Want a 5 Speed Regular Cab, worried about power... Please Advise

I live in a steep canyon area and use a regular cab 2x4 5 speed for work so it's always loaded down with tools and material. To compensate for the extra weight and steep winding roads I added some simple bolt on intake and exhaust mods to bump up the torque.

On the dyno, the stock engine gets it's peak torque at 3,800 rpms, but my engine gets 27 more foot pounds at only 2,900 rpms which is plenty of low end pull for my needs.

But I'm in a low altitude coastal canyon, and I don't believe that you'd be happy with a little 4 banger up at that power robbing high altitude, especially if it's a heavier 4x4 and had an automatic transmission.

Greg

 

Basically the decision is going to be how much you want a regular cab. I keep the regular cab because I love everything about it but still wish I had more power at times. If I had an access cab 4banger I would have traded up for the v6 by now.

 

Thank you all for the input. I love getting various opinions from owners. Toyota really owes TW for something. You guys do not make it easy to fall on either side of the fence. Instead, you all just chime in with solid points/arguments making the fence taller by the day.

As for the supercharger... has anyone actually done this yet? I am pretty sure this just hit the market. How difficult is the install?

 

I have a regular cab 4X4 but with automatic. When I installed 265/75-16 tires I noticed a big drop in power. More than I thought. Also like you I considered a turbo. I cannot justify spending more on the truck. With the lack of power and not so great fuel mileage I would not ever consider a 2.7 again. If I was buying again I would buy a full size short bed truck.

 

Check out n0rth's build. He has the S/C and one hell of a build .
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/114291-n0rths-tacoma-build.html

Automatics suck exceptionally more than manuals. 265's did give me the huge drop in power and the jump to 315 was barely noticeable from them.

 

Here's the thread where Gadget describes the R&D for the development:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/un...ment/89849-urd-supercharger-05-4-bangers.html

The original poster i2andom81 is from Denver - he had this to say:

He's still on here - you could probably PM him to get more info.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/member.php?u=25548

 

Better get the reg cab soon...was told 2014 is the last yr for that .

 

go grab one to test drive!!

If the business wants to sell you a truck the will let you keep it for longer than a 5 mile loop. That way you can test it on hill that will give you a good idea of power loss. Consider the power drop too if you plan on getting larger and heavier tires.

i live at sea level, so i have no idea what power loss amounts too

 

Theoretically it's like a 50 some HP loss for me at 7200ft. I think i calculated it to be 108hp on paper

 

What about CAI, Headers, Exhaust? Or do you you guys think that is a waste...? I like the sound of a stock 2.7 and really don't want to spend a cent to alter merely just the sound. But if there is something to be said about power increase, please fire away...

 

Not enough of a boost, if any, to care about. The truck already has a very good cold-air-intake from the factory.

Many of the people who do these mods are almost religious about them. If there's a horsepower increase, it needs to be provable on a dynamometer - before and after with no other 'undocumented' modifications in the picture.

 

The LCE header seem to be the best "cheap" performance investment.

 

My 2010 5-Speed Access Cab 2.7 had the same noisy clutch. Looks like Toyota still hasn't fixed it...

Do the Regular Cabs have the same clutch, pedal, TOB, fork, etc. ???

 

On the dyno, I got +18 horsepower and +27 more foot pounds of torque with a header, an intake manifold spacer, a "power robbing" warm air intake, and just the stock exhaust.



Greg

 

exhaust is definitely a waste... CAI is a waste because it takes away low end in exchange for top end. Header and a drop-in filter are the way to go

 

If only Toyota made a regular cab 4wd with the 4.0 V6 1GR-FE. I'd think it would fit. That engine bay is spacious with the 2TR-FE.

 

It would fit...probably just bolt right up.

 

Still on the fence. I love the truck in my driveway, but I am American, I want to get something different. Surprisingly I want to downgrade.

Going in this week to get my free oil change, and have them look at my 3 leaf pack sag. Regional Rep will be there same day. If he needs to get involved...

I might just see how cheap the sales guys can get me a Regular Cab 5-speed for, and how much they'll rob me for on my '13 TRD OR AC.

 

Gotta say the new gears with 35's feels awesome. Get it and eventually re gear after you mod it some. Reg cabs rock.