How happy are you with the 2.7L 4x4

I would prefer a simpler truck, but it has come up from time to time that this 3rd gen protects it's occupants very well in sometimes horrific accidents.

To me, that puts these modern beasts in perspective.

Thinking about the photos of those great simple trucks of the 80's and 90's, and what else has changed.

Anybody care to trade their current TV, cell phone or computer (if you actually still own a computer, lol) for one of these bad boys?


If you're still with me, one more observation relating to the 4 vs. 6 cylinder debate- I live in a very crowded metropolitan area, and traffic is sometimes congested. Lately I have been paying attention to the times I am glad I have the 6- trying to merge into traffic when nobody is slowing down to let me in, stuck behind someone going slow in the fast or middle lane of the highway and wanting to get ahead of them, and just wanting to kick it up a notch because it's fun....fwiw, my $.02.

 

I have buddy that lives in New Zealand, his wife is from OZ and still had family there...we discussed it, and it is more hassle that it is worth. Plus you're getting a 25 year old vehicle because of the import laws...I already have an old vehicle, my Tacoma is 19 years old...and I am tired of fixing it. Problem is there is nothing on the current market that I like, nor I am willing to pay for. (maybe the new Ranger???) Most likely just get a lame car to get the mpg's I want.

 

It depends where you buy your imported vehicle from. I bought my diesel Hilux from a reputable company based out if Missouri who specializes in importing low mileage great condition vehicles that are 25 years or older. They handle all the paperwork. My Hilux had 55,000 miles when I bought it and had very few issues.

Here it is next to my friend's 3rd gen

 

My buddy in NZ is an engineer plus a gear head, so him finding the "right one" would eliminate some worry of what your getting. Paperwork isn't all that hard either...as we kicked around the idea of becoming importers ourselves. Came down to, I don't want the hassle as I have enough things to keep me busy already. That and I am over fussing with vehicles, imports are at least 25 years old, and they are going to need attention. You're basically getting a hobby vehicle, not something you want to beat on as daily driver, nor do I want to go hammer off-road on a fairly rare vehicle that I went through all the trouble to import. For me I would basically just drive it around and do light duty errands. So I lost interest. I already have a hobby vehicle [dirt bikes], and not much into 4-Wheeling anymore ever since I started riding those, just so much faster and able to get into much tighter spots than a truck could ever dream to.

My truck has been regulated to bike hauler and base camp. A truck that I am getting sick of putting gas into, why I am starting to look at cars. Sure would be nice if the Tacoma got 30 mpg, but it doesn't. The diesel Ram, Colorado and the up coming F150 will, but diesel seems like a huge expensive hassle in the long run, plus the added cost up front. Gotta spend an awful lot just to save a little fuel. A Crosstrek, Rav4, or CR-V might be a better solution for what I need. Slightly used ones under 30K miles go for around $20K, and they all get around 30 mpg. Try finding a Tacoma 4WD ACLB with under 30K miles sub $20K, and it is still going to get marginal fuel economy. Funny after all these years of being a rabid Toyota truck fan I am starting to loose interest, and I have only Toyota to blame. Ha ha!

 

Yan know, there days I just want to disconnect and run off to a simple off the grid cabin in the woods...


...out here we don’t have to be too aggressive with driving, I rarely go over 65, most of the back roads I drive on are 55...maybe 60. Fairly low population density out here, though I see it changing, lots and lots of Kalifornians moving here that are going to fuck up the laid back lifestyle that I have grown accustomed to. Left the East Coast madness nearly 25 years ago.

 

Is this true? the utility cab and the RS convenience upgrade have different ECU ? I have a 2.7 M/T RS 4x4 some one educate me. if and if this is true how do we fix this.

 

It's SR, and i believe he is talking about the new standard TSS features.

 

Gotcha Toyota safety sense on 2018 ? I thought it had to do with 50 state emissions offered with 3rd gen SR convenience package. I was reading a post about how some guy really wanted a utility cab 2.7 AC M/T no convenience and was curious if this was the reason why.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-sr-convenience-package.533269/#post-17140402

 

Just curious, does the “d” stand for dirt or douche?

 

Just had mine out today. Snow and ice fell quick in Jersey causing brutal conditions. My 2019 SR 4x4 4 cylinder had great power and handled well in the icy snowy roads . A++++ great truck
In 4 wheel drive stuck like glue to the road! Love the 4 cylinder

 

How happy am I with the 2.7L, 4x4 ? As happy as anyone could be.
1,000 pounds in the bed, if needed, no towing whatsoever. Chugging in town at 1,300 - 2,000 Rpm. Accelerating uphill, passing, and accessing highway ramps at 3,500 - 4,000 Rpm. Driving in deep snow or slippery pavement: no problem.

What to expect more? Well, better gas mileage, for sure. Far better. It's doing just like the 3.5L. So ...????

