Thoughts on a late model Gen 2 to replace F-150 Eco boost

Hello all, I used to have a 2008 Tacoma 2.7L 5 spd 4x4 access cab. I absolutely loved the truck, but it had a ton of rust and my dad was selling his clean 2016 F-150 2.7L ecoboost so I decided to move on. What I like about the Ford: good towing capacity of 8500 lbs, decent fuel economy, and some other really nice features. What I don't like: everything else. Every time I drive it, I find myself wishing I had a Toyota again. What are your thoughts on a late model (13-15) gen 2 4.0 m/t Tacoma vs the F-150 2.7L ecoboost vs a Gen 3 tacoma?? Although I would really like another 2.7L I4, I don't want to sacrifice that much towing capacity. The 6500 lbs towing capacity of the gen 2 V6 would probably be good enough. I would like to confirm the following set up would be available: 4.0 V6 Access Cab 4x4 with a manual transmission (6SPD MT only right?). How would that truck compare to the 2016 2.7L F150? Is there anything in the Gen 3 tacos that would be worth it over the gen 2? I've also kicked the tires on a T100 or first gen Tundra but not a lot available with a MT. Thanks

TL;DR 2nd gen 4.0 vs 3rd gen 3.5 vs F-150 2.7L ecoboost

Thoughts??

 

Hold out for that T100 if you have time. Amazing trucks and have a strong dedicated following. It's just a bit more truck. One in Greeley CO with a MT for 7k

 

I'd start with the spec sheets.

 

Thanks, definitely interesting that a T100 could be a viable option. How's the towing with the 3.4's? Finding a clean low mileage T100 3.4L extended cab 4x4 MT from a southern state would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Buuut possibly worth waiting for??

Touche, but spec sheets don't offer emotional support for Ford guys wishing they had a Taco, and that's really what I'm here for.

 

Keep your truck for truck stuff. Buy a fun 5 speed manual 90’s car to enjoy shifting your gears. My 18 F150 2.7 is an amazing truck for hauling and road trips. My 95 subaru legacy sedan is a blast to hoon around dirt roads.

My 2007 taco and 2012 taco were both 6 speeds. That transmission was not great nor fun to drive in my opinion.

 

What do you mean by towing capacity.

if I need to tow, I hook my shit up and go.
I moved across the country.
Being a mechanic my cargo is heavier than an average person. While they have IKEA plasterboard, I have metal shoved in a metal box.

am I going to tow 40,000 lbs like it’s a 3500 diesel? No. Because I am not stupid.
If I needed to tow 40k lbs I would get a 3500. I don’t.

some eco boosts work. Some don’t.
If I was to get a full size truck it would be a 2500. I don’t see the point of anything that is not diesel in a full size such as 1500.

what are my thoughts about a turd gen? I don’t think about them.

 

Well since getting the ecoboost, I've found myself occasionally pulling what I estimate to be about 7000 lbs of split wood. Not often, but sometimes. I know that isn't good long term though I'd really like to retain that ability in a pinch but scale back to a Tacoma or T100. I hear you loud and clear about the turd gens. I think I've narrowed it down to 2nd gen 4.0 or T100 3.4 or 1st gen Tundra 3.4.

You're probably right, I don't know why I'm married to the idea of a MT. It makes it harder to shop and harder to drive, but for some reason I am. The 2.7L F-150 is indeed a nice truck for long hauls, no denying it has some really nice features that some of these older plain jane trucks wouldn't have. But it's almost too much truck for me in that respect.

Check out this T100 https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/JT4VD22E0S0012294

Only one I can find that meets my criteria, but the price point of 26k for a 30 year old truck... Is that what I'm gonna have to expect? Also does this one look lifted? Can't consider anything that's been lifted or modified.

 

The 2.7 has more power and is a bigger truck.
The Tacoma has it beat everywhere else.

Towing with a 3.4 is not good at all.
Skip a 3.4 if you need power, or are towing.

The 4.0 is a better option for towing.

 

You could do like I did, I have the 2005 Tacoma and I have a 2013 F-150 Ecoboost. Keep the F-150 and look for the Tacoma you really want.

 

Last summer I got to drive a buddy's 2020 Ecoboost a few hundred miles towing some motorcycles. It wasn't a heavy trailer but I was absolutely blown away by how smooth, powerful and refined the truck was and how easily it towed the trailer compared with all of the mid-sized Toyotas I've used to tow stuff like that in the past or the loud, thirsty and pretty gutless 460 powered F-350 we own and operate for the heavy stuff. I definitely see why the Ecoboost platform has become so popular.

That said, our 2nd gen Tacomas have been fantastically reliable trucks that are so simple to work on and maintain. I don't think even Ford guys can claim that about the Ecoboost.

 

If you tow regularly more than 4k keep the Ford.

Tacoma's are not tow kings. Nor MPG kings.

 

I have a 2008 tacoma access cab and a 2015 tacoma double cab, both with the 4.0 6speed and 4wd. My 2008 I have 449,000 plus miles, and have use the heck out of it. I’ve towed from 1500lbs. to 7000lbs. 5000lbs. is the most I feel comfortable towing with it. It’s been a good truck and very dependable. I still drive it Monday through Friday for work.
My 2015 I bought last February with 98,000 miles on it. I haven’t towed much with it. Still getting use to it. I like the double cab and 5’ bed for family trips. I had to use it for work for a short while; work wise I like the access cab with the 6’ bed.

 

That is a nice ride, the undercarriage is exceptionally clean. However, the clear coat is delaminating on the roof and starting on the hood and a proper respray would costs thousands. There is a reason they didn't take better pics of the hood and no decent ones of the roof.

Looks OEM height.

 

What about a first gen Tundra? No manual trans, but that 4.7 is sweet.

 

Ah, I see, so you are in love with your neighbors wife. I say follow your heart!

 

Keep the Ford. The 2.7 EB will match or beat fuel mileage of the Tacoma and will out perform it in every other metric. Look at payload numbers. The Ford will be 1800+ lbs compared to just over 1000 for the Tacoma. You can't realistically tow 8500 with the Ford, but 6500 is more realistic. Of course 6500 isn't realistic for the Tacoma either, 4500 is more like it.

The only advantage Tacoma offers is a smaller vehicle that is easier to park and maneuver.

 

.... and be worth anything when you're done with it.

 

I agree with you. My 2005 Tacoma is great to work on. The 2013 EcoBoost, No so much. The Tacoma is just shy of 250,000 miles and is going strong but when I need tow my camper that's when the EcoBoost comes in to play.

 

I had a '98 T-100 for seventeen years, before switching to my 2014 TRD OR, 6 speed manual transmission Tacoma (which I've had for nine years now). I sold the T to my nephew with 267,000 miles on it, the day after I did the third timing belt/water pump change on it.
The Tacoma is better in almost every way.
The T-100 has a steering box instead of rack and pinion steering, torsion springs instead of coils, a speedometer cable instead of speed sensors, etc. Aftermarket support for the T is crap and parts from Toyota may be discontinued. Don't get me wrong, I liked the T, but I like the Taco much better. The 3.4 is a good engine but needs a timing belt and water pump every 90k. If you're set on that power train, look for a good 1st gen Taco. I personally love those.
Personally, I would cross the T-100 off my list. I could give more examples, but that is my opinion. I can't compare it to the Ford other than to say the Ford is bigger and more powerful.