Looking at a 2012 4cyl 4X4

Hi, I'm currently driving a beautiful 1981 2WD pickup but have been looking to upgrade. I'm looking at a 2012 4cyl 4x4 and my only concern is the 4cyl. Towing capacity is 3500lbs? I'm single without kids so I don't need the access cab but I will be towing a small boat around. Any advice would be appreciated. I hear that the gas mileage isn't much different. Cheers

 

How heavy is the boat?

Post up some pics of your old Toyota

 

My advice on the 2.7 is always the same: if your expectations are reasonable, you'll be fine. It's not a powerhouse but has plenty, probably much more than your '81. Mine gets 18-20mpg (with larger tires) regardless of how I drive it. I tow regular and have been impressed honestly, I guess since it's already slow, there isn't much to lose? Drive it, if you have any doubts, walk away and find a V6.

 

I've never weighed it but I currently tow it with my little truck so its not that heavy. Might want to upgrade one day but I feel like the 4cyl is fine.

 

My father in law and I have the same truck, just a year apart difference, and we use his truck to pull our boat. It does fine...boat is 18' with Honda 135.

 

If you tow it with your older Toyota a new 2.7 should pull it better. It has a bigger engine, it's in a bigger truck and has bigger brakes

 

I wouldn't even consider owing a Taco with a 4 cylinder much less alone having to tow with it.

Make your life easier and get a V6, no offense to those that own the 4 cylinder, but with the weight and size of our trucks, 4 cylinders have no place in our trucks, much less alone a 4X4 setup.

 

The 2.7L is a workhorse. With reasonable expectations of what it can do and no need for speed, it gets the job done. I even towed a few trailers with mine. Only reason I got rid of mine was I outgrew its capabilities .. needed a double cab .. and I wanted a locker

The 4 cylinder has its merits - better fuel economy and the motor is bulletproof. And with its 6 quart sump and the bigger V6 oil filter, it can go 10K between oil changes (which I confirmed with a used oil analysis).

@TacomaMike37 I couldn't disagree more.

 

My 2010 AC 2.7l 5sp tows a modest trailer, with a modest load without any complaint. As noted, it will not come off the line like most vehicles on the road when towing a utility with 2 yards of mulch, or half a cord of oak, or my ATV, or a stone Cairn but, my off the line days are over. I have 75k on mine now, with average MPG for all 75k miles at 21.5. I am very happy with the utility, the looks, the efficiency, and the flat reliability of this truck. This is the utility trailer that holds half a cord, and for a friend, a bonus in the bed of the truck.

 

Very helpful thank you!

 

I tow a 2800lb ski boat with mine just fine.

 

OP there is good advice in this thread already. You will be fine, just make sure it's a 5spd if you want to tow, the autos aren't as good...
Another thing to ponder is that you can probably get a great deal on a 4banger if you buy it used as the V6 models hold their value much better. If you drive it in the ground you don't have to worry about that coming back to haunt you when you sell

EDIT:
4x4 5speed manual gets 4.10 gears which is better for towing also

 

yep four cylinders have lower gears than the v6 which helps. also the 2.7 they use now has about 160 horsepower where your older 20r or 22r probably has around 100 if its stock, the 2nd gens are alot bigger than your pickup so youll like the bigger cab and air conditioning.
also be prepared for all the shit guys with v6 trucks will talk about how underpowered the 2.7 is like their 4.0 tacoma is a one ton dually or peterbuilt. if its the same boat behind your truck in you profile pic it should tow it just fine.

 

Ya and it is a 5 speed as well. Thanks for the advice. I'll let you know what I think if I end up buying it tomorrow.

 

Are you in California? And how much does he want for it?
Btw the gas mileage is much different from the 4.0. Just the new 3.5 is about as good as the 2.7 in that regard

 

I'm happy with my 2010 ac 2.7, 5 speed 4x4. Tows my 17 ft boat about as good as my 03 3.4 4x4 does. The 3.4 tows just a little better.
20-22 mpg daily driving.

 

Pictures of the old yoda