Hey, just picked up a 2003 Double Cab Tacoma (3.4L) 4x4.. My question is this, it has 71,500 mile on it and I constanley drive around 80mph on the interstate alot. Is this motor going to be able to handle those speeds with out damaging it. The truck is completely stock and has had all serv. kept up with. I just dont want to start seeing the truck start using oil or something because of these speeds being run.. Any inputs or advise on this truck appriciated...I plan on keeping it for awhile.

 

I don't think those speeds are going to cause you any issues. What is really hard on any engine is starting and stopping the engine or speeding it up then slowing it down. Consistency is key. Try to maintain a constant speed. Constantly varying speed is hard on the engine and bad for your fuel mileage as well. Of course it is easier to maintain a lower rate of speed but, I don't think you'll have any problems. Congrats on the new truck! Enjoy!

 

consistency is not good on an engine, good for gas mileage and the rest of the drive train yes

consistent high rpms can hot spot cylinders and ruin bearings due to heat build up and thermal breakdown of oil

anyways your running around 3k rpms then correct? You'll be fine, just keep up on oil changes. These engines are well engineered and transfer heat well as most engines do.

I ran my truck between 85-90mph for 3 hours strait turning around 3200 - 3500 rpms the whole time.

 

My 2001 4Runner has 230K miles 80% of them highway and on the highway I'm almost always 75-80mph and is still running great.

Around 80mph I'm turning up 2500 rpm and the 3.4 seems to be loafing at that speed. Now you want to talk about giving the engine a workout, there are guys that tow small trailers all over the country with a 3.4 (with overdrive off) and are averaging RPMs around 3,000 !!!

So don't worry about the 80mph driving and just keep the oil changed regularly (synthetic) and your 3.4 will be fine.

 

my 3.4 drive at 65-70 (3000 RPM) all day long.... it also see's 4k daily when shifting.

80mph with stock gears and tires you'll be fine..

 

speaking of loafing, i think it has to do with gearing. My 4runner cruises at 80 pretty easily. I drove a 3.4 Taco and it did not like cruise over 70

 

I guess we should define "high rpms". I would much rather have you run consistent at 3000 than constinantly flooring it to 5000 then letting off completely then flooring it again. That was all I was implying

 

At 80mph I am 2400 RPM.