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TacomaGeneral discussion forum for the 2005 and later Toyota Tacoma.
This is a discussion thread titled "Calling All 4-Cyclinders!!!?", within the Tacoma forum, part of the Truck Forums category.
I'm researching the most suitable truck for my needs and am interested in the opinions for owners with a four cyclinder.
I am in the opinion that four cyclinders work hard for their worth. I have seen a couple of fours that had to have their engines overhauled before 200K toyota and nissan style.
I like the idea that fours get better MPGs, period. BUT, haven't had the proof to prove they last just as long as the V6s out there.
Please, if there are any fours out there that have worked but worked hard for their miles and are worthy for it let me know.
---For whats its worth, let me know what you think of the fours versus the sixes. I like the fours fuel economy but wonder if they would last the long haul. Let me know what you think. ...
I have a 4 banger in my 91 it has 120k on it. Seen redline about 40k of it and it still runs great. Could not tell you about the fuel milage, because it's a trailer queen.
Toyota 4 cylinder truck engines are notorious for being workhorses that last a very very long time. In fact many consider them longer lasting than the optional V6's they have. They are great for moving the vehicle, but generally speaking they won't tow that much - that is their only downfall. From a MPG standpoint the 4 bangers will get just slightly better mileage on average than the V6's they correspond with. Generally speaking the difference in mileage is chump change. The other thing to consider, is Toyota tends to equip their V6 models with more options & features, hence you don't see as much in the way of 4 cylinder trucks on the road. But they are great trucks and I wouldn't hesitate if it'll do the trick for you.
The more cylinders you have, the smoother the engine runs.
Now, I'm exaggerating, but every mid-sized rental car with a 4-cylinder engine I've driven seems to have the sound and feel of a 2-cycle motorcycle engine to me.
My father has an 88 with the 4cyl that now has 125K on it. It was bought pretty much bare bones (no fancy options) as an all around truck and for plowing in the winter. Had a 7' plow on it and has gotten beat on good for the last 18yrs. the plow blade is rusted right through and so is the bed, but it still starts everytime. Unfortunately, with the condition of the plow, i think the first storm we have this year is going to destroy it.
I have an 04 6cyl and it does have more power at higher speeds and the fuel econo is comparable. Good luck with either choice.
I honestly felt just like you when I was shopping for my truck. I drove 2 different 4 cyls and 2 diiferent 6 cyls. The difference was amazing! Couple that with the fact that they really don't get that much better mileage and they are worth far less when reselling, you will lose more money when trading in the future than you will save in gas. My v6 gets 20+mpg around town and 25mpg@ 69mph on the road. The little 4 banger will only beat that by a very small margin. Throw in the fact that it will barely pull any weight at all and it becomes almost a no-brainer. Just one mans $.02
You guys do have a point if they are that similar with gas and all. My worry was really if the four would still be going at around 150K or so. Tend to keep my vehicles till they die.
Still with all things considered, a six seems to be the better option.
I had a 4 cylinder in a '91 4runner and had to have the engine replaced at 121,000, partly because of a timing chain being installed wrong. We had a rebuilt engine put in and it blew again around 180,000. I've always felt that given the same quality of all the parts, meaning in a bigger engine there are more parts that could possibly fail, that a larger engine should last a lot longer than a smaller one. For ex. In my 4runner when I was cruising down the high way around 75mph the tach would be reading almost 4,000 rpms. In my '05 tacoma when I am going 70-75 the tach shows between 2000-2500 rpms. To me that means that 4 cylinder is working twice as hard and getting twice the wear and tear that the V6 is getting.
1. The new Tacoma's with the 2.7 four are turning only slightly higher rpm's than the 6 when in overdrive.
2. Because an engine is at higher rpm's doesn't necessarly mean it's working twice as hard or wearing twice as fast. The wear is determined by load (heat), not rpm's. People pulling trailers with their 6 don't use overdrive so they don't load the engine excessively. In many cases, low rpms are harder on the engine than high rpms. I can pull my little trailer in OD, but it's easier on the engine to do it in 4th.
On average, from what I've read, in most circumstances there is about a 4 mpg difference between the 4 and the 6. I don't think this is enough to really make a big difference.
I think that the biggest determining factor on how long either will last is really going to be based on how you treat it. Frequent oil changes and not beating on it will really make the difference.
