Tacomas are not underpowered

Great news, tacomas are not underpowered, they are wrong geared to pass gas mileage rules. 278 horsepower is more than most v8s from the 90s. You just need lower gears. Stop saying that!

 

No, it’s under powered. Fine for what they are supposed to do but they are a dog, especially at altitude or when towing.

 

Lower gears, there is plenty of power at 4000 rpm’s

 

Do you still have the stock gears? If so you are correct.

 

i have the mod "ECT on at start up" have it for about 7 years now. always drive with it on. last week i took it to the dealer for major repair so i turned it off. when i picked up my truck i forgot about it and when i made a right turn on to a major road holy crap, the truck could not get out of it's own way. i was so used to barley pushing on the gas pedal when ECT on what a big difference. just my 2 cents.

 

Toyota has sold in the neighborhood of 1.5 million 3rd gen Tacomas.

If they were the underpowered piece of junk that these threads made them out to be, would so many be on the road? (answer is no)

 

No, they are underpowered.

/Thread

 

They also weigh a lot more than Tacomas from the 90s.

265 ft-lbs of torque is 20% more than my 1996's 220 ft-lbs.
4,400 lbs is 30% more mass than my 1996's base 3,400 lbs

They are not underpowered, they could just be better. My 132 HP corolla that took over 10 seconds to hit 60 deserves to be called underpowered.

 

Welcome to the forum

The real issue isn't the amount of power (torque really) but the fact that the torque and horsepower are so far up in the rpm band, this engine has the off idle torque of a riding lawn mower.

For a road driving this isn't really too much of an inconvenience, for doing actual "truck stuff" however although functional it isn't ideal.

Just for some perspective:

Tacoma 3.5L (213 cubic inch):
Torque: 265 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm
Horsepower: 278 @ 6000 rpm

1979 Dodge 225 cubic inch (3.68L) "Slant Six" w/2 barrel carburetor
Torque: 180 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm
Horsepower: 110 @ 3600 rpm

Even though the old Dodge engine only made 67% of the torque of the Tacoma and less than 1/2 the horsepower it is a far superior engine for low speed work, pulling a boat & trailer up the ramp for example. The full torque of the engine is available just off an idle and is easy to control, like a tractor engine.

 

Are so.

 

You compared my beloved Tacoma to a riding lawnmower?

 

True but the old dodge can barely go the speed limit

 

Yeah, it does have more off idle torque than a Moped.

 

I have a hunch I have driven more Slant Sixes than you. They actually hustled along pretty good and thrifty too, especially in a lighter car like a Dart or Valiant.

 

That’s for sure, you have definatly driven more slant sixes than me, LOL!

 

Maybe Toyota will come out with a single cylinder Tacoma based off your recommendation and research of just needing lower gears.

 

Ok, how many horsepower would you suggest? Seriously.

 

2 Lo Mod - I highly recommend, especially w/ MT.

 

By the way technique, why did you spend so much money on an underpowered POS?

 

Me driving my underpowered taco.