4cyl over 6cyl, any regrets?

if you're just keeping it another year, I wouldnt put any major money in it. You wont get it back. A tune up, yes if its running rough, but that just consists of a set of plugs and air filter, nowadays

 

I may go ahead and do the header. If I don't put too much wear on it over the next year, I may give it to my 17 year old versus trading it. But yeah, the cost of a regear is way too much for a truck I won't be keeping. I'm just going to have to make do with the truck and find a way to avoid pulling a trailer until I get either a V6 taco or go all in on a Tundra. Even if I were to just outright buy a van for work, regear cost still isn't worth it on a truck with 160K miles, Toyota or not.

The damn salesman at the local stealership almost had me convinced to drive off the lot with a super low mileage '13 DCLB Sport 4x4 last week, and the big fat payment book to go with it. But man, that 4.0 is peppy as hell after 4 years of a 2.7. lol

 

I bought my 15,2.7,5spd, because I saved a bunch of $,$4000. I like the truck, its a daily driver, 22mpg back and forth to work. That being said, I wish I had a 4.0,6spd, but I would have spent a lot more money. I got mine for $25,000.00, out the door, the 4.0,6spd would have been$34,000.00. Slow and sure.

 

yes, all us 4 bangers are hoping the tortoise does indeed win the race!

 

I fell your pain. I have a higher shell as you might be able to see in my pic and cross winds can be a pain as well.

 

yeah, I can imagine that shell catches a good bit of crosswind. I'm not adding anything to mine, not 1 lb. Gotta keep my foot up its butt to move as it is. Fortunately, the 1st 4 of the 6 speed A/T are geared low enough and spaced fairly well enough to get around town OK. Its the damn hiway where its lack of power really shows itself.
I read up a bit, and this 2.7 was first introduced as an upgrade over the then, base 2.4, back about 20 yrs ago for the 4WD models. Those were much lighter trucks, so it may have been reasonably matched to the vehicle back in the day

 

Believe it or not I just took a trip and I had the truck weighed. It was at 4200lbs so that's about 700lbs with the shell. I really didn't even notice the weight that much and I climbed over quite a few mountain ranges with 7% grades at high elevations. These 2.7's are gutless but with a little weight they really don't seem to change much in my experience as far as acceleration and driveablitiy are concerned. I doubt I'd say that with 2000 lbs behind it but for light loads they do OK.

 

I've been up and down Sandstone many times. I'm a truck driver. I hear you on that one. Pulling a trailer up Sandstone with a 4cyl would be real slow going and going down wouldn't do your brakes any good either. That's quite a grade. Deceptive too. Doesn't look as steep as it is. First time I went down that thing I was doing 85mph before I even realized it. I hit 90mph before I could start slowing down. Luckily it's got "wide" curves. Never made that mistake again.

 

I just got my 2.7 this week. I never even considered a 4cyl when my search first started. Test drove a brand new 16 TRD OR v6 and loved it. But I have a long work commute and go on weekend trips etc. So I slept on it before buying and my friend convinced me to look into the 2.7. So there happened to be a very slightly used 14 at the dealer right by our house, so went down and checked it out. It was much better than I expected, to be honest. Also, after reading up a ton, I liked the solid reputation that truck has over the years. Long story short, I bought the 14 and I absolutely love the truck. Obviously the 16 v6 would've been awesome too, but I can get good mpg in this truck. Readily available parts if needed and a strong rep for being reliable. Plus, I have some money in my pocket and can mod this truck to do whatever I need (both as a DD and a fun trail rig). Hopefully this will end up paying off for me, with the 2.7.

 

So heres another thing to add. This week I got the cat converter changed out under the recall and man it woke the truck up a lot. More then I expected and towed a trailer loaded with construction debris easier then ever before for me. Might have not noticed the lack of power it was holding me back over the years

 

I've had a 4.0,2.4,and now a 2.7. I wanted a regular cab so a 2.7 was my only option. I don't mind the 2.7 at all...wish it had the same power as my wife's Highlander 2.7 but it's all good! I'm actually very very impressed with the power and take off of a 2.7 Highlander!

 

Neither did I. I was specifically looking for a 6. But after driving 4 of them at the same lot and feeling the vibration issue in every one, I saw this nice little glossy black SR5 with the appearance pkg I liked....but it had the I4. Thought , what the hell, give it a drive. Ran around some city streets, and 1.5 mile or so run back down the freeway to the stealership, (realize now it was slightly downhill) and it seemed OK. Smooth too. Doesnt even sound like a 4, till you get on it a bit. So, not as bad as I thought. I paid $27-ish for it, rather than the $32-ish on the TRD V6. So saved cash, but it will wash out in the eventual trade-in.
Just wish they hadnt put all those damn hills (overpasses) on my 50 mile hiway commute to work! Have to drop to 5th, even 4th on the doubles, to get over em without losing speed. I've gotten to where I drive in S mode or ECT most of the time. Might as well have a stick and clutch, right?

 

Yes I had a very similar experience haha. But overall, I'm happy. Nice truck, btw.

 

Look how long a tortoise lives...

 

Just got a 4 cyl...so far enjoying it and the gas mileage

 

congrats on the new ride. Your first Tacoma?

 

Liking mine too, but might be trading for a V-6 only because I'm thinking about buying a travel trailer. Congrats !

 

that is a good selling point. They say this 4's are built like the old Ford inline 6. cast iron block, timing chain and such. Made to last decades, not years. I hope so. I bought a brand new F-150 in 92, had that engine. I'll bet its still running, somewhere.

 

First one. Had looked for a V6 but satisfied with the 4 cyl

 

Since I got rid of my camper shell and installed a fabric tonneau cover I feel much better about my purchase. My average mpg has increased from about 19.3 mpg to about 22.3 mpg (mostly highway for both) without the shell. I have stock sized tires on it.

The truck still lags on steep hills and the 4 cylinder is not overly smooth but if I would buy a 2nd gen again (and since I want to drive a manual) I would still go with the 4 cylinder. If I were to buy a 3rd gen then I would go with the 6 cylinder 6 speed. My brother in law has a 2011 6cyl 6sp and his gas mileage is pretty bad with that combination. On the 3rd gen you don't take so much of a hit in mpg.