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I wanna buy a newer Toyota Tacoma but Im not sure what engine I want to go with. Right now I have a 94 with a 22re. I want a 01 or newer yota and I want some more power. I have to go over fourth of July pass everytime to hunt and would like to go over with more ease and not in 3rd gear.
My questions are: How much more power does the 2.7 have compared to the 2.4?
How do the 3.4 and 4.0 do in the mountains as far as rigging dogs and cutting tracks in snow. Whats the gas mileage like? How do you like the 6 speed transmission with the 4.0.

Thanks

I have a 2.7 4cyl and a 3.4 V6. People claim to get better but I get 20 mpg with the 4cyl and about 19 mpg with the V6 on the highway. The V6 has a lot more power so on the highway I would go with the V6. The real difference shows up in the woods for me. The 4cyl uses about half the fuel in the woods. I think it has plenty of power for pulling hills, a lot more than the old 22r that I had. I think the 4cyl has more power than my old 3.0 V6.

I really like the 01 to 04 Tacomas. I know a couple guys that had the newer bigger Tacoma and liked the power but ended up buying another 04. I like the smaller size of the earlier Tacomas than the newer ones. I can't guarantee that you wouldn't be back to 3rd gear with one of the newer 4cylndrs pulling the pass but I guess it depends on how much weight you haul around. The other thing to consider is the suspension on the 01 and newer is a whole lot better than the pre-2000 models. But if it has a Toyota emblem on it, you won't go wrong. Good Luck.

I had an 89 v6 with 375,000 miles on her sucked gas good runner maybe 17mpg. Now I have a 2008 taco d-cab v6 236hp awsome! Snap and power for a v-6 Hunting maybe 15-16mpg Highway sometimes 20. I also had an 06 Tundra d-cab Very close gas mileage.. I definatly like the Taco. better.
Big J

I have an 06 Tacoma with the V6 and I totaly love my truck. Power is really nice and before I went up a tire size and got 10 plys I was getting around 19mpgs and now it is 16-17 mpgs. I like the 00-04 tacomas too but i wouldnt trade mine for one. The rear suspension is crap though it is a three leaf spring pack and my truck squats with barely anything in it. I have the automatic so I cant help you there but I like the setup I have.

I have a 95 (94 body style) with a 22re and wont trade it out until its limping hard and all but dead. had to hunt for the 22re with a stick when i was looking. Pre 95 had a stronger rack and pinion than the newer trucks. 22re is proven itself to be more than reliable and will out last the v6. Cheaper to maintain and to do an engine swap it only takes about 6 to 7 hours. When i do the rebuild which i dont think i will need until 350,000 (im at 270,000 mi) im going to pump the motor up a bit. 9-1 pistons instead of the 8-1. better cam and some roller parts. And it will still get decent milage and have more HP.

Only thing i dont like on all the newer truck is that the independent suspension does not have shit for wheel travel. Really wish they would go back to a straight axle. I would sacrifice the comfort for more performance. Straight axle swap takes awhile if you do it right and can be spendy.

On all of them if you go up in tire size make sure you change your gears. after i went to a 235/85-16 (32") i threw in some 4runner 3rd members which were a 435 ratio. And it was back to having power instead of being a lugger. If i want to fork out the money i would go with a 455 ring and pinion to give it a little more. I get an average 19 mpg. Last time i did the valve job it bumped it to 22mpg. So not to bad considering.

Just my 2cents if its worth anything