3.5 V6 vs the 4.0

yeah, it's very odd for an enthusiast type site. Hell most of us came from 1st or 2nd Gens, my last was a 2011 TRD 4x4 and I don't miss a single thing about it.

 

In 2016 I test drove the new tacoma. I found the engine gutless off the line. The transmission was a shit show and felt it would be a poor tow vehicle. Test drove the 2013 that was for sale on the lot and bought it. I could tell the '16 had more power in the top end than did the '13, but it didn't impress me that the truck could go fast. I wanted a work truck.

 

Valve overlap isn't the same thing as the Atkinson cycle. The Atkinson cycle holds the intake valve open on the compression stroke in overlap both valves are open at end of exhaust and beginning of intake stroke.

 

Yet you bought a midsize truck? I ran a steel erection company for 10 years. We towed six packs of welding machines, rigging, tools, structural steel and bolts all across the west coast. We ran F150's w/ the V8 because we needed the torque just to get moving. A Tacoma would have been one of my last choices for a tow rig, regardless of motor...

Hell, any Tacoma struggles to barely tow a loaded up trailer. Lol if you wanted a rig to tow shit you should have picked a real truck, not a wimpy 220hp "truck". Any particular reason you didn't get a Tundra?

Just to be clear - not trying to insult or injure here. Just genuinely curious as to why you'd even choose a midsize as a tow rig. Like I said above, I had a fleet of rigs that towed on the regular and a full size was the only way to go

 

I agree with this statement. I think the Tacomas are great for general utility use and off-road fun, but if you want a work horse that is going to pull/haul heavy equipment and such, then get a full-size V8 that can do it effectively. I absolutely love my truck, but I didn't get it hoping it would pull out stumps or tow a house down the road, I got it because it's a Tacoma and will last forever.

 

Watch out... he's about to tell you how he can easily smoke the tires; trailer or not. He'll then post of video of him neutral dropping his truck in an attempt to prove his point. It's pretty comical.

 

If towing was my main concern I wouldn't consider either, cause they both suck cock at towing. Last time I towed with my taco I hated every second of it. My friend dumped his 2016 tacoma for a ram for the same reason too. It sucks ass at towing. If your main point is " oh i bought a 2nd gen cause its got a real truck motor" thats the biggest joke ive heard yet.

 

Obviously you missed the point I was trying to make. The poster I quoted seemed to imply that intake valves are supposed to be closed throughout the compression stroke. I was pointing out that due to overlap, the intake valve is still open during part of the compression stroke relying on intake charge velocity to help more completely fill the cylinder.

Your nitpicking aside, all an Atkinson cycle engine does differently is hold the intake valve open longer than an Otto cycle engine typically does.

 

A lot of people ask me that question. Not just on here but local friends and clients do as well. I have never been a big truck guy. I've always had the small Toyota pickup as my daily driver and work truck.
As far as HP goes... did you know that early 90's half ton trucks with V8s had about 220 hp?
I agree that the Tacoma is not going to haul or tow what a full size pickup will. It is only 2/3 rd the size. It will however haul easily what the maximum rating is on it and it will do it regularly.
Holy crap I used to haul 2000 lbs on my '91 pickup! This truck carries 2500 lbs without a problem and has towed as much as 8000 lbs. (Not intentional) It has no problem pulling or stopping. My normal loads are usualy between 5500 and 6000 lbs.
If I had a bigger truck then I'd need a bigger trailer and I'll need a CVOR with yellow sticker in the window. Also, a walk around with checklist every time I go to drive it. No thanks. With my current set up, as long as my trailer(minus tongue load) is not over 2800 KG (just under 6200 lbs) then I don't need a commercial license and sticker.
My truck is now 8 years old with 100 miles and the brakes are still original. The only thing ever replaced has been the blower motor and resister. Made in china those are now.
I like my Tacoma. Retirement is not that far away and have no planes to grow my business till then.

 

The 1GR-FE was in fact designed from the ground up to be used in trucks. The Tacoma, Hilux, Landcruiser prado/4Runner and the Tundra.

 

Overlap never has the valves open during the compression stroke (think you're mixing up intake vs compression stroke?). It has the intake valve open during the end of the exhaust stroke (as well as the exhaust valve) and the exhaust valve open during the beginning of the intake stroke (as well as the intake valve). That's why its called overlap; both valves are open at the same time but never during the compression stroke.

The Atkinson cycle does hold the valve open longer; that's correct. But it holds it open for the start of the compression stroke. Something an Otto cycle (with or without overlap) engine doesn't do.

 

4 posts and that was it for the OP?

Did he have to make a popcorn run or something?

 

I have a 2014 4Runner with the 4.0 and the 2021 TRD Sport with the 3.5. I personally enjoy driving the 3.5 much more than the 4.0.

Haven't towed with the 3.5 yet, but towing with the 4Runner sucks. And I would imagine it sucks with the 3.5 as well. If I had any more than occasional light towing I would not have bought a Tacoma.

 

probably noticed his thread turning into a pissing contest

 

Anyone driven a newer 4runner or FJ with the 260-270 hp 4.0? How does it compare?

I live at 10k DA and I still haven't found the 3.5 to be an issue. It's adequate, even up this high.

When I drive down to phoenix at sea level I feel spoiled with a new found excess of power

BUT I do kinda scratch my head at why the 3rd gen taco didn't get the higher hp 4.0 we see in the 4runner/FJ.

 

Cause the 4.0 is being phased out. The 4runner hasn't had its major redesign yet. It will probably get the 3.5 soon.

 

The 2GR 3.5 is also being phased out. All new engines coming

 

something with a turbo hopefully

 

Definitely will be a turbo offered. Either a 2.4 or a 2.5. Also should be looking forward to possibly the V35A naturally aspirated. I think it's a 3.4L. Also they will likely offer that in a turbo in the tundra.

 

When will these show up?