The V6 2GR-FKS -at least it's not a pig!

Stockholm syndrome about a terrible drivetrain is real. Seek help

 

The engine in these trucks likes to be revved. Not lugged.

 

I love my 3.5, just needs a little rev which it likes.

 

I agree. The engine is fine for what it is . No complaints at all. When I want to go fast I run my zx-10 r up to redline on an open road . Now that will give you a lesson on fast.

 

I agree. And their 8 speed auto is truly an excellent transmission.

 

Really guys, if a ’66 VW bug with 4-cyl. 1285cc/50hp 1bbl carb, manual transmission can race and go off pavement to win races, how can you not be happy with our 275hp V-6 4WD truck that can run circles around a bug?

Or maybe trade the taco for a Corvette and be happy? Btw, I'm happy with my '16 SR5 V-6, it has plenty guts

 

The engine would be fine if it wasn't tuned to fight against any sort of low input acceleration.

 

says the guy with a jeep

as my friends and I (once had a jeep) would always joke and say, “let me know when you need a tow”

 

When I test drove a 3rd gen, I knew it was a great little truck, but it’s stepping away from truck, and leaning towards a car like ride for the masses. That especially includes the engine, it’s fine for errands, but if I loaded my tools in it, it would suffer, and have to be modified just to cope with the daily load. But, I was using the wrong tool in the long run, as I ended up on a 3/4 ton, so I had to move on.

 

I think bone stock those 60's bugs had about 36hp.

 

The truck has plenty of power. People don't complain about that. They complain about having to put their foot in the throttle 3/4 of the way down to get it to downshift at 40mph.

 

Tbf, that 3.6 pentastar is way smoother than the 3.5 in the Tacoma.

 

Maybe it’s an unpopular opinion, but I’d be perfectly fine going back to the 4.0.

I don’t drive a truck for fuel economy. However, I am a tad bit jealous that new f150’s pull high 20’s mid 30’s. MPG

 

Mid 30s? In what? I think the diesel was rated at close to 30 on the highway but I don't know if it actually got it.

 

I bought this truck as a utility vehicle, if i want to go fast , I have another vehicle for that purpose. I will say that the shift programming when in drive could be better, but it's not terrible in my 22.My son has a brand new Ram, and it runs and drives great, the hemi and 8 speed combo is perfectly matched. The Tacoma would be fantastic with this transmission. I have learned from this forum to try the ect and use 5 sport on the hiway, and that works too. I had a 19 ranger, and everyone over on that forum thinks it's some sort of rocket ship lol. Seat of the pants feel to me is they both accelerate about the same at full throttle, even the ranger is a little faster by the published numbers. I find the Tacoma vastly better in driveability, the ranger had the most awful feeling brakes of any vehicle I have ever owned or driven, period. The whole truck was a crappy lemon, and I am a Ford guy (old Ford-pre 5.0 fox junk) It went down the road and now I have an army green dcsb 4wd sport that I really like and is actually useful for what I need. Is it perfect? No, there are some things that could be better, but overall it is a solid package, even the 3.5!

 

man, I misspoke. I meant the Maverick. Lol.

I’m almost certain the eco boost F150’s do pull high 20’s though.

 

If the Tacoma was equipped with the same 10sp transmission the 2.3 eco-boost ranger has, the 3.5 would beat it handily, no turbo needed. What holds the tacoma back is combining it's power band with a 6 speed.

 

IDK first hand, I never owned one, I can only go by what’s on the web. My older brother owned one (I was a kid) and we used to all get packed inside on top of each other. No seat belt laws back then lol!

But it hauled us all and I never heard anyone complain it had no power either lmao!
https://www.aircooledcommunity.com/specs/vw-beetle-specs/1966-vw-beetle/

People complain about having to put their foot in the throttle 3/4 of the way down to get it to downshift at 40mph? Some people are just a plain PITA. And that's not a problem.
This awesome truck has an S mode, you control the gear shifting, and that is a boatload of FuN!

Come on guys, this is a truck, not a BMW that’s gonna massage your butt and keep it cozy. You’re in control here.
Got a heavy load to pull? Use ETC and hear it roar!
That ’66 50hp VW bug people loved so much had a MT we have S mode. It’s a little work to be sure, but this is a truck, made for those of us who are not a afraid to get our hands dirty.

Give a little love, have FuN, it’s what is for.

If I had been given the choice by TOYOTA, I would have picked the 4.0. SO maybe that's why we didn't get it? I get it lol!
All my 4runners have had it, my Tundras had it no issues.

This 3.5l is a lot more peppier and FuN, but I'd rather not have all those very expensive injectors and tech that is going to cost a boatload of money to troubleshoot and replace. Yeah I know, I suck right? lol!

 

I think you just sold me on the tune. Lol

 

Am I the only one who remembers when V8's were literally putting out half the power of this V6? My 2015 Hemi Ram had 100hp on this truck but it also weighed 1000lbs more. If you're looking to pull heavy things this is the wrong tool for that job. If you're pounding in 10D nails with a trim hammer don't be mad at the hammer.