I'm a newbie here attempting to research the finest engines I can get ahold of in a Tacoma. It will be in a two wheel drive, probably a PreRunner. It will be driven almost exclusively on road, be used for hauling one or two motorcycles (or other crap), and be driven pretty hard. I'd also like the best handeling truck I can find.
I'd like to get as much power as possible so I was assuming I'd get a V6, but I was warned that they have reliability issues and that either of the two four cylinder engeins would be better. Any comment on that? What wold be the toughest most relable engine I can get in a Tacoma.
I like the '97-'04 trucks only because of the option to put in an aftermarket stereo, is there some dramatic upgrade in the '05 and later that is worth going for?
Thank you for any input.

 

It really is the best they make, for power. I have the four cylinder (2.7) and it has as much as my 3.0 had originally. But the 3.4 has much better torque.
My .02

 

For the prerunner your going to be getting the 3rz (2.7) or 5vz (3.4), the 2rz(2.4) isn't offered in the prerunner, just the plain pickups (2wd). If your only going to be hauling a dirt bike or two, the 3rz will do that no problem. Both are great engines and will last lots of miles. The only thing you need to worry about in the 3.4 is the timing belt, it needs to be changed out every 90000 miles or something like that. The 3rz has a timing chain which will basically last the life of the engine.

I have the 3rz and love it, even in my fat 4runner still provides enough oomph. The 3rzs are really reliable, mine runs like new and has 100000 miles on it, and i am getting around 20-23mpg.

The only difference in the 2.7 from 97-04 to the 05+ is vvti, nothing big, a couple more ponies, but i would stick with the 97-04.

 

I have owned Tacomas with both the 2.7 and the 3.4. The 3.4 rocks. The hp gain far outweighs the slightly lower gas mileage. I'd go with the 3.4. As far as reliability issues, to my knowledge, the 3.4 has not had any major issues. The 3.0, on the other hand...

 

3.4L is a great engine

 

like everyone else said the 3.4 is the best

 

3.4 all the way!! (I've always wanted a reason to use the "banger" smiley sweet)

 

3.4, 150k well maintained miles and still runnin strong

 

I'd say you can't go wrong with either the 3.4 or the 4 cyl. It would be nice to have a timing chain (instead of a belt) and better MPG. But the extra 3.4 power is great too. It seems to me the reliability is about the same, maybe a little better on the 3.4 just because some have had problems with the 4 cyl exhaust manifold cracking and that would be a PITA to replace.

I think those years are the best engines Toyota made, especially the 98-02, after 02 they went to that drive by wire throttle crap and before 98 there were some head gasket problems with the 3.4.

 

The guys running the TRD supercharger on the 05+ years are putting down 300+ rwhp on 5.6 lbs of boost... To get the 3.4L to that level takes $$$$ or NOS.

Not sure if that matters much to you. It is impressive though.

http://www.customtacos.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=101575

 

all are good, i've had 2 3.4's but i would rather have the 2.7

 

whoever told you that was dead wrong

 

Why the 2.7L?

 

Either choice is a good one. I did a 1500 mile tow with 3500-4000 lbs and my 3.4L never skipped a beat. I did have to put her in second climbing a few grades but overall i was very impressed.

 

3.4L is hard to beat. Just broke 170k miles and runs better than ever...I've pushed that motor to the limit, but well maintained it runs as good as new. Good maintenance with a can of bg44k every once in a while and no problems. The only slight issue I've ever had was a leaky waterpump, which was fixed under warranty.

 

In my opinion 3.4 is a one of the best engines Toyota ever built.
It has very good HP and 90 % of its torque available about from 1800 to 5200 RPM.
It is extremely reliable and very impressive part is that that engine does not have any major "common" problem that I can think of (like 2.7 has common problem of exhaust manifold cracking, piston slap for 4.7 as well as exhaust manifold cracking).

Therefore, I would recommend 3.4L.

 

It is really up to you. Both are well designed engines and should be very reliable. I personally have the 2.7 in my truck and I love it because I get 23 MPG consistently. Bottom line is that the 2.7 will be cheaper to run and maintain. The 3.4 makes more power witch is good if you plan on towing over a few thousand pounds. You just have to ask yourself what is more important. Cost or Power?

 

Either one will work fine for you and I prefer the 2.7 for reliability and ease of care but if your after more power and speed then go with the 3.4. My brother has the 3.4 with a charger and he likes to put the pedal to the metal and then he cries because he only git's 15-16 mpg. Driving 80-85 on the freeway is normal for him. I can cruise at 70-75 and still git 20-21 mpg with an auto tranny and the air on full blast with my 2.7.

 

Yeah yeah the manifold does crack...but is cake to fix, anyone with any kind of wrench experience can do the job quite easily! No worries, plus its an easy excuse to put headers on !

 

I'd love extra power. I'm coming from my fourth Corolla and am sick of being underpowered.
What about the new 4.0 in a PreRunner?
Or a 2.7 w/ a supercharger?
Or a 4.0 w/ a Supercharger? (Hoooooee)
Anyone heard of a supercharger for the '05 and later 2.7?