Tacoma is a dog, should I think twice before adding FWC?

[DaveInDenver]

Agreed. That is why we buy them. I just wish they had kept the Gen 1 with the 3.4 and the early Tundra with the 4.7. Both were great trucks with well matched engines. Nothing they make today interests me in the least, even with the great reliability. Enough is enough.

I had a 2001 Tacoma with a 5VZ for about a year while trying to transition from my '91 with a 22R-E. I didn't feel enough difference (bearing in mind my was *not* supercharged) and ended up keeping my '91 and selling the 2001 instead. This was after doing a fair amount of work reinforcing and painting the frame, moving the WilderNest, etc. So it took about 6 months of really thinking about it.

I ended up with my 2008 about a year later and I've come to like this truck a lot. There are things I miss (size, simplicity) about my 1991 and I regret selling it. But I think the 1GR-FE is a better engine than both the 22R and 5VZ for how I use it. If Toyota hadn't screwed up the bed dimensions with the 2nd gen, maybe better transmission gearing (I have an RA60, it's got a weird 4th/5th split, 1st and R are too high) and of course kept the Hilux frame I'd have a hard time saying this truck is actually, maybe, better than my 1991. Heresy, I know.

BTW, a 4.7L in a 2nd or 3rd gen Tacoma would almost get you a 1st gen Tundra in size and power. I agree, that was a nice combination so can't argue. But I don't dislike my 4.0L Tacoma either. I think the stick shift helps balance things, though. I could see a slush box making a V8 more attractive.

To me the ideal truck would be a 4.0L V6, 6-speed stick in something the size of a 3rd gen Pickup with slightly thicker doors (I realize now just how noisy it was on the highway). IOW, a 7th gen Hilux!

 

[bkg]

I had a 2001 Tacoma with a 5VZ for about a year while trying to transition from my '91 with a 22R-E. I didn't feel enough difference and ended up keeping my '91 and selling the 2001 instead. This was after doing a fair amount of work reinforcing and painting the frame, moving the WilderNest, etc. So it took about 6 months of really thinking about it.

I ended up with my 2008 about a year later and I've come to like this truck a lot. There are things I miss (size, simplicity) about my 1991 and I regret selling it. But I think the 1GR-FE is a better engine than both the 22R and 5VZ for how I use it. If Toyota hadn't screwed up the bed dimensions with the 2nd gen, maybe better transmission gearing (I have an RA60, it's got a weird 4th/5th split, 1st and R are too high) and of course kept the Hilux frame I'd have a hard time saying this truck is actually, maybe, better than my 1991. Heresy, I know.

BTW, a 4.7L in a 2nd or 3rd gen Tacoma would almost get you a 1st gen Tundra. I agree, that was a nice combination so can't argue. But I don't dislike my 4.0L Tacoma either. I think the stick shift helps balance things, though. I could see a slush box making a V8 more attractive.

It’s not heresy... it’s true.

 

[downhill]

I agree Dave. I'm happy enough with my 07 4.0. I also have the RA60 and that is the biggest fail. How someone could take 6 speeds and basically make them all mismatched is a mystery to me. I think the transmission was probably a low cost direct transplant from another vehicle, with zero engineering to match this truck. With gearing and an FJ case, I have made it work, but it's a mess. Most likely I will never sell my 07. I have way too much work in it, and I don't have the energy to start over with another mess. All I really need now is a 4.7 transplant eventually, and an upgraded rear axle.

 

[DaveInDenver]

I believe the gearing Toyota used in the Tacoma RA60 was the same as a Cadillac something or other. I've never confirmed that. I'd like to swap in a 3rd gen 6 speed, at least the forward gearing makes sense. Or better we need the RC6x they put behind diesels, with a 4.8:1 1st gear.

 

[downhill]

I believe the gearing Toyota used in the Tacoma RA60 was the same as a Cadillac something or other. I've never confirmed that. I'd like to swap in a 3rd gen 6 speed, at least the forward gearing makes sense.

I didn't know the 3rd gen gearing was any different??? What can you share about that? Is it a direct bolt in? If that is a good option, I'll definitely do that. I get around the tall reverse by having twin sticks and the 2 lo option.

 

[DaveInDenver]

The RC62F in 4WD 3rd gens is:

1: 3.982:1
2: 2.017:1
3: 1.321:1
4: 1.00:1
5: 0.848:1
6: 0.713:1
R: 3.385:1

I assume it will bolt up. The new engine is a 2GR, I though the blocks are similar.

 

[downhill]

Sure enough, did some searching around and the new ratios would be a much better match to my 4:56 gears.
3rd gen ratios: 3.98 2.02 1.32 1.00 0.85 0.71
2nd gen ratios: 4.171 2.19 1.488 1.193 1.00 0.849

Can't find anything yet about whether this is a regeared RA-60, or a totally different gear box.

 

[downhill]

The RC62F in 4WD 3rd gens is:

1: 3.982:1
2: 2.017:1
3: 1.321:1
4: 1.00:1
5: 0.848:1
6: 0.713:1
R: 3.385:1

I assume it will bolt up. The new engine is a 2GR, I though the blocks are similar.

thank you!

 

[DaveInDenver]

thank you!

Let us know if it works, guinea pig.

 

[downhill]

Let us know if it works, guinea pig.

Hey,
I'm on the scent of this now. With that transmission I would lose a little on the crawl end, but everywhere else would be much better. The double overdrive would be great! As you well know, an engine is only as good as the transmission it is paired with. If the engine is always working outside it's designed range, it can never do it's best. The RA60 hamstrings the potential of the 4.0L

 

[DaveInDenver]

The taller 1st would stink but I've always assumed that with lottery money would come an Inchworm anyway.

 

[downhill]

The taller 1st would stink but I've always assumed that with lottery money would come an Inchworm anyway.

Correct :sombrero:

 

[DaveInDenver]

Correct :sombrero:

IH8 being poor.

 

[rruff]

I think worldwide more trucks would get a diesel when they are worked. I read Toyota stopped selling a 1GR Hilux in Australia because they only sold a few hundred annually.

All brands sell primarily small pickups (small like Hilux) with little diesel engines and 2,000lb+ payloads. They get >30mpg also.

Thing I hate most about the Tundra is the seating position. I'm 6ft and have no view of what's in front of the truck. Gratuitously tall hood, and cab that is much higher than necessary. The other brands are the same now, so...

I prefer driving my '86 Toyota 2wd. Sure the Tundra power is great, but that's it for the high points. It weighs literally twice as much, and payload is the same! Steering is overpowered. I couldn't care less about the quiet and smooth ride. All the trucks in the US are made for macho style and street use. Kinda sad.

 

[Dalko43]

OP, sell your Tacoma and get another truck. The Tacoma is a reliable truck, but its payload and fuel economy (and engine performance) will be less than adequate for your purposes. That 4.0l v6 gasoline is a reliable engine, but it's less than stellar when it comes to heavy towing or hauling. Those 4runners and Tacaoma's are just yearning for a nice turbodiesel or even a turbo gasoline. The underlying platforms are decent enough, but the engines are quite underpowered and inefficient.

I'd look at 1/2 ton's (Tundra, F-150 w/ 3.5l ecoboost or even the Ram 1500 ecodiesel). Fuel efficiency of the gasser's may not be all that different from that of the Tacoma and you'll have much more leeway on payload and towing capacity.