2.7 vs 3.5 Reliablity wise?

The only major engine problem I can recall hearing on here is the guy with the 2.7 who needed a rebuild. Doesn't really matter though, the rest of the truck will rot away long before the motor quits. Or be traded in.

 

The 2.7L had a brittle plastic coolant pipe under the intake manifold that likes to crack: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/water-bypass-pipe-no-1.201053/ Not sure if the metal pipe has been made standard for 2016+.

The 2.7L is surprisingly harder to work on for some items because the intake manifold is on the side. The block is longer longitudinally than the V6, so stuff by the back of the engine can be harder to access.

 

shit, i dunno man, I can't find my magic 8 ball

 

The important part is the fellas and gals in West Virginia seem happy building these engines, despite the strange Japanese Muzak they are being subjected to. Interesting to note the incredible amount of "hands-on" work still required to assemble these things. Yay for humans.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PqVyPu86Ui8

 

Agreed.

In addition, the 2.7 is somewhat less complex mechanically.

Considering the high quality of machine work and lubricant's in today's world that allows much longer motor life than in the distant past, I'd vote that simpler is still better.

And while everyone claims they take the best care ever of their vehicles, they really don't. So inherent reliability does matter.

That said, you should still pick the right vehicle for the job. It may or may not be a v6.

It may or may not be a Tacoma. There are other choices out there.

Only you know your needs for your vehicles function.

99% of the folks here would hate on my 5 lug 2.7 auto. Don't care. For me it's perfect.

 

As far as I can tell, there are more 200k plus Toyota's still on the road than chevys. That's what.

 

Oh rad! You've got ONE of them lol

 

Oh, sorry... I didn't mean to upset your opinion with a fact.

 

Does anyone here have advice on stocks, or which machines pay out in Vegas? Looking to double my money with no risk. Thanks in advance!

 

Oh man, 2.7 all day long. This is a decades old motor, designed and built in the old school Japanese way of maximizing reliability and longevity. Just think about it - 2.7 liters pumping out a whoppin' 155hp? It's like this thing was detuned for longevity, then detuned again for even more. You could get 500+ hp out of this much displacement.

Mine has 165k on it, and it runs like day 1. I use 0-20 synthetic, changed every 7,500 miles, and I don't have to add a drop between changes.

It's got the "fun factor" of a riding mower, but I feel like this thing will easily outlive me.

 

You bring up a very interesting point. What if there was a tune for the auto that allowed you to actually select gears in "S" mode? (Barring it from up-shifting until you physically up-shift)

 

Talking trucks, until you show me numbers, I doubt it. Plenty of 200K mile plus Z71s for sale out there and there are plenty more of those than there are Tacomas..... they want stupid money for them too. Most manufacturers make a vehicle whose engine will last over 200K if you do your part.

From a mechanical standpoint, I'd take a GM LSx based engine or even a roller cam'ed SBC over anything Toyota makes. Power, efficient, and they last.

I'm not knocking Toyota. I bought my Taco because overall, the interior fit and finish seemed better than the Colorado (though fewer options), resale is better (If I didn't like, I'd sell and go fullsize), and generally, these truck are better off-road vehicles..... but you can get plenty of miles out of a Chevrolet.


Now if we want to talk FWD economy cars.... Toyota has had them beat for awhile.... I'm starting to see a bunch of old hoopty FWD GM cars out there these days though.

 

West Virginia does not build the 3.5l for the Tacoma, they are built in Alabama. As for the muzak, after a while you don't really notice it any more and is usually just on automated equipment so you know it's coming or an alarm that something is wrong. I've spent over 12 years there and used to work on the 3.5l v6 Crankshaft line. The basic architecture of this engine can be traced all the way back to the 3.0l 1MZ engine, there has been changes of course but other than balance and a few other things the Crankshaft is pretty much the same. My point is durability it is tried and true on the hard parts, cranks, cams,block,etc. As for the Atkinson stuff and direct injection I'm not sure. I will say I just bought one and as far as reliability I'm not worried about it, now power and torque for a Tacoma, I think it should have had 4.30 gears instead of 3.91 but if it got 16 mpg I would have just bought a Tundra. I will say Toyota is in the process of streamlining it's engines and transmissions so 3.5l will most likely be the v6 just variations of it for all vehicles. Look up Toyota TNGA to see what I mean.

 

Thanks for the info! So what V6s are they building in West V.? Or are the V8s they are assembling?

 

They build the 3.5l v6 but only for fwd models,(sienna,rx350,highlander,avalon,camry) no v8's at WV those are also built at Alabama. WV does build the 1.8l 4 in corolla the new 2.5l tnga 4 for camry and is the only Toyota plant outside Japan that builds transmissions, we build the 6 speed in the rav4 until Dec and the new 8 speeds that will be in every fwd vehicle except corolla soon.

 

No it's cool. Your one truck.

 

My 3.4 is 18 years old, getting ready to roll 360K. It has had a couple timing belts over the years, and that is it.

Not sure why people think the 3.5 is a buzzy motor. Feels like it has more than enough power to me.

Toyota's always had an engine that you had to rev, compared to American V8's...had a couple 22RE's in the past, they liked it best at about 3500 rpm...really had to spin them up, but they held together for miles and miles. Like the 3.5 that engine was found in cars too...kinda funny to hear guys bitch and moan that this is a mini-van engine. The Sienna does pump out 296 hp vs. the Tacoma's 278, wonder if we could get the same tune as the mini-van.

This "new" 3.5 has been around for awhile, I am sure it will be fine, don't think you could go wrong with either the 2.7 or the 3.5.

 

I just ordered a 2017, and was really on the fence on which engine to go with, but finally opted for the 4cyl. I just don’t have the confidence in the FKS head. It appears to me, it was designed to satisfy emissions standards, and not sure where reliability fit into it all.

Don’t get me wrong.. the 2GR block is solid, it’s solely the head I don’t have faith in yet. High pressure fuel pump and injectors... intake manifold with an actuator valve.. integrated exhaust manifold. I'm old school, and none of that adds up to long term reliability. But it does add up to high maintenance and/or replacement costs.

Bottom line tho.. only time will tell with the FKS head. It may be the next master piece engine.. who knows, but I personally wasn’t going to take the chance when I had the choice of a tried tested and proven, cast iron block, inline 4. (It seemed like there were enough growing pain issues with the 3rd gen.. I didn't want to take the risk of contributing to the pains with such a new head.)

I think it comes down to what you want from the truck. If towing something big is necessary, then you can’t consider the 4cyl. But, if you’re looking to get from A to B in an awesome looking truck, then its worth considering. Keep in mind too, the initial cost is less, so is insurance and gas. And regardless of new technology or not, an inline 4 will always cost less to maintain.

 

I am super on the fence on what to get. I think both engines will be fine. Leaning towards the 4 banger though, will fine for 90% of the the things I do...however it is the 10% towing a couple dirt bikes, and camping gear that worries me. That is when the V6 sure would come in handy.

The biggest complaint I have is that you can't get the 3.5/MT in the ACLB SR model. Have to pay an extra $10K to get that configuration in the Sport, while all I need is a SR.

 

With care either will outlast the vehicle. Whens the last time you heard of a modern car with an engine wear problem? Years in auto service and ive only seen engines replaced due to lack of maintence (oil and timing belt and overheating literally make up every failed engine ive seen)