4cyl. work truck ?

Hi, I don't have a Tacoma yet, but I'm looking for an auto, Access Cab......I'm considering a 4cyl. for economy but some guys claim bad mpg with the 4cyl and others claim good mpg with the 6cyl......?......I would plan on putting on Black aluminum diamond plate toolboxes up on the bedsides and a Trac Rac ladder rack. Do you guys think the weight and aerodynamics would reduce 4cyl mpg's enough that I might just as well have the 6cyl ? If I have the 6cyl with the rack and toolboxes will the mileage be terrible? The truck wouldn't be loaded heavy......just once in a while for doing electrical sidejobs, but the toolboxes and ladder rack would be there all the time. I'm not too concerned about power...trying to avoid lousy gas mileage (12-14mpg) . If the 4cyl is that under powered and I'd have to step on the gas a lot to compensate....then maybe mileage would almost be the same as with the 6cyl cuz it can probably move the truck and extra things with ease. It seems backwards that the small 4cyl engine gets trannies (wether auto or man) with less gears and the big 6cyl gets more gears in the tranny???? I really like the TRD Offroad and I like 25 mpg (some guys claim) with the 4cyl......Any input ??

 

If you're looking for a 4x4 then 25 mpg isn't going to happen.

If you expect your truck to pass everything on the highway and you enjoy driving it like you stole it, then get a 6 cylinder.

If you have the expectation that you are driving a truck and speed isn't what they are built for then I would say the 4 is just fine. I've been driving one for 5 years and have never wanted for power. The biggest problem I have with mine is that the rear leafs are somewhat weak...putting 300 lbs in the back will cause it to sag and filling the back end up with firewood will make it ride nose up.

Here's my mileage log:

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma/2000/bcaleem/20909

Clark

 

Mileage is almost identical between the 4 cylinder and V6. Take it from someone who had a 4 cylinder access cab before, spend the extra cash and get the V6 that way you don't regret it down the road. They get maybe 1-2mpg less than a 4 cylinder, assuming both trucks are left stock.

If you do go with a 4 cyl, get the manual trans. With the weight of tools and other things in the bed, it will feel very underpowered and you will be flooring it all the time. Only way you will see 25mpg is with a 5 lug, my 4x4 4 cylinder got 22 at best, usually between 18 and 20 average. One time I did get 27 mpg, but that was traveling with a pushy tailwind and going downhill on the interstate for several miles.

 

I got a 4x4 4cyl and average 21.4 mpg. I imagine a base 2wd Access Cab could probably get close to 25 because it weighs less and is lower to the ground.

 

Welcome to TW
All other things being equal, driving habits and weight has the most effect on mileage.
I get better mileage with 0% ethanol gas. I also had some improvement when I removed the secondary air filter.

 

Thanks for all the good info....will keep looking....probably for a 6cyl....

 

Good plan! You wont regret it.

 

I've never found that to be true and I work with many people who drive the 6 cylinder. I do get less than 20 mpg but only in the winter when it is cold and my trips tend to be shorter. Otherwise it is consistently over 20 and with slightly smaller tires it has been consistently 22+ mpg.

Can you claim that with a V6?

Clark

 

Yep, on winter gas right now I am getting an average of 17-19, wait until summer and I will be back into the 20's again. It all depends on how you drive it. My 2011 4 cylinder got about the same and averaged 19 to 22 on summer gas.

 

you can see what others are getting: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/117890-2-7l-mpg.html

 

You realize that you're drawing on your experiences with a 1st gen v6. This guy is probably looking at a 2nd gen. Especially since he mentions a different number of gears in the transmissions. The difference between the two gens are just about night and day. The 3.4L is pretty miserly on fuel and the 4.0L not so much. The 2.7L in the second gen is a pretty strong little engine. Very torquey once it passes 2500rpm. And best of all it's significantly cheaper to buy (especially used) and easier and cheaper to maintain. Although if you looking for mileage a five lug is recommended. 25mpg average is regularly possible with a 5 lug manual and you can average it occasionally with a 5 lug automatic. I've never had any trouble with mine hauling loads and I've carried a 700lb gun safe in the bed.

 

2013 DCSB Prerunner 2.7 auto 21-23 average MPG, 27-29 highway MPG with 245/75/16 Dunlops. 265/76/16 Hankook Dynapro ATM RF10s now 19-21 average MPG.

Have only ran Dynapro's on winter blends, and haven't taken long trips to get freeway MPGs. I'm looking forward to summer to see if I really lost 2 MPG or if the fuel mix is also a factor.

 

I'm still over 20. When you are "back into the 20's" does that mean 20.1, 21, 22? My experience through others is that it means 20.1 mpg with a V6 Tacoma. The difference has always been at least 10% between the 4 and 6 which is significant.

You're right though, how you drive it is the biggest factor. All who think their Tacoma is a performance street machine will get poor mileage no matter what engine. When driven conservatively I don't think it is reasonable to expect similar MPG between the 4 and 6.

Clark

 

Yep, I owned a 2011 access cab 2.7 4x4 for 3 years. And the 4.0 V6 is supposed to be more efficient than the 3.4 and yet I can still stretch 19 out of mine on winter gas. If I can do that, you'd think a 4.0 V6 can do better if driven right. The guys that complain about bad mileage on this forum are typically the ones with lifts and big tires, all those things kill mileage.

Whatever you say, but the 4.0 dual VVT-i in the 4Runner is rated to 22mpg estimated highway so the modern V6's are getting more and more efficient. Why they don't use that engine in the Tacoma is beyond me, it makes 270hp vs the current 236hp and gets better mileage. I'm just trying to warn this guy ahead of time what he might run into with a 4cyl. He is going to be using the truck to haul tools and tools are very heavy so it will really be taxing on that little engine to get the truck around. He can go with whatever he wants, but I am just sharing what I experienced having owned both a 4 cylinder and V6. 4 cylinder is a great engine for a commuter and for light jobs around town, but you get out on the highway and hit hilly country or start towing, the 4 cylinder leaves a lot to be desired. Most I ever towed with mine was 3400lbs approx and it was fine on flat roads but on hills it was miserable and felt like I was overworking the poor thing.

 

The 4.0L is a slightly more efficient engine than the 3.4L. It makes about 3 more hp/L. But when it comes to fuel economy you just can't get around that extra 0.6L of displacement.

 

Ok....what mpg could i expect from this truck: (what i expect to end up with).....2012 TRD Off Road, Access Cab, 4x4, v6, AT, front 2" level lift, 285x75R16 Duratracs on stock wheels (aired up for good mpg's), aluminum toolboxes(not full most of the time), Trac Rac ladder rack.....?.......

 

With that sort of setup I don't know why you are even worried about fuel economy.

Clark

 

At best 18mpg, at worst 13mpg. If this is the type of setup you're looking for my advice is buy a full size with the smaller V8 option. You're mileage will be about the same.

 

The 4 Cylinder is the best of both worlds! You get the gas mileage of a V8 and the horsepower of a prius!!

 

Lol!