Engine /Transmission woefully outdated!

[00Sebby]

I guess I'm getting old, but saying a DOHC, Dual VVT-i, aluminum block V6 is outdated makes me chuckle.

For example, from the wiki on this engine: "This engine features Dual VVT-i, output to 270 hp (201 kW) at 5600 rpm and 278 lb⋅ft (377 N⋅m) at 4400 rpm on 87 octane. Inside, the 1GR uses a "taper-squish" combustion chamber design with matching pistons to improve anti-knocking and engine performance, while also improving intake and fuel efficiency. Toyota adopted a siamese-type intake port, which reduces the surface area of the port walls and prevents fuel from adhering to such walls. This engine has special cast-iron cylinder liners cast into the block, which are a spiny type to improve adhesion between the liner and cylinder block. For increased block rigidity, the 1GR also receives a high temperature plastic insulator/protector, which fills the empty space between the outer portion of the cylinders and block material common to open deck engines. For increased cooling efficiency, the 1GR employs water passages between the bores of the engine. There are two such passages for each bank for a total of four. This reduces cylinder hot-spotting and keeps combustion chamber temperatures more uniform."

While I agree the performance of the Ecotec engines is impressive, I hate turbos and their power delivery compared to naturally aspirated engines. My GTI is tolerable but I have found the other turbo cars I've owned and driven very disappointing.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

I would have to ask my friend with a Prado 150 to see if he can pull that data to compare. However I've heard nothing to that effect anecdotally.

Gotcha. Yea, that would seem like a reasonable upgrade to me.

 

[cgalloni]

Maybe why they dropped the 3.5 liter 2GR-FKS + 6-speed in the new taco first?

Coming from a Tacoma TRD OR 2016 . I can assure you that new isn't always good. That 3.5L engine and transmission combo was awful. I had the truck for 2 years and after having an issue with the rear differential leaking which toyota didn't want to fix i just got tired of the truck and traded it for a 4runner TRD OR. The tranny kept hunting gears and you have to push that pedal down in order to get that truck moving. Best decision i've ever made was to get rid of it. I don't need 10 speeds on a transmission if the truck is going to drive awful, I rather have less gears and slightly worse MPG but have a great driving experience and solid rig

 

[JNorth]

I agree with [MENTION=42864]KP Texan[/MENTION].

I was so close to buying a 2.7 ecoboost F150.. I spent two days driving it at different dealerships, while the engine is nice the mpg isn't what they say. I read once and had conversation with other ecoboost owners that it is either "Eco" or "boost"... Think about that-- you either can get pretty decent mileage but when you need some power it sucks the gas just like any other rig.

My fiancé and I went over to the Toyota dealership on MLK day and test drove an SR5 Premium and both immediately loved the vehicle. I am not going to list all the great things about it but the reliable heritage of Toyota and particularly the 4runner is amazing. Outdated yes, but it is simple and it works.

Car people might not like what I am going to say next but it is true...generally speaking a vehicle is one of the worst investments one can make. BUT Toyota or 4runner is one of the best worst investments one can make with their resale and longevity. By definition of investment Toyota or 4runner is the closest thing (this isn't literal it is just a abstract way of thinking).

 

[jrandom]

Coming from a Tacoma TRD OR 2016 . I can assure you that new isn't always good. That 3.5L engine and transmission combo was awful. I had the truck for 2 years and after having an issue with the rear differential leaking which toyota didn't want to fix i just got tired of the truck and traded it for a 4runner TRD OR. The tranny kept hunting gears and you have to push that pedal down in order to get that truck moving. Best decision i've ever made was to get rid of it. I don't need 10 speeds on a transmission if the truck is going to drive awful, I rather have less gears and slightly worse MPG but have a great driving experience and solid rig

No need to assure me. It's why I implied they may have done what they did the way they did it.

I am pretty happy with the current setup, although I think there is too much electrical... I mean, I drove a 89' Hilux with a 22re and manual 5-speed no power anything for over 20 years, I was in heaven when I got a 9 year old 3rd gen SR5, this 5th gen as chunky and ancient as it is, is bliss :biggrin1:

 

[vondy21]

Coming from a Tacoma TRD OR 2016 . I can assure you that new isn't always good. That 3.5L engine and transmission combo was awful. I had the truck for 2 years and after having an issue with the rear differential leaking which toyota didn't want to fix i just got tired of the truck and traded it for a 4runner TRD OR. The tranny kept hunting gears and you have to push that pedal down in order to get that truck moving. Best decision i've ever made was to get rid of it. I don't need 10 speeds on a transmission if the truck is going to drive awful, I rather have less gears and slightly worse MPG but have a great driving experience and solid rig

Same here, drove my 2016 Taco for a year before trading in for the T4R. Couldn't stand the engine/trans combo.

Not that I think high speed transmissions are bad, I've driven several 8 speeds that are buttery smooth and always in the right gear. It's more about combining the proper transmission with engine and programing. The Taco just didn't get it right.

They could just offer a diesel with an 8 speed and I think there would be a lot of happy campers here.

