1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

4 cylinder power

Discussion in '4 Cylinder' started by Big Bear dude, Mar 17, 2013.

  1. Mar 17, 2013 at 12:34 PM
    #1
    Big Bear dude

    Big Bear dude [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Member:
    #99899
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern Ca
    Vehicle:
    2013 4x4, 4 cylinder
    Hi I'm a new member and considering the purchase of a 4 cylinder 4x4 standard or access cab. My concern is that living in the mountains I have to climb up and down frequently and that the power will be an issue. I'm an electrician and carry mostly hand tools and a ladder but I'm climbing 4000' on a 16% grade at times.
    Secondly how will it do in the snow?
     
  2. Mar 17, 2013 at 12:52 PM
    #2
    Big Bear dude

    Big Bear dude [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    Member:
    #99899
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Southern Ca
    Vehicle:
    2013 4x4, 4 cylinder
  3. Mar 17, 2013 at 7:20 PM
    #3
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    My manual does fine going skiing/hiking in Oregon or Washington, no 16%s though, holds speed on grades at say 50mph, but wont accelerate on them over 4-5k altitude. As far as snow, it'll do as well as any other truck, but I always use winter tires. Power will be an issue, its a 4 cylinder, but it does damn good for one.
     
  4. Mar 17, 2013 at 7:23 PM
    #4
    oldblue1968chevy

    oldblue1968chevy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2012
    Member:
    #91916
    Messages:
    1,526
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Spokane WA/Viola TN
    Vehicle:
    2000 Toyota Tacoma V6 TRD
    Stock
    Theres about a 1/2 mile hill pretty steep grade, I can pull it @ 3500rpm's @ 70mph in my 4cyl auto, granted that's pretty windin it out for the lil Toyota though.
     
  5. Mar 17, 2013 at 7:26 PM
    #5
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    On freeways, it holds speed any grade/speed for me, but mountain grades and altitude start to challenge any engine, especially smaller ones for a given model.
     
  6. Mar 18, 2013 at 11:04 AM
    #6
    pigger

    pigger Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2011
    Member:
    #61147
    Messages:
    2,182
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Greg
    Rio Rathole
    Vehicle:
    04 tacoma 4x4 reg cab
    Detroit True-Track rear limited slip, steering rack bushings, shell, SAF decals, Wheelers 5-leaf & Bilstein 5100's, some nice LED lights from Chris, big-ass bumpers, older-than-dirt owner
    I live above 5000 feet, and my 2.7L reg cab is not fast by any means, but it goes up hills OK if I'm in the appropriate gear. At this altitude, I have to shift down for the steeper hills, especially if I've got weight in the bed.
     
  7. Mar 18, 2013 at 2:11 PM
    #7
    jmlinne

    jmlinne Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2012
    Member:
    #88353
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mitch
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    '97 Tacoma 4x4 w/ 5-speed manual and locking hubs, stock for now
    My 2.7L 5-speed handles hills and snow just great. Now that It has 170,000 and low compression I don't try hills in 5th but in 4th I have no problems. The 4wd is excellent in snow and ice. In and out of 4H with a flick of the wrist. In Montana we all use studded snow tires for the ice.
     
  8. Mar 18, 2013 at 4:19 PM
    #8
    DGXR

    DGXR Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2009
    Member:
    #22094
    Messages:
    2,204
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Friend
    Sacramento, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 2.7L SR5 2-wheel drive
    Did you check your compression? How do you know it's low? 170k is not that many miles for a modern Toyota 4-cylinder.
     
  9. Mar 19, 2013 at 5:37 AM
    #9
    Billyj870m9

    Billyj870m9 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2013
    Member:
    #98614
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2012 sr5 4cyl ac
    Honestly if I lived in hilly areas I would have traded my 4 banger already. For where I live it's ok but I have a feeling you'll need a little more power for all the hills.

    That being said I love mine for what I do. I don't tow and don't haul a lot besides my self and work stuff. I will prolly be getting a v6 soon just because I want a dclb and it only comes in the sport in my area.
     
  10. Mar 19, 2013 at 5:51 AM
    #10
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2010
    Member:
    #32204
    Messages:
    1,560
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    East Tn
    Vehicle:
    2003 4x4 extra cab
    2" lift AAL and Bilstiens-front-rear,front diff drop. main drive drop
    6 cyl is better for steeper and longer grades--had a 4cyl-did OK.
    BUT 6 cyl is MUCH BETTER-have the 6cyl now. spend the extra $$$ you will not regret it.
     
  11. Mar 19, 2013 at 3:03 PM
    #11
    jmlinne

    jmlinne Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2012
    Member:
    #88353
    Messages:
    52
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mitch
    Montana
    Vehicle:
    '97 Tacoma 4x4 w/ 5-speed manual and locking hubs, stock for now
    Yes I did a differential pressure compression test like we do on aviation engines. It registered an average near 40/80 psi if you understand the meaning. This test also helps identify the source of leaks and mine are primarily rings.
     
