2.7 Taco at altitude

Hello all, I’m considering getting a new 4 cylinder Tacoma, preferably with 4wd. I could afford the v6 but I want the 4 because it’s cheaper and has more room under the hood to work on in the future. That being said I’ve heard that the 4 cylinder model has a hard time driving over mountains like the Rockies, would it be an issue feeling bogged down even driving around a city like Denver? SLC? Thx

 

You wont be winning any races but you will be fine. I had a 97 t100 with that same engine and a 94 4rnr, and I live at higher elevation than denver or slc.

 

^^^ Agree. My house is at 6250'. I have no problems staying with my son's 2015 4.0l Taco on the interstate in the mountains.

 

I have a 2nd gen 2.7 and that thing hates hills and I’m at sea level.

 

these sound like opposites haha

 

I took rides to Pennsylvania and upstate New York. Dump trucks would pass me going up hills.

 

Catch 22 eh? Want a 4 cylinder for more room to work in engine bay, but the 4 cylinder needs no work?

 

^^^. Yes but the truck at sea level is lifted on load range e tires, etc.....

 

If you stick close to stock it'll be fine. It's to bad the manual is gone. But it's still the most robust powerplant offered. Just slow as heck, but it never stops pulling up grades.

 

Can confirm 4cyl is slow, but great on fuel economy. There hasn't been mountain it wont climb.
From the scorching hot deserts of Arizona/southern California to frozen Artic of Canada and Alaska.

 

"room under the hood to work"
I haven't heard anyone say that in decades, that's when we actually had to rebuild carbs, set points, replace plugs every couple years, chase vacuum leaks. Ahhh, I don't miss those days. Buy the one that fits your needs, they're both nearly maintenance free,,, at least for the 100-150k or more.

 

My first cars were diesel VWs, full on 52 hp, in NH. Yeah slow. Then I moved to Flagstaff which is 7000'. Damn. I live at 7000' in Co now. Once you get used to your vehicle at high elevation, when you drop 2000' or more it will drive very different.
Every 1000' in elevation makes 3% difference in hp.
Mods that do help in elevation like all synthetic oils in the transmission and differentials, free flowing exhaust and intake, reusable air filters, tuning, turbo and super charger. Yeah, the good ole butt dyno testing.

 

Stop right there. Just get the 6 and be done with it. If the 2.7 doesn't cut it for you, you'll always wish you had. Why chance it, especially considering where it will live?

I live in a hilly area, and the 2.7 does just fine, but it damn sure ain't the Rockies...

 

Yep haha!

I always wanted to drive a 4 cyl 3rd gen. Its just seems like it would be so underpowered for a 4400# truck.

I had to wind out my v6 to 4.5k rpm in the rockies. I was going like 90 though.

 

Nice truck!

2nd gens are lighter though. 3rd gens are fat pigs now haha!

 

It prob still faster than your 80 series! I went from driving my 93 lc to the taco and I feel like i got a race car and most people on this board complain about how slow 3rd gens are

 

My taco felt like a race car after my 2007 4.0 ranger. I laugh when people say 3rd gen is slow.

 

Everyone has different expectations as this proves.

 

I have a 2002 four banger. I've lived in tahoe the last 10 years and Oregon and Wyoming before that....it works fine just don't expect to blast up mountain passes. I also have it in a manual and I typical let it run at high RPM's.

 

imho the v6 is underpowered so I cannot imagine a 4banger at 5k feet elevation.