1. The new Tacoma's with the 2.7 four are turning only slightly higher rpm's than the 6 when in overdrive.
2. Because an engine is at higher rpm's doesn't necessarly mean it's working twice as hard or wearing twice as fast. The wear is determined by load (heat), not rpm's. People pulling trailers with their 6 don't use overdrive so they don't load the engine excessively. In many cases, low rpms are harder on the engine than high rpms. I can pull my little trailer in OD, but it's easier on the engine to do it in 4th.
On average, from what I've read, in most circumstances there is about a 4 mpg difference between the 4 and the 6. I don't think this is enough to really make a big difference.
I think that the biggest determining factor on how long either will last is really going to be based on how you treat it. Frequent oil changes and not beating on it will really make the difference.
I'm truly not trying to be a nitpicker or a nuge but, a 4 cyl ACC cab prerunner getting 4mpg better than the 25 I average @ 69 mph in my TRD sport? I'm afraid I'ed have to see it to belive it. Unless your a company buying it for a delivery truck(who cares what the driver wants), the 6 cyl is the only way to go
Don't know where some of you guy's got your information but if you said that the 6 cylinder is better then the 4 on any other site you would be run out of town ! The 4 banger is the better engine and always has been. 200,000 is the average miles and many , many of them have passed 400,000 and this is the original engine. The only reason some people like the 6 banger is for more power and speed but not for endurance or a longer lasting engine. More 6 bangers are rebuilt much sooner then the 4 bangers hands down.
Not much difference in gas mileage unless you drive like you want to save money . If you drive a 4 banger right you will get better mileage than you do with the 6 , but who wants to drive like there great Grandma ? so that's really not an issue.
If you want the best engine ever made then get the 2.7 Tacoma and nothing has out lasted the old 2.4. I know of two guy's who have over 400,000 on there 2.4 Toyota's and they are still running. These guy's are oil well tenders and they try to beat there trucks to death but the engine just won't die Mike
My 2.7L 4 cylinder in my '97 still runs like brand new after 10 years and 153,000 miles. Longevity does not seem like an issue with these engines. Stands out from any other 4 cylinder vehicle I have owned. Power is adequate for me. No timing belt either, like in a V6.
Any chowderhead can stop on a gas pedal but my need for speed comes from other things like mountain biking and canoe racing. The "engine" there is only a fraction of a horsepower but it's still a blast. Accomplishing equal driving tasks while using less power and generating less greenhouse gases than with other vehicles is something to be proud of.
Looks like city is 4 mpg difference and highway is 6 mpg.
Now of course how you drive can make a big difference. I've never seen 28 highway with my 05 2.7 reg cab prerunner cause I'm rarely under 75 mph.
City I average around 22 or 23. Highway around 24 or 25. Pulling my 2000 lb pop up trailer at 70 around 20 mpg. There are probably a lot of 4.0 owners doing just as good. There might be some 2.7 drivers getting better...
Also, I live in the foothills. If I lived in Ohio I'll bet I could pick up another mile or two per gallon.
I just bought the 4-cyl Tacoma after owning a 4-cyl 90 honda accord for the past 9 yrs for farm use, pulling 5x8 trailer full of wet manure, construction waste and other unspeakable abuses that the accord is not made for. The engine is still running great, only the body is starting to fall apart. I definately hope the Tacoma can do just as well if not better my passenger car, the accord, when it come to wear and tear. It is a truck after all. Anyway, the 4cyl drive perfect for me since 95% of the time I am commuting or doing erants and 5% doing real hauling/towing work. It definately feels less aggressive compare to my V8 chevy going up hills, but it's fine for normal for normal hiways. I get 9 mpg on on V8, but it is fun. If all you want is snappy ride or "what if I need to tow a 4000# trailer", definately go with a V6 or V8. Otherwise, read on. As for MPG I had been going thru all the threads on this forum and ToyotaNation for a couple months before buying the Tacoma. Looks like the average MPG for a 4cyl Auto is about 23.5mpg and V6 Auto is about 19mpg; there are claims of better or worse millage, but that's average I found. If your annual usage is like mine, 16,5000 miles and at a norminal gas price averaging $3.50/gal over the next 10 yrs, the V6 should in theory cost you $590/yr more to run for gas alone.
Last edited by robot; 12-07-2006 at 01:01 PM.
Reason: Spelling & added comments
Calling All 4-Cyclinders!!!?
The 4 banger is the better engine and always has been. 200,000 is the average miles and many , many of them have passed 400,000 and this is the original engine. The only reason some people like the 6 banger is for more power and speed but not for endurance or a longer lasting engine. More 6 bangers are rebuilt much sooner then the 4 bangers hands down.
so that's really not an issue.
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