2.7l 4X4 MT Worthy?

I have an 04 V6 xtracab and usually just gloss over the threads on the 4 cyl versions. I know there is an abundance of info on this forum about these but I need to pull a trigger (or not). I'll read some while waiting responses on this.

I've just come across a 2003 2.7l 4 cyl, 4x4 manual trans (manual windows and locks as well) xtracab with 135k miles with tow package. At first thought, I'm thinking it sounds like a nice little truck that would look fantastic in my driveway (had to stop myself from running to the bank to check in here first).

I know condition of the vehicle, frame, maintenance, etc... is different on every truck but just generally speaking are these decent little trucks for general running around, hauling a dresser or some plywood/pallets? Couple hundred mile road trip occasionally? Getting stuck in some mud once in a while to justify the 4wd?

Thanks in advance for any opinions.

 

Hello @04TRDV6, the gist of the 3RZ-FE/2.7L in a 1st Gen Tacoma is

• A great long-time running engine
• Slower getting up to highway speeds quickly (stock)
  
• Used in racing applications
  
• Generally easier to work on
• 4WD just works
• Uses a timing chain, instead of a timing belt (as far as I know, V6s use belts)
• 1st gear is rough getting into without being completely stopped

I will say this: as long as you have adequate suspension, the 1st Gen 3RZ 4WD Tacoma is a great truck to haul anything up to it's capacity with.

Check the oil pan, to see if it is leaking (it's a rather hefty job to replace an oil pan gasket on a 4WD 3RZ/2.7 (this I know from experience).

Essentially it does everything a V6 can do but is more reliable and slower (stock).

There are going to be many more people who have long-term experience with a 4WD 3RZ/2.7 than I do and you may want to hang on until they chime in; you may want to search up some related 4WD 3RZ/2.7 terms and read a bit on those results.

 

If I had a V6 I wouldn't downgrade to a 3RZ just because it's not enough engine for the weight and something you will notice very easily. I live where there is enough hills that I wish I had the V6. It might be different for you. The simplicity and ease to work on and the extra space is nice but if I ever get another Taco it will be V6.

 

I like my 2nd gen 2wd 2.7l and the 1st gens are lighter but it won't accelerate like a 6 and since there's less power to spare if you head into the mountains it gets worse. Pairing it with a SC or turbo fixes that but costs$. You might love it or you might hate it, depends on how you drive and what you want it to do.

 

I have a two 1995's, one 3.4, and one 2.7. Both are A/Ts. In my opinion, don't have 2.7 if you live in a moderate to severely hilly area, plan to tow more than about 2500lbs, and/or need or just like rapid acceleration.

The 2.7: was developed initially for Toyota to enter off-road racing; is amazingly tough; is a pain to change oil pan gasket and fuel filter, otherwise very easy to maintain & repair; barely gets better MPG than 3.4; does have issues with exhaust manifold cracking (but easy to change); is chain drive vs belt; responds very well to adding supercharger(+2$$$); has a balancer system making it run very smoothly and any rpm.

In my area, relatively flat, I have to say I really enjoy mine because I appreciate it's pluses and am not really impacted by it's minuses. I have driven the V-6 very little , but can say it is truly "better" only rarely.

 

So you're all saying "get it now".

Just to clarify - I wouldn't be replacing the 3.4. This would be another Taco. I'm looking for a second vehicle to put at my second house so I have something to drive if the first vehicle at the second house is down for some reason (like I took something apart and can't get it back together by Monday morning). Figured that second vehicle might as well be a truck so I can also use it to haul stuff I can't get in my SUV. And it can do part time road trip (about 200 miles between homes) duty with my other old/high mileage vehicles.

And its pretty damn flat here except for the occasional bridge.

 

As long as you are not in a rush to get up to speed and you don't have a lot of hills it's a great option. I love mine which is why I'm putting it in my 4Runner.

 

How much they asking for it,,, sounds just like mine.

 

I'm still mentally weighing pros and cons and doing some reading - but I figure I'll offer 5k if I decide to do it. That sound about right? Started out looking for an old, high mileage F150 or similar in the 5k range (something I don't need to be daily driver dependable) so this is less truck than I was thinking about and while I may talk myself into it I definitely don't want to go over budget.

 

You snooze you lose.

 

DO IT!! I still miss my 1st Gen and would love to buy that 03. Also, don't ever sell both unless it is financially impossible to keep them lol. I still miss my 03 Access Cab V6 with 5 speed manual, even though I have the exact same thing but an 07. There's just something endearing about those older trucks that I miss.

 

This is true, but there's also that old chestnut "you impulse buy a 4th vehicle that's 16 years old with 100k+ miles with daughter's wedding coming up you get divorced".

 

Get the truck; you can always get married, again

 

Its gone.

 

Shit

 

was probably rusty anyway.

 

No problems with hills with my 02 DC Pre Runner 3RZ 4cyl

 

I need one of those. I have the 2.7 auto and live in hilly New Hampshire. I’m fine with it being a dog, I just wave and smile as cars fly by on both sides cuz I know mine will still be running in another 10yrs

 

Definitely, likely post flood too, maybe hidden lightening damage or simply a lemon. Other fish to fry.