MackMan83

Ok Guys, returning member here. Ive been on the site for 2 years or so now, but about 6 month's ago i sold my "last" 1990 toyota. (ive had 4 older toyota's 1 83, 2 85's, and the 90 IFS/Fuel injected)It was Extremley rusty and had 288k on it, and i vowed it to be my last toyota. Sunday night, my father recieved a call from a long time friend we go to church with, and he has been trying to sell his 2000 Tacoma 4x4 5spd regular cab shortbed that he bought off the original owner. It is at a local car lot, so dad and i rode down sunday night to look at it. My dad's friend bought it with a powersteering issue, and has replaced the Entire rack and pinion, steering box, powersteering pump, and lines. Everyone that wants the truck always wants to finance it, but he knows i always pay cash for my vehicles, and pay in 1 or 2 payments. So he told me he would take 4500 dollars (to me only), because thats what he's got in it. (tacoma's in this good of shape near me bring 7-8k) So im going to look the truck over again tomorow (test drive) and im going to make my first payment to him (1k) (im paying the rest in a month) friday, if i want it. So my question to you guys is what are your thoughts on the 2.7 3rz, (will i like it better that the 22re?) because ive never dealt with a truck this new, what should i look for in the truck? i know about the frame, but when i looked sunday night, i honestly could not believe how CLEAN the frame was (still had factory paint, you could eat off it) The only thing that worries me is the miles, it has 227k on it, and i know the 22re is a 300000 mile motor, but what about the 2.7? (i need a reliable vehicle to drive to ohio, from VA and back for college coming up here soon) i cant really find many people that have that have that many miles on the 2.7. But the truck was purchased off the original owner (55 yr old man) that my dad knows, and the entire truck is SPOTLESS, not 1 tear in a seat, 1 rip in the carpet (shoot the carpet isnt even stained) so that kinda makes me a little less worried. I crawled under it to check the frame and noticed that the CV axles also look brand new. (I highly doubt this truck was used offroad at all) SO, any opinions on the truck and engine/trans would be appreachated, and any tips for things to look for would be appreachated. Also, how does the 2.7 do for towing, the truck already has a heavy duty hitch reciever and light hookup, but i pull a 8x12 utility trailer with a 800 lb load of atv's and dirt bikes, and the Empty weight of the trailer is 980 lbs, so how would the 2.7 do at pulling sub 2000 lbs? Mainly pulling long hills and curvy roads (rte 460 to West VA in the blue ridge mountains) Thanks, -Byron.

Olysouthpaw24

In my experience the 2.7 is as good as it gets. 350,000 miles with only fluids, filters and 3 easy fixes:

$200 Intake manifold
$150 exhaust manifold
$150 alternator

Original clutch and brakes on my 1999 5 speed AC 4x4.

Tows the 3500lbs its rated for easily. Love the torque curve on the 2.7 as well.

hatda02

I had the same question about 2 years ago before picking up my 01 in the same configuration as you. I have the 3.4 in my 99 4R and was used to the 22r in my 87, but was not sure about the 2.7.

The 2.7 turned out to be an upgraded 2.4/22r that basically has a set of balls over the 22r's. You will find it will two your trailer and bikes without any problems. That motor should have a lot of life left in it...it's pretty much bullet proof like the old 22r's. Because of the weight diff between the Taco and the 4R I don't notice much of a power difference than the 3.4.

Also, when I bought mine, I let my buddy drive it who had a 99 3.4 extended cab Taco before Toyota sent it to the crusher. He was impressed with the power the 2.7 had and said it was very similar to his 3.4.

You already know to look for the rust on the frame. I had rust issues on the rear axle and knuckles on mine as well, but that was due to the PO never driving the truck and parking it on grass/dirt for years.

4500 sounds like a pretty good price if its as clean as you describe it. You won't be disappointed.