How Easy is Ittowork on Older Model Tacomas

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Nrbeal12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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I mainly just need to use the truck as a dirt bike hauler and Ohio snow runner.
Should I pony up for the v6 or will the i4 suffice?
eon_blue woke up and chose naproxen

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The general consensus will be to get the v6, I doubt anyone with the 6cyl has ever said "I wish I had gone with the 4cyl".
That said, Toyota 4 bangers are notoriously indestructible little engines and the reliability factor alone is enough to justify the decision, assuming you don't need the added power of the v6 for towing or hauling a lot of weight. And don't expect to win any races
TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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i4 are bad ass little engines, but you are buying a heavy truck.
Get the V6.
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Cam-moron

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Does anyone really care?

Having driven both, the 4 banger is awesome. I think the single cab body style is the tits. They're a little slow off the start, but those are some pretty peppy little buggers. Like stated earlier, they last forever. If you want to reserve the possibility of towing something bigger, like a boat... Go for the v6. However, if you aren't going to be hauling more than a few hundred pounds, 4 banger. Also, go 5 speed.
TALLNDIRTY Active Member

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I have a 15 Access Cab 4x4 with the 2.7 ...5spd manual. I have had 800lbs of rock in the bed a number of times this year and it hasn't skipped a beat. Winter time is great ...
with the addition of studded firestone winter force on Oem steelies ....hardly have to use 4x4. The biggest thing you are going to notice is the lack of merging or passing power ....if you are not in a rush...it's not a problem. I am getting 22-24mpg in the summer time and 16-18mpg in the winter months.
TacomaZL Well-Known Member

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This is a very good assessment.
I have the 2.7L (2TR-FE) and it both has it's advantages and disadvantages.

Namely, the lack of power is hard to deal with at times...I'm 21 years old and sometimes wanna take off from a stoplight only to be reminded by my lack of acceleration that there's only 4 cylinders in front of me...not 6.

On the other hand, the 2.7L is easier to maintain (in my personal opinion), also, the 2TR-FE was designed after the 22RE found in the 80's pickups...those engines are truly bullet proof, and have been proven time and time again. The 2TR-FE is a slightly modified (improved) version of that engine, so there is no reason to believe it will not also last a VERY long time.

So it really depends on what you want.

Want proven reliability because you want a truck to keep for 15 years? Get the 2.7L.

Want more power from your truck and plan to trade it in 5-7 years down the road? Get the 4.0L
moe2o4 Well-Known Member

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I've got a 2016 SR 4x4 5 speed 4 cylinder with a 3" OME lift and 265 75 16 tires and the little thing is a beast. The little 2.7L is a work horse! It's never not done anything I've asked of it!!!!!
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I own (2) 4-cylinder Tacomas. One is a first generation (1996) and the other is a second generation (2007). Both are manual transmission. For driving like you mention, they will do just fine. The only noticeable power lag is when the air conditioner compressor clutch kicks in; there is a drop in power...but then again, that's why there are other gears. I haven't towed anything but I have hauled things in the bed and pulled stumps with them; again no power issue. Gas mileage for both is about 26-28 mpg.
On an unrelated note, the gen 1 truck has a far better clutch (mechanical) and very fast throttle response; it's absolutely delightful to drive. The gen 2 truck is at least a foot larger in every direction and the hydraulic clutch lacks a personality. The engine is great and never sounds like it's struggling.
QMEDJoe Proverbs 3:5-6

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Fox 2.0 Coilovers in the front and Fox 2.0's in the rear, Total Chaos UCA's, Al-lpro expo leafs, K&N cold air intake, TRD headers,Magnaflow catback exhaust,URD short throw shifter, switched out my 60/40 bench seat for some Tacoma Limited seats, Replaced the vinyl shift boot for a leather one, completely soundproofed the cab w/ Frost King. Replaced stock radio with a Pioneer AVH series head unit. Focal component system w/a 10" sub powered by 2 Alpine amps. Weathertech floor mats. Line-X'd the bed. SCS Ray 10's, Installed an A.R.E. MX series camper shell. All-Pro Apex front bumper w/ All-Pro skid plates all the way back to the Trans. Low Range fuel skid plate.

