3rd Gen performance at elevation?

Hello CO peeps...thought I might get a better answer here than in the 3rd gen forum...

I had a 2001 Taco, V6 auto and *hated* racing up I-70 to the ski resorts. I felt like I was flooring it to crest the peaks while the speedo was going from 65...60...55... Traded it in on a '05 V8 4Runner, loved that car....

Now I'm looking at a V6 MT taco (with the same intention of running up I-70 or Hwy 24/9 to Breck/Keystone) and wondering how the car will do at altitude, can't really take a 2 hour test drive.. I know it's subjective but hoping for some thoughts (or reassurance).

For perspective we have a 14 Highlander V6. I also have a WRX (which I'd sell) and a supercharged V6 Audi S4 so I am a little spoiled with forced-induction at elevation...

Thanks in advance and looking forward to another Taco (maybe)!

 

Don't expect to leave 4th gear.

 

Fair enough, you think I'll still be able to accelerate going up the steep hills without bouncing off the rev limiter. My '01 felt like my foot was through the floor and I was decelerating while traffic was bearing down on I-70 around the tunnel.

Thx!

 

I have not been at high altitudes or done any climbing with my 3rd gen, but based on my 25k miles of flat driving (including 100mph sometimes), I will say it does have the power needed. You will just be revving high (4k+ in situations you describe) in 4th gear, because that’s just where the power is.

Edit: The 5th and 6th on AT are extremely anaemic, but on MT they are not as bad. The 5th gear on AT is almost same as 6th on MT.

 

You should be fine, really.

I have an AT, and up near the top I think I was in S4 (sport mode, 4th gear) and holding highway speeds just fine.

My old ('98) 4-banger MT Taco could barely hold 55 up at the top.

 

The truck has power, it's just all up top and it's pretty annoying driving at 3500+ rpms all the time. Even regeared the truck is still pretty unable to use 5th and 6th here unless it's flat. Even driving down to the springs it doesn't want to leave 4th. It's a great trail truck, but I would have never bought one just to be a DD.

 

Unless you have a Charger (Super> Turbo) there is a significant power reduction at Altitude, this is a Scientific fact.

You could re-gear but not sure how important fuel economy is to you, Tacoma all suck in this category too.

 

I live in Durango and Silverton, cross 2-3 passes of 10,600-11,000 on 4 days a week in the Winter with my '16 manual. I regularly pass full-size pickups, and I am in 4th gear for most of the drive. I have 20k miles of Winter only driving on it. It's garaged in the Summer while I use my camper van and moto.

 

Awesome, thanks everyone. While I I'd love to have Raptor performance (but not the cost or reliability?), I think a new Taco might work for me. I'm not too worried about bad mileage from hanging in 4th up the passes, just don't want to be stuck behind the semis because I can't keep up with the Subarus/Wranglers/Tahoes.

Reading this forum really does make one second-guess the 3rd gen so I was getting a little paranoid...

 

So I live at 5000 msl. I travel to work over a range thats 7800msl. The truck it self runs very well up here. The thing i have noticed is you will have to downshift depending on how steep the grade is and how much speed you end up losing due to slower traffic in the wrong lane. I never really have to leave 5th gear with a 15% grade going about 70 and 2500ish rpms. I have never even been close to the rwv limit in 4th gear going 75 on the same road. You will be amazed how much better the 6mt functions transmission wise over the 6at. I say do it and enjoy it.

 

As long as you don’t mind the revving, you’re good

Yeah, AT needs 4th for pretty much any power. Driving flat road at 80+ will drop me into 4th, and accelerating even a little bit when going 70+ will do same. MT overdrive gears ratios are way better.

 

V8

 

TacomaWorld

 

ECT Button

 

Magic

 

Downshift

 

my point

 

MT, did you read the OP?

if you want to be able to run a lower gear, under load, uphill, at elevation, then i *highly* recommend the OV tune for the MT. you will be able to hold a higher gear and keep throttle response and everything. but not with the stock tune even on a MT truck... you'll be screaming in 4th. the OV tune adds a whack of torque right where you need it. massively helps driveability around town as well. and no mpg loss. yeah it's amazing on the MT's.

 

4000 RPMs for this V6 isn't breaking a sweat and it is known that keeping the revs up allows better MPGs.

 

Could you imagine a 6spd MT with an ECT button?