2.7L engine power opinions?

I have been wanting a 2nd gen Tacoma ever since they came out in 2005 and now I am going for it. I was excited to learn that for the first time here in Canada they are offering the 2.7L 4 banger 4x4 access cab! So I quickly orderd one in Magnetic Grey. The fuel economy and $3000 less msrp than the V6 Access cab made it affordable for me to get a new Tacoma. Will I be missing out on the V6 power? I haul a full size quad and plan on towing a tent trailer wit it. How are your experiences with the 2.7 4x4?

 

although i havent had any experience with a stock tacoma 4cyl.. im impressed by the ability of a 4 banger to break 34inch tires loose on dry pavement..... other than that i wouldnt call it a powerhouse by anymeans... low rpm power sucks, but it does viciously build power in the higher rpms but then drops off after about 5500rpm. id say the 4cyl is a good truck to play in but it isnt a towtruck.....

then again i have the first genn

 

The problem isn't power, the 2.7 is a great engine, it's the gearing, My base runs 2400 RPMs @ 75mph with manual 5 speed!!, Truck seriously needs more gear. It's going to get the appropriate rear gear change in the spring. I want to be running 2600-2700 RPMs @ 75 mph.

Motoretro

 

I have a 08' PreRunner w/ the 2.7L 5spd manual. It has 265/70 tires on the stock wheels. The rear end gear ratio is 4.10 in the PreRunners and at 75 mph I'm running around 2700-2850 rpms. Makes all the difference on the hills in my opinion but can hurt the mileage a little. I still manage to pull off around 19 to 21 mpg in the city. (those tires are pretty heavy too, 10 ply rating)


It would be nice though if they had a 6 spd in these and spaced the gearing out so you could use 1st as a LO gear and start off in normal circumstances from 2nd. The 4 cyl really lacks the torque to make it up very steep hills without having to keep moving fairly fast (5-7mph) otherwise it just lugs like crazy.

 

I hauled two quads before with my old POS gmc sonoma, def. wasnt suppose to haul that much but it did.......

you'll be good with a 4 banger taco though

 

man stick with the 2.7 i love it, yes i wish the gearing was a lil better but if its a few grand go spend it on the v6 or change the bloody gearing and put a detroit trutrak in it while youre at it

 

^^^^^ You got the idea!

 

I priced it......about $885.00 plus shipping for complete rear pig. I'm going this route in the spring. Aside from the improved performance, I feel it's effect will also help with some of the other complaints I have with the truck.

Motoretro

 

donde es pesos?

 

According to Motoretro that would be 12,111 pesos... apparently the Mexican economy isn't fairing well to the us dollar. Oh and dont forget the tax + shipping and that 18/100ths of a peso I left out.

better buy it quick before that dollar goes up!


EDIT: Ha, I am a moron. I just noticed you were asking where is the money, now how much money...

 

Thanks for the input! So the Pre-Runner has a lower gear ratio than the non-prerunner Tacomas, does this also mean that the 4x4 3.7L Tacomas also have this lower ratio than the 2wd's?

 

My PreRunner has a 4.10 rear axle ratio where as (dont quote me on this either) im pretty sure the late model tacoma 4x4 autos come with SOMEWHERE around 3.73 gears. Keep in mind the PreRunner is 2wd setup, just with a beefed up rear end, different gears, and higher stance. Now for your 3.7, I am not sure if its any different. I would imagine you could find out exactly whats in your diff via the vin number if all else fails. Someone around here would know what should have come with it though.

I found this quote from a different thread that was oriented towards fuel mileage....


Originally Posted by 007Tacoma
Holy CRAP!

No wonder the V6's are getting such good gas mileage - according to the Toyota website, the V6 (Access Cab and Double Cab) have a 3.73 rear end. The regular suspension 4 cylinders get a 3.31 (manual) and a 3.58 (automatic). So I have the highest gear ratio out of all of them (4.10). No wonder it is so hard for me to hit 27 MPG.

Oh well, at least it has some damn good power.




Hopefully someone with some more expertice in the area will chime in on this one. I am confident that what i told you is correct, although I might be forgeting something.

 

Sorry, I meant 2.7 4 cylinder 4x4

 

This link shows and compares the specs including rear axle gear ratio http://www.toyota.com/compare/?modelCode=tacoma#h_overview

The Pre-Runner and 4x4 2.7L get the real low 4.10s, the 2wd gets 3.31, and the V6 4x4 gets 3.73 That would explain the difference in fuel economy as well.

 

Looks like you got it covered!

I wouldnt trade the 4.10s for nothing. Gives it a big kick in the ass, and my mileage is still around 19-20 mpg city. This is with some pretty heavy and fairly large tires, with a 3 inch lift. Now i dont haul ass all over the place but i do not make it a point to do otherwise.

 

I think the higher gear ratios are there for tire height compensation mostly. The Pre-Runner gear ratio is 4:10 and if the tires are 265/70/16 the RPM's at 75mph with manual trans in 5th gear should be 2701 RPM's.
An example;

I have a base truck with 5 speed manual with 3:31 & 26.8" std tire, At 75mph in 5th gear I'm turning 2490 RPMs. If I go to the 3:58 which is used in base trucks w/ auto, My RPM will be 2685 RPMs @75mph. This should help alot with the off the line bog and still have more roll-on than a Pre-runner since I'm not pushing as much air or weight. I doubt it will affect my mileage.....I feel 2700 RPM's is a sweet spot for the 2.7 engine. If is does, I could split the difference by going to one size taller tire(27.4") and get 2640 RPMs @75 mph or two sizes taller(27.95") and get 2587 RPM's @75 mph, still better than stock.

Motoretro

 

That 2701 sounds right on. After i made that post the other day, I made a point to see what it was. I over guestimated the RPM a little. Your calculations are dead on what im getting on the road.

For the tire size, I dont want anyone to think that is what the truck came with. It had some dinky little 245/75/R16's when i got it. So its had a pretty drastic change in size. I didnt really notice a change in MPG on the highway after the change. Probably due to the increase tire size and lower rpms? Now city driving took a hit by around 2 mpg.

EDIT: I also noticed there is a HUGE difference in RPM from 70 to 75. This must be due to the 5 gear ratio.

 

The 4.10 gears and the heavier curb wieght of the 4x4 versus 2wd 2.7L makes sense. Ive driven 2wd 2.7L Tacoma so I can't wait to compare the lower gears to the 4x4.

 

If it's a 4x4 you gotta change the front gearing to if you change the rear.

 

Bud I can't speak for the new ones but I have my old 97 Tacoma with the 2.7 and that truck still has balls even at 135K. My dad uses it to haul lawn equipment and whatever he does not want to use his Tundra for more than a car. I used to drive the hell out of that truck and in 5th gear ( I know you are looking at the auto) it would pull a hill when my buddies with the V6 were shifting. If you have the option the manual tranny really helps to bring the 4 banger to life but it will cover your needs.