Trading from 2001 to 2017 - Good idea?

Do it man! Don't worry about the differential howl, I could be totally wrong about this and correct me if I'm wrong, I believe that is only with the Auto, like I said I could be wrong, I have a 2017 MT TRD and it has 26,000 trouble free miles on it, it's a very rev happy engine really shines 3500, 4000 rpm range, drive it like you stole it bro.

 

I just upgraded from a 2000 2.7l 4x4 manual Tacoma with 226k to a 2017 2.7 4x4 auto and I couldn’t be happier. I’m only 1500 miles in on the new truck so obviously I can’t speak for the longevity and reliabity but I’m super happy I made the jump.

 

Unfortunately... it affects either truck, auto or manual.
/auto with no howl owner.

 

Diff howl has been in both Manuals and Autos but has not been linked to premature failure, even 2nd gen have instances of howling diff.

Leaking / weeping diff is something else, gasket and hardware will fix you right up under warranty. Even though my OR wasn't under recall, it weeped and was fixed with a new gasket, seals and hardware. Mine was a feb 16 build also so early production model.

 

Is there any info on whether this howl is a problem or just a noise? Seems like a big ??? right now. If it is an issue I assume Toyota would take care of us right?

 

I stand corrected! Thank you fellas for the clarification.

 

The truck im looking at is August 2017 so hopefully it doesn't have issues like the leaking diff etc. Any info on whether the howling is effecting 2016's only or early 2017's? Just wondering if they got it settled out.

 

So far just a noise, like I said earlier the 2nd gen have the howl too and you don't hear about them freezing up.

Fyi mine doesn't howl but did weep. Didn't howl even while weeping. I think the howl is related to unloaded gear lash because it seems to be at a certain speed while feathering throttle. From what I read, it's NOT under load or acceleration. If it were that would be a problem.

 

Depends on who you ask, but the general consensus is its a noise, not indicative of a problem. This noise goes all the way back to 05 and "my noisy diff blew up" posts seem to be non existent.

 

Sounds like it just needs a louder exhaust then! Haha

 

Again I'll say, don't worry man, you keep researching and pretty soon you'll feel like you're on webmd.com, symptoms for the common cold and that site makes you think you have aids.

 

My suggestion, keep your 2001. But please don't trade it in if you get the 2017.


Let me give you a perspective on a "long" time Toyota owner. I've commuted through three 3rd gen 4Runners(2 were totaled, not my fault, saved my life) 1 4th gen 4Runner and now my Taco.
The 4Runners have the same engine as the Tacomas. All of my 3rd gen 4Runners had the 2.7L and I gotta tell you, it was a dog. It had a decent torque curve, but they are dead slow. I would get 21MPG combined on those 2.7s. The 4Runners are pretty heavy. ECT mode allowed the transmission to shift at a higher. Reliable as hell.

On my 4th gen 4Runner, we have the 4.0. This engine is sweet but it does have its ups and downs. I had a head gasket issue that ruined the engine block. Did and engine swap from another 4.0 no issued on the reintegration. The actual motor and the drive is so smooth it drives like a dream. Granted, I did install 5100 and new tires + alignment so it was going to drive planted. The pros was the bottom end torque. It feels good and smooth. The top end is pretty much dead. There is no ECT button so its always giving you the output you want. 20MPG combined.

On my Taco, best of both worlds. When I drive it normal it really feels like I am driving my 2.7L. The engine is noisy and the ride is stiff (TRD Sport, will be upgrading to 5100s). I get 24MPG combined. Now, when you want to have fun, press the ECT button and rev the engine past 3.5k RPM and its a completely different beast. Unmatched from the other two. Some people just can't find the in between but I can. Just throw the transmission into S5 or S4. Then it feels like you are driving a manual. People call it slow but it was able to clock 7 seconds on motor trend.

People still question the reliability, But after the 300k Tacos that Toyota has sold in the last two years. The only two issues that it has is the leaking diff and the transmission shift. There really hasn't been a complaint about a leaking head gasket or transmission that blew up. I'm at 67K miles and all I have done is oil changes, filter changes and good weekend washes. I completely understand that you can't have a mass production vehicle without issues. But from my perspective, issues have been little and more of an OCD bug. This engine's bottom end can be found in many Lexus vehicles in the last 5 years. And without the D-4S system, it was in WARS's best 10 engines in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.(2GR-FSE). I've rebuild some engines before.

So Today, in my family, we still have a third and fourth gen 4Runner and now my Taco. We're planning on a used car(Camry,Avalon,Lexus) in the near future when the car market crashes.

Running Summary:

2.7L
Pros:
Reliable & Easy to maintain/fix
Acceptable Torque throughout
Decent MPG in 40-60 MPH zones
ECT Mode
Smooth Power delivery

Cons:
SLOW
4 gears (auto)


4.0L
Pros:
Great Torque throughout
Relatively reliable
5 gears
Decent MPG in 50-70 MPH zones
Smooth Power delivery

Cons:
Can be expensive to fix
Bad MPG under 40MPH zones

3.5L
Pros:
6 gears (auto)
Great Top End
Decent MPG in 30-70 MPH zones
Low idle gas consumption
Great integration of engine cooling. (Power steering, transmission, Oil)
ECT Mode + Traction Control Off = FAST + TORQUE How it was meant to be.
S mode.

Cons:
Low end Torque (like the 2.7)
Can be expensive to fix

 

James_Bond, Thank you for your write up, very helpful. Nice to hear some more experience. I would love to keep the 01 but cannot afford to keep 3 cars running right now. You guys are making me lean towards the 17...

 

That's a super deal. The best I could do around here was just above $33k (before TTL).

Regarding the 01, I had the same year. Good truck. But the new truck is leaps and bounds better. Ride comfort, noise, safety (big one), and all the tech features. I don't miss the 01 at all, unless I was doing some hardcore wheeling.

 

Only disadvantage I see you having is going from the larger bed of the AC to a smaller one with the double cab MT.

Hated having a shorter bed in my 04 DC but it was all you could get then with 4 doors.

 

I think the 5 ft will treat me well. I prefer 6 but like the look of the 4/5 ft a lot more. The think killing me about my 01 is no space to put stuff. Folding the seat forward every time I need something out of the back is a pain. Very happy to hear most of you have had good experience with the 3rd gen.

 

That's why I run with toolboxes, great for storing the extra stuff, especially when it gets dirty.

 

I came from a 2002 Supercharged access cab 4x4 OR with the manual transmission. I loved the truck and drove it to 150K, but eventually the noise, gas mileage (I was getting around 14mpg and it was drinking premium) drove me nuts.

I wish I still had it, but it wouldn't be my daily driver if I did, I'd be saving it for my son. I never had a 2nd gen, but I think the 3rd gen is better in every way, at least for what I use it for.

 

Same as mine! Sharp looking truck but I dig the design of the 3rd gen. Very aggressive!

 

I lived in Dallas when I sold it too, some guys paid cash and planned to take it south of the border. I like to think it's tearing around somewhere down in the desert right now with some big tires and long travel suspension!