Is the 4 Cyl. more reliable?

The 4 cylinder is worth less at trade in time because it cost less to purchase initially. The depreciation rate is the same for all the Tacomas. For example an access cab doesn't depreciate any quicker than a double cab but it's worth more.

 

I traded in my 98 2.7 5sp regular cab 4x4 for a 15 2.7 5sp Access cab 4x4. While I was in the dealership they already had an inquiry about my old truck while it was sitting on the lot. They sold it the next morning.
There are plenty of folks who want the 2.7.
My 98 had just under 199K on it without a single issue. I have my fingers crossed that this new one is as reliable.

 

My first truck at 16 was a '98 4 banger access cab SR5 mated to an automatic and i can confidently say that i beat the ever living heck out of that truck. I drove it into a 20 foot wide hole at 35 mph, i wheeled it far before i knew how to correctly wheel, i wound out the rpms every other take off, and the engine even caught fire once - through all those years it never left me stranded and never needed a major repair (aside from a week on the rack to straighten out the frame). When i finally sold that truck a few years back it had 300k miles and still ran strong without burning a drop of oil - aside from the lack of power since i never regeared, that truck was amazing.

I now have a newer 6 cyl MT and I do like it more, but i could argue for the 2.7 litre any day.

 

By definition the "fleet trucks" are just the most baseline white pickup you can find. These are for standardization. Toyota can charge less by selling a bunch if they minimize the amount of "special junk" on them.

 

Hard to prove or disprove reliability, but I play the odds. One head versus two heads means chances of having a problem with the head goes up on the 6. More pistons, more chance of something going wrong with a piston, etc. Doesn't mean it will, but the more parts you have the more likely one will fail. I would imagine both are reliable when taken care of.

 

I've owned Toyota 20Rs 22R 22RE. I love the 4 cylinders! Regular oil changes & they'll run many miles. I heard the starter on (1999?) 6 cyl's was between the cylinder banks under the intake manifold?

 

I have had both and each engine has it's place. Buy the 4 if you just do light hauling but definitely get the 6 if you haul or tow moderate loads.

I recently pulled this loaded trailer 3000+ miles round trip. The 4 banger would have done it but my 6 did it without breaking a sweat.

 

I just ordered a 2017 4cyl because of its reliability. It would have been a tougher choice if it was the old V6, but I’m not convinced this FKS engine will go the distance.

I believe the V6 block is solid, but have my doubts on the head. Aside from the fact that it's simply too new, a couple of things stand out as questionable long term reliability and/or high maintenance costs..1) high pressure fuel pump and injectors...2) intake manifold with an actuator valve. And not convinced of the integrated exhaust manifold either.

Seems like the FKS was designed for emissions, and reliability has taken a back seat. Only time will tell I guess, but I wasn't willing to take the chance. I have a history of keeping my cars for 15+ years, and know the 2.7l has been tried tested and proven. Doesn’t hurt that the cost to buy was lower, plus insurance, gas and maintenance costs are less. It all adds up as the years go by.

 

Clear7, I agree, I've always liked the 4 Cyls for being bulletproof & ease of working on (when they do break)
I've owned Celica's, (1977)Toyota pickups a Tercel, Supra & Tacoma. I've seen other folks load up the bed with all kinds of weight ...probably unsafe. But they just work on and off road, plain and simple! The Japanese find out where the weak point are in every component, then fix the design. Unlike american manufacturers that don't. Toyota's not perfect. Their employees are allowed to stop the assembly line if they see a problem. Other companies only care about getting the product out fast.

 

You seem knowledgeable - too bad Their employees didn't stop the assembly line to say the frames will rust out in a few years - that's about the biggest problem I've had and it's been the same on my 1st gen and 2nd gen Tacoma.

 

Value is determined by supply/demand, it has little or nothing to do with initial purchase price. The 4 cyl is worth less at trade in because because the 4.0 trucks are more desired. If this was a 22RE vs 3.slow type situation it'd be reversed, nobody wants that old V6 because it sucked. This doesn't mean the 2TR-FE isn't as good as the 4.0, in fact I maintain that it's more reliable, but that doesn't change the fact that the 4.0 is more desired overall.

 

yes and they have a v6

 

I bought a 2013 2.7 4wd AC AT and absolutely loveed it. It was a turd but never an issue. I built it tuff but conservatively, yes it had a lift, armor, e rted tires but still ept things minimal. We bought a little micro off road camper supposedly able to be towed by any 4 cyl vehicle, in fat alot on the FB page for them are towed by subarus and rav4's. On our maiden trip I decided on a place over the mtn from us so I could not only test the camper but also the truck. This was a fairly steep mtn to get over but the little turck pulled it, no more than 30mph withmy foot on the floor. This little camper only weighs 900 pounds dry weight but the truck wanted no part of it having to constantly down shift while just in the hills before we got to the mtn.
we weren't happy at all as we want to start traveling all over and taking the camper off road with us. I loved my little truck but the Monday after we got beck I started striping it and returned it to basically stock and it was traded for a dcsb with a v6 and MT

 

Seriously? Reliability yes, but why in the hell would anybody build anything they call a truck that won't hardly haul anything? That's just a load of poop. When a Subaru will out tow it there's an issue.

 

Your world view is mindbogglingly narrow.

 

Really? I just traded mine last saturday at a Toyota dealer no less and you are correct he was very excited when he saw the truck and was hoping I was trading rt up until I told him it was a 4 cyl. They still traded and I came out to the good. I loved that little truck it was alot of fun but if it won't do the job time to go. What's the old saying "If the dog won't hunt cut the leash"

 

Perhaps, but i buy a truck no matter how small to do truck things. I bought a camper that is extremely light weight with the purpose of using it with that truck and it couldn't handle the task. I love Toyota it's basically all I own I simply wanted it to do what I believed it should be capable of. It is after all still a truck. I bought it because of the 4 cyl's undeniable reliability and a little better fuel economy and when my scion ever dies will buy another as a commuter, however, for what our needs are it did not do the job. I apologize if that seems narrow minded but it was what it was bought for. In my case it didnt work out to my dismay

 

Sounds like there was something seriously wrong with your truck. I have 32 inch E rated tires on stock gears and I have at least 900+ lbs of stationary equipment, armor, and camping gear and I regularly bomb over 7000+ ft mountain passes in the Seirra Nevada at 65 MPH no problem.

 

Perhaps there was. I busted my ass for the last year building that thing and you can see what all was on it in the build page. It had 255/80/17 st maxx tires, aluminum front bumper, sliders, and skids.It did ok here in our little east coast mtns on it's own but as soon as you put a trailer behind it it fell on it's face. I would have kept that truck until either it or me died but it simply wouldn't do the job. Maybe it was the automatic IDK and feel like I'm beating a dead horse here but that was the simple truth. Hell I'd even put the LCE header and AFE filter in it to try and help which it did greatly but not when pulling anything

 

@Casper66, one thing not mentioned is yours had the older 4spd auto which is now replaced by the 6spd which most say transforms the 4cyl auto. Love my 2.7 MT but I also understand it's limits.