New v6

Hey all you v6 guys, 1gr vs the new 3.5? I drove my mom's 2018 4runner to arizona and back pulling a trailer, it did awsome. 21 mpg empty and 17 mpg on the way back. I thought it had the new 3.5 but it doesn't. Will the new 3.5 in the tacoma preform that good? I am looking to upgrade from my 2tr-fe so I can tow a camper. I have 4 choices.
Swap in a d4d common rail
Get a tacoma with 1gr
Get a tacoma with 2gr
Put on urd charger to current truck

 

Test Drive a new Tacoma and see if you like how the 3.5 feels.

 

Perhaps you could snag a 2018 4Runner...

 

I tried, can't find a manual to test drive

I need a truck . I fly helicopters and am in the process of buying one. I have a jet fuel donkey tank I slide on the back for remote ops. I am also gonna buy one of those micro minnies to take out on the job, thats why I am looking to upgrade to v6.

 

You may have to search for a Manual, but test driving a new Tacoma is the best thing you can do, you already drove the 4.0 so now try the 3.5 to see if you like it.

 

How about the select shift transmission, if I select 3rd, will it start off in 3rd, or will it not shift past 3rd?

 

need some pics!!!

 

Will not shift past 3rd. That's one of my biggest complaints about my 3rd gen. The gear selector basically is just a gear limiter. If I select 4th gear and floor it, I wan't it to stay in 4th gear! Instead the truck will downshift as if you had it in drive... Supposedly the near $1k "magical fix" tune out there will take care of this...

 

The tune is damn near magic.

OP, the 3.5 technically makes more power than the 4.0 but it hides it up top so the first thing you’ll notice with the 3.5 is that it feels gutless down low. There are tons of modes you can use to access different power bands. There is an ECT button that makes the throttle and shift maps a little more aggressive and you can limit the gears with the S-mode but it isn’t a “manual” style shifter. The MT guys seem to be pretty happy overall and even more so if they drop the $800 on the tune which will give you more power down low and in the midrange.

My friend hasn’t a 18 4Runner pro and with my truck tuned and running premium my truck feels more agile and similar in power down low. Stock (untuned) it was no comparison. My truck felt 2,000lb heavier and much slower down low. FWIW

 

Ok thanks, I think I will look for a 2nd gen v6 manual then.

 

This is how normal automatic transmissions have worked for 50 years. They are all like this, with the ability to gear-limit only using the selector . Why would you expect to be able to force it to hold a single gear? Why is this a complaint? Is there any auto tranny from any maker that allows you to hold a gear? None I’ve ever driven. Maybe in a Lamborghini?

 

^^ What he said. You're probably going to see some 2nd Gen Tacoma 4.0 fans who have driven the 3.5L a couple of times say the new setup is gutless. On the stock tune (IN MY OPINION), it does feel that way down low. Then again, you may try a stock M/T and love it. I hear the stock calibration on the '18s is better. Just saying there is an aftermarket option to make the truck work "better" if you feel the need. There are also dyno results to back it up (A/T, we never really got one for the M/T after the latest tune version came out). Anyway, best of luck Op!

 

You can't really go wrong there either.

 

It's not how they have worked for 50 years. Check your facts. Both ford and Chevy had cars in the early 80s that had push button transmissions, whatever button you push, that's what gear you get. Both Chevy and dodge currently have transmission that hold whatever gear they are told. I have a Chevy sitting in the drive that when I select manual mode 5th, that bitch starts at 5th, and will not shift out. And it's a complaint becuase autos hunt for gears in hills. You probably have only driven autos your whole life, so you dont see anything wrong with it. I have never owned an automatic, and I don't really want too either

 

Get a 4runner or Tacoma with the 4.0, the 3.5 engine in the new Tacomas is more like a Honda civic motor. Not a lot of torque and you have to rev it up.

 

Wrong / Fake info. You do not own a “Chevy” auto that will start at a stop sign in 5th gear. Sheesh

 

Op, just get a manual and be done with it lol. You know you won't like an auto, as you've already stated you've never owned one.

Also, this thread is gonna blow up with a "how an auto trans works" fight.

 

The 6R80 in my Mustang will act as a manual in sport mode, holding the gear even if I’m banging the rev limiter and will down shift wherever I want it to from the factory
Also it will rev match on down shifts

 

I see you're in Texas. Holler if you're ever around Austin and you can drive mine. The 3.5 with the 6 speed manual is great.

 

I will go take a video right now