Toyota Tacoma 2.4L I-Force Turbo Engine - FULL Engine Review & Breakdown from Diesel Mechanic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCbj_RN6VE4

I found it informative.

Another video next week.

 

Good video. Would love to learn more about the supposedly "commercial" standard this engine was upgraded to in the Tacoma application. I think one of the Toyota engineers even compared it to something they would put in one of their Hino trucks.

Glad we have an air-to-air intercooler rather than air-to-water. Interesting choice of open block but forged crankshaft and connecting rods, and single-piece crank cap.

 

I think the Savagegeese review of the 4Runner TRD Pro, same engine, summed up my thoughts on this engine:

It's, on paper an outstanding engine with great specs. But driving it, this is the most boring, most generic, most featureless mashed potato, microwaved chicken breast and white rice bland thing with zero soul, character or excitement.

https://youtu.be/-hRqjH06pes?si=36SRohvgSacDjJwQ&t=637

 

Sounds like exactly what I want from a pickup truck

 

What 4Runners, aside from the 2UZ V8 in the 4th gen, offered a character filled engine? While the 1GR is a tough and proven engine, I surely don’t feel inspired while driving it.

 

Agreed

I get my excitement outside the vehicle these days

 

Word.

 

The Ranger Raptor would obviously be an example of a truck that pops when you drive it and some people really dig that.

 

The second video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIUq0h239Fg

 

Each to their own, but the Raptor just seems to scream LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT ME! and that’s not how I roll.

I understand how that would call to some folks emotions … but I’m more a function over form sorta person and don’t much care about others perceptions. Much to my dear wife’s chagrin sometimes as to how I dress for us to go run errands. Lol.

 

Weird my truck doesn't feel like that at all, maybe the added weight from the 4runner?

 

I’m still looking for excitement

 

Sounds like the Ranger Raptor is the best performing midsize BOF 4x4 truck or SUV ever sold in the US. The 4Runner needs the twin turbo six option at least in the Pro and Trailhunter. Shouldn't be too hard for Toyota to drop the tt6 in those two trim levels since it's produced in the same factory as the GX.

Lexus offers the 2.4t in the NX as an upgrade and the same engine goes into the Tacoma, and heavier 4Runner. BOR trucks should get more motor than a CUV.

 

Other than the ridiculous Raptor graphic the Ranger Raptor looks like a Ranger XLT going down the road, it's rather boring and subdued looking. Now a TRD Pro that screams look at me like wearing a pair of American flag pants on Christmas morning, and the Pro aint no faster than an OR hybrid. Same as all the previous grneration Pro trucks no more drive train performance than the OR offers, the way the Pro looks it needs a tt6.

 

In their conversation they compared the 4R Pro to the GX and a G-Wagon. When you're a car reviewer and have driven $150K G-wagons and other high end vehicles it tends to skew your grading scale. The G-wagon is in a completely different league, why mention it. They say the 4R Pro is GX money, but the base GX Overtrail (only thing comparable to the Pro) is still $4,800 more. Could Toyota put a V6TT in the Pro and sell it for an extra $2,500 and still undercut the GX OT? Yes, but they won't.

For the SUV shoppers, what are your options (other than the GX)? The Grand Cherokee, Passport, Telluride. While the 4R is better off-road, most don't actually go off road. But people want to dream the dream.

Maybe it's because my trim has the hybrid, hood insulation, acoustic glass, TRD exhaust, and Pro specific ESE, I think it sounds good and performs well and is certainly not boring or generic.

 

Yep, both hybrids and non-hybrids Taco's are programmed (electronically limited) to max out at 113mph. Granted the hybrid has more ponies.

 

In person, the differences in appearance are more pronounced but let's not exaggerate.

 

You didn't own a third-gen Tacoma, eh?

 

Two issues I have: Alu block and open deck. Toyota uses MLS gaskets but open deck scrubbing is going to be an issue.

Plastic coolant couplings and thermostat housing. These won't last much past 100k miles...

 

An issue with this truck having an aluminum block? When was the last time Toyota made a cast-iron block? (Spoiler alert: Nearly two decades ago.)

Plastic coolant couplings? I've owned all four generations of Tacomas, and I think they all had plastic coolant couplings. They don't break. And I'm quite sure this engine doesn't have a thermostat.

Eh?