Transition from 99 3.4 to 09 2.7

Hey everyone!

I'm in the market for a "new" vehicle since the transmission in my little 99 3.4 with 206k is out of commission. Since then, I've been searching for a few vehicles, and one definitely caught my eye.

2009 Tacoma 2.7
5 Speed
Access Cab
4x4
59k Miles.

Now here are a few concerns.

Whats the transition like from 1st to 2nd gen? Pros/Cons?
Has anyone ever "downgraded" from a V6 to I4 Taco? I know its not a racetruck, but whats that like? My foot is a little heavier than the average person's. I did read a thread about regret for getting the 2.7. It went something along the lines of "if you think you're gonna regret it, then you probably will." I also often see "just get the 4.0" comments everywhere too.
How's the 4x4 and towing? I go through trails, mud, snow fairly often.

That's as much as I can think of as of tonight, will edit or add more if anything else comes to mind.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

I got no dog in this hunt. I do know that my wife has the I4 automatic in her '98 and I got the v6 in my '04. Her truck is stupid slow and sounds like its wound for sound doing 80 on the xway.

It would take a hell of a deal for me to get into a 4 cylinder. The manual tranny does make it not so painful, but I don't ever see me in a stick shift again.

 

I had a 97 4 banger and I think that there's a large step up in power from that and having the 5 speed really makes a difference. Grew up driving my parents' V8 trucks and 6 cyl cars and I like driving my 2.7 just as much with the 5 speed as their cars and the autos / big engines

 

Mine is similar to what you describe. It is not a racer, but it goes where I point it offroad with no problems and gives exceptional gas mileage on the highway. If you have a lead foot and/or drive the LA freeways, you might not be happy with the 4 banger, tho.

 

I drive a similar truck, '08 Access Cab 5 speed 4x4. I have heavy load E 32" tires and a camper shell with sleeping platform. It's noticeably slower than it was stock, especially when I load it up with another 500-1000 lb of people and camping gear. Driving around the High Sierras I find myself in 3rd gear at 50+ MPH quite a bit. But guess what - it was designed for it, it gets me there, and I love it. I expect it to last 300k+.

It might not have the power you want, but unless you're towing a lot, it has the power you need.

 

It's very easy for someone to say "just get the 4.0" but the 2.7 is an excellent engine and is definitely worth a test drive. I have a friend with a 2.7 access cab running 33" tires and that truck can run any road, track, trail, mud hole, bog or snowbank that the tricked out Jeeps run around here. As much as I like the V6 in my truck I would not have hesitated to buy the I4 if it came in the DoubleCab.

Only you can say if the engine drives the way you want, but I am sure the engine will do what is needed unless you are towing heavy trailers.

 

I bought the 2.7 because I want bulletproof reliability and efficiency more than power. I never tow anything and I don't do much hauling. When I do haul, I just resign myself to spinning the engine up in the RPM range, which it does happily. So for the way I use it, I love my little 2.7 access cab 2-wheel drive. I am convinced it will run forever.

If you have a heavy foot and want good power, you will probably be disappointed in the 2nd gen 2.7 anywhere below 4000 rpm.

Assuming your 99 is good except the transmission, why don't you replace the transmission and keep that? 1st gens are very good trucks. 206k may seem like a lot but if it's been maintained it will still run a while longer.

Hope this helps your decision.

 

You are going to be disappointed going from the 3.4L v6 to the 2.7L i4.... 30 less hp, and 40 less ftlbs (than the 3.4L) on quite a bit heavier truck.



My vote. Replace the trans on your 1st gen with one from a working junkyard pull $... or get a v6 2nd gen $$$

 

I went from a '02 3.4 to a '00 2.7.
I ended up regearing and turbo'ing the 2.7

At 5000 ft altitude where I live, the 2.7 died out on most any incline unless it was revving over 3500 RPM. Then is was just a slower deceleration. A turbo 2.7 is super fun to drive now though. Even better than a supercharged 3.4, IMO

I say replace/repair your tranny and keep driving the 3.4

 

As said above, you probably wont like it. Its not as slow as the venerable 22R but its a dog compared to a V6 4.0.

 

00 2.7 was even less powerfull / different design than the 2nd gens 2.7 but same point.

 

I agree with a lot of that. Honestly it depends on the individual. I suggest test-driving one. I considered the 2.7 for the same reasons DGXR listed, but didn't think I would like it. After test driving, I decided that it performed to my liking. I got to take it out on the freeway and also drive side streets with hills etc. After that, I was convinced it was the right choice for me and what I was looking for in a truck. I know a few ppl might jump me over this, but I honestly don't feel that either the 4.0 or new 3.5 V6 are particularly impressive anyways (meaning the feel, not knocking the reliability). I also considered a new Colorado which I thought felt like the best powertrain of the bunch, but I really wanted to get a Toyota. So in my opinion, it isn't like you are missing out on a powerhouse engine by not going V6. I bought a Tacoma for the reliability, the look, decent mpg for my commute and the offroad capability (nothing too gnarly but just to have fun in). My truck does just that and the 2.7 is simple to maintain. Now don't get me wrong, I would buy the 4.0 or 3.5. I came close to buying a '15 V6 and 16 3.5 but I settled on the 2.7 for various reasons.

 

Wow! Thanks for the inputs everyone. I think I'm getting a good idea on everything.

Another thing, I also found an 06 with a 5 speed and V6, but it's 2wd. The 4x4 V6 are super rare and expensive in my area. Does anyone go off-road often with just 2WD? How do they hold up?

 

If you're doing trails that have any amount of snow or mud I wouldn't even consider a 2WD. A 4 cylinder 4x4 is light-years more capable on the trail than a V6 2WD, even if the 2WD has a locker.

I also live in California and I'm all over the Sierras and northern coastal ranges. 2WD would not cut it.

 

This.... 4x4 is irreplaceable.... then add a rear locker and atrac in the front.... mmmm 09+ TRD OR 4x4 ftw.

 

How much would it cost to replace the tranny on your current truck?

 

Seems like 1st gen manuals can be found for $300-500.

That would be a cheaper route to go IMO

 

I went from an Prerunner with the 3.4 auto to a 4wd 2.7 auto. It's a huge difference. I hate the 2.7 with the auto. Slow turd.

Now granted, I have a 3rz. Your 2tr has a bit more power and the 5 speed will help

 

The 4wd makes up for it though I bet

 

Kinda seems like a no-brainer then. Add maybe $500 for labor, all in $1K .