4 cylinder 4x4 fuel economy worth it over 6 cyl "trd" model

Hi My name is Jeff, I live in Honolulu, HI. Just an introduction to everybody here. Right now I have a 95 2x4 ranger that I will be selling soon.

sorry if this question was allready posted here. I did do a quick search, but I didn't throughly scour every thread, so If I missed something maybe somebody could point me in the right direction.

I am just about ready to pull the trigger on a 1st gen extended cab 4x4 tacoma. I was wondering if it is really worth it as far as fuel economy to have a 4 cyl engine. Maybe some real life experience out there would help if you wouldn't mind educating me. Or if it isn't really that much, Should I just go for the "trd" model

Thanks

 

Just go for the one that makes you happy. You don't want to end up buying a 4-cyl, then down the road hoping you would have bought the 4x4.

 

Go V6!

 

i have the 2.7 i wish i had the 6 simply because i drive alot of highway and the faster you go with the 4 the worse the gas mileage is. but the 6 cyl has the same gas mileage as the 4 cyl

 

I agree, go with the V6 if you have plans to do any wheeling. While the 4 cyl is not exactly underpowered, the extra that goes with the V6 is worth it in the long run, plus your resale values seem to be higher with a V6. Are you looking for a highway truck or a wheeling truck? Ask yourself that (Not that there are too many long roads where you are at, and yes, I am slightly jealous!)

 

I can only speak for my v6, but the last three tanks I got were 19.5, 19.3, and 20.1. The last one had more hwy miles.

Now some 4 cyl guys can post and you can compare real world numbers.

Ultimately, get what makes you happy!

 

With the 2.7L, on the highway, I get a pretty consistent 23.5ish mpg's. so it is realistically about 3-4mpg higher than the V6; about 20% better mileage. I definitely wish I had the power of the V6, but with the amount of driving I do, mpg is the priority, so I have the right truck. The 2.7L is not underpowered around town; I never find myself needing more. But on the highway is a different story. Normal, flat-ish highways are fine, honestly, but the hills kill me- a lot of downshifting to 4th.

I dont find myself wishing for the v6 all that often- but the times I do is when I'm towing long distances, and also when I consider going to bigger tires. I had 265/75/16's on for a summer, and you could feel it... I'd like to run that tire year round (just looks meaner) but I decided against it because I can't afford to lose the power and mpgs.

When i bought the truck I was driving 600 miles each week, now I drive like 100/wk. that being said, I'd probably go with the V6 if I had the opportunity now.

 

For the last few months I've been averaging 22.5 - 23.5 (with a best 24.5) in my V6

That's most rural/city road driving. Less than 5% highway

 

i always get between 23.5-24 mpg out of my 4cyl 4x4 mixed highway and city driving

 

V6 and you will not regret it

 

Thanks Everybody, Maybe the v6 is better, then I can get the TRD model.
As far as what kind of driving I will be doing. It is for fishing at the far end of the island (dirt road / sand) Or occastional hunting trails. Not much bush wacking but I will need the 4x4. Not sure if I need the diff locker that the trd has.
Our daily driver is a prius but when my wife has it, I will be driving the tacoma (or whatever I get) around town. I am searching e-bay ($1000 extra to ship it here if it is by a shipping port, and local craigslist.
I will post pics when I get it. But still a little ways down the road yet. I have to sell my other truck.

Jeff

 

yeah you'll want the locker if you're gonna be in sand and mud. if you're considering the 4x4 then the diff locker is as close as you're gonna get to 4x4. really helps when you get into those tough ruts that you need just a lil nudge to get out of. went V6 TRD and i'm pretty happy

 

Damn, I wish I got your MPGs. I have never seen close to those numbers. Good for you man.

 

You can drive a V-6 a certain way and increase gas mileage, but you can't drive a 4-cylinder a certain way and increase power.

I spend about $175/month on gas and would not trade the power for about $35 per month in savings. Those with larger commutes might not feel the same way though!

 

I have a 2011 V6 DCSB and I avg 22-23 on the highway as well. Bone stock suspension and tires.

 

I'm tempted to buy you an UltraGauge. I bet you're getting 26-28 on those rural roads at speed (I think I remember you saying you cruise at 45 MPH in 5th gear for fairly long distances). I suspect that is pulling your average up and averaging out the lower mileage you get at lights and stop signs.

I've been wanting to do an experiment locally at 40-50 MPH but I can't find a road flat and long enough to pull this off without getting creamed. For really short distances I've seen the UG fluctuate between 26 and 30 at those speeds in 5th gear.

 

I owned a 95.5 tacoma with the automatic 2.7 and it was a very nice motor, but now that i have the 3.4l v6 i can say that it is alot more powerful even with my 33s on. Their both very realiable motors though.

 

My 2.7l 4x4 gets much better gas mileage than my fathers V6 PreRunner. Its obvious the 4 cylinder gets better gas mileage then the 6. Keep it under 75 on the highway and the gas mileage is phenomenal. No power issue here. Mine is a 5 speed which helps but I am also never in a hurry. Go 2.7l if your concerned with gas mileage and not with power. If you need some power/will be towing get the V6. Pretty standard.

 

My '04, 2.7, in warm weather, 26.8- 27.98 (best ever) every week, all highway, but I am able to drive at only 55 mph- yeah, I know. Cold weather the mileage drops 2- 2.5 mpgs.

 

'01 Reg Cab 2.7 5spd 4.30's and 265/75/16's on steel wheels, I get 19-21mpg mixed city/highway (daily commute... about 6 miles of stoplights and about 6 miles of highway) and the last 450 mile road trip I got 24mpg on the first tank, but 60 of those miles were at 80mph on the toll road. I've seen 26mpg on an easy 65mph highway run. These are actual calculations, not gadget guesses.

The 4cyl is great for me. Enough power to run around town, hit the highway, tow a small trailer, and play on the trails, but not enough power to get me into trouble. A V6 would be nice if mine were an extended cab or an automatic, but the 3RZ is fine oin my truck.