Considering Base I4 SR 4x4 Manual

Are you in the mountains? My '06 was a 4 with 5 MT, never noticed the weight of the shell...

Mike

 

I'll be driving in the mountains all the time. And I know weight adds up. But the other day, I lifted the shell on my '01, just me and my 15 year old scrawny kid. It might weigh 80-100 pounds if that. That's less than a person. I wouldn't worry too much about it really.

 

I owned both. Traded the 4 cylinder for the v6 quickly. I don't regret it in the slightest. The difference in torque is night and day. The 6 can accelerate uphill with people in it without downshifting.. that's nice. Also, anyone talking about mileage... I've gotten anywhere from 25-27.6mpg going from Tampa to Daytona. The v6 is a proven engine based on the Lexus / Toyota 3.5. I justified it the same you did on the first one and the v6 is SO much better in every regard. I could see the 4 for around town work but with a now even heavier truck on it, it's a dog.

 

Drove from Key West to San Diego to Mammoth and it was quite noticeable. With it gone the truck actually accelerates and passes much better.

 

There is a difference between 1st & 2nd shell weights probably double depending on manufacturer.

 

^^^ Good point. Mine's a Leer with glass sides, and frameless rear glass. No glass on the front side, so the rear sliding window can be used. It's probably lighter than others.

 

Get the TRD Sport ACLB with a 6-Speed.

 

A 4 cyl, 5 spd Toyota is essentially THE definitive small import truck. There's a lineage there that the 3.5 can't be a part of... back to the 22RE and maybe beyond that. Used worldwide, in the most adverse of conditions, with the minimum of maintenance, these things keep on keepin' on.

I didn't buy it because of that, but it didn't hurt.

 

Cynics would say fanboy.

 

I came from a 5MT 1994 Pickup with the 22RE, so as long as you know what to expect I think you will be very happy. My bud Chris also has a 2009 SR5 w/ 2.7L 5MT, so I came in with a fair bit of experience.

This truck feels like a beast relative to the '94 (I still have it). Coming from a V6 might be tough, but IDK.

I have an A.R.E. V-Series shell, and notice a tiny bit of impact on acceleration, but nothing happened wrt MPG.

FN fx Pro wheels w/ 265/65R17 Cooper Discoverer AT3 had no impact on acceleration or MPG.

I almost went with a 6MT V6, but didn't feel like being a guinea pig while the 3.5L issues were hammered out. Hopefully it'll be a safer buy in about 10 more years when I will need the extra towing power and double cab. Although, the nostalgia factor is pretty high for me with these Toyota 4 cylinders ... I may just stay with them and get a 2nd vehicle for towing.

 

I bought my SR 2.7 5MT because of the price mainly, and also because it a proven set up that has been around for awhile. Have it leveled on 265/75/16 and 16x8's now... it is awesome, love my little truck.

 

I'm cool with that.

 

My dad's trying to talk me into the 3.5 4-door. Hmmm. But I'm still gravitating towards the 4 banger. Going to swing by tonight or tomorrow to take a closer look if I can find one.

 

I will say the 3.5L is a good value in the 6MT. Got my Off-Road for just under 32K before taxes etc. If you get the AC Sport it's even less.

 

I'll chime in here and say that I love my 4 banger, but it's hard to go wrong with either option.

To be perfectly fair, mine is a 4x2 so it has less to carry around... it's ~200 fewer pounds, PLUS on top of that it came stock with the 4.30 gearing.

With an LCE header and an AFE dry filter (stock airbox) I haven't even so much as looked at the ECT button in months. Highway power is OK, but nothing to write home about.

 

You might check out the Brocoma build.

 

Dear home,
Life has been hard on the plains. A fortnight ago I noticed a native signaling my presence here, I have much to be thankful for that I still have my skin atop my head. I have taken a lover. Morale is high. Also my Tacoma 4 banger manual kicks ass on hills. More to come as the spring brings its thaw.

 

I'm in the same boat.
4 or 6 cylinder, 17, Manual, Access cab

I want to put on a cap, Leer 100XQ
Plan on having 200 pounds of gear in the vehicle for climbing / camping. I'm worried about the weight of cap + gear. V6 is about 6k more here in Canada.

What do you guys think?

 

I'm literally trying to put a name on that quote. Lol

 

For your case it seems like either would get the job done. It's more a decision of cost and personal preference. Are you going to kick yourself one day cuz you didn't get the V6? Then you better get the V6. Are you the kind of person who loves the economy and simplicity of 4 banger trucks even though they aren't going to win any races? Then get that. Both are fun and useful for different reasons. You need to ask yourself which appeals to you more and why.