My grandpa has a 2002 Tacoma just like your 04. Gold color trd package. Even used to have a topper! Back in 2016 he pulled off the hiway for a phone call. After he was done he had to merge back in traffic only problem is that he put it in 2 instead of drive so when he mashed the gas while merging wellll you know …..BANG!! He ended up just getting a new motor one from Toyota under warranty. It was under 100,000 miles so they covered it! That truck is doing great today. Nice video two awesome and underrated engines. Edit: holy crap!! My buddy has a 3.4l 96 Tacoma single cab. It’s a nice rig.
That’s awesome they covered it. Yeah a buddy here locally has the 3.4 standard cab with a factory e lock. It’s pretty beat but it freakin goes like hell.
I've had my 99 3.4 since 2010,bought it with 40,000 miles, I now have 322,000 miles and going strong ,a new radiator, a couple starters,alternator, and new injectors 10,000 miles ago,ill never get rid of it!!
i got a 2001 3.4 things mint. trd with the sr5 and prerunner package. 285,000 miles still running very good, just needed a starter to start nice. if you’re looking for a daily driver that’s tough and you can go off the grid with it’s a tacoma.
I’ve got a 1997 4Runner with 280,000 miles on the 2.7 engine. Sold my 2004 VW Touareg with 145,000 miles with all wheel drive, adjustable air suspension with a V8 4.2 engine. The Toyota ALWAYS runs, & uses a lot less gas. The 4Runner wins!
Even all jacked up Compared to the 3.4 the 2.7 is definitely a little better. It doesn’t see that much highway so I am basing it on mountain driving. 18-20 sounds about right. My 3.4 gets around 15 and my old 4.0 was worse
I have a 2.7 liter extended cab 5 speed with a custom stainless steel header and stainless steel exhaust from afe power exhaust system installed and a K&N Air filter system installed And it's a 4+4 six foot bed
Neither are powerful but at least I don’t have to turn my ac off in my 3.4 to go up a hill 😂 mines at 291k miles and still running strong. THAT CAT is like pet me!
@@J_Brian heck yeah 450k is dam impressive, you must take pretty good care of it. I’ve heard the tundras are having some major issues. That sucks yours is giving you problems.
I own a 2001 Pre-runner 2WD, Automatic, 2.7ltr the truck is bullet proof now at 217K with just typical upkeep. Biggest disappointment was the A/C going out but hey, nothing lasts forever except for the 3RZ-FE engine.
Can u swap a 3.4 automatic 2wd in a 2.7 automatic 2WD…… My 01 Tacoma double cab frame went out with a 3.4 with 205k on engine and trans but still runs strong. I found a 01 Tacoma double cab automatic 2wd with absolutely no rust in sight but has a blown 2.7L. Can u swap engines?
Thanks great info I have a 2000 Ext. cab 6 cyl. 138,000 miles as of now will take to my grave with my truck just love it keep up the great work God Bless
I don’t need mine for wheeling or off-roading so I got a 98 sr5 with the 2.4l without 4x4. That motor has less issues than the 2.7 and has better fuel mileage for on road driving. I’m not too interested in jacking it up and slapping huge tires on it so it’s amazing for what I need it for. I mainly use it for hauling shit and daily driving. From all of the research I’ve done and talking to people who know a ton about the mechanics side of things, the 2.4 is the “million mile motor” and is actually the next gen 22re. The 2.7 is a slightly different platform, still a successor to it just like the 2.4 is but the 2.4 has the same reliability but a bit better imo. Plus, the 2.4 doesn’t have the exhaust manifold and valve burning issues the 2.7 has and the head are less known to warp like the 2.7 is known for. The 3.4 is a badass engine. I didn’t want it only for the mileage and what I use mine for I don’t need that extra power.
Thanks for the video! You obviously know a lot about these things. I still do not understand why people who know a lot about internal combustion “engines” refer to them as motors. A motor is electric. Internal combustion is an engine. It’s not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of accuracy. Please consider changing your terminology so that your obvious great knowledge of these things comes off as more legit.
