3.5 vs. 4.0?

I think the new auto trannys are the biggest problem. Not only have they been problematic so far, but they make the engine seem dull.

My truck gets more and more fun to drive as the miles pile on. MT all the way. The gearing helps too.

 

Would have liked it if they took the 3.5 engine they are currently using with the D4S system and gave it a longer stroke. Essentially making a new 4.0 litre engine. Would provide some better torque.

 

2JZ GTE, 3L and a beast of an engine.

 

The 2GR is no more a Lexus engine than the Chevy Small Block is a Cadillac engine. The 2GR was 1st introduced in '04 in the '05 Avalon. It trickled it's way through the Toyota line up over the next couple of years, replacing the 1MZ and 3MZ applications. The ES has always been Camry/Avalon based and the RX has always been Highlander based, so both got the 2GR by default. It took a little longer for the 2GR to find it's way to the IS and GS....though some IS models were equipped with the smaller 3GR mill.

 

well if anyone has any Dyno of the new 3.5 can compare to this old 4.0
this was from my old 2005 Xrunner, but this is also with the TRD intake, long tube doug thorley headers and magnaflow exhaust

 

A manual was dyno tested here..

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacoma-dyno-time.410608/page-5

 

Dont know how much of a difference would get with results mine on a dynojet on rollers. and that 2016 was on the bolted on style.

 

I figured I would pull the trigger on this 2013 with 26,000 miles and have money leftover for a camper, new tires, roof rack, leveling kit etc. I miss the connected feeling my gen 1 3.4 manual had but this 4.0 pulls hard. Driving around town I rarely get above 2,300 rpm and at 3,000 rpm I am leaving people in the dust.
I liked a lot of things about the gen 3 but after testing several of them I realized I did not like the way the 3.5 pulled. Wish I had the new interior in mine though.

 

With the manual, the new 3.5 is a much better engine than many people give it credit for. It's definitely a little weak down low, but the manual transmission's gearing and the 4.3 rear help a lot with that. You have to really want to go fast to make it go, but when you get into it, it'll move. I hit it hard last night and got a decent 3rd gear chirp.

 

I did like the 3.5/manual combo. Wish they'd offer it in the DCLB and I would have considered one. The long bed was more important to me.

 

Yeah, I wish that were so.

When you've been married for 16 years and have two kids it just doesn't happen that often.

 

They should throw a 22R engine in the 2018 Tacomas.

 

Have a 2015 4.0 TRD 4x4 Sport and a 2017 3.5 TRD 4x4 Sport that replaced a 2015 4Runner 4.0 4x4 Trail that was crushed by a tree, RIP.

Driving wise, the 4Runner was a slug, no idea why anyone thinks that's a better drivetrain package. Don't get me wrong, I loved the vehicle, build quality is awesome, but it was very lazy on the low end and simply felt sluggish most of the time. Now, had Toyota bothered to tune it towards performance at all instead of boring I'm sure there is potential, but they lock us out so no real options. A pig is a pig.

The 2015 4.0 Tacoma has the biggest advantage in low end grunt, but falls flat after the initial good pull. Great truck, very good get up and go but then loses it's breath. Very fun initially and then nothing more.

The 2017 3.5 Tacoma is definitely down a bit on pull down low compared to the 4.0. It feels lazy when light on the pedal. But, when actually pushed it feels good. Off the line I'd say better than my 4Runner but worse than my 4.0 truck, but once it hits mid+ RPM's, the 3.5 actually feels really good, better than either. Having the extra gear does cause more shifting and probably helps the top end side I feel, but I fight horrible traffic most days at 60-80mph, so I'm always downshifting whatever I drive.

I prefer and daily drive the 3.5 truck for what it's worth.

 

Yes! I totally agree with this. Having both, this is also my experience, IMO. Well said! Let the flamers flame, but I agree.

 

Excellent post. After driving my brothers 2013, I felt the same way. I would also add, the 3.5 was way smoother in the mid to upper RPMs as well.

 

I wonder what the 4.0 would have been like with a 6 speed and the front air dam on the 3rd gen, probably almost the same mpgs but much more fun down low

 

Have had both engines and prefer the 4.0 ....3.5 is guttles down low.