Towing in 3.5L vs 4.0L

I respectfully disagree. The manual in 3rd gen is an improvement over 2nd gen IMO. My tranny is buttery smooth and its a joy to drive. Especially after ADM.

 

To answer: yes, owned both 2nd & 3rd gen with 6 speed manuals and V6 engines
And no, there wasn't a noticable difference in towing capability.

 

We all gotta have fun in this covid time.

 

It’ll tow, you just gotta use the revs.

if you have an auto and plan on towing, I’d definitely recommend a regear to 4.88s if you are staying stock tire size, 5.29 if you are putting on anything bigger than stock.

I’ve towed all over the county with my 17 MT and I can pretty much hang out in 5th all day and average 12-14 mpg. The AT, not so much (I was on stock gears, they weren’t available before I traded it off)

 

19f Hideout - 4800lbs
2005;


2017;


3.5 tows much better, cruises easier at 90km (55), climbs hills better, cooler temps Trans and Clt, better mileage, ECT and 4th gear.
Sorrynotsorry.

 

But what about those wild low end torques of the 4.0L ?...

 

And no throw out bearing trouble!

 

Well that was easy

I guess I just prefered the throttle response of the pre-electric throttle 2005 truck I had and the gear ratios seemed to work really well at least for unladen work. I did a lot less shifting in an average commute. I never had the truck long enough to do lots of work with it before trading it for my new one.

 

Ya the 4.0 is nothing to brag about imo. Our 2018 4Runner is a dog.

 

Man... i miss my cable throttle so much. I had to get used to mashing the pedal to rev match in this taco. I figured it out now, well 90% of time haha!

 

Are those both MT or Auto trucks? I am not looking for opinions on transmissions, just data! Thank you

 

4th gear at 55mph is pretty low, RPM-wise. Put it in 3rd gear if you want to accelerate with a big load on the back. 4th gear is for cruising (5th and 6th are overdrive).

Have you considered the OV Tune? Also, higher octane makes a difference when towing, so it's less likely to ping and reduce ignition timing.

 

Well my 2nd gen felt a lot "older" with a heavier clutch and clunky shifts. The 3rd gen feels a lot more refined. I just don't like pressing the gas down and nine seconds later the revs come up and you start to roll.

 

Both Auto TRD Sport DCLB. Both towed in 4th. 2005 used to go into 3rd once in awhile, 2017 is into it all the time..

 

Do you run ethanol free? My truck charges with ECT and 5000 pounds on a trailer. Sure high revs but SHE GO it’s a compact truck so it’s going to feel a lot different then a dully. I’ve towed a 8000 pound horse trailer with a dully and I’ll tell you it’s completely different lol.

 

I am second guessing my trade down to 2nd gen decision now... I guess the illusion of supreme low end torque came from a difference in 1st/2nd/3rd gear ratios, that had to be it if it doesn't make a difference once you're rolling. Right? And the immediate throttle response. I don't think anyone really enjoys the modern day throttle lag, we just learn to accept it.

 

When I tow I use 91 no enthanol, yes. Just beebopping around town I don't because it's almost a dollar a gallon more up here in the sticks. No ECT in a MT truck. Bummer really, because who doesn't want a POWER mode?

 

ECT wouldn't benefit the MT since you have complete control of your shift points. ECT is meant to change the shift points in an AT so that the engine stays at a higher RPM (more torque).

 

You are 100% correct

Throttle lag and difficulty rev matching during downshift are definitely more pronounced in the 3rd gen....but it doesn't translate into a less desirable tow rig.

I'm in the camp that will always avoid tuning software....and in that respect I miss the 2nd gen as it had WAY less quirks on the stock map

 

100% agree on all points! Okay then I'm on the same page as the rest of you who have done exactly what I'm talking about.

This has been very helpful! Thank you everyone!