  12. Mar 19, 2013 at 3:07 PM
    #12
    Juggernaut

    Juggernaut Captain

    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2009
    Member:
    #23111
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    18 PreRunner TRD OffRoad DCSB
    I have the 4 cyl and live at sea level. When I took it skiing I was surprised how much power it lost. If i lived above 5000 ft elevation I would not have bought my 4cyl.

    On the plus side once you get used to it and you bring it back down the hill it is as if someone dropped a supercharge in it, so much more power!
     
  13. Mar 19, 2013 at 3:14 PM
    #13
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2011
    Member:
    #55669
    Messages:
    8,434
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Some Toyotas
    Round tires
  14. Mar 19, 2013 at 3:44 PM
    #14
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
     
  15. Mar 19, 2013 at 3:59 PM
    #15
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2011
    Member:
    #55669
    Messages:
    8,434
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Some Toyotas
    Round tires
    25-26 in a 5 lug, no problem, in a 4x4, thats a stretch . . . not saying you're lying, just impressed at such FE with 4x4.
     
  16. Mar 19, 2013 at 4:10 PM
    #16
    Tacoyota

    Tacoyota senile member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2009
    Member:
    #20028
    Messages:
    2,931
    Gender:
    Male
    North of Cali, South of Canada
    Vehicle:
    08 4wd
    4.56 gears, rear trutrac,DT header, 235/85r16 Duratracs, 2nd filter pulled, inter.wipers, Cruise control, Factory alum. whls/winter tires(2nd set), Afe pro Dry-S , Dumbo eared flaps cut down.
    65 mph speed limit in Oregon, as opposed to 75 elsewhere, its highway mpg too still on stock tires too, fuel efficient , but not great off road. Its not too hard to do with some small efforts.
     
  17. Mar 19, 2013 at 8:26 PM
    #17
    EatMyTacomaDust

    EatMyTacomaDust Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2011
    Member:
    #55366
    Messages:
    1,080
    Vehicle:
    2014 "Black Beauty" Baja DC 4x4
    ICON 3" LIFT, Console Vault, Tailgate Security Clamp MOD, SuperBumper Crash Attenuator, TRD Front Skid Plate, Wet Okoles - 1/2 Piped, Undercover SE Tonneau
    ^^^^ Excellent Answer

    Test drive both and you'll probably get your answer. But if you get the 2.7L - Get a stick.
     
  18. Mar 19, 2013 at 8:34 PM
    #18
    bjmoose

    bjmoose Bullwinkle J. Moose

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Member:
    #42529
    Messages:
    6,009
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    San Jose CA
    Vehicle:
    '11 Std Cab 4x4 5sp
    OME suspension, ARB Air Lockers, CBI/Relentless/Pelfrey armor, HAM radio
    Nobody will mistake the 2.7 banger for a speed demon. That said, it has plenty of power for everyday driving use - even on hills, as long as you're willing to use the gearbox.

    I'm lifted and running on oversized tires, carrying a fair amount of armor and tools, and even still on the Barstow to Bakersfield climb yesterday (into a heckuva headwind) I could always hold 70 or 75 on the climbs - unless I had to slow down for other traffic.

    But only you know how much power you really need. So I advise you test drive both for a lengthy test drive.
     
  19. Mar 19, 2013 at 8:39 PM
    #19
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2011
    Member:
    #55669
    Messages:
    8,434
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    Some Toyotas
    Round tires
    Precisely, test drive both. I was set on a single cab second gen, until I drove a couple. I wasn't personally pleased. Then I found an old 93 Pickup, and while it had less horsepower its also lighter and much peppier and fun to drive. It's all on you and your taste, no one else's.
     
  20. Mar 20, 2013 at 12:05 AM
    #20
    MountainEarth

    MountainEarth Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2010
    Member:
    #30519
    Messages:
    2,481
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bryan
    CO
    Vehicle:
    2010 TRD OR Access
    Leer 100XR Shell, BedRug mat - comfy sleeping, GT Covers microfiber seat covers, BFG All Terrains 265/70r16, Dashmat, Antennax 13" shorty antenna, Weathertech liners, Ultra Gauge, Avid Light Bar, PIAA 520 ATPs, one old dog
    I say hell no especially if you want an access cab. Granted I live way up there - 8650 feet - but I test drove one and it was gutless. Had to drop it into 3rd to keep 50mph going up the canyon at 7000 feet on a 6-8% grade. Notice that some of the people telling you it'll be fine have 97 and 99 Tacos. But the 2nd gen is a bigger truck. Regular cab might be fine as it's (I believe) 500 lbs lighter than the access cab. Like others said, take both for a test drive on some hills if you can.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top