective the OTT one was when paired with 5.29s. Part of me wants to see if it’s the same with a SC.