V6 or 4 banger What should I get?

I'm looking for a first gen witch is the better engine for overall longevity, reliability and capability I will probably be doing very little to no towing. And any feedback for purchasing one would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.

 

Condition and maintenance is all that matters. Both great motors! See the fish delivery T100 2.7L with 1 million miles? Now that's longevity!

 

The 3.4 all day long. The four cylinder is not worth the time or effort. I've also noticed at least in my area it seems like the four cylinders always have had headwork or a complete engine replacement.

 

Yea get the 6. Cyl.. they're easy to work on and the extra grunt will help w/ daily driving..

 

Ahaha I was totally expecting mixed reviews I was hoping everyone would say the 6 is there anything I should be looking for or be aware of when buying?

 

Always always always be wary of a blown headgsket

I like this block tester kit.. I've brought it along when a buddy is buying a used car and I would do it in the parking lot
http://www.coastaltoolsupply.com/pr...9WpUUN_xpWtCnfq-kvKHdAmNylNIqhhvZbnRoCoLDw_wc

Also make sure it's easy to downshift coming to a stop syncros and stuff.

If you dont know the history of the t belt plan on doing it..

 

OK, so I will put my vote on 2.7. While it has less torque than 3.4 it still has enough "umpfh" for normal driving (I did not do long houl towing in mine except getting 30 ton log spliter from Home Depot and getting heavy stuff on my bed ocassionally). The main things that made me prefer 2.7 are lifetime warranty for timing chain (no need to replace every 100k miles like timing belt), and easy to work around under the hood. 2.7 is much smaller than 3.4 so there is easy access all the way around it (maybe except the famous fuel filter). And even replacing a head gasket (which has a tendency to blow around 300k miles) is way easier in 2.7 than in V6. I did replace head gasket in 2.7 and then I watched videos about the same job in 3.4 - man, V6 is so complicated comparing to I4.

So my suggestion is for performance take 3.4 (more low rpm torque), for easy maintenance you can't beat 2.7.

Oh, and I'm talking about MT also for the easy maintenance.

 

I think head gaskets may have been an issue on the early Tacoma's but mine had been fine (fingers crossed)

My 3.4 is only at 126k miles and I've replaced the starter for getting hung up, it idles a little too high (around 850-900) which may be just a pcv valve, and I need to do the valve cover gaskets.

Not much for a 21 year old engine. If you don't care about saving a couple MPG then get the V6.

 

They're both good engines.. The 4 bangers really are indestructible. It just depends on what you plan to do with the truck. Any kind of lift and tires you'd want the torq of the 6 cyl

 

The V6 does have a timing belt, but it's a non-interference engine so even if it does snap it won't destroy the engine.

 

I've got a 2.7 with 128k.

It may or may not need a new head, I am getting 9 mpg and makes lots of noise. I can say the 4 does have room to work on under the hood and they are supposed to be reliable.

Being said, I've never had problems with power off-road, even pulling others out. On road the truck has always felt weak. Even before something has gone wrong, the motor and large tires/tall gearing makes the truck slow.

Not sure how the extra weight of the 6 affects the driving, though many have both 4&6 with heavy armor and no issues, I imagine it's a good pick

 

Really the only few things I did in my 2.7 during last 250k miles and last 19 years (which is since I own this truck) are: head gasket (this was the only major thing), cracked exhaust header, clutch, tip of distributor (that was preventive) and oil pan (replaced by the dealer on their dime because they cross-threaded the plug during the oil change). Everything else is still original. I'm just changing the oil every 5k miles and add fuel every 280 miles (when 1/4 is showing on the dial ).

I don't want to jinks myself, but this thing is just amazing. My 5 years old with 100k miles Mercury Sable was just a wreck when I sold it - the only fluids that did not leak was breaks and fuel). That Mercury was my second POS vehicle (after even worse POS Fiat).

 

A sable baby!

 

The 6cyl gets my vote

 

2.7l, power difference is negligible, although I'd opt for a manual transmission with the 4 banger to get the most out of it. The 4 bangers are basically bullet proof and very boost friendly if you want extra power. People use the 2rz/3rz for race engines all the time, yet I've never heard of a 5vz being any more modded than a factory supercharger. Oh yah, my 300k+ 3rz still get 22-24 mpg Rollin on 33"s. Won't get that out of a 3.4.

 

It is a scheduled to replace at 90,000 miles item. Check the water pump at the same time, easy access, if it drips.
Those were the only things that needed work on my 2001 Taco, and I put 136,000 miles on it in 5 years!

 

My 01 4cyl has 200k miles. Runs perfect and no issues

Since you are saying head gasket goes at 300k anything to look out for?

Should I do any preventative maintenance ?


Thanks

 

Love my 5VZFE (V6) I'm
At 130,000 which is early miles for that engine.

 

i have a 02 with a 3.4 and has 304k on it. i only use the truck for towing my boat. my daily driver is a 2012 with a 2.7, 5 speed and only 60k on it. the best of both worlds.

 

For what it's worth, i have 212k on my 1998 2.7L tacoma. Replaced the radiator and thermostat. Runs like a top. I drive the interstate regularly, sometimes pulling a mower on trailer. Never had trouble getting up to speed. Will hold 80-90mph with no problem.