Are they hiding the 4 cylinder ?

Look up Just In Time production. There is no huge warehouse full of 2TRs to "run out".

 

You guys need to understand that I'm not trying to say the 2.7 is the best engine for everyone. We all have to take into consideration how and where our trucks are used.

I live in central Texas, so ice and snow are infrequent issues here, and I don't go off-roading, so 4WD is an extravagence that I can live without. I don't pull a trailer on a regular basis, but in the past year I've towed a 4X8 Uhaul trailer loaded with furniture from central Texas to Denver and a 5X8 trailer loaded with furniture back from Denver to central Texas with no problems.

If I lived in the mountains I'd probably have to give serious consideration to the V6 and 4WD. As it is, my 2.7/auto combo is a great combination for me. And even with similar mileage figures for the 3rd gen 4 and V6, the real world price difference that someone posted would be the determining factor for me.

 

I didn't think they had fully assembled engines is a ware house, but the raw parts to assemble them in mass. With the JIT maybe it's less surplus than I thought, but either way The 4 cyl that deserves to be in this new truck has yet to come to fruition, and that is disappointing.

 

When I was looking for a small truck to replace my VW GTI, I wanted to go as simple as possible while still having 4WD. This RC 4x4 fit the bill. The 2TR is large for a 4 banger, with a good amount of torque down low. It is low maintenance (i.e. hydraulic lash adjustment, spark plugs every 100k, etc.), and so far there hasnt been any problems with timing chain cover or rear main seal leaks. I am happy that Toyota is carrying the 2TR over to the 3rd gen, I will probably buy one when it comes time to replace my '06 with 87,000 miles. I just wish they were keeping the RC 4x4 configuration, which is relatively light and nimble.

 

"How does it do pulling that 1500lbs up a mountain? Don't answer I already know.."

I have owned two 2.7L Tacomas, a 98 and my 2015. I pull a 6x10 Pace cargo trailer, which weighs in at 2200 lbs loaded, over to WV once a month. I use Rt. 33 for the trip. If any of you are familiar with it you will know it is nothing but up and down and switchbacks the whole way over to the Spruce Knob area. Do I charge up the hills at 60 MPH? No, but I wouldn't in a 6 cyl either. The trucks are 5 speeds and do an admirable job. A week ago I was followed over by a friend in his V8 Silverado. He was impressed with how well my anemic Tacoma pulled the trailer over the road.

The 2.7L gets the job done and will last damn near forever if taken care of. My old one didn't use a bit of oil between changes and it had a bit over 200K on it when I sold it.

Is it the ideal engine for the Tacoma? No, but for quite a few of us it is a good choice.

 

everyone here is missing the point of this topic.

95.5-04 the 2.4 and 2.7 4 cyl was fine with a small truck, the new 2.7 was fine for most applications for the 05-15 truck mostly purchased in a regular cab or larger cab pre-runner and actually had MPG numbers to make it worth buying over the V6 but thats it.

The point is in the 2016 model there is not 1 single pro to the 4 cyl as far as MPG, Power or cab configurations go.
The lack of regular cab or a 5 lug suspension makes the 4 cyl pointless.

 

That is quite impressive actually. My wife and I travel to Cass WV from Louisa County every fall via Rt. 33. Many of those switchbacks are so sharp you almost have to stop to make the turn, and the elevation changes are impressive. Last year we would hit snow at the top of a mountain, then it would be sunny and 55 degrees in the valley, then back into snow again.

 

"How does it do pulling that 1500lbs up a mountain? Don't answer I already know.."

I'll chime in on this, too. My 2010 SR5 Access Cab manual 4 banger does this quite well, thank you. Averaged 21 mpg all through the Rocky Mountains last fall pulling my 1500 lb teardrop camper with ease. Did I have to down shift going over high passes? Hell yeah, but so what. People who say that the 2.7 5 speed manual doesn't have the snot for this truck don't know what they are talking about. I get at least 80 miles more per tank than I would with the V6, and that has meant a lot over the years.

But, with the new numbers on the 3.5 Atkinson, it appears that this version of the 4 cylinder has run its course. Can't wait for a test drive.

 

How do you stand up in they thing?

I guess it is just like a tent on wheels..

 

I miss my '14 access cab 4cyl 5 speed and all 23mpg's of it.

 

No hard feelings guys, I'll still wave when I'm passing you on the hills.

 

It's an updated 2TR, so the parts to build it are actually new. They added Dual VVT-i to the engine as well as updating several other parts. Beyond the block, there's not much that would carry over, so they're definitely not older parts that were just lying around. They're being produced currently, for new vehicles.

Jeff

 

So the 4 cyl going in the 2016 has all new parts including new dual vvt-I and it get's worse mileage than the outgoing model..?

 

Did they really add dual vVti to the 4 cylinder? I thought it was just carried over from the current gen 2.

 

Yes, it has Dual VVT-i. The head and all of its components are all new, as are the pistons and rings. The rest of the bottom end is mostly a carry over, but overall it's definitely an updated version and not the same as the 2015.

Jeff

 

The fact that they attempted to update it and lost mpg's is worse than just carrying everything over.. Lots of new parts and the exact same hp/torque rating.. Toyota is a fishy one.

 

All that matters is real world mileage. Those EPA tests aren't always accurate.

 

And the torque curve could be far better as far as drivability.

 

I was getting 23/24 average out of every tank before I left the stock configuration.

Best motor for a truck? No. But not everybody cares.

 

From what I can tell, Dual VVT-i was added to the 2015 MY. So technically it would be a carry over from the Gen II truck. Not that it matters much.


What's interesting is that the maximum cargo capacity (1500lbs) for 2016 is only achieved with the four cylinder. The 4x4 v6 DCLB drops capacity to 950lbs. The "work horse" of the model range is the four cylinder access cab.