4cyl for work truck?

Thanks for all the responses guys! Yea the questa grade is the one and hwy 41 and 46, if any of ya guys know those.

I went and checked out a 1st gen regular cab 4x4 2.7 5 speed manual today and the thing was epic! I didn’t have any tools in it but got it up to 85 easy and felt good. (My Van has never and will never do that) I didn't get to take it up the grade with my tools but it was so much damn fun to drive that I’m pretty settled on the 4cyl and really like the regular cab too. It probably rips with the headers on there. Does kinda sound like a rice rocket. haha.

The truck had too much frame rust, body rust and a bunch of other things though so I had to exercise some patience and pass on it. It “might” have been ok, and it was a pretty good price ($4500 with 200k miles but I was able to take out some pretty good sized chunks just with my fingers and some spots felt a little soft just tapping with the hammer. Also had this weird wobble in 4th and then went away once you got past 60. Guy said it’s always done that even with tires balanced and truck aligned. Anyone have this issue? Regardless gonna hold out for one in a little better condition.

 

One will come up in better condition. You going for a prerunner or a 5 lug low truck?

 

looking for 4x4 (6 lug) 2.7 manual regular cab

 

I've had 3 different 4cyl Tacomas for work. 2004 5 lug 2wd with 2.4 and 5 speed, 2009 5 lug 2wd with 2.7 and 5 speed, 2014 5 lug 2wd with 2.7 and auto trans.

I had a cab high fiberglass shell on the 2004, with probably a few hundred pounds of tools and parts in it at all times. The fiberglass shell eventually was replaced with a high rise contractor style shell. The 2009 and 2014 have always had the high rise shells.

The 2004 was slow on long steep grades. 3rd gear was a must, and speed was limited by gearing. 60-65 was doable, but I wouldn't push it harder, the engine sounded like it was going to come apart if I pushed it more. When I went to the high rise shell I lost 4mpg and the truck didn't want to hold 5th gear with a headwind.

The 2009 had no issues holding speed in 5th on level ground. 3rd was needed on a 7% grade, 70 MPH at 4400 rpm was no problem, the engine was smooth and seemed quite happy. That truck is still in the fleet, along with another identical one, mileage now is at 140K on mine, 185K on the other. Very minimal repairs.

The 2014 runs great and holds overdrive on level ground no issues. 7% grade requires 2nd gear in the 4 speed auto, 70MPH is 5000rpm, again the engine doesn't seem to mind it, but I won't push it quite that hard all the time, 65mph is more comfortable.

I have never driven a 2.7 4WD. I wouldn't think it would have much trouble doing what you describe unless you put oversize tires on it. Every 4cyl Toyota I've driven with oversize tires seemed to be dragging a boat anchor behind it.

 

Dang thats some really good info thanks!

 

Very wise of you to have that control and walk away, a practice many people can learn to use more .... I'm so glad to read that you were able to

 

No problem! Reading the replies here and just realized we are talking about the same hill, Cuesta Grade, I'm in SLO.

I've had so many different work trucks and vans over the last 15 years or so living here, none of them had as much trouble as you seem to be having with that van. Sounds like the van might need some attention, maybe a clogged catalytic converter......

 

what's the thing with the automatic 4cyl? Sounds like they are the black sheep of tacomas. Why?

 

My boss always buys the 5 speeds because it saves him $1500 or so. The last time around he couldn't find one, so I got an automatic.

The automatic feels a little more sluggish to me, and it's slower on grades unless you are willing to wind the engine up close to red line. The gearing is too widely spaced with only four gears. I gotta admit, though I have always had a manual trans for my personal vehicle, I appreciate the automatic for running service calls, saves just a little bit of soreness by the end of the day.

I guess they are the black sheep because generally they are going in a base model truck, and they cost more. The other possibility is guys buy the stick shift because they've always driven a 4cyl 5 speed Toyota.

 

I’ve always read about the legendary status of this 4 cyclinder. Is it exclusive to the Tacoma or was it shared with a sedan previously?

 

Coming from owning both a '77 Chevy 1/2 ton passenger van and a '78 Dodge B100 van over the years, my '99 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 with the 3.4L V6 engine/5 speed manual transmission is the first Japanese truck that I've ever owned. I took notice after one of my friends owned a late '80s Hi-Lux Extra Cab 4x4 truck with a V6 and 5 speed. I was determined to own a Toyota 4x4 Extra Cab V6/5 speed truck sometime in my life after that. It's better to own more truck than you'll need especially if you're going to use it for hauling tools/lumber/etc. to your job work site and then using it for hunting & camping. The 4x4 suspension, 5 speed manual transmission, and the more powerful V6 engine will give you off road capability and more power when you're loaded down with your payload. Having a shell and a lumber rack makes it an off road capable work truck that can travel to an offroad work site.

 

That totally could be something going on, but the van has been like that since I bought it. It has a little oversized tires and only a 3 speed tranny.

 

Hey my 4cyl brothers! I've been wanting to take better pictures (and will) to post what I got, but I've been really busy so I'm just gonna post the few I took. Its a silver 2001 single cab 4x4 5 speed 4 banger. 220,000 miles and was $6,000. Was really well taken care of and runs great! Almost no frame rust. been ripping all over the place in it and does great with all my tools going up the grade. It came with a nice cbi bumper, almost brand new discoverer st pro tires, powder coated wheels, new cat, the exhaust that makes it sound like a supd up honda civic, cold air intake and a bunch of other little things. Thanks so much for all of your advice and input. I really appreciate it. I'll definitely be doing some more stuff to it, so I'll probably do a build thread. It will be more like a carpenter/overland build thread haha!