late model 2.7 Double CAb Tacoma?

all i haul is motorcycles and no more than 2 at a time. i wish i'd gotten the smaller, more efficient engine. the V6 is just a waste of gas and money for me. i still love my truck, though.

 

I just want to clarify MPG for those that were unfortunate enough to read DHK’s rant and uneducated enough to head his advice…

MPG (much more than just the engine):

Overall: An object requires a certain amount of work/energy to get from point A to point B. The amount of work/energy is dependant on the weight (inertia) and friction.

An engine converts energy into work (HP). The ability to harness the energy into work depends on the efficiency of the engine.

Weight (inertia) and friction from your engine:

A 6 cylinder vs 4 cylinder (assuming equivalency):
-The 6 is heavier and therefore more work/energy is required to move
-The 6 has more moving parts (more specifically the cylinders), creating more friction and more inertia to overcome.
This is why an equivalent 6 cylinder usually gets worse gas mileage than an equivalent 4 (depending on driving habits), however, the difference is not as profound as most would want you to believe.
-A heavy 4cy truck will get less mileage than a lighter 6cy car in most occasions.

Other sources of friction:

-Drive train
-Aerodynamics
(whatever, not very relevant)

Efficiency:

Efficiency can vary widely between engines. The biggest factor, however, is actually the transmission. Depending on the valve timing and/or presence of Variable Valve timing (or even continuous VVT), the engine has a specific RPM where it operates the most efficient (usually designated by the peak torque). Ideally, you would want an engine that is 100% efficient at all RPMs (flat torque curve).

If your transmission is tuned correctly, it should allow the engine to maximize its time operating within its highest state of efficiency.

In fact, newer full size trucks generally get better mileage with a V8 than the first gen Tacoma’s with the V6, some times even coming close to the i4’s. This is due to increase efficiency of the newer engines.

Towing/Hauling:

When you are towing, your engine and transmission are under heavy strain (obviously). Using the Tacoma as an example, the i4 engine (great engine) is usually pared with a 5 sp man or 4 sp auto (please correct me if Im wrong). As the engine is not really designed for towing/hauling, neither is the transmission. Because of this, a V6 truck with the proper geared transmission will generally get better fuel economy when hauling/towing larger loads than the i4.

Lets also not forget that your transmission/engine can overheat if not properly equipped. Im sure you can tow over the max capacity stated by Toyota, but you risk overheating your engine/tranny. There is also safety hazards involved with towing. Its not always about getting moving, but also stopping (using the car in front of you to stop is not acceptable).

Lets not also forget, most 4cy trucks have less robust suspension. In fact, the tow/haul capacity for many trucks is based off of the robustness of its suspension more than the power output of the engine. The 1st gen max capacity is pretty low taking into account the engine. However, take one look at the stock leaf springs and you will see why (also, the tranny isnt very tow friendly either)

Therefore, the purchase of a truck or car should be an intelligent one that takes into account equipage and desired usage. The engine size is just one small part of the entire equation.

(Please rebuttal with a coherent argument)

 

I disagree on efficiency as far as a regular daily driver. I have yet to see a v6 that gives better fuel mpg than an i4 as far as the tacoma is concerned. All that stated above applies more for towing, not just regular commuting. Most truck drivers, like myself, tow light cargo and don't need such a big engine. Even hauling 2 motorcycles, the i4 could take it with cautious driving. Buyers need to consider what applications they'll be putting their trucks through realistically, otherwise they'll just be wasting more money and fuel.

 

The pre-runner version is 130# less than an access cab 4x4 4cyl
& 290# less in a 5 lug version..

I didnt care to read much of the rants above, but i have no problem w/ a little extra weight & can only imagine it would be better & more efficient if i was lighter.

The 4 cyl certainly isn't going to win any drag races, but not everyone is into racing.

btw how many times does your 6 cyl get 400 miles to a tank?

 

quite a few people on this forum have done that with the 6 cyl.

 

The i4 def has a niche in today's market. However, there is more involved than just the engine when it comes to MPG. Like I said, an equivalent 4 will beat an equivalent 6 due to the extra weight and friction involved with the larger engine.

Also remember, most i4's are paired with the smaller/lighter trim and come with smaller tires (huge affect on MPGs). If your i4 was as heavy or heavier than an equivalent V6, your MPG's will be the same or worse (assuming the V6 doesnt drive with a lead foot).

 

i used to always get 400 miles with my V6 before big tires. one time i even ran out of gas at 404 miles, lol. now i get about 300 with the big tires

 

I picked up a 2011 tacoma double cab about two months ago and I'm very pleased with the truck. I'm averaging about 23 mpgs and if it's a long drive somewhere where and its mainly highway, it'll get close to 24 mpgs. And thats with my two kids in the back, camping stuff and one big-O-dog in the back. I thought my leer xl would mess with my mpg, but it didn't...thank God...since gas is a little over $4 dollars a gallon. Yes, I would love to have a V6, but the days when gas was only $2-2.50 gallon...I would have gotten it...but with the look of these prices...we might even see $5 bucks a gallon. Having the four banger tacoma is like having a "extra" quarter tank of gas in the truck as compared to the V6 models.

 

I couldn't be happier with my I4. I think the V6 is there for suckers as anyone who is constantly doing some heavy towing should probably just get a Tundy and call it a day.

3500 lbs is enough to tow a bike in the bed and a trailer with 2 bikes on it, or a load of logs from the yard, a landscape trailer full of equipment, a couple pallets of sod.

If you are the guy in the "built ford tough" commercial yanking tree stumps out of the ground or pulling horses up the rockies then go for it.

Also, I live in nice flat FL, so loads up hills doesn't factor in for me too.

 

I own a '10 access cab prerunner 2.7

 

To the OP, yeah the DC 4-cyl tacomas are all newer models, I think 2010 is the first year for that config. Some people say they are dawgs and yes they are surely slower than the V6 but maybe that does not matter so much to you. It will move your people & stuff from A to B just fine. Fuel economy will probably be close to the V6 because the 4-cyl will work harder hauling the extra weight around.

Otherwise, I have mostly given up on the 4cyl vs V6 debate. It's all about what the owner decides and there are a million reasons for choosing one engine over the other. Some V6 owners need the extra power; others don't need it and won't use it much, but just like knowing it's there IF they need it. And still others just default to the largest engine they can buy, regardless of vehicle. I certainly don't need the extra power and can't say it would make me any happier. So I made the obvious choice and am very happy with my butter-smooth, 100k-mile spark plug, 24mpg 4-cylinder. But not everyone is like me, and we should all be grateful for that.

 

When people talk about a motor being one of the best ever made, this one fills the bill.

 

I've had both engines in different tacomas. 06 AC 4x4 4.0 got me 13.5 in town with 265/70/16 in stock form. My current truck is a 08 AC 4x4 2.7 which gets me 19.1 in town with 275/75/16 and a slight lift and a high rise canopy.

I won't be towing more than 2 snow machines or 4 wheelers so the choice is obvious to me.

The 4.0 was more fun to drive I'll admit... Also if your looking for a towing vehicle.. I don't think the Tacoma is the way to go in any form.

 

Also both are manual and sr5