So now I know - Tacoma 4 cylinder review

Header from URD in the group buy, and the catback used (they don't make it anymore)

 

Not to jack a thread but I'm curious about a small boat tow as well.

I have a 2011 4x4 4 cly access cab with a 5 speed. I'm looking at a small aluminum boat (Trailer, Boat, engine = around 900 - 1000 lbs total)

I know I'm not going to win any sort of landspeed records, but how will the little truck handle it? okay? will it be screaming and kicking the entire time?
just curious.

 

I live in Indiana so altitude is not a concern. My 4 banger does fine in normal driving though I definitely wouldn't try passing up a hill. Every once in a while I miss the power my old Dodge V8 ha but then I remember fuel and maintenance costs lol.

 

I bumper pull mine at probably 600-700 pounds. No problem. Like you said no landspeed records but, it surprised me. I shift at 3k or less and barely know its there.

 

Yes, its slow. But downshifting always solves the problem even up to Tahoe.

The 22R was just amazing. Everything was just too simple to fix and maintain.

 

The 4 is not for everyone for sure, but I drive all over the country and mine works well for me!!!!!! It has taken me into some country that was pretty rough...I sure didn't need to be going fast and for me the 4 did just great!

 

I love my 4-cylinder Tacoma, but here in Arkansas these hills aren't that bad. I can see where it would be a pain in the mountains of Colorado. I'm with adrstout. I went from a Dodge Dakota with a 318 to my Taco so when I miss the power, I just remember getting 13 mpg.

Even though mine does what I need it to do and I'm happy with the truck, I'll likely go with the V-6 next time around.

 

I had a 95" Tacoma Extracab with the 2.4l 4 cyl (5 spd Man)and took it all over the west & southwest without any problems with lack of power.
Several trips to ABQ, NM from AZ and Diego and Vegas without any problem.
Humm quite interesting

 

that's what second is for.

 

I liked my 91 pickup four banger--I LOVE the 2003 6 cyl. No question.
Hurts a little at the pump--not much.
Got the cash--get the 6!
Drove the 4cyl for 14 years--truck was tough as nails--I prefer the 6.

 

I had a '99 4x4 with a 4 banger. It was a 5 spd too and it was better. There's a lot to be said for dropping it down whenever you need to for sure.

 

Would adding a small turbo add to the horse power at sea level without adding to gas consuption? Anyone know of other ways to increase the horsepower on the 4 cylinder. I test drove one this weekend for my wife and it was pretty weak!

 

I think mine has enough power for my needs. As for towing a boat i was able to hold 60MPH @ 3000RPM coming up sandstone mountain (I-64 in southern WV) with my boat. It is close to 2000 pounds. Not sure of the grade but it is steep and long. I think they gear cars and trucks to high to get better gas mileage.

 

Ya I haul these 285s around pretty easy with stock gears so I don't think people should be worried about keeping it stock and power

 

more HP? more gas. kind of no way around it. now you may drive a little better and compensate to the point where the extra burning fuel will be nominal, but it's hard to ask for more power and not expect to burn more gas

 

For those of you who have a 4 cylinder and lack the horsepower, have you considered replacing the knock sensor? The knock sensor's crystals can deteriorate and lose their response accuracy as time goes by. This causes a potential for an incorrect signal, that in turn causes the engine to reduce timing advance. This can SERIOUSLY rob and engine of horsepower with even a low 10DEG of advance loss. My 2.7 had developed real bad power loss, with no codes, but scan tool data showed that the timing was only advanced by 15DEG at heavy load. Replaced the knock sensor and timing returned to 30DEG and power was back.

 

The 4 cylinder Tacoma has plenty of power. I drive in the mountains all the time and up steep grades and the Taco doesn't lack for power. If you don't want to shift, buy an automatic.

Does my truck have more power at sea level? Yes.

Does it not have enough power over mountain passes? No. Sometimes you have to downshift. The real problem is with the gearing. If I drive faster, it has more power due to higher RPM and being further into the power band. I typically only drive around 55 to 60 mph, so I have to shift a little more.

This talk of the 4 cylinder being underpowered is NONSENSE!

 

I have a 2011 4x4 access cab 4 cylinder... It tows my 15 foot hobie power skiff just fine. about 1200 pounds in total with a class III hitch.

 

I like your truck. my 4 banger does great, I tow uphill all the time and hardly even notice a difference. My trailer with my bike on it is probably around 1100 pounds.

 

I love my 4cl. I never underestimate my trucks engine. I rarely even look at the odometer. I keep it on my trip miles for my next oil change. That's all that really matters since the engine should last forver with the way I baby it. Yeah its not the fastest engine out there, but neither was the 22r! Toyota put the 2tr in these trucks for reason and still do. If they felt they made a wrong decision they wouldn't keep using them. They kept everything a truck would be used for in mind when they threw the 2tr in the engine compartment for the first time. Towing, hauling, driving uphill, if you don't like slow but steady, get the v6. If you want the better mpg, and a longer lasting- more reliable engine get over the fact that the 4 banger is not built for speed.