I am looking at getting a 4 cylinder 2nd gen Tacoma for a daily driver and for short trips hunting and fishing in the hills. I am very experienced with the 2nd generation V6 4.0 Tacomas as I had a DCLB for over six years that was a great truck but it has been replaced with a 3/4 ton truck. How do the 4 cylinder Tacomas compare to the larger V6 trucks? For this Tacoma I'd probably be looking at a used access cab model, any years better than others for the 2nd gen 4 cylinder trucks? Thanks.
4 cylinder Tacomas
- Thread starter CodyB
- Start date
Doc_
Sammich!
The 2Tr-FE is a great engine, it makes the same power as the 3Rz-FE, but weighs a bit less and gets better average fuel economy. It's a great workhorse motor, but it's easy to overload it since second-gen Tacos weigh a lot. For general general around and camping as well as utility work, it's a hard truck to beat. Personally, I'd recommend it for camping and offroad since it has two less mouths to feed and weighs about 200 pounds less than the 1Gr-FE Taco.
On the second gens, the 2TR-FE is an iron block, so it weighs pretty close to the 1GR-FE, which has an aluminum block. I think the difference in weights between a 4x4 2TR and the 1GR is ~75 lbs or less. The 2TR gets about the same mileage as the 1GR as well in 4x4 trim. The brakes, for some reason, were worse in the 2TR trucks that I drove vs my 1GR, supposedly its due to the brake booster differences. The only thing that's better about the 2TR is that the 5 speed that's hooked to it is better than the 6 speed in the 1GR.
Paddy
Adventurer
^ I agree with this chap. I'm not a v6 guy, but for the same weight, same economy and 2x more power and torque it's hard to justify the 4cyl. They aren't awful, but they are kinda wimpy too. I'd suggest the v6 and an auto if you can stand a slushbox. I have the 5 speed and it's a terrible tranny, although the urd short shift kit helps a lot.
Jeff H
Adventurer
I love my 4 cylinder in my access cab. Sure its no V6 or V8 in the power department. But I enjoy 20-22 mpg regularly. I guess it depends on if you need to tow/haul a lot or need the power in the mountains. I'm more concerned with fuel economy after driving a lifted WJ with a 4.7 V8 that got 14 mpg avg.