4cyl 4x4

No tow package on 4cyl, you will have to add hitch etc. auto and manual both rated for 3500lbs.

 

Maybe a transmission cooler? I think @Casper66 can share his experience here with his 2.7 auto. Wasn't a 6 speed tho but should help a lot!

 

If I was a person who needed towing capability, I wouldn’t look at a 4cyl. It can be done, but it’s gonna struggle.

 

I will answer honestly whether you like it or not. How may I help?

 

What it takes to tow a reasonnable load with the 2.7 auto?

Edit: thanks to chime in!

 

So the limitation is the engine power then? Because suspension, frame and brakes are all shared with the V6 right?

If so, URD supercharger/turbo &better clutch and tow as much as the V6?
Don't flame me I know this isn't practical or economical solution. Just thinking out loud...

 

Correct there is no factory tow package for the 4cyl. You will have to add the reciever and harness which is easy but I'd have somebody else there to help with the reciever just because it's kinda awkward.
So that everybody has a fair comparrison when I tell you this the truck was a '13 2.7 AC AT. It was pretty well armored with full skids, sliders, aluminum plate bumper, and Cooper st maxx tires 255/80/17 each wheel and tire was 87 pounds. It had the LCE header, AFE drop in filter, and secondary delete so I'd done what I could to help it.
The truck did outstanding on it's own and I live in the foot hills of the mtns. My wife and I decided to get into a little adventure camping and bought a micro off road camper which only wighs 900 lbs most people we knoe who have them pull them with Subarus, go figure. On our maiden voyage I decided to go somewhere close so we went to a place only an hour away but we had to go rt over the mtn to get there. It struggled some in the foot hills constantly down shifting and when on the mtn no matter what I did I could not get over 30 mph even with the AC off. We were uite upset with the lack of power pulling a camper that is rated for any 4cyl vehicle. I was affraid the trans was going to burn up it was working so hard.
I recieved a bit of hate on here when I decided to switch to a V6 and after talking to several other members I came to the conclusion it was the automatic that killed it. Being able to manually control the gears with a 5 speed I believe it would have been ok.
Don't misunderstand me I loved my little truck. It was fun to drive and off road it had penty of power and would just chug rt through things. If you are determined on a 4 cyl I would suggest the 5 speed manual if you decide on a auto I'd absolutely get a trans cooler.
Hopefully this helped a little IDk if it answered all your questions if not please feel free to ask. The 4cyl is a dynomite truck but i would deffinately not suggest an auto for towing IMHO.
@Kemosabe thanks for tagging me never hesitate I know I'm not as active as I used to be but still willing to try and help

 

I agree 100%

 

If your going to go to the exspense of doing all that you may as well just get a V6 it would be cheaper and you wouldn't have to use premium fuel all the time. With these engines and forced induction premium is reuired I believe.

 

Not that it's a huge deal, but 3rd gen 2TR-FE hits peak torque about 1200 RPM earlier than 2nd gen ... as it has dual VVT-i.

 

Another vote here to go with the 5spd if your heart is set on the 4 banger

 

I think there is a lot a good info/experience for Op in your post, thanks!

 

The LCE header is a fantastic add on that is a good, funtional, affordable way to boost your lower rpm torque

 

Yep, already have it on mine.

 

I would believe it'll do what he's asking if he goes with the 5 speed and it sounds as if he'll be mostly towing on flatter ground. We all know these trucks aren'tpower houses no matter if you go with a 4 cyl or V6 but they're just so much fun.

 

I had to make multiple trips to NC last winter clearing out a dead relative's house. The trip was through the mtns all the way and the first time I did it was before the header. The rest were with the header and I swear it helped enough that it appeared to take away the effects of the heavy wheels and tires. It didn't have to down shift nearly as much.

 

Duh, that's why I said what I said at the end. Would still be cool to tow and accelerate like a V6 (or better) and get mid twenties MPG when you're Not towing. I mean the ecoboost is only 2.7l also...
Also here's another vote to go with a stick if you decide on 4banger although I heard that the 3rd gen 2.7 auto was tweaked to be much more drivable than the 2nd which was just a total dog with the auto trans

 

Wasn't trying to flame you sorry I actually forgot what you'd posted at the end. I'm old sue me

 

If you could only get 30mph pulling a 900lbs trailer then there was something wrong with the truck. I pulled around 3700lbs through the mountains this summer at elevations over passes between 8000 and 11000 feet and only dropped to around 40mph on the very steep inclines. Most of the time I was running 50-55 on the hills. That said I'm buying a new '18 TRD Sport with a manual. The biggest problem I had with my 2.7 auto was the heat generated by the unlocked torque converter. I was running a Toyota aux. cooler and had another aftermarket cooler installed in series and the 4 speed auto would overheat climbing up the long mountain hills. This would only happen when the torque converter unlocked.

 

It very well may have been something wrong IDk. The day after we got bac I started the stripping process and returned it to stock other than the lift. It was traded off the following saturday for a V6 manual. As we are wanting to pull this camper all over the place and up into the mtns I just didn't want to risk having the automatic break on me. I was pretty upset by the whole thing I really liked that truck and had put alot of work into it