4cyl 4x4

looking picking up a 4cyl 4x4 for daily commuting(100 miles a day), light camping and pulling a 16' skiff to the lake or beach.

what is the concenus on these? I had a 09 double cab offroad back in the day.

also most of the ones around here are autos how would the 6 speed auto handle daily duties?

 

It does great for me

 

I am camping in the bed of one as we speak. At the tippy top of gnar-gnar mountain.

 

get one , I love mine, utility cab 4x4 4cyl automatic some mods here and there

 

For the 100 mile commute, great choice. I loved my 09 4 cylinder, except when I towed anything. Now it didn't have the tow package, not sure if it would have helped. So I would do a little research on what others have been towing with the 4.

 

My 2010 does everything I ask it to do, but slower lol wouldn't trade it

 

Love my SR with Access Cab and the 4 cyl. Don't tow a thing so can't comment on that. I do recommend go 5spd - you won't regret it.

 

Haven't tried the auto but I second this. The 5spd worth it!

 

5spd makes it a true sr5. And it’s amazing.

 

MT is well worth it.

 

They are rather awesome in both auto and manual configs.

 

can anyone go a bit more in depth?

 

If the lady of the house would drive a truck, I would outright buy her one.

 

I tow my fishing boat (14' aluminum) and my ATV (+-800lbs) + trailer without any issue. Obviously I am not in a position to pass anyone when towing. I also bought my truck used, and the 4 cyl because i do lot of highway driving and didn't need the power of the V6. If I had bought it new, I would have go for the V6 tho, for the price difference.

 

I have 01 4 cyl MT and it find it struggles for power and speed hauling I don't tow but I don't think I could ask my truck to tow
When I was looking to upgrade

i may have been tricked I dunno but my story is

When the 2016 tacomas came out I was interested in getting a 4 cyl 4x4
When the salesman asked why I wanted a 4 cyl I told him because better on gas then the v6
The salesman replied not exactly he said that the v6 and 4cyl are really close

His reasoning for it was when doing Hwy speeds with the 4 cyl you have to work the engine harder to make the speed

But with the v6 the power was just there

Then I went to the dealership and seen the new TRDS and I was sold
Until negotiating we couldn't come up with a deal and I had to walk

 

I can’t speak on the auto, but I’ll add-

If you don’t have anything to tow (like me) and you get the manual, you don’t need to worry about power. It’s quick, and if you push into the higher rpms, you’ll find all the power you need. Today I found myself again driving through the adirondacks. Doing 90 uphill wouldn’t be a problem. I’m on 265/75/16, passing everyone. 4cyl has a bigger cylinder, longer stroke than the 6. Iron block. Dual
VVTI. Engine made in Japan. Manual 4cyl 4x4 has the larger rear end. Overall it’s a more durable configuration. IMO if one puts an ARB locker in this config you achieve legendary status.

The selling point on these engines is that it’s a large 4cyl WITHOUT the Atkinson tomfoolery a 6cyl has. The HP/torque available from this engine is available at all times. It doesn’t shift from weak mode to normal mode, in other words its power is consistent and constant. And the bonus is no high pressure fuel pump or the shenaners that go with it.

 

+1 for 5spd 4cyl. Great truck, yeah it’s not the fastest accelerating vehicle but it’s also not the slowest.

Will keep up whatever reasonable speed you want in 5th on the interstate, only have to downshift on the big hills (and let’s face it most vehicles will do the same)

Long trips I avg 23 mpg, with no front air dam, a bed rack, and sometimes kayaks on top. I’m confident I could get 25 mpg if I tried. Long term avg is 22.

Inexpensive, so more money in the bank or for mods if that’s your thing.

Really only thing you miss out on is gadgetry and better tow capacity, neither of which I miss at all.

 

Oh. Lol. I have a bed rack and no air dam and I drive like I’m being attacked by hornets. I get something absurd as far as mpgs go, and I don’t even care. Let’s say 18 mpg.

 

Can you even get a tow package on the 4banger or do you have to add the hitch and wires? Either way, what's the rated towing capacity and is it different between auto and manual?

 

If mpg is a thing for the Op then I get mostly 19, combine city/highway, with a shell, larger tires (265-70-16) and nose high because of weak leaves lol also heavier foot than before because 2.7 can take it! When I tow I can drop to 17, not a big deal lol roll more often in 4th