Toyota Tacoma engine choice?

[Mudman]

Dads old tacoma 2wd 2.7 auto was 16 city and 22 at 65mph.  His 3.4 is around 15-18 always.  The old 2001 s 10 4.3 did better mpg then old tacoma.  2wd also and WAY more hp.

[pianoman9701]

I guess mine's a 3.5L

[thinkingman]

Thanks for all the replies! I’m still learning and still looking. It’d be mostly a putt around rig with occasional towing. Crew cab, auto and reliability is a major plus. Mileage is not.

The 4.0 drivetrain has been pretty reliable.
The 3.4 and 3.0 are known to have head gasket problems....https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3-4-head-gasket-recall-23329/
People that know vehicles wouldn't touch a 2005-2010 Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia that didn't have the frame replaced already.

[Duckslayer89]

Thanks for all the replies! I’m still learning and still looking. It’d be mostly a putt around rig with occasional towing. Crew cab, auto and reliability is a major plus. Mileage is not.

The 4.0 drivetrain has been pretty reliable.
The 3.4 and 3.0 are known to have head gasket problems....https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3-4-head-gasket-recall-23329/
People that know vehicles wouldn't touch a 2005-2010 Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia that didn't have the frame replaced already.

If you had the frame inspected and it goes out on you they still replace it. Mine was fine

[opdinkslayer]

I’m under the impression that thinkingman is a Toyota hater

[Duckslayer89]

I’m under the impression that thinkingman is a Toyota hater

We had a 3.4 in our Toyota Avalon. Tons of power. No gasket issues. Sold it with like 300k on it still going strong. Also multiple 3.4’s in family 4Runners. Great engines. 3.0 was bad I’ve heard. No experience though.

[thinkingman]

Thanks for all the replies! I’m still learning and still looking. It’d be mostly a putt around rig with occasional towing. Crew cab, auto and reliability is a major plus. Mileage is not.

The 4.0 drivetrain has been pretty reliable.
The 3.4 and 3.0 are known to have head gasket problems....https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3-4-head-gasket-recall-23329/
People that know vehicles wouldn't touch a 2005-2010 Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia that didn't have the frame replaced already.

If you had the frame inspected and it goes out on you they still replace it. Mine was fine

That may be true with other manufacturers but Toyota has an expiration 15 years from date of manufacture, even though it's a recall.
They screwed me out of $1100 when I reported my 3yr old Tacoma had flat leaf springs and was riding on the rails...Toyota told me to pound sand so I fixed it myself and then, later when they were forced to issue a recall, would not reimburse me even though I had a history with them for the issue and a full set of receipts.
Just a sucky company and overrated vehicles.

[jjhunter]

3.0 was a turd.  3.4 was a good engine.  2.7 mated with red 5 speed manual was a great combo for fuel efficiency.  4.0 was my fav.  3.5 is ok, but prefer the 4.0.   3.4, 4.0 and 2.7 are all high mileage engines with routine maintenance.

I’ve owned them all.  Currently have a ‘22 TRD Off-road.  Wish they still had the 4.0…

Not perfect, but hard to deny the long term resale. 

[buckfvr]

I agree with all the good things said about the Tacoma.  I drove one from 2013 to 2021, while I still kept the ol Ford F-350 4 door..  My only complaint after those years are its relative size.  Lack of head room and leg room wore on me over time.  If you are 6' + (me) and have big feet (me 14ee), then interior size is going to get you eventually.  2 guys going hunting for even a day trip?, better have a canopy or something going on in the back because your gear is going to overflow the back seat area, especially in the access cab like I had.

I had only ever owned full size pickups except for less than 3 years with a fancy new Ranger (93), I guess I should have thought of that but the Tacoma was bigger than the 93 Ranger.  Anyway, Ill never ever have another small pickup strictly from a comfort point of view.   

[JakeLand]

3.0 was a turd.  3.4 was a good engine.  2.7 mated with red 5 speed manual was a great combo for fuel efficiency.  4.0 was my fav.  3.5 is ok, but prefer the 4.0.   3.4, 4.0 and 2.7 are all high mileage engines with routine maintenance.

