Can you tolerate the 4 cylinder?

I could never go to a 4 banger in any car. noisy, weak, and work harder. I love my v6 in this truck, awesome to be able to pass people with little effort in 6th gear.

 

I love my 2.7...It has plenty of power to get me around comfortably. Sure I could use a little more power, but not enough to justify buying the V6. I will however continue making small modifications to get a few more ponies.

 

I recently bought a 2-Gen 4-cyl, and I'm used to driving a 269hp RAV4. Well, its just a different more leisurely driving experience. I feel different and I just don't want to drive it the same way, especially overtakes etc.

The main beef I have with the 4-Cyl is that when it is under 2,000rpm, it doesn't have a lot of pick up. Couple that with clunky manual down change from 2nd to 1st - and somehow the gear ratios are not ideal for smooth driving when in stop/start traffic, going over speed bumps etc. I'm also surprised that even with VVT, it is still not particularly inviting to take it up to higher revs.

On the highway, it runs nicely and no problems keeping up with the traffic. Also the ride and handling are surprisingly good.

 

^^
X2. Agreed. I test drove the 4 banger at first and was very dissappointed by the lack of power. I am not a speed demon, but to me the V6 just drove smoother. Just my 2cents.

 

I never tow anything. I got the V6 because I wanted the option of having power and speed if I ever need it. My car before this was an 03 toyota matrix 1.8L. It was gutless! So I figured, if I'm getting a new car, a truck for that matter, I'd get something with some balls. V6 is worth the extra cash just for how fun and easy it is to drive IMO.

 

The 2.7 is plenty for almost everyone. If you check out the 4clyd forum (where this post should go ) many people use them for towing, 4 wheeling, hauling, ect. I liked that the 4.0l had the 6 speed but after some of the bad stories I hear/heard I am glad I have the 5 speed.


Side note: I love my truck now that it has a real suspension.

 

It does what I need it to do. I have found my problem with the trucks lack of throttle response and its not the engine that holds it back its the trans., well at least it is in mine.

I have a second gen. 2.7L attached to a A340E automatic trans.(Toyotas bullet proof autos). Its a base model single cab with 235/75R16 Dunlop's and it will fly when you punch it. Until it hits 90 and the computer decides its a good time to cut back the fuel. What helped the truck is a little trans. mod that made the shifts firmer and quicker. It also bumped my MPG's up from 21 highway to 24.7 with the same amount of speed ,fuel, weight and distance. Big plus for me.

PLUS like others mentioned its practically bullet proof.

 

I had a chev. with the 6.6 diesel and went to the 4 cyl reg cab when I traded it in. its clearly not weak , nor a confidence problem driving it merging.
I gain 3 mpg is all , getting 26 mph @70 (on a gps not speedo.), but a lot less maiint. / insurance / and payments.
At work i drive v-8s in the pickup , various diesels too still. Its always more fun driving my truck home or to work.
I sorta miss driving an automatic at times , but the manual isnt that clunky when shifted right , mine likes shifting 2400 on up , I'll shift at 2000 a lot when just goin easy.

 

I bought a 2.7l 2nd generation only bc of the amazing price. Planned on getting an 04 with a v6. It's a nice trck but I regret grtting it everyday. I'm used to driving my chevy with a v8. It bogs so much, especially with the 33s. Pulling out in traffic is the worst. And I only got 19mpg with 265s, no telling how much I get now. But I'm still greatful for what I have and will make do with it. It's got about 300,000 miles left on it before I retire it.

 

I have the 2010 access cab 2.7 ltr. The only time I wish it had more power is when I have the AC on using cruise control (highway) and I start going up a hill it seems like it really has to hammer down to stay up to speed until the highway levels off flat again.

 

yah the a/c sucks a lot of power out of these things. i almost always rock windows down....i drive in the city alot and at night...and its always around 80 degrees down here anyway

 

Drove an 86 4x4 Yota with 4cyl for eight years. Currently drive an 04 2wd 2.4 tacoma for work. Have driven an 09 2wd 2.7 tacoma a couple of times also. When I bought my truck, there was no way in hell it was going to be a 4 cylinder.

Just got back from a 3600 mile trip. Truck averaged 19.1 MPG, including a couple thousand miles of 80MPH, cruise set, AC on, 90 degree heat outside. That average also includes a couple of days of stop and go driving around being a tourist. No problems going over the rockies at 70plus MPH.

I am sure I would gain a few MPGs going with a 2.7 5speed. I am also sure it would cost me less in maintenance and insurance. But it's my weekend driver/vacation truck. I have a company truck to get to work in, mine is for fun. The 4.0 was the right choice for me. The six speed trans......well......

 

I test drove a first gen 4-banger/auto, and wasn't really impressed. First gen 4 cylinder/manual was ok.

I then looked at a 2009 4 cylinder/auto access cab, and power is noticeably better. The economy and durability of the four cylinder engine is why I like it, so we bought a new 2010 AC with 4cyl/auto.

We don't tow with this truck, but do use it a lot. Bottom line is yes, we can definitely tolerate the four cylinder, as the pluses far outweigh the minuses.

My .02 worth.

Tim Glover

 

assuming $3 gas, i could have done that trip for $133 less.

 

for the interstate merging....i don't have any problems getting up to speed. 2nd gear is pretty amazing.

 

yeah, but you are a man among boys

 

I have to agree, my 4cyl 2009 was a better truck than my 2010 V6 Off Road.

 

LOL OKKK!!!
Have you TRIED to hit 120mph? If NOT why post the comment?
Coulda been going down hill or the speed odometer might be off.
UNLESS you were in my truck looking at the speed gauge you CAN'T call BS on something you know nothing of!!

 

Another couple of reasons I bought a 4 cylinder. My old s-10 was a single cab v-6 So I wanted a truck with an acess cab I also knew that the s-10 was horrible on gas so with those two things in mind and my budget I bought the 4 cylinder. If cost or gas mileage were not an issue I would have bought an access 6 cylinder, but overall my truck has plenty of power (aside from my previous post) for my needs.

 

ok i stand corrected. i was actually going 120. the governor kicks in at 117, but my speedometer is 4 mph too slow due to my tires. so there you go, i was actually going 121.

in a stock truck, you can't, idk about downhill. i was on flat land. ive been to governor in both my truck and the v6 and its the same, but i would think you couldn't get that fast on the speedometer due to the fuel cutoff....