Is the 4 Cyl. more reliable?

The A/T transmission was a big consideration for the 4 cyl choice.....Just can't warm up to the sealed A/T on the V6...as I do my maintenance services myself...I have no miles (3000) on my 2014, but had a Matrix with over 100,000....Pulled the trans plug every 25k dumping 3-4 quarts so I just kept cycling with new Toyota ATF. Biggest disappointment for new 4 cyl. is old technology....Don't you think by now it would be direct injection? to give it some kick.....

 

I personally bought the 2tr because it didn't have direct injection. It's reliable old technology, and the parts are cheap. A win in my book and mainly why I bought it.

160hp isn't because of fuel delivery, it's mainly because of how they tuned it. It's got decent low end and mid torque and it's better to have a useable torque curve than peak numbers. Plenty of 3rd gen guys complaining about the 3.5L being gutless untill you get past 3k. I know it's a slow truck, but I average 22-24mpg on 33s, so absolutely no complaints here.

 

Anybody considering this drive both. I drove the v6 ten or so miles, tried a 4cy, turned around at first driveway, just personal preference

 

Did Toyota ever offer a full 4 door tacoma 4x4 with a 4cyl in the USA

Thanks

 

Yes

 

It’s not too late to galvanize a frame. I am surprised toyota people and jeep people don’t do it given the tacoma/t4r and wrangler frame rust issues. In fact, I don’t think I have seen anyone do it (maybe someone has). Why? I don’t know. It is extraordinarily common in the Land Rover world. Either buying a replacement aftermarket frame galvanized, buying a new frame and galvanizing it, or just galvanizing the original (or other used frame) with/without repairs.

 

Doesn't that require you to remove the frame?

 

Do you really think any manufacture would want anything to last ? - Planned obsolescence...In as much as I would have loved to save a ton of $$$ in buying a clean used Tacoma, I bought new...Once home I put it on a lift, took apart what I could, plugged all the frame holes, even that large hidden one behind the body mount. I bought a case of military grade Cosmoline RP342. put on the Tyvek suit, respirator and went to work. I painted all the cast iron that wasn't painted with Rustoleum, "Never Seize" all the nuts & bolts that will need to be removed in the future. Sealed the gaps between the frame & engine compartment with sheet rubber... And still don't drive it in the snow/salt! Yeah, you can buy a brand new $5k galvanized boat trailer, but when you buy an $75k F350 Platinum you still get a thin sprayed steel frame...See how long that frame stays painted....I'm so grateful for stainless exhaust, now if they will only make ALL brake lines stainless...
https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/cosmoline-rp-342-heavy-spray-military-grade-rust-preventive/

 

Sure they can produce products that never break but then people wont be able to afford them. You have to strike a balance somewhere. Cars nowdays last a lot longer than the shit boxes that were on the road in the 60s and 70s so I dont completely fall for your theory, especially with toyota vehicles. The 2nd part of the equation is that we live in a consumer society as well as a lot of people being uneducated on how to take care of things. Realistically if people put some effort to clean the frames a couple of times through out winter when they spray all the salt, the frames would last a lot longer. Better yet, have the frame sprayed with fluidfilm or many of the other options out there. Even if you have it professionally done you're spending $1k to protect something you spend $25k+ on. Quite frankly people just dont care. The vehicles can easily last 15+ years, but when you're mentality is to be in the next generation model in 5 years you're obviously not going to care about many aspects of vehicle maintenance.

 

Yes. I have a 4 door 2.7.

 

I wish I did this from day one, but at least TW introduced me to Fluid Film to slow down the corrosion.

Be careful about the many drain holes under the frame.

 

Unfortunately you only get one chance to do it 100%.......Power washing while up on a lift with the wheels & all the plastic liners removed is the second best... lots & lots of water....There are many threads about replacing the 'joke' of factory splash shields @ the suspension & improving the water splash that kicks up from the wheels getting into the engine compartment....On the 4 cyl, the alternator on one side, & the A/C compressor on the other side are clearly visible, in the gap between the frame & inner fenders, thus getting good baths everytime it rains...not to mention road salt.....You say..Gee why didn't Toyota protect those two components? - well by the time they would become problematic, the truck will be out of warranty....Goes back to my original statement that manufactures of all makes are not so concerned with making products that last...just long enough to get it paid for...

 

191,000 miles (308,000km) on my 2011 2trfe 4x4 auto and going strong.

 

up to 416,000 km's now.

 

Just did a 1300 mile trip in 30 hours with a 950 pound load in the bed. 140,000 miles and still going strong.

 

I just picked up a 2015 Access 4cyl Auto 4x4 SR5 with 16k top side looks like new , underside starting to rust up but not bad enough that I can’t slow or stop the rust .
One owner locally just never cleaned the underside after salt/snow events .
All my Tacomas have always been manual , this is my first Automatic , the condition / miles and price played a big part .
The Automatic was the biggest negative of this truck , I have other bigger trucks to drive if I need to go bigger jobs .
This truck is the beater work truck , I added the rack and few extras I had from past Tacomas .
I’m sure the little 4cy will get the job done .

 

I have an 05 Tundra with the 4.0. It was a work truck and has 330k miles, engine cruising speed at 65mph in 6th gear with stock tires and gearing is 2600rpms.

 

That is a real nice rack....What brand is it?

 

Wanna hear something really crazy ? I drove my 19 2.7 4x4 on a 300 mile trip going 80mph consistently on the freeway with zero issues. Amazing right ? Y’all act like the truck is dying and about to explode when your driving on the interstate.

 

Want to hear something crazier? I drove my 2006 2.7 4x4 with over 2100 lbs of steel beams in the bed + bed Leer cap + front/rear brush guard on the highway and it didn't explode either.