am I crazy to get 4cyl Taco?

[N8URE2]

So the truck I'm looking at is the most basic 4X4 Tacoma available. Standard cab, 4cyl, 5spd, 4wd. I need this truck to commute on days when I can't ride my motorcycle.
future plans would be to upgrade the suspension, wheels(black steel) and tires, underbody and rocker protection, possibly front winch bumper.

Here's where things get a bit fuzzy, I'm a big fan of four wheel campers and would like to eventually have one. Any opinions on whether that would be too much to ask of the little 4cyl?

on another note I had a 5spd 95 4-runner with the 3.0 slow my initial thought is the 4cyl would be comparable in offroad abilities. opinions?

Thanks,

 

[AlexJet]

For DD 4cyl is perfect. For heavy camper 6cyl is preferable, but I've seen people using their 4cyl as well. Its up to you... For $$ I'd go with it.

 

[kcowyo]

A 4 cyl Tacoma (we talking brand new?) with a FWC won't be asking too much. But it will be asking a lot, lol!

DD the 4 banger, good choice for a bike hauler too. If & when a FWC happens, try it on the 4cyl. If you find yourself needing more hp, trade up.


:smiley_drive:

.

 

[Pskhaat]

4cyl is a dead reliable machine.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Only thing to watch out for is the cracked manifold. Did they fix this for 05+?

 

[Nullifier]

I have a 4cyl and think for a 4 wheel camper the v6 would be best. If you go with a Flippack the 4 cyl would be a good engine. I think most people under estimate the 2.7 in the tacoma. It is a great engine that really puts out great power. However if you are starting with an 800# shell and then building your rig I would opt for the 6cyl.

 

[ryguy]

I had an 06 just like that for a dd and loved it.

 

[N8URE2]

yeah KC, I'm looking at brand new. Which model camper would be best for that bed? Eagle? Finch?
and yes I would use the truck to haul my GS on occation.
thanks

 

[abeaudin1971]

Hey,

I have an 09 access cab 4x4 with the 2.7l and a flippac plus an ARB Bumper.

The 2.7l is a little underpowered for my liking but I get decent fuel economy out of it - in headwinds it's a little tired.

The standard cab is 705lbs lighter than the access cab so you have that to play with.

I'd make sure that you get the TSB leaf spring fix as the base springs a light duty.

-a

 

[N8URE2]

I was wondering how the engine would handle the weight of an ARB.

 

[tacollie]

I think you woulkd be fine with a 2.7 as long as you understand its gonna be a little slow with a FWC. Thats a lot of weight. If you don't mind driving in the right lane I would go for it.

 

[kcowyo]

yeah KC, I'm looking at brand new. Which model camper would be best for that bed? Eagle? Finch?

Finch or a Falcon would be my choice with a 4 banger.

.

 

[N8URE2]

Here's the rig I'm going for, just with a newer base vehicle

 

[kcowyo]

That's a FWC Ranger, built for mid-size trucks like the Tacoma with a long bed. Can you get a new 4WD Taco with a reg cab and long bed...? Keep in mind, the truck in that photo has a Chevy V8 400 stroker under the hood...

.

 

[CA-RJ]

No long bed offered on standard cab models.