Just might be getting a Tacoma...again

the 4 cylinders only have a 4 speed auto, i was thinking with one less gear the 5 speed manual would maybe get better mpg's. but i haven't really researched it.

i'd like to stay with a 4cyl. i am not too upset about losing the space, i mean yeah i like the space i have but it's not a deal breaker to lose some of it. at least i am not the first pick to drive with the guys now lol.

 

You do have the option of a 4 cyl double cab. I just bought a 2012 with an auto , only transmission option with 4 cyl dc, and it is great. I have noticed it shifts at a lot lower RPM then other vehicles I have had. This may contribute to the good milage. Still early to tell but I'm getting 20-21 in mixed driving.

Mike

 

i had no idea! i had tried building one on toyota's website and it acted like every time i changed to double cab it wanted to change to a 4.0 but on another note i did look at some regular cab 5 speeds and i was actually surprised and how much i liked em lol

 

You can enter different zip codes from diferent parts of the country into the builder on Toyota's site & get totally different choices. If you're in WV though, you have a bit of altitude and a whole lot of hills guys on the Gulf Coast don't contend with. To that end, I would think you'd be really disappointed with a 4-cyl double cab auto 4x4 .. which may be why Toyota doesn't give you the option. That doesn't mean a dealer can't get it for you from another part of the country (if you're willing to pay). But I don't think you'd like it. If you want auto, go with the V6 and you'll still get 18-19mpg.

 

yeah we definitely take a hit in mpg/power over here in the moutains. i have to agree, if i was going to go with a double cab, i'd get the v6. mine got between 17-17.5 mpg. losing all that space is more of an inconvenience for others thinking they can ride with me, not so much of an inconvenience for me lol. i'm telling ya, i really like the regular cap 5 speeds for some reason. going to go drive some tomorrow. they have some used ones for 19.5k with like 12k miles on em. but i can get a brand new one for 21.5k not sure if that is worth the difference in money.

i am pretty much set on getting one. just need to search around and make sure i can pull my Rzr and 6x12 trailer without too much of an issue. think i should be good though.

 

It seems to be the consensus here that the gas mileage difference between the 4 banger and the 6 is minimal, yet the most I have noticed anyone mention for the V6s is about 22 mpg. Driving habits have a lot to do with it, but my access cab 4wd 2.7 with manual consistently get better than 26mpg. 28 on the last tank, in mountain and city driving combined. If you aren't in a hurry the 4 banger will serve your purposes.

 

If you can keep the wheels and tires stock then definelty get an access cab 4cyl 4wd FTW....

If not then consider a v6/auto combo..

Whatever you do stay away from the 6 speed manuals there is nothing good about them IMO, horrible gear ratios, horrible throttle lag bc of engine tuning and crappy mileage compared to the auto. I would still have my tacoma if I had got an auto rather than the 6 speed manual in the last tacoma I had...

 

for what i do with my truck, i am never in a hurry. plus the only time i'll use it as a truck is locking it into 4wd in the snow or pulling the Rzr. which like i said i think the 2.7 will pull it, but not in a hurry.
i loved my 4.0 but these 4cyl are legendary. i am all about the miles you can put on em and the mpgs!

i'll be keeping stock wheels and tire size or staying around that. would love to put some A/Ts on em. i haven't heard much about the 6 speeds in the 4.0s but thanks for the heads up.

btw, not to jack my own thread here, but noticed your trans am in your avatar. is it yours? i have one myself!

 

I ran 17" 265/70/17 motto terra grapplers and it hurt my power and mileage in my 4cyl access cab 4x4.

