2.7 or 4.0

so ill be choosing between a 2011 extended cab with the 2.7 or a used 2009 4.0 extended cab with the TRD package. question is, is the 2.7 powerful enough to push around the extended cab truck, or do they struggle? looking mostly for fuel economy and reliability. i can get the the brand new 2011 for 21,000 and the used TRD for the same price. i plan to keep this truck for many years, and looking for the best fuel economy and power, also a little bit of towing here and there.

 

how much would you be towing? it seems like the 2.7 would be better for you.

 

For fuel economy, the 2.7. To maintain your sanity, the 4.0.

 

Pretty much what he said ^

And if you do get the 2.7, do not get a auto transmission, manual is the only way to go.

Damn I do miss the mileage of that 4cyl though...

But boy is the 4.0 smooth, quite, and quick.

 

2.7 and I would get the Automatic. Shifting gets real tiring, real quick.


Steve

 

Single cab may be fine, but access or double cab, I don't think it would have enough power.

The only thing that made my access cab (2.7) safe to drive in city traffic, was the ability to slip the clutch for extra power if needed... Like getting out of or across a intersection quickly.


Now with the 4.0, automatic is the only way to go. You don't want the 6 speed manual.

 

i have a 4 banger and love the gas milage. im runnin 33s and get around 22mpg. u wont get that outta a stock v6. my i4 lacks power but its better than most 4 bangers. it aint much but itll surprise ya

 

Four point

 

close only counts with high powered explosives

 

If yer looking for fuel economy, get the 2.7L. It's a good engine and is adequate in the access cab even with an automatic. That's my opinion.

 

save up a little more and get a new 4.0
dont settle, get the best.

 

Went through the same decision last week. Bought a double cab 2.7 auto. Speed limit is 70 here and it does 2100rpm @ 70. No struggles at all.

Test drove both engines and although the 2.7 is definitely slower I don't have any problems getting going or maintaining speed in traffic.

First tank was 20mpg with mostly city driving and no babying.

 

I have the V6 auto, and sometimes wish I had a 4banger with a 5 spd. I really like the simplicity of those motors and their robustness. Nothing could be more underpowered than my old dog of a civic, but it was a 5spd and had no problems negotiating traffic. Gotta go 5spd with the I4 IMO

 

I have a 4 cyl, regular cab (which should get the same mileage as an access cab), with the five speed. According to Fuelly, I'm averaging over 21mpg (a lot of that short trips in the winter), and the last tank was about 23mpg -- and that was a 300 mile trip with an ATV in the back. Other than the turning radius, the access cab 4 cyl I drove felt the same as my regular cab.

The power is adequate, strong enough to load it up hard or keep up on the freeway, but it is no speed demon or stump puller. If you want more power, get the bigger engine, but there's a big mpg penalty for the 4.0. Sure, there's always some guy who claims he is getting 25 mpg with the big engine, but unless it's downhill with a tailwind I wouldn't expect that in real world driving.

 

The running average of 18.8 in your Fuelly thing looks about right to me. Sure, the 4.0 can get great mileage in certain situations -- but day in and day out, it's going to run about 5 mpg less than the 2.7. And I can imagine situations (maybe pulling really heavy loads or at high speeds?) where the 4.0 might be more efficient than the smaller motor -- it will always depend a lot on the driver and the situation.

 

While the 6spd 4.0 isn't perfect, I don't think it should be avoided like the plague (like some members here are treating it). I do enjoy my 6spd and would still choose it over the auto, no regrets.

Something to consider OP, do you live where you will need to drive at elevation, over passes and such? I haven't driven the 2.7 but like the 4.0 at altitude and think I would probably need it.

 

Where's dhk?

OP, go for the 2.7L and 5 speed manual. It will be just fine if you're not into speed.

 

really!?! Awesome!

 

4.0 all the way. More torque, more power, and similar MPG's. I wouldn't even consider the 2.7 on an access cab (had an auto 4.0 access cab 2wd TRD Off-Road before). 2.7 on the reg cab is ok, but it will bog with larger heavier tires. Honestly unless you're really pushing pennies, I wouldn't hesitate on the 4.0

 

haha nice