 

I owned the 2019 4x4 v6 SR AT for about a year and traded it towards the 2019 4x2 2.7 AT. The 2.7 has a more consistent shift patterns (doesn't constantly downshift (hunt for gears)) and better consistent fuel economy. Also, the iron block is the way to go and as someone else previously mentioned, legendary reliability. The 3.5 is a car engine (aluminum with sleeves), not a truck motor from design. The 2.7 is only found in trucks and SUVs. The 2.7 for longevity and has plenty of towing capability for the average person. The only negative is I put in an aftermarket brake controller, hitch, etc... no tow kit from factory (my setup is all plug and play... no splicing on wires. Truck performs beautifully as a daily driver with family of 5... 3.5 with 12 injectors, high pressure fuel pump, etc. and stuck in Atkinson most of the time... was shifting way more on the highways too. Love my 2.7 and will not consider another 3.5. If I need to tow, I'll look at a full-size truck (my previous truck to the Tacomas was a 3500 dually mega-cab with cummins/Aisin... 2500 with cummins previously). As a daily driver using the truck to camp on occasion fully loaded with five people and a travel trailer, my truck has done everything I asked of it with plenty of miles on the odometer now. Pick your poison. Both are great trucks, but 2.7 I-4 is the meat and potatoes of Toyota's legendary reliability and shouldn't be frowned upon. If you want a bro truck, get a full-size and quit trying to justify your purchase on a 3.5. 3.5 has its place, does great for what it is and I'm glad it exists, but you have to work it in the high RPMs to get anything out of it.

 

Well, my 2016 2.7L, 4x4, SR5 extended cab was definitely a good machine. Extremely comfortable on the road, with sufficient power to go uphill and pass if you are not in a tight corner.
After two extended trips onto very hilly terrain though, I decided that passing semis and going uphill was trying enough with mixed results after all.

I just traded in for a 2019, 3.5L just the same for everything else. Could not get my Barcelona Red fetish colour and ended up with Cavalry Blue. Not many of them around here. I like it except when I exit the shopping mall and start looking for a red pickup truck in the area where I parked.

Recent trip into hilly terrain, and I just love it. There I have enough power at fairly low RPM. Passing, going uphill is comparatively easy. Of course, it is not a race car and that is not what I sought. If a small caravan becomes handy one of these days, it can handle it.

My red 2016, at 30,000 km, in showroom condition, resold within 3 days. I paid it 38,000CAD in 2016, and the dealer sold it for 31,000CAD.
Just to compare, a neighbour friend of mine just bought a 2016, Mercedez Benz, model E, bluetec, with 50,000 km on the clock for halft the price it was sold 3 years ago. The car looks and drives like brand new. But it took a 50% + dive in resale value...

So, my final comment is: 2.7L or 3.5L are ok, depending on what you are looking for and expecting on the road. Enjoy !!!

 

Well, while I wouldn't go out of my way for a 3.5, if it were my only option, I wouldn't hesitate to get one again lol.

Also, I failed to mention I live in Florida lol. Rarely do I have to drive out of the flatlands. I have a few hills on the interstate I drive, but haven't been an issue.

I don't really ever pass people. I'm hardly ever in a hurry, but I wouldn't dare pass in the 2.7 at highway speeds if I had the urge. Seriously though, my 3.5 was constantly shifting on the highway with headwinds etc here on our mostly flat roads and I don't have that issue with the 2.7.

I also opted for the 2.7 because I wanted something to put a bunch of miles on that was cheaper/easier to work on since I'll be putting a lot of miles on it. I don't need the 4x4 and went for the 4x2 again to keep everything simple. I also did it to save some cash and there was a 0% interest promo financing. overall, just wanted something cheaper and reliable and the v6 I had lost little to nothing on trade value.

 

He liked it so much he traded it off for a V6. LOL!

 

Hi Saint04 ! You seem to have gotten exactly what suits your needs. That is what counts.
For my part, I live in the southern part of Québec, Canada, and 4x4 comes very handy during our frequent winter storms. Also, my house sits atop a small crest, accessed through a sinuous driveway.
When I mention hilly terrain, I refer to slopes of 7° to 12° of incline, according to road signs. There is a fair amount of these in various parts of the eastern provinces we travel to. So, 3.5L is no luxury for me.
Having driven a 2.7L, it is easy to concede that it is a very performing machine on flatland. No need for 4x4 in Florida as well... except if you are a mud adventurer...
Have a good day !

 

... and I must add that when I wrote about passing, I almost exclusively refer to passing loaded semis crawling uphill with very little opportunity to get ahead. That is where the 2.7L got on my nerves, for one...
Not a problem on four lanes highway, but backroads are another matter.

 

Sucks that we dont have any 4cyl 4x4s where I am at

 

I only wish they made the Double Cab in 4x4 with the 4cyl manual like I have in my Access Cab.