I just bought a 04 Tacoma Prerunner with TRD, it’s rear wheel drive and has a 4 cylinder engine. What would you recommend I do with it. I kind of want the 6 cylinder but I don’t know if that’ll mess up anything
The 4 cylinder prerunner is the 2.7 you get quite a bit better mpg than the 3.4 and 2.7s are phenomenal motors. Toyota’s aren’t really power houses compared to their competitors but that’s part of why they last
@@ff_rusco5967 they don’t gain enough from an intake and header to really justify it but it will give you a little better throttle response and maybe a mpg. Being the 04 you have the individual coil pack motor which is better imo than pre 01 motors. I had a 98 with a header and k&n and my buddy had a stock 03 and he was a little quicker. It’s crazy they rated all of the 2.7s 95.5-04 at 150hp because the 04 will smoke the old 95.5 distributor style 2.7
Looking to buy a first gen and am between the 2.7 and the 3.4 obviously, I think I'm going to go with the 2.7 because it's for fun truck stuff like trails and the odd camping trip, just want something indestructible and I think that's the legendary status of these i4 toyota engines. If I want horsepower I already have a sedan with 448hps in it 😂😂
The better fuel mileage and less maintenance of the 4 cylinder is definitely a pro. 01-04 2.7 with 4 coil packs have a little more scoot than the earlier ones but not really enough to detour you if you found a nice older one but personally would stick to 98+. I’ve never owned a 95-97 but the distributor seems like it could be a little more problematic than the coil pack motors
I have a 97 single cab tocoma and I’m trying to figure out what size diffs it has. I want to put 4:88s in it but I don’t know what size ring gear. How do I figure it out
There’s a code on the door jam. I googled it years ago. It’s not in the vin but a separate 4 digit code. I dig the 488s with 35s on my black one. Was running 38s for a while and she was struggling to pull hills with wrapping 3rd out and couldn’t touch 5th at all
I was looking on marketplace on the East coast and was really surprised how much cheaper they are over there but after seeing pictures of the frame patches and crazy amount of deterioration I realized how bad of a problem it is. Here on the west coast they will get pretty bad if you do a lot of beach diving without washing it off right afterwards but definitely no where near as bad as like you mentioned the salt belt.
My 98 when i got it had a cracked exhaust manifold, previous owner drove it like that for a while to the point of burnt exhaust valves, i pulled head replaced exhaust valves lapped them in and put a header, ran good for a while probably 20k , then had overheat issues ended ip cracks between exhaust valves in head on 2 cylinders , replaced head , was extremely precise on setting valves ( extremely important) been great ever since ,probably have another 50k on it since
I had a cracked header on an old 98 I had years ago and a buddy went through similar issues you did and scared me into not putting off fixing it. Luckily crack was in an easy spot to get to and welded it up. That pickup sold me on how tough Tacoma motors are. I was pretty rough on it, constantly tagging the rev limiter it the sand and mud. Then sold it to a buddy who just beat the hell out of it. I got it back with the front end and transmission shot and pulled 3rd member that my buddy put in (e locker) and sold it for 1500 bucks. It’s still alive and kicking unbelievably. I see it from time to time all beat to hell and kinda feel a little bad. It had scratches when I bought it and even though I put its components through hell I somehow kept the body pretty good looking through the 5-6 years I had it. It was my first nice Toyota I paid 5k (back in 07) with 130k on it. Before all the dam bartering tv shows convinced people that they can trade up and prices started getting ridiculous
That’s impressive. Haven’t seen one in the 500s yet. People around here beat the heck out of them but have seen some well abused ones in the 400s. Toyota definitely builds them tougher than any of their competitors. 🤘
I got a 98 4x4 5speed 3.4L regular cab short bed…. So I have a holy grail I believe? I am commenting for a reason. I’m wanting to do a lift and I also plan to daily drive it. What would you recommend?
@Recking Ball541 what's the difference between the 2.7 and 3.4 frame I want to the 3.4 in my tacoma as I want to be able to pull / haul and run the ac at the same time and not be low on power when I go up hills even without a load in the bed
Same frame. Not 100 percent sure on motor mounting points though. A guy I knew did the swap on a standard cab but passed away a few years back. I think he had to weld in the mounting points from the 3.4 doner.
Thats what I've gathered from what I Googled but wasn't sure just trying to get info from someone that deals with the first gen tacomas thanks for the response
I’m looking for a first truck. U said u had a manual second gen. Given my budget, I can get a nice 3.4 or a high mile 4.0. I’d prefer a manual but what would u recommend. Lookin for a nice ride and can tow a mower or two but still something I could mob in. Thx
As a first pickup I’d look at 95 + t100’s they are tough as heck. But if Tacoma is a must I’d say 3.4 first gen if you prefer a manual. The 4.0’s are definitely sweet but the 6 speed sucks imo. I’m more of a manual guy as well but hated my 06 with the 6 speed and my buddy’s with the auto was an animal compared to mine.
Phenomenal motor as well. I’ve personally never owned one but have been around a few 1 of which is swapped into my bosses little samurai and it’s a dam rocket 🚀
I notice your 2.7 liter has a lift and larger tires. Is the power sluggish as a result? I’m looking for a first gen Tacoma and wondering if the power is a noticeable difference especially if you lift and put larger tires.
It’s got 488 gears so it definitely does a little better than the stock 410 or 356 gears would do. In this video I still had 35s and it did actually pretty dang good. I’m running 38s now and she definitely doesn’t like going against the wind. It’s crazy the places a little standard cab can go stock height with 31s. So If I was to get another one id keep the ifs and throw bilstien 5100s and 32 11.5 tires on it.
