I was considering looking at a new tacoma recently, and I have visited several Toyota dealerships around the LA area. All of them tell me that a 4x4 4 cylinder is not shipped to California. Im looking for 4x4 4 cylinder with 5 speed. Does anyone have this configuration in the newer tacomas? Is the 2.7 liter underpowered? I have heard that the new body style is alot arger and heavier hence the lack of 4 cylinder models. What do you guys think? Any thoughts will be appreciated Ill possibly buy in the latter end of the year with the end of year clearance sales.

 

I have an '08 Access Cab with the 2.7L. I had the same issue when I went to one of my local dealers, they told me that there were no 4cyl ext. cab 4x4 anywhere in the area. I went 10mi down the road to a little larger toyota dealer and they had 2 on the lot (needless to say I bought one of them!)

I believe that the 4cyl has plent of power... it's not a rocket, but it doesn't seem underpowered either. I have towed both my boats (17' Fish/Ski and 21' Pontoon) and my tandum jetskis without a problem.

Hope this answers some of your questions... sounds like you may have to hunt around a couple more dealers to find the 4cyl, or you could ask them to custom order you one.

Good Luck,
Frick

 

Frick,

If you dont mind me asking, how much did the new truck cost you? How do you compare the 2.7 to the 22re?

 

well the 2.7 had a timing chain instead of a belt
like the 22re
stock 150HP
22re had like, 119 i believe
i havent driven a new tacoma but my dads 4runner has the 2.7.
its good on gas, and gets the job done well

 

Scuba, I was under the impression that the 22re is timing chain. Mine is a timing chain. I think the main difference is the power difference, but I wonder about the new power to weight ratios. What do you think scuba? Which do you think is better?

 

Hey,
Just curious, what type of MPG to you guys get w/ the 4 cyl?
If I could get the extended cab 4 cyl/5spd I might think about trading in the 4 runner.
Getting close to 200k on the odo..

Thanks,
Jeff

 

The Truck new was around $21,000 it's the base model with just the conveience package and the front skid plate. I never had the 22re my old Toyota had the 3.slow... it's got more HP than the old 3.0!

MPG is around 22

 

Honestly, I would just go drive one. I have heard so many different opinions it's hard to really know until you expierence it. My definition of an underpowered truck may feel like a rocket to you.

I have heard the 2.7 is actually a decent engine. I think it would be better suited to a regular cab but even with the access cab it would probably be just fine, as frick said...he even hauled his boats with it.

One thing to think about before pulling the trigger is what your plans are for the truck. If you plan on putting bigger tires on, or lifting it and putting even bigger tires on then that is going to really show the size of the 2.7. If you plan on staying stock with it then you should be okay.

I say get out and drive!!

Fink

 

i woulda thought the new tacomas were too big for a 4 banger. guess not. 150hp out of a 4 banger? wow

 

Are you sure about that?

 

the ole 3rz in the older tacos made that much hp. the newer 2.7s make like 158ish i think.

the old 3rz had a timing chain, but i am not sure about the 2tr in the new tacos.

 

I agree with Fink.... take a test drive. You will know if you like it or not after about 15mi of driving it! Best of Luck!

 

I thought scuba was saying that the 22re had a timing belt. That is why I asked if he was sure.

 

22 mpg What's the point of going with the 4 cyl if you can't get close to 28 mpg?
I get 20 mpg with my V6 4 runner if a keep my foot out of it..
Jeff

 

I just purchased a 2008 Tacoma 4X4 4 cylinder. I love the truck and I get pretty good gas milage. I was looking to put a lift kit on it and maybe some 30 inch tires I don't want to put to much strain on the motor since it is a 4 banger. I was wondering if anyone new of a good website or place to get performance parts for the 4 cylinder version.

 

There's not much you can do for more power, unless you add a supercharger (which would negate the better MPG of the 4 cylinder). Toyota engineers have done as much as they can do (such as by adding variable valve timing) with what they have to work with. If you added a freer flowing air filter and a freer flowing muffler, you would be lucky to gain 2 HP. And that gain would most likely be at or near redline. How often do you drive with the engine at or near redline?

I wouldn't waste my money.

The most cost effective way to make up for bigger tires, and the way that would decrease stress on the drivetrain before the axles that would be caused by bigger tires, would be to install lower axle gears. If your truck came with 4.10 gears, 4.56 or 4.88 gears would make a big difference.

And while you have the axles apart, you can add lockers.

However, I don't think that 30 inch tires are enough to hurt performance by a noticable amount. In fact, I would be willing to bet that the factory tires are close to 30 inches already. So lower gears, unless you go quite a bit bigger than 30 inches, probably wouldn't be needed.

 

Nono, I was saying that like the 22re the 3rz has a T-chain, which is kool cause it makes it a more lifetime part, unless you have a 22re with the plastic guides and tensioners.

The Newer taco's do have a slightly bigger body, but i think the use of lighter materials has problably made the pwr/wght ratio doable.

I am toying around the idea of trying to find a single cab 2.7 4x4 5speed as well.
But getting financed would be my biggest problem

 

the 2.7 pwns the 22re! big difference

my 2000 Tacoma extra cab does just fine with the 2.7, and I'm even running 285/70/17's with stock 3.90's gears

 

I have an 08 Tacoma access cab prerunner with 4 cylinder engine and 5 speed manual transmission.

I got it in Los Angeles and the sticker was $21,800 and I got it for $19,500. with tax and license it was $21,500 OTD. It's a nice model with alloy wheels, power windows, locks, mirrors, privacy glass . . . body color front bumper and fender flares and chrome rear bumper. I get about 20 MPG. The best I have gotten is 26MPG on the freeway. The engine has lots of torque. I really love the truck. I think the seats in older SR5's are more comfortable for cross country drives but other than that it's tight.

I also have a 4x4 Xcab with 22RTE engine. My taco has about the same top speed, gets better mileage but the turbo is quicker. The only place the turbo can smoke the taco is up the cajon pass on the way to vegas

If I had to choose between them I would go with the taco.

Post edit: I should probably add that this turbo truck is not stock. Has DOA 270 cam. newer 22RE throttle body and plenum bored out. little larger injectors, and Garrett T3/T4 turbo with 2 1/2 exhaust system.