4th gen has stiff competition from the start

The 3.4 5VZ was a truck engine only found in Toyota trucks/SUVs
The 4.7 2UZ was a truck engine only found in Toyota trucks/SUVs, and Lexus body on frame SUVs.
The 4.0 1GR was a truck engine only found in Toyota trucks and SUVs (from Tundras to FJs)

The 3.5 2GR started out as a de-stroked adaption from the 1GR for car/crossover applications, and was exclusively found in such until the 3rd gen Tacoma. The shorter stroke naturally results in an engine with less down-low torque. I'll hand you that the bore and stroke are quite similar to the old 3.4, but it has 845 lbs more mass to move in the 3rd gen trucks vs the 1st gen (4,550 lbs curb weight vs 3,705 lbs).

I should also add that looking up the T24A, it has an undersquare design plus it is turbocharged, so it naturally puts out more torque than HP. The numbers it puts out in their current products are more truck-like but I would hope the design is strong enough for it having to move around a lot more weight

 

It is unfortunately the reason I test drove many 3rd gens and could never be impressed enough to buy one (mainly the transmission lugging an engine with minimal down low torque in a heavy midsize truck)

So I bought a sedan with 7 ft-lbs less torque, but with the torque peaking at 2k rpm and 1k less weight to lug around. Apples to oranges though

 

then in theory the hybrid Tacoma should satisfy the initial torque requirement

 

This comparison is not valid; they didn't rank the Toyota truck as number 1. Any list that fails to list the Tacoma or Tundra as number 1 is complete BS.

 

I think that's a false argument. There are countless examples of vehicles that has great sales but are not great vehicles (e.g. Chevy Cavalier). They might have sold well because they were cheap, had bells and whistles, drove in a way that was pleasing to the average consumer, had good financing and rebates and "did the job"

I'm not bashing the Tacoma as I've owned 2 without problem. I'm guessing the good sales for the Tacoma come from a reputation for good resale value and reliability. Certainly not because they are cheap or have good financing offers.

When I bought my 3rd Gen, I test drove the Chevy and Ford competitors and found they were better, in my opinion, to use as a daily driver. But I went back to the Tacoma because of resale and reliability.

 

This is true, Toyota isn't the only Auto maker that has put a "car" engine in a truck. GM and Chrysler put "minivan engines" in some of their pickups, no one seems to mind that. GM's 3.6 love to rev high as do the Pentastars.
If Toyota would have gave the Tacoma a 310 HP tune as the IS, More people would be ~possibly~ more happy with the 2GR.

You are correct, I am not way saying that the 2GR higher rev range is somewhat a hindrance. What I am saying is 5VZ & 2UZ began their lives based on car engines. The 1VZ 2.0 was that first V6 Toyota put in any product in 1986 was in the Toyota Camry Prominent - aka Lexus ES. The 1UZ 4.0 Lexus was that an engine that brought the British, German, and American luxury cars to their knees. the 2UZ was modified version of that for use. And it has proven many times over to be a force (an iForce) to be reckoned with.

Are the 5VZ and 2UZ truck engines? Yes, very much so.
Are they based and sharing some features of their car-based predecessors? Very much so, as well.

if Toyota can work that kind of magic in the 80s/90s, just imagine what the engineers have done to make the T24A just as stout as her ancestors. I do understand your concerns, though. There will be growing pains, as did the 5VZ & 2UZ have at one time. Also, if the 2.4 T24A goes into the Lexus GX, Toyota is not going to be careless with power nor reliability. The new Tundra also uses a lot more aluminum in body panels as well, almost forgot that. So, maybe the taco will go under a sight diet. (I should too!)

Also, the Ranger Raptor 3.0TT was first used in the Lincoln MKZ & Continental. The Colorado 2.5 I4 is a modified version of Malibu/impala engine as well.

(the old ranger shared the 3.0 Vulcan with Taurus and minivans as well.
and didn't GM use the same 2.2 I4 in Cavaliers as did S10s?)

I don't know if you seen this or not but:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqJJ5juYwGg&t=1s

This is, of course, in a Highlander. But the T24A seems A LOT simpler than the V35A.

Ain't it something that only 900 lbs difference between the 1st & 3rd gens? I'm not a mechanic nor engineer, but doesn't like much. I'm guessing a lot of materials in the newer ones are much lighter.

 

As a former GTI owner, carbon fouling is no-bueno.

 

Nah

 

People also forget Toyota has 2 production plants for the Tacoma. Ford Ranger shares its plant with the wildly popular Bronco and the GM twins shares its plant with the BOF vans. Just from a numbers standpoint, Ford and GM will never take the crown because they can’t match production.

 

Not true any more. The new ranger will have the 2.7 V6 ecoboost option which has dual and port injection. Toyota better bring it with a TTV6 option for the Tacoma or else they’re done.

 

Not many people mention this, but the Ford 2.7 ecoboost is still iron (actually improved on a cast iron block):

"The Ford 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine features a two-piece compacted-graphite-iron (CGI) block and a die-cast aluminum ladder frame forming a stiff block assembly.2 It is the first gasoline-fueled serial production engine with a CGI block, providing substantially better tensile strength, 45 percent greater stiffness, and twice the fatigue strength compared to conventional cast iron."

 

Ranger Raptor, diesel Colorado...

 

There is no diesel Colorado any longer, T4 is the only available engine now.

 

I nerded out on this, just need Ranger and Tacoma specs to come out in detail

 

NICE - can you throw the 3rd Gen on there?

 

And the new Frontier too please

Or just post the excel file and I can do it myself.

 

I'd add the ZR2, since that will be the top dog in the Colorado/Canyon lineup.

 

I highly doubt the Toyota will be “done” if they don’t offer a TTV6 option. The Pro, Raptor, and whatever GMs version is called are halo vehicles, which are very small percentage of the market. Toyota will however sell every Tacoma they make.

The whole who can make the most power pissing wars is rather comical, (project much!? Do those halo trucks come with an viagra script!?)…and really doesn’t apply to the majority of the buyers.

I totally get wanting to go fast in the dirt, however if it isn’t at the very least a Class 1450, what is the point? To flex at the Starbucks drive-tru??? Why have that power if it quickly overwhelms the suspension?

 

Sounds like someone is angry their Toyota is the slowest.

 

Not at all, I am the slowest guy on the road. People pass me like I am standing still! Ha! Current V6 has more than enough power, though it could have peak torque available lower in the RPM range, would be much better for us slow guys who like to lug the engine while towing.

Off-road however, I ride dirt bikes…trucks can only dream where you can take a bike. All that Pro stuff is rather worthless, looks cute parked at the trailhead for the single track though. Dunno, pimped out trucks don’t do it for me, unless it is a full blown race truck. Have been in 1450s and Trophy Trucks before, Pro’s pale in comparison, and don’t see the point of them. As they say “to each their own.”





That last pic of mine is from here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btJq_FCDUmo