what a 2.7L can handle.

Can a 2wd 2.7L 4 cal access cab handle going up a mountain path slowly semi off road with 1000lbs in the bed?

 

In low range 4WD maybe. I wanted the 2.7L for this truck, but it just didn't have the beans. To power an Access Cab at 4055 lbs curb weight you need a 6 cylinder. 159 HP just doesn't cut it.

 

Once...maybe...if you had to...depending on tires...if you take your time...and have a full tank of gas...

...but not every day...

 

volcomig has a PreRunner, so 3720 lb curb weight, which means the payload rating is higher than 4x4 at 1530 lb. << Note this includes driver, tank of gas and payload.

@volcomig: It's doable, but you'll have to keep the revs up. If you need to haul this load routinely, make sure your maintenance is up to snuff. Use 5W30 synthetic engine oil and change it every 3 mo/5000 km. Use 75W120 or 75W140 synthetic diff fluid and change it every 2 years/ 32,000 km like the booklet says.

 

It should do fine, won't be fast but you'll get there.The 4-cylinder doesn't have a lot of pep but it still has some grunt to it.

 

It will work just fine. Most on this forum are biased towards the 6 cylinder.

The 2TR-FE engine power is rated at 159 hp at 5,200 rpm, and 180 lb·ft of torque which is more than adequate. for a semi off road path in 2WD. Even with a full payload.

My first Toyota Truck was a 1980 model with the 20R engine:
Specs: Initial output was 96 hp (72 kW) at 4,800 rpm (90 hp in California) and 120 lb·ft (162 N·m) at 2,800 rpm. I ran with everything from the big Ford F250s and a Few 1980 and Older Landcruisers and never had an issue. It isn't all about HP.

It would run anywhere anytime even against these 1GR dudes... Regardless of what they think.

 

^Power went up over the years, but so did the weight. The current Tacoma curb weight is about 1000 lb heavier than the 1980s pickups. In fact, a 2.7L 4x4 Access Cab is tied with the Prius V minivan for having the worst weight-to-power ratio of any vehicle in Toyota's lineup. It'll run with the 1GR, but will need to rev higher, and won't move as fast.

 

OP has a Prerunner which is a bit lighter. IMO it will do just fine on an off road path. Faster is not always better either.

1980 Pickup curb weight 2580 Lbs, torque 20R engine 120 lb·ft.

2012 Tacoma Prerunner curb weight 3550 Lbs, torque 2TR engine 180 lb·ft.

2012 is 970 Lbs heavier, and has 60 lb ft more torque. I think it should be just ducky.