'98 Toyota Tacoma 4 cyl 2.7L ?

[ducatiz]

I may buy a '98 Tacoma xtracab 4x4 with the 2.7L 4 banger.

Why should I not? 

I don't plan to tow much and I like the smaller engine (in principle)  Is it a piece of crap?  Is it based on the 20R/22R engine or is it something totally different?  The most I'll be hauling is 2-3 bikes, garden mulch and the occasional trip to home depot for stuff.

This model has had the frame inspected by Toyota and has no issues, no rust-thru.  Excellent shape underneath.

Truck has 170k miles. 

Discuss.

[hbliam]

I just bought a Toyota 4-banger for the same duties. It's an '09 with 18000 miles and I expect it to run as long as the one you are looking at.

Try tacoma territory forum for year specific intel.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2

[ducatiz]

I just bought a Toyota 4-banger for the same duties. It's an '09 with 18000 miles and I expect it to run as long as the one you are looking at.

Try tacoma territory forum for year specific intel.

http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=2

i hope the one i am looking at runs longer tho..  :-)  thanks for the link, ossifer.

[hbliam]

i hope the one i am looking at runs longer tho.. 

doh! Yep, I would think that may be important to you.

[bryant8]

Check out Tacomaworld.com too

Lots of Gen 1 Tacoma owners on there with some good info

[Rameses]

I have a 2001 with the 2.7L.

It's not gonna win many drag races, but that's not why I bought mine and I doubt that's what you're looking for in one either.

I love the gas mileage I get out of it and I've never needed more power out of it.  I might've wanted a few more horses out of it a couple of times, but I'd never say I actually needed it.

It cruises at fast highway speeds with 2 bikes in the back with no problem at all.  Same goes for towing a 12' enclosed trailer loaded with furniture the last time I moved.

The only time I've wanted more power from it was on seriously steep mountain roads.

I bought mine with about 90k on the clock and and it just turned 124 recently.  Not a single problem out of it.  I had to buy a new battery for it when I bought it, and since then have only changed the oil and put gas in it.

[jsd2]

i had a 96 Tacoma with a 4 cylinder and a 2001 with a 6 cylinder.  Both were 5 speed transmissions.  I had zero problems with either and got rid of both just short of 200,000 miles.  Both were still running great when I got rid of them.  I did prefer the 6 cylinder engine better.  With the 4 cylinder there is a lot more down shifting especially if you drive were there is hills/mountains.  Gas mileage was similar unless you had them loaded up and then the 6 cylinder actually got better gas mileage.  Both of my trucks had caps on them and as a pretty avid whitewater kayaker I often had kayaks on the roof rack.  The 6 cylinder got better gas mileage when I was loaded with boats on the rood and the the 4 banger was always working harder.  If the truck has a solid frame those trucks are great trucks.   

Good luck,

Jim

[ducatiz]

i had a 96 Tacoma with a 4 cylinder and a 2001 with a 6 cylinder.  Both were 5 speed transmissions.  I had zero problems with either and got rid of both just short of 200,000 miles.  Both were still running great when I got rid of them.  I did prefer the 6 cylinder engine better.  With the 4 cylinder there is a lot more down shifting especially if you drive were there is hills/mountains.  Gas mileage was similar unless you had them loaded up and then the 6 cylinder actually got better gas mileage.  Both of my trucks had caps on them and as a pretty avid whitewater kayaker I often had kayaks on the roof rack.  The 6 cylinder got better gas mileage when I was loaded with boats on the rood and the the 4 banger was always working harder.  If the truck has a solid frame those trucks are great trucks.   

Good luck,

Jim

interesting insights, esp the mileage.  reports on mileage show the 4cyl getting as much as 20% better mileage in regular use.  i can see how the loaded mileage would be different though.

i am pretty set on the 4 cyl, unless an amazing deal on a 6 comes along.  l

[jsd2]

Maybe on flat road unloaded the 4 banger got a couple miles to the gallon better than the 6 but no way 20%.  Both trucks were great so whether you end up with the 4 or 6 cylinder doesn't really matter.  You should be good with either engine. 

Jim

[DRKWNG]

Any news Iz?

[ducatiz]

You're so sweet.

Lost the truck, someone else got it. 

Still looking.  Too bad too, this one was perfect in almost every cosmetic way.  :-(

[DRKWNG]

You're so sweet.

Thought that was our secret!

Lost the truck, someone else got it. 

Still looking.  Too bad too, this one was perfect in almost every cosmetic way.  :-(

That sucks.