2019 AC 2.7 or 2016 AC 3.5 ?

I'm in the market for a 4x4 Tacoma. I’m close to retirement age and plan on this truck lasting me a long long time. I don’t really do any off reading, but there are some fishing spots that take a 4x4 to get to. I have a small, very light aluminum boat that I tow, and I haul kayaks. I want the access cab for the long bed, which makes hauling kayaks much easier. And I live in the Ouachita Mountains, not much elevation, but plenty of steep twisty roads.

So, I’ve found two trucks locally that have caught my eye.

A white 2019 SR AC with the 2.7 and under 10K miles.

The other one is an orange (which I like) 2016 AC SR5 with the 3.5.

I’ve never driven a Taco with the 3.5 but have some experience with the 2.7, but not with the current 6 speed transmission. Both trucks are under 28K and within a few hundred $$ of each other. I’m driving a 2017 Nissan Titan now, love that big motor, but it’s a 2wd and too big.

Is the 2.7 enough motor for a 4x4 Taco? I was happy with the 2.7 in a 2010 5 lug.

Are all the problems with the 3.5 transmission valid? Would a newer truck be better than a 2016?

 

I assume you are talking about an AT?
If you don't need to tow any more than what you have mentioned or add heavy mods, I think you would meet your needs with the 4 banger. Solid reliable and near new in this case! And in 4 Low its hard to stop it!
I drive all over the country and frequently at elevation and a v6 is much better in the mountains. You have to determine your needs now AND into your retirement. Who knows...you may get into more of the off-road stuff.
Good luck. How many miles on the 2016?

 

Under 20K miles on the 2016. It’s really a no brainer unless there is good reason to stay away from a first year gen 3.

My “job” has me running up and down the highway a lot, just me in an empty truck. And not a lot of interstate highways

 

The Aisin tranny itself is very sturdy. The shift logic is "unique" but has evolved through TSB's. Many of the 16's and 17's were shipped low on ATF and that added to the problem.
Even with my 2019 I ended up doing OVtune after about 200 miles and now the shifting is damn near perfect and the engine really came alive.

 

I’m going to broaden my search to a Double Cab Long Bed 4x4. In fact unless I fall into a great deal on an access cab it’ll be a DCLB. Going to be patient and wait for the right truck to come along, and also looking at Gen2 trucks with the 4.0, but those are very pricey.

 

Gotta say. 17 or 16 AC 4x4 2.7.

 

I'm happy with my 4cyl, it does what I expect. If you want a double cab long bed, then hold out for it. It's a great configuration.

 

16+ DBLB Auto FTW

 

I'm pretty sure DCLB are only available with automatics.

 

Correct, I was just clarifying the omission of the Access Cab there but that it would of course be an auto.

 

Both should be plenty.

 

I’ve been trying to read up on the OV tune, but that 2500 page thread is intimidating.

I understand uploading a different tune into the ECU, my questions are more about results.

I understand the 3rd gens have some software TSBs to improve transmission function. Does the OV tune also change the transmission software?

Once the OV tune is installed, would there be any difference drivability between a 2016 and a 2019 V6 Taco?

Thanks

 

Find time to test drive both!

 

I would probably be happy with a 2.7, but .... I had one before, and bought a boat that was too much for it to pull up the hills around here. Then not only did I buy a boat, I also bought a new truck to pull it. Don’t want to do that again.

Test drives are great, but they aren’t going to let me test drive it while pulling my boat. And I won’t get a chance to try it on some of the bigger hills here, towing or not. There is a state park close to me, and it has a killer hill you have to climb to get there.

This is the boat I have now, Bass Pro says boat, motor and trailer weigh about 1500 pounds.

 

OVtune is all about optimizing engine performance and mating that to custom shift tables to get those ponies to the ground. It's evolving but nearing perfection. The V6 in these Tacos is a de-tuned Lexus engine complete with a forged crank and rods. It wants to go! Toyota de-tuned it and fucked with the shift logic to make it meet modern fuel efficiency standards.
The driveability is day and night in my opinion. And after 3 22R's and RE's I love the trusty 4 bangers but I'm a V6 guy now. We're talking about 100 ponies here.

 

Thanks, that’s exactly what I needed to know. As much as I’d like another 4.0 equipped truck, there just aren’t any around here that I’d be willing to buy. On the other hand, lots of low mile 3rd gen V6s.

I had a 2002 Double Cab TRD 4x4 for 11 years and 180K miles. It was a fantastic little truck and I wish I’d kept it. I think I’m going to hold out for exactly what I want. I usually get impatient and buy “good enough”. It’s good to know that an OV tune will make one of the 3.5 equipped trucks run right.

 

That boat is not huge but I think you'd be better off with the 3.5, especially with hills.
Push the ECT button for part of your test drive, trust me. I've been doing it for fun lately and getting the same gas mileage.
I didn't like mine at first and I drove a 4.0 yesterday, it wasn't bad but not like I remembered. I think the 3.5 and the smooth transmission and powerful brakes in my 19 have spoiled me & I didn't even realize it until recently.
I get it, I still have a 22re at the house & it's a hoot but I don't want to drive it every day..

 

I’m of the mindset of ‘buy a little more than you think you'll need’. In this situation the 4banger is exactly what you need. But retirement age...... who knows what shenanigans you’ll get up to. Maybe you decide to start doing carpentry, or find a new found love for hauling ATVs around. Who knows.

The gas mileage is better in the 4, but that’s probably only going to amount to a few hundred bucks a year. If you’re looking for a vehicle to do everything your wife’s car won’t do for the next 10+ years... I vote 6 cylinder long bed.

Yes, the shift logic is a bit screwy, but OVTune clears up most of that. I hear some of the TSBs go pretty far into fixing it too. I’ve been tuned since version 1.03 and yes, each version gets better. TSBs might help with overall shifting, but the tune also adds some low end’ish power.

I had a 4 banger 22RE in the early 90’s and loved that thing. It was like the energizer bunny. But yeah, you had to whip those ponies to get some speed and power out of them.

If you had a 10 year old 1500 sitting in the garage I’d say go 4, otherwise, take the 6.

 

BTW. I'm getting like 23mpg with the newest tune! In town and country roads. Needs 91+ octane though...

 

Preach the word.