Toyota Tacoma engine choice?

[Blacktail135]

 Prefer the crew cab but that’s along the line of what I’m looking for. My trouble is that I never look past Skagit, Bellingham or Snohomish Craigslist’s! Thank you!

[MtnMuley]

In your price range, I'd strictly look for the best 4.0 you can find. You won't find the newer 3.5 in a crew in that price range. At least you shouldn't, and I think the 4.0 tows better. I've owned both. Pulling a 16' Hewes, it will do just fine as long as your not running big tires.

[fishngamereaper]

Prefer the crew cab but that’s along the line of what I’m looking for. My trouble is that I never look past Skagit, Bellingham or Snohomish Craigslist’s! Thank you!

Keep an eye on Overland trucks in gorst. That guy loves his taco's.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Last March we traveled and got a 2022 Tacoma as a rental, 6 cylinder, stick, and I was impressed with it. Didn’t have any hills as we were in Texas, but drove the freeways, and city traffic with plenty of power.

As for cab room I’m 6’4 and I was not uncomfortable.👍

Wish I had the coin for one, I’d definitely have one as a commuter/hunting rig.

[snake]

I currently own a 2.7 4cyl. and a 4.0 6 cyl.   The 4 cylinders are gutless and the 4.0 6 cyl is a major gas guzzler as said earlier. I get around 13 MPG with mine. I got big tires on it but  .  I love the dang things so much though.  the 4.0 has a crazy amount of power. IF you could find the 3.4 I think you would be better off IMO.

[Mudman]

2.7.

[fishngamereaper]

My kids 3.4 auto gets 17-19 with 33's. And that's a teenager driving

[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.

   

 

[Timberstalker]

@thinkingman


 

[opdinkslayer]

There are no “good deals” on Tacos right now as my youngest son has been looking for a while. He’s had to rethink what vintage & how much he’s willing to spend with the gross prices being asked for trucks that are between 10 & 20 years old. The 3.4 is ok, 4.0 goes like a raped ape but drinks gas & the newest model gets better mileage with good power. The newer trucks are superior in every way imo. Good luck in your search & be prepared to pay a premium price.

[MR5x5]

This

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.
   

Definitely V6 for the Gen2.  The shift schedule sucks.  Plan to do a lot of shifting in and out of OD and 4th gear whether towing or not.  Local guys are starting to develop tunes/flashes for the Gen2s.  Have yet to get one but am expecting it to be a significant improvement on both pwr and shifting.

[pianoman9701]

Just check the towing capacity. My 2019 TRD 4WD OR has a 6500 lb towing capacity. It's a V-6, 3.4 I think. I towed a 17' trailer for hunting no problem. Don't tow with the stock tires. Get at least a 6-ply, 10 if possible. See my beautiful truck! This is what happens when your Tacoma gets in a brawl with a Tundra. It'll be in the shop at least two weeks.

[b23]

pianoman, not to be argumentative but I put a set of 10 ply tires on the 2013 4dr TRD OR I had and it was a bit of a harsh ride to begin with but putting those 10 plys on made a huge difference in ride quality and for the worse.  In fact I took them off before I even had 2K on them and still have them sitting in my shop and would make someone a hel1 of a deal on them if anyone is looking for a set.

I don't know what the power is like in the newer Tacoma's but mine had the 4.0 V6 and it was decent-ish on power but nothing great.  Put a TRD SuperCharger on it and that made a world of difference.  Even with the SC on as long as I drove it decent I could easily get 18-19 stop and go around town and 22-23 on the freeway if I kept it at only 5 over but if I was 8-10 over it would drop to 19.5-20 depending how fast I set the cruise.  Just to see what it would do I made one trip to Yakima where I set the cruise 5 under the speed limit and it got a little over 24mpg but OMG it felt like I was standing still and that was the only time I did that.

[OutHouse]

I have a 15' TRD with all the four by options but it doesn't have a thermometer. I haven't experienced the gas guzzling issue yet. I drive 225 miles up to the Methow from my house and it takes a little over half a tank. I'm not really a led foot so maybe that affects it.

[blackveltbowhunter]

For your spec go 4.0 not even a second thought. Manual trans might change the game on the vehicle itself, but 4.0 has decent power, reliability, and no timing belt. I would look for a crew with the longer bed. Mileage is the only downside. Oh well