4cyl questions.

So my 2003 trd off-road fell through now I'm looking at a reg cab 4x4 short bed. 107,000 miles. 4cyl 5 speed. This truck is bone stock. Garaged and very nice. I'm going to drive 60 miles to work and 60 miles back. Am I going to hate the banger after having all the 6cyl autos that I've have.

I know this will be a change but the oil price sucks and I think the truck is priced right. $5200. It will be great in the field I'm just not sure of the highway mileage and ability to stay at 75 easily.


https://amarillo.craigslist.org/cto/6072197163.html

Thoughts.

Thanks guys.

 

Looks like a good buy to me, the 4 cyl Tacoma is not completely gutless as a 5 speed. My buddy in college had the exact same truck, dark green regular cab 4x4. Loved borrowing it, nimble, humble, but you might not like the seat so much, but at that price if I had the cash I'd buy it too.

 

I hate to tell you, but that truck will kick your ass!

I own a xcab and a standard cab. Both 1st gen.

I love the standard cab around town and in the trails. Anything over 50 miles, we take the xcab. Both my wife and a agree the ride is much more harsh in the standard cab.

With that said, I love it for the above listed reasons.

 

Sounds like a good deal to me, I would be all over it. Mine will do 75, but forget about it with a headwind or up hill. 65 unless wind is extreme or hill is steep.

Makes up for it in overall awesomeness.

 

120 miles a day in a standard cab?! If you are taller than 5' 7" life will suck.

You can't recline the seat without having your knees really bent. I'm not gonna sugar coat it. You will be really soar when you get to your destination.

 

I am actually 5'7", so that's not a huge concern. It's mostly the power. I like standards but I hadn't thought of the rough ride. I will have about 200 pounds of tools I carry every day so maybe that will soften it up a bit?

 

I guess it's personal preference. I have a bench seat, no reclining possible. 5'8" and have the seat all the way back. It's no luxury ride, but long trips don't bother me.

You should consider what @koditten said. What's fine for me is not great for everyone.

 

Hell my 16 I just got rid of had a hard time staying at 70 with stock tires in the wind we get around here. Stupid 6 speed auto.

I just don't want to have it in 4th gear with my foot on the floor just to go 65.

 

The tools will help a huge amount with the ride. I might temper my post a bit because these trucks ride much better with a load.

 

It will go fast enough you will want to slow down for better mileage.
Betting it will go 100 anywhere in TX.

w/ no wind anyway. I know ya'll always got one or the other.

 

With my automatic, the best I ever got was 22 mpg. With that said, I only took it on 1 300 mile trip... Highway.

 

22 is pretty damn good. My 16 never did that well. But I have lots of stop and go and idling in the field.

I should also mention I'm going to welding school in the fall and this truck is perfect for that. School is in town and will be super easy to park on campus. I prefer an ex cab but the first gens are tough to find. I'll go look at it tomorrow and report back.

Thanks guys.

 

Glad to help. Load that.bitch up and put it to work.

Kirk

 

I've got a '98 4x4 regular cab, 5 speed, 212k, 2.7L. It still has plenty of power. I drive the interstate from time to time, and 70mph is no problem at all. I've hit 90, but haven't had the need to ho faster. 22mpg is the best i've gotten on the highway, with 16-17 being the norm around town. I've owned and used as a daily driver for over 14 years. Best vehicle ever.

 

I have an ExtraCab with the 2.7L. I drive ~60 miles on the freeway for work (round-trip). With the shell, slightly bigger than stock tires, I don't have a problem staying at 70 mph. If I need to pass slower cars, I just drop it into 4th. Passing is not a problem.

Since I do not tow anything or have a constant, heavy load in the bed, the 4 cylinder does exactly what I need to do. I have no complaints about it.

 

There ya go! 90+. Fast enough for TX hwys.
Sounds like a nice truck, still some decent deals after all.

 

Hey Dustin,

So you want to know the difference between the 2.7 I4, and the 3.4 V6. Well, here is my analysis of the two engines. They are both great engines by the way.

The Toyota 2.7 inline 4 cylinder is a much simpler motor than its 3.4 V6 brother. It is a single head, which makes everything inside the engine compartment accessible with the exception of the fuel filter. These Toyota four bangers use a timing chain rather than a timing belt. Timing chains are replaced much less frequently than timing belts. As a result of their simplicity, size and configuration, they are both easier and cheaper to maintain and repair than their larger Toyota 3.4 V6 sibling. They will get also get better gas mileage. Although, I am told this is not a significant difference.

The Toyota 5VZ-FE 3.4 liter V6 engine is very sophisticated motor with two heads and double overhead cams per head. It uses a timing belt instead of a chain, which has to be replaced every 90,000 miles. As a result of its size and configuration, it occupies a lot of space in the engine compartment, which makes getting at things much less accessible. It is going to be the more expensive and complicated motor to both maintain and repair, but it is going to have significantly more horsepower and torque than its smaller sibling.

From the sounds of your post, you are just going to be using this regular cab strictly as a commuter. This regular cab will suit you just fine for this purpose. The area where a 3.4 V6 will make a significant difference is if you are going to do a lot of ugly work like hauling and towing. Then you would clearly see the advantage of the bigger motor.

If you are going from an extra-cab to a regular cab, the size of a regular cab is probably going to irritate you much more than the 4-cylinder engine. Regular cabs are not known for comfort.

Take it easy,
Paul

 

come with the toolbox in the bed so you'll have a place to put all those tools. that's a bonus. being 5spd and 2.7L you can easily stay alive on the TX freeways.

...back on topic, bigger engines are always more "highway friendly" but that doesn't mean the reg cab/4cyl can't handle it. as a commuter the 5spd will be better on mpgs when you start school.

and 5200 is a good deal, just check the usual items for proper care and maintenance. and even though the frame should be fine always check.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately he sold it before I got ahold of him. I'm scouring the web for a truck. I have a couple spotted. I'll keep you posted.

 

I'm starting to wonder if we shouldn't just all put them up as investments.