Tacoma 2016 or 2017 as a base overland vehicle

[AndreasN]

Hello

Toyota enaunced the new 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro model with new engines, a 2.7 4Zyl and a 3.5 6zyl. Both were develped to meet the latest emission rates. And a such they come with more modern engine control systems and engine setups, which may lead to that they cannot cope with "dirty" fuel like the current 4l V6 engine on the 2016 model (if that understanding is correct).
Therefore my question is which model would be the better one for going on expeditions like South Amerika or any other remote areas?

regards

Andreas

 

[calicamper]

1990s powered truck. In all seriousness gas vs diesel you simply purchase fuel from decent sources. Dont purchase fuel off of an old farm truck with rusty 55gallon drums. Make sure you know where the fuel filter is or install one before the engine that you can easily swap out. Take good walking shoes as back up ;-)

 

[evilfij]

There is nothing much new on the 4 cylinder. It is still a normal fuel injection engine used throughout the world. The 3.5 V6 is Atkinson cycle direct injection.

 

[zolo]

Maybe the better thing is for you to read up on the biggest change for the new engine. I.E. Direct Injection. After that read up on fuel in other countries. You mention South America. Most places have the same or higher quality fuel vs the US. If you buy from any of the Gov or private owned stations the fuel is very good. Often times with octane ratings higher than the US offers.
As for the new 3.5 engine, its likely smoother and slightly more efficent. I doubt it would have any issues running fuel from any Central American country and certainly not any South American country.
I have purchased fuel from stations and from peoples houses. Never had an issue.
The newer Tacoma looks good on paper. If you can buy the new one do it. The Direct Injection is appealing. The over all truck seems like an improvement IMO.

Fuel shouldn't be a concern. Almost all modern engines can burn modern gas blends. Like was stated before. Don't by from some hut with rusty barrrels. The fuel it self is fine its the contamination from buying from a crappy source. Same as in the US. When you find those old gas stations with old tanks almost always they have water in them, and other hard particles.

The real question is where to buy good maps!!😉

 

[deadbeat son]

Hello

Toyota enaunced the new 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro model with new engines, a 2.7 4Zyl and a 3.5 6zyl. Both were develped to meet the latest emission rates. And a such they come with more modern engine control systems and engine setups, which may lead to that they cannot cope with "dirty" fuel like the current 4l V6 engine on the 2016 model (if that understanding is correct).
Therefore my question is which model would be the better one for going on expeditions like South Amerika or any other remote areas?

regards

Andreas

One other thing to note is these two engines are the same as the 2016 offerings. 2005-2015 had the 4.0.

 

[p nut]

1990s powered truck. In all seriousness gas vs diesel you simply purchase fuel from decent sources. Dont purchase fuel off of an old farm truck with rusty 55gallon drums. Make sure you know where the fuel filter is or install one before the engine that you can easily swap out. Take good walking shoes as back up ;-)

Both engines in question are gas engines. Just FYI.

 

[adrstout]

Same old 4 banger. The v6 engine is newer but is seemingly fine. Haven't heard of any issues. I'd trust it. The truck itself really didn't change that much underneath compared to the 2005+ models which are well proven. Go for it.

 

[AndreasN]

Thanks for the anwers, sounds all good. Indeed the 2017 model apeals more to me. So I wait.
I was a little bit confused about the enigne as I only saw the V6 on the toyota web page. Must have overseen it

 

[Clutch]

Thanks for the anwers, sounds all good. Indeed the 2017 model apeals more to me. So I wait.
I was a little bit confused about the enigne as I only saw the V6 on the toyota web page. Must have overseen it

Engines will be the same between the 2016 & 2017's. Expect another engine update in 10 years, as Toyota just revamped their current V6.

Toyota is simply adding a suspension and interior package with the 17 Pro. Nothing will change engine wise. Doubtful if they'll have the 4 cylinder available with the Pro package.

If I was going to South America...I would go with the 4 banger base model, that thing is an anvil. Plus you can do all your own suspension mods for much cheaper than what comes on the Pro.

 

[deuxdiesel]

Based on all the comments on TacomaWorld about the new auto transmission, I would steer clear of that for a while until they get the bugs worked out. Fortunately, you can get the 2.7 and 3.5 with manual transmissions, albeit in limited body and trim configurations.

 

[SIZZLE]

If reliability is the main concern, I'd go with the proven 4 cyl and manual.

 

[forty2]

If reliability is the main concern, I'd go with the proven 4 cyl and manual.

Agreed. The 2.7 is rock solid. It did get a slight update for '16 going to dual VVT-i with a 4 HP jump, but still pretty much the same engine and no reason to think the reliability will change. Hell, if they offered it with the double cab in a manual I wouldn't have bought the truck I did.

 

[p nut]

I'm sure 2.7l is solid, but I'd have no trouble trusting the 3.5L or 4.0L to run just as long, with same level of reliability. 2.7's weren't 100% bulletproof.

 

[AndreasN]

Engines will be the same between the 2016 & 2017's. Expect another engine update in 10 years, as Toyota just revamped their current V6.

Toyota is simply adding a suspension and interior package with the 17 Pro. Nothing will change engine wise. Doubtful if they'll have the 4 cylinder available with the Pro package.

If I was going to South America...I would go with the 4 banger base model, that thing is an anvil. Plus you can do all your own suspension mods for much cheaper than what comes on the Pro.

That is a good point, as I actually would prefer the Accescap version with the longer bed. Makes in more suitable for expeditions as you anyway only go with 2 person max. But then have the longer bed for all your gears and a roof tent.

 

[Clutch]

That is a good point, as I actually would prefer the Accescap version with the longer bed. Makes in more suitable for expeditions as you anyway only go with 2 person max. But then have the longer bed for all your gears and a roof tent.

Yep, same here, there are only 2 of us. that configuration makes the most sense, need more room for gear rather than people.

The ACLB base model is roughly $25K...guessing the Pro will be $40K+.

For the traveling you are talking about. I am from the mind set of...buy the vehicle you wouldn't mind see flipped on its' roof on fire in a ditch...or at the bottom of river after it got pitched off a ferry.