Sluggish engine probs Solved?

I bought a new 2016 Tacoma and after about a year I traded it because I hated how sluggish the power delivery felt under 4500 rpms. I’m now in need of another midsized pickup and although I didn’t like the power delivery, I really loved the truck and how it looked. So my question to you guys is did they ever fix the sluggishness of that engine? Or did it exist all the way up to 23? I have a 20 4R and still love the 4.0 so I wouldn’t mind buying a 2nd gen but I prefer the looks and tech of the 3rd gen.

 

Also curious if there were any widely approved mods to the engine to help performance.

 

Getting the engine tuned helps quite a bit. KDMax and OTT seem to be the most popular ones, they have people who can install it all over the country.
I have KDMax tune on my truck and it runs great.

More info in this section
https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/performance-and-tuning.8/

 

ok thanks ssd2k2!

 

These V6 engine love to rev higher on the tach, don’t low rpm lug em!

 

I had a 2018 Tacoma off-road and it felt sluggish mostly because the transmission didn’t seem to want to downshift and the engine was lugging a lot when driving around town.
I then traded it for a 2020 Tacoma off-road which had a mild refresh and I noticed it was much better for drivability. The transmission would downshift easily and the engine would be at a better rpm and feel way less sluggish.

 

Mmmmmm.... I don't think anyone buys a Taco expecting it to be a powerhouse...
If you did, you didn't do your homework.

 

The KDMax tune is the sole reason I kept the 2018. Different truck but mostly because of the rebaselined shift points in the transmission. US $350 a couple of years ago.

I did not keep it because it is comfortable or because of the antenna's capability to pick up a local radio station...mostly a grocery-getter and XM.

Best on the solution.

 

I didn’t expect it to be a powerhouse but an upgraded engine should have felt like it had more power than its predecessor, which it definitely didn’t!! I dont need it to be a race truck but I don’t enjoy having to mash the “skinny pedal” to the floor to get it to move. It felt like driving snail. My 4.0’s never felt that way. But hey, thanks for being cool man.

 

Thank you!

 

Don't depend totally on the web. Take a significant test drive in one you're interested in and decide for yourself.

Then go shop Nissan.

 

Because the 4.0 was a great motor.

 

so are you saying they upgraded the shift points on the newer ones? Or do you think it’s an available flash update? Or both?

 

Yes I know for sure that they upgraded the shift points. I saw a video where the chief engineer talked about that and explaining all the changes that they made to the 2020 refresh. I noticed a huge difference on my 2020.

 

It sounds like the 2024s might be better…

 

Re-gear and a tune

 

yeah I saw that too. But I really wasn’t wanting to spend $50-60k on a midsized lol.

 

I test drove a 24 Turbo 4cyl. I think my 18 with its KDMAX tune feels stronger and pulls as hard however the 24s turbo comes on quick but to me the engine is loud and the truck had some noticeable interior rattles as I noticed them right away. I just like the feel of the V6 and the exhaust note purring through the TRD Pro exhaust let alone I think the 3rd gen is still better looking.

 

OTT wakes it up…….a LOT

 

Different for sure, maybe, maybe not “better”.