The only reason I would get a 4banger would be is to get a much older model. Pre-Tacoma:T-100 days and do a complete rebuild with LC engineering because they're aftermarket parts for the 4 bangers are SAHWEEETT !!!
moe2o4 Well-Known Member

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I got a LCE Header on my 2016 4 banger!! Damn thing is the tits!!!!!
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4 banger single cab. No issues here but I don't go offroad at all.
I hauled 1000 pounds of lumber recently and no problem at all.
andrew61987 Well-Known Member

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I've been driving my I-4 access cab with about 1100 lb of payload for the past week. It is slow but it is very manageable and I can merge on the freeway without flooring it. I have a shell and am frequently fully loaded and I don't regret the 4 banger. With factory 4.10s it's an absolute beast off road and I beat the shit out of it on very steep forest roads regularly.
I-4 gets the job done, V6 gets it done quicker with power to spare.

You do not need the V6, the question should be do you want it.
Nrbeal12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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Jeez! Lots of awesome input here.
Basically I am a Junior engineering student, so the chances of me getting rid of this truck (for hopefully an all new 2019 tacoma) will be very possible.

That being said I found what I think is a pretty great deal on a 2008 Tacoma.

It is a 4x4 Access Cab 4 cyl with around 75,000 miles in Barcelona Red (I think?)

The bad: it has two dents above the wheel well and a circular scratch on the door.

The good: He wants $ 11,500

The closest thing in my area is a radiant red 2006 TRD Sport 4x4 v6 with 65,000 miles for $16,000 or an 06 silver TRD sport with 40,000 miles for $18,000

IS THE 4 CYLINDER ACTUALLY WORTH ANOTHER $4,500-$6,500 for my uses?
QMEDJoe Proverbs 3:5-6

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2003 black DLX Tacoma,5VZ-FE,5 speed,4x4.

Fox 2.0 Coilovers in the front and Fox 2.0's in the rear, Total Chaos UCA's, Al-lpro expo leafs, K&N cold air intake, TRD headers,Magnaflow catback exhaust,URD short throw shifter, switched out my 60/40 bench seat for some Tacoma Limited seats, Replaced the vinyl shift boot for a leather one, completely soundproofed the cab w/ Frost King. Replaced stock radio with a Pioneer AVH series head unit. Focal component system w/a 10" sub powered by 2 Alpine amps. Weathertech floor mats. Line-X'd the bed. SCS Ray 10's, Installed an A.R.E. MX series camper shell. All-Pro Apex front bumper w/ All-Pro skid plates all the way back to the Trans. Low Range fuel skid plate.

I wish they would build one for the 5VZFE!
I had a first gen 4cyl regular cab and loved it.
Then Bought a 4 cyl 2nd gen access cab and I hated it (2012). I traded it for a DC 6cyl within 6 months.

Interstate hiway driving with the 4 cyl 2nd gen sucked. I spend a lot of time on the highway and it felt very underpowered. Add a bit of wind and it sucked x10. Throw a bike in the back and I think you'd very quickly regret not getting a 6 cyl. My 2 cents do it right the first time.

The 4 is great around town and for short trips. But this is a big one-- my mileage on the highway at speed is actually better with the 6cyl.
Nrbeal12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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Nice Tacoma Moe! You're from the Pitt area too? Maybe I'll be seeing you around
andrew61987 Well-Known Member

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That's phenomenal. Last year I paid $14.2k for the exact same truck same year with 130k miles and I thought that was a great deal.I'm gonna assume you meant to say 6 cyl, and the answer is not a fucking chance. I have no idea what these guys are talking about not having enough highway power. Are they going 85 MPH and trying to pass in 5th gear? Downshift that bitch and wind it out. The famous 22RE of old had like 115 horsepower and they made do. The 2nd gen I4 has 160HP.
Get a 4 cylinder then add these parts , You can have more hp than a stock V6 minus two cylinders
TRD Supercharger : depending on your style of play either 4.5lbs pulley or 8.5 - 10lbs pulley

Doug Thorley TRI Y Header

CAI
BuddyS Well-Known Member

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The 4-banger seem to be perfectly fine for most that have it. If it suits your needs it's great. That seems like a decent deal on the truck you're looking at.