No that is not my trans am, it is a stock photo from an advertising ad from back in the day lol.
mine is just like it tho but with ttops. I bought it used, 1996 ram air trans am with 45k miles on it. 6 speed car. Still got it mostly stock only k&n and flowmaster. But with 53k now lol.
Pics of it are in my gallery ;-)

 

shew, i bet that killed your mileage. i have done been down the "mod" road with my old DC. don't plan on doing too much. i would like some bfg a/t but they don't come in stock tire size, so i might go up a little bit in size but not too much.

that is pretty nice yours is still in such good shape with low miles. i have a 2000 ls1 but i put a ws6 hood on it. i am currently building up a 6L out of an 03 silverado with an ls3 top end. torquer cam and all that. but that will take another year or two. just got my t56 rebuilt and bolted up. long tube headers and an off road y pipe. i love it so much!

this is before my hood went on

 

Sweet! Looks awesome. I love those ls1 cars. They run better than the Ltd's lol. Those 6.0 build up nicely from what I have read. Keep us updated ;-)

 

thanks! those 6.0s maybe a little heavier (iron block vs aluminum) but you get so much torque and some power outta them it more than makes up for the added weight of the block. this car is pretty quick now, can't wait to see how quick itll be after the 6.0 is in it.

 

Good looking Z! i love the ls1 model camaros/trans ams. they look so good.

 

If that's the case for you, that's extremely rare. The EPA estimates for the 4-cyl 4x4s is 18/21 and the vast majority guys I know with the 4-cyls 4x4s report 22-24 hwy, and usually 20-22 mixed. Now the 2wds 5-lugs can do 28mpg.

 

The previous owner gave me the original window sticker for mine (09 model). The EPA numbers are 17 and 22, with "expected range for most drivers" of 18 to 26 mpg. I wonder about the way the EPA numbers are derived. Maybe it is the light traffic where I drive, but I have always been able to beat the EPA numbers.

 

ok guys so i've spent the past couple weeks researching a lot and looking at some trucks on the lots. here is what i have narrowed it down to...

definitely going with the base model access cab. i would still like to go with the 2.7 however i am still curious as to how it would handle towing ~2100-2200lbs locally about once a week or so. also, if i do choose the 2.7, do i go with the 5 spd manual or the 4 spd auto? the 4.0 has come into consideration but i am still trying to maximize mpg while maintaining a truck that can pull my Rzr + 6x12 trailer.

to mix things up, my granpa can get me a helluva deal on any GM vehicle with his retiree discount. I've been looking at the 3.7 colorados. they of course tow more, but their overall mpg seems to be about that of a 4.0 so i am still in the air about that.

any input from y'all on what my finall cut has been?

 

Access cabs are perfect, only time you need a double cab is to haul people, and I never do any of that, I like having the extra room behind the seat to store valuables and keep them locked. The 2.7 does fine with towing too, I just got done towing 2580lbs to Nevada and back over spring break with no complaints. Given you wont be going very fast and will rarely be in 5th gear, but you don't need to haul ass when towing anyway for that matter!

 

Get the manual for towing, and stay away from Colorados, will save lots of money in the long run getting a Tacoma! Mine had no trouble towing 2580lbs, getting heavier springs in the back really helps too for tongue weight.

 

No one has mentioned engine braking, an advantage of the manual. It will help on the down hill to slow some without frying the brakes, especially long grades. Automatics are getting better but sticks still edge them out in mileage, especially in town. The one time an auto may be better is when the final drive is taller than its manual counter part; this would result in better highway mileage. If the Tacoma had a 6 or 7 speed auto to help maximize the weaker 2.7 4 then it would be a tougher decision. But a 4 speed?
something else to consider is whether you busy yourself with other tasks while driving. Its quite difficult to juggle the radio, cell phone, cheeseburger, big gulp and stick-- exacerbating this is that you can't maintain directional controll with the top of your knee on the wheel when working the clutch--
Off road creepin is much easier with an auto...
Oh, and referencing your mention of the regular cab: you'll be able to maneuver in parking lots and maybe even make some u-turns.

 

access cab is my first pick. i really like the regular cab but i know i'll regret it once i own it. i am thinking the 2.7L would do fine towing, i don't tow any steep grades or anything like on the the Turnpike. just moderate hills around the rural part of Charleston. i am in no hurry to get where i am going. worst case is i am the butt of some jokes with my buddies. one owns a 2500 cummins and the other owns a 5.3 silverado.

i agree about everything with the manual. i'll be able to control the rpms and shift points when towing. i won't be off road creeping much in it, maybe a gravel road to get to a trail but that is it. as for the other tasks while driving, maybe a manual will deter me from my bad habit...texting while driving