3.5 V6 Atkinson future thoughts...

Currently researching buying a new truck and the Tacoma is on the top of the list. However I don't like buying 1st year vehicles but my current trucks (Ford Ranger/GMC 1500) are getting up there and are about due for replacement.

I know this is a little too soon to be asking this but the new engine makes me nervous. I know Lexus has been using the Atkinson cycle but from what I read this is a NEW engine and not in any other vehicles (i could be wrong).

Is this an engine that us "shade tree" mechanics will be able to work on? Say it needs a head gasket, valve cover gasket ect... is this looking like dealer only work or will we actually be able to work on them? Maybe it's time for me to throw in the towel when trying to work on the engine with all these (new to me) engine technologies.

Thanks,
-Nick

 

Long live the 4.0. Toss the 3.5 into the trash. That's all I think about the new engines.

I don't know. I just think they are trying to "innovate" too much to the extent where they are complicating life even for themselves. At what point do we require a spaceship to get us from point A to B when we used to do it on a horse? (Not saying we SHOULD use horses, but I hope you get what I'm trying to get at here.)

 

I remember this attitude when I bought the first year Gen 2 (2.7L). Everybody just kept saying long live the 22re and how irreplaceable it is. Well, I am here 10-1/2 years and 300k miles later smiling with my 2TR-FE

 

This engine has been used in Lexus for years, only thing really different is the DI cleaning mode at hot idle.

I get sometimes technology can get ahead of what we really need, but if they didn't keep upgrading we would still be using carbs and points.

 

Lol. Yes I know, change sucks and everyone dislikes it. The 22re is just a pig of a motor. There has never been nothing wrong with the 2.7 engine and they have proven their worth well over. The difference between the 22re and the 2.7 are still a standard combustion engine, whereas with this, they removed the standard 4.0 combustion engine and installed some fancy pants smaller engine, which still ends up being slower than Gen 1 and 2 in the real world. I don't know. I just don't like the new engine. Doesn't seem as if it will be very maintenance free, or problem free.

 

IT has been a Looooong time since I replaced a mechanical diaphragm operated fuel pump for a 62 Falcon on the side of the road and another time replaced a 4 barrel Carburetor on a 67 Thunderbird in a Pep Boys parking lot.

And I hated wrenching then. But learned by necessity. Now I "get it done" by others who know more.

Sometimes I wish we still had the simplicity of those old engines......Most times ...Not.

 

That's part of my problem. I have trust issues with mechanics. So trying to find one that I trust that will actually take the time to do the job right is hard these days. I also understand most mechanics are under paid and need to complete jobs quickly.

Plus I enjoy working and doing preventive maintenance on my vehicles.

 

This logic is true also, but technology is getting so ahead of us that the new stuff of today which was just released becomes obsolete within 2 weeks. This leads me to believe that a lot of the new tech you see today is half baked and has been either assembled or imagined by cutting corners somewhere.

For god sakes they aren't even road testing these vehicles before they begin production of them. They just assemble them using some softare and then run simulated tests on the computer using some algorithms and if they pass they call it good, then just sell them to us and make us the "beta" testers. This is about as half baked as it gets. Lol.

 

I like hearing that! I had a V6 ordered last October for a month then canceled my order and decided to go with the 2.7 "Ole tried and true." Only thing I wish she was silver.

 

When was the last time Toyota Tacoma had a crappy engine. I don't think it's going to be ten more years till we see a different power plant because there is more competition in the segment. The 3.5 is an evolutionary motor with it's basics having been around for a while. The add ons are really mundane. Just remember all the people who were guessing about turbo chargers last year before it came out as if Toyota would do anything but make a boring, reliable motor. Everyone wanted a similar size truck with a little more power and a little more economy and the same reliability. That's what you got. Enjoy !

 

Congrats, she's no powerhouse, but damn reliable as you can get. I've done very little to maintain her. Of the top of my head water pump at 202k, alternator brushes at 220k, rack and pinion at 225k, power steering pump at 250k, U-joints at 120k. Other than that, oil changes, and belts. I do recommend changing the coolant cap every 100k. Mine busted at 280k.

 

The 3.5 will be a solid motor with better economy .

 

I'm looking to by my dream truck. The offroad 4X4 with a manual trans and in inferno. I recently found out they don't offer this in a access cab, only double cab. Im OK with it. This will be a 15 year vehicle for me so spending over $30K for a engine that isn't proven makes me nervous. The other option is the 2.7 which i can get in a access cab in grey and for around $26k but it wouldn't be a dream truck and i feel I would regret the 4 cyl lack of power when hauling my dirt bike and gear.

I like hear the different opinions! keep um coming!

 

Why do you replace the batter so often ? My last 4Runner was 11 years old with the original battery when I sold it. I have had six toyota and Tacoma trucks that I have bought new and used and kept till they were 8 to 11 years old. I have yet to replace a battery. After 3 to 4 years, I break out the battery tester and check it twice a year, spring and fall. The Panasonic on the 4Runner was very good.

 

In trucks this big, I would never consider a four. Where the six gets better economy, it's a no brainier. Always get the bigger motor. Life is too short to fight tractor trailer rigs for mane space. If the 2.7 four had 200 hp, I might consider it. Otherwise, it is a dog. When loaded down, it is a fat dog. It's the same four I tried out looking for my 2015. It was really desperately slow to the point it was unsafe passing.

When cruising, it you floor it, it only gets louder. I suppose it works for passing if the guy you are trying to get by hears the noise, takes pitty, slows down and let's you pass.

 

Batteries generally last me 5 years as well. Factory battery has always been the best. I test the capacity of my batteries every few years and replace them when they decline beyond an uncomfortable threshold. I do this because, it is worse having a battery fail at the most inconvenient times. I buy Costco batteries now. They are great on prorating.

 

I'd like to think Toyota has their sh!t together when designing vehicles.

Best I could do with my 09 was 17-18 mpg. I can easily average 24-25 in my 16. It's got plenty of power to satisfy my needs. If the engine does grenade Toyota will make it right.

Life is too short to worry about the what if's. Tomorrow is promised to no one. Carpe diem!

 

This is why I replace mine every 5 years also. I had a battery go bad in a blizzard back in 1980 when I was on leave from the Army.

 

slower than gen 2 and 1...lmmfao....sure it is...

 

On paper it's faster. I saw a first and Second gen beat it in a pseudo drag race from a dig. Then again, driver mod might had just sucked.