4.0 vs 3.5 (2nd gen vs 3rd gen)

I have a 6 cyl 2005 4runner - it has the 4.0 engine. I love the truck. It still runs great with 242,000 miles on it, but I am thinking about transitioning to a 6 cyl Tacoma. It looks like Toyota transitioned to a 3.5 liter engine from the 4.0 in their 6 cylinder in 2016. I tow my boat, about 3000 lbs boat motor and trailer, and was wondering how the 3.5 compares to the 4.0 in terms of towing?

 

It tows fine, you really need to go do a test drive to see if you like how the engine and transmission feel to you.

 

The responses are going to vary. I think most people agree the 4.0 is a better towing motor, with more torque at low RPM. 3rd Gen owners will tell you the 3.5 tows fine, you just have to keep the revs up high.

 

This gonna be good

 

Show up with your boat at the dealership and try em both.

 

3.5 all day

 

Can you imagine the look on their faces if you pulled in the dealership pulling a 30' boat? Ha!

 

This is like asking how a burger taste at a certain restaurant you can get an idea on how it’s going to be depending on who you ask but your not going to really know how it taste until you go and taste the it.... Test drive the truck.

 

I don't think I can test drive the truck with my boat, and I'm sure its going to drive fine without one.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DCkBmiZV09w

 

seriously. how many folks around here bought the truck and spent months complaining about how the 3.5 is different from the 4.0. not worse, just different.

 

30’ Boat weighing 3000lbs would be quite a things. I guessing OP’s boat is more like 17-19ft. In which case towing will be fine. I had both a 2010, and i have a 2017, VERY different torque curves. Obviously the Tacoma with any engine isn’t really a good tow vehicle it’s ok for smaller things.

That said it would depend on where you live. I wouldn’t want to tow a jet ski up the Seirra Nevada’s with my Tacoma. Kansas, sure 3000lbs is within the released Specs from Toyota so go for it.

Expect the engine to be wound out considerably more (as mentioned it makes power at higher RPM’s)

Good luck!

 

The 3.5 won’t have any problem with 3000lbs. The Tacoma chassis should handle the load better than a 4Runner as it has a higher towing capacity. The 3.5 will probably want more RPM in most situations.

 

The boat I am concerned about is a 1972 21 foot, Starcraft Chieftain. They are aluminum, so again, boat motor and trailer are about 3000 lbs. It's not that fun to tow with my 4runner, partially because of the height which obscures the rear view mirror, and I wouldn't want to tow something heavier with the 4runner, so, I was wondering how the 3.5 did with things. The new 4runners still have the 4.0. I wonder why Toyota discontinued it with the Tacoma.

 

Oh boy - this could turn into a This is only my opinion, it is free and that's probably what it's worth.
Test drive and get the manual transmission. I cannot stress this enough!! Do not buy an automatic. As others say - this engine makes power above 3,000 rpm.
Also plan on putting airbags or use a weight distributing hitch. With 400 lbs of camper-shell on mine I was bouncing off the bump stops on normal driving conditions.

 

As soon as the 4R gets a redesign it will get the 3.5 too.

 

I think the 3.5l is a great motor, you just need to rev it out....

Very true, I think the camry, avalon, and a couple lexus just got the new 3.5L

 

Definitely test drive with the ECT Power engaged. I rarely run mine without it.

 

4.0 2nd gen all the way, though I am biased.

 

Either will do it but if you plan on bigger tires also then the 3.5 will struggle a little sooner.
Are you looking at auto trans or row your truck when gears?