I’ve owned them all.  Currently have a ‘22 TRD Off-road.  Wish they still had the 4.0…

Not perfect, but hard to deny the long term resale.

exactly ! My 2011 is up there in miles and the 4.0 is still strong , the new 3.5 will be exactly like the 4.0 if you put a pedal commander on it relatively cheap and makes it night and day to stock
And it’s a killer trapping and hunting rig

[MtnMuley]

I run a Pedal Commander on my 3.5 and it makes a difference for sure. I have a serious issue going on backing up on any kind of inclines. End up having to go 4LO and even lock it up at times. Something isn't right.

[BigGoonTuna]

What mpg are guys getting with stock 2.7 at say 75 mph?  My 02 3.4 would get about 19.  My 08 Tundra with the 5.7 would get about 16.5.

my 2.7s would get 18-20 I think. Not sure about 75mph, not sure I would have wanted to go that fast in one of those things 

[T-Dozzer]

Just a heads up the 2005 and 2006 4.0L V6's had headgasket issues.  Toyota changed the headgasket design itself partway through 2006 but still used up all the old gaskets they had on hand.

   

 

Huh.. hadn't heard that. I have an 06 4.0L.
How do I tell if I got an early one or what to look for? Has 180k on & no issues. From what I read the faulty head gaskets are failing with way high milage & most are able to get away with just a new gasket unless they need milling.

Have a 2020 4runner trd offroad limited & absolutely love it.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

[Duckslayer89]

Thanks for all the replies! I’m still learning and still looking. It’d be mostly a putt around rig with occasional towing. Crew cab, auto and reliability is a major plus. Mileage is not.

The 4.0 drivetrain has been pretty reliable.
The 3.4 and 3.0 are known to have head gasket problems....https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/3-4-head-gasket-recall-23329/
People that know vehicles wouldn't touch a 2005-2010 Tacoma, Tundra or Sequoia that didn't have the frame replaced already.

If you had the frame inspected and it goes out on you they still replace it. Mine was fine

That may be true with other manufacturers but Toyota has an expiration 15 years from date of manufacture, even though it's a recall.
They screwed me out of $1100 when I reported my 3yr old Tacoma had flat leaf springs and was riding on the rails...Toyota told me to pound sand so I fixed it myself and then, later when they were forced to issue a recall, would not reimburse me even though I had a history with them for the issue and a full set of receipts.
Just a sucky company and overrated vehicles.

They replaced my leaf springs for free. But it’s not like they are that much better. However I’ve had this thing so overloaded on the bump stops going over miles of washboard road and potholes and it keeps on going. I’m convinced no other truck could go through what I’ve put this one through

[headshot5]

Just a heads up the 2005 and 2006 4.0L V6's had headgasket issues.  Toyota changed the headgasket design itself partway through 2006 but still used up all the old gaskets they had on hand.

   

 

Huh.. hadn't heard that. I have an 06 4.0L.
How do I tell if I got an early one or what to look for? Has 180k on & no issues. From what I read the faulty head gaskets are failing with way high milage & most are able to get away with just a new gasket unless they need milling.

Have a 2020 4runner trd offroad limited & absolutely love it.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Not really sure on when they used up the old style gasket in 06.  Typical failure is gurgling sound coming from behind the dash.  Losing a bit of coolant (level drops).  As long as you catch it and add water/coolant it's not a big deal for warping the block (good to check often).  Gasket just needs to be replaced, mine went.  I have heard a huge range on failure mileage between 120,000 and 250,000 miles.   Mine went at just under 250,000 miles.  Having dealership do the repair is something like $2500-$3500 dollars, they pull the engine.   

Lots of folks opt to get a low mile engine out of a newer year pickup (from junkyard etc.), so they will have the newer gasket and not have to worry about it down the road.   

My truck has been solid, so I did my own replacement probably $1000 in parts with all the gaskets and parts getting in there (belts and rollers and manifold gasket, water pump etc).   Even at 250,000 miles my timing chain was in perfect shape so I didn't replace it.  It took me a bout 3 days to get it all squared away (working by myself as time allowed), I could do it faster now having done it once.  I have 20,000 miles on the truck since the replacement, going good.