 

[Antman]

I love this engine. Sounds like a diesel at idle, which I love. Plenty of power if you are realistic and know where to find it.

Not only do I tow my boat practically weekly, I towed all kinds of stuff this summer- open trailers full of gravel, rocks, sand, yard debris. Enclosed trailers full of furniture, trash...everything- I'm sure over the 5000# limit at times. I kept the tranny in 4th and had zero trouble merging, passing, or just plain moving along. Just no issues.

Fast? No, but I completely destroyed a dude in a buzz-bomb Civic trying to merge into my lane from a red light. His face was priceless in the rearview (I even put the flashers on after I beat him like the ricers do, lol).

Tranny is fine too. I like the way it downshifts as you decelerate, and the shifts change to nice and firm when it's in 4WLO. You can run this thing ALL DAY on the trail at 5 mph climbing rocks and chugging through 2' mud holes and it doesn't even get warm. I've done it over and over.

Great engineering. I like it.

 

[muellernautique]

While I agree the performance of the Ecotec engines is impressive, I hate turbos and their power delivery compared to naturally aspirated engines.

the things ford has done with the ecoboost engines are pretty impressive. definitely not something I'd buy, but driving an ecoboost Taurus SHO (fairly similar, some things were changed for fwd and it has a smaller turbo iirc) was something special.

the thing I could never get over is how whiny my grandfather's ecoboost f150 sounds whenever it starts. almost sounds fake to me.

 

[philsey]

"Engine /Transmission woefully outdated".

Woefully??? C'mon man, cut the drama. Trot yourself on over to the Ford dealer, and spare us.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

Your post is useless, I think everyone (almost everyone) understood what they were getting themselves into when they purchased their 4Runner. If you feel like it's that bad then just install a super charger. The off-road capabilities and reliability are the predominant factors that many of us purchased the truck for. By the way the truck is comparable to other competitors in it's class when it comes to acceleration as many forum members have stated here time and time again. Go complain in a Ford forum you may get better responses.

My post isn't useless. I didn't say I hated the 4runner. It's a fun vehicle with great abilities. It doesn't change the fact that Toyota is behind the times with their engines and transmissions. I'd like to see a nice modern engine/transmission combo in the next generation so that we could have better power and fuel economy numbers. You're saying that you wouldn't want more power and better fuel economy?

 

[Redsoxx1918]

It is amazing how outdated it is.... but why would you change when people keep paying for them and there is 0 competition in the segment.

I guess reliability goes a long way with most buyers.

I agree....BUT.... the vast majority of modern engines are extremely reliable. Most of the people I work with drive trucks. Our work parking lot is full of them.....F-150's, Ram trucks, Silverado's........and many of them have between 100K and 200K miles. None of the guys I know have had any major issues.

Like you said.....no competition. The major truck manufacturers are forced to innovate and stay on their game to compete.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

I wonder what it costs to work on a 10-speed auto transmission?

Does it have paddle shifters too? :biggrin1:

Anyway
:snacker:

Maybe Toyota should go back to a three speed column shifter. Less parts than the modern 5 speed.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

OP, may I suggest a Camry?

Yes, you should definitely get a camry.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

I will trade a few mpg to have an engine/tranny combo reliable AF!

So....your logic is that all the modern engines out there that produce more power and much better fuel mileage are unreliable and therefore, there is no need for advancement.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

"Engine /Transmission woefully outdated".

Woefully??? C'mon man, cut the drama. Trot yourself on over to the Ford dealer, and spare us.

My example of the Ford engines was just ONE example. There are modern, advanced, reliable engines from many manufacturers. Why some of you hate to see progress, I cannot understand. Don't take my post as a personal attack. I'm just posting an opinion. Progress is a wonderful thing. We have small turbocharged engines of today that are putting out more horsepower and torque than all the famous muscle cars of the 60's. And they are getting twice the mileage and twice the reliability. I remember when a car was ready for the scrap heap after 100K miles. Today, a well taken care of motor is just good and broken in at that point.

 

[YJIANG]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that remembers the flat-out lies about the fuel consumption.

OP, make sure you factor in the fuel economy of the loaner when it's getting repaired

That's maybe how OP got his number (a loaner Fiesta) :rofl:

 

[Rightside Up]

Yes, you should definitely get a camry.

I'm happy with my 4Runner.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

That's maybe how OP got his number (a loaner Fiesta) :rofl:

Yeah...good one. I don't own a ford. I own a 4runner. Work on your reading comprehension skills.

The fuel economy numbers are just fine. There are always aberrations. There are plenty of people on this forum that are getting way below the posted fuel economy numbers with a stock 4runner. It happens...manufacturing variations.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

I'm happy with my 4Runner.

That's great. I'm happy with mine too. I could also be a lot happier with the next generation if it had over 300hp, a nice 8 speed transmission and perhaps 25 highway MPG. The new Wrangler will offer the pentastar 6, a 2.0 liter turbo and a diesel option. All can be had with an 8 speed auto as well.

 

[PeoplecallmeIan]

That's great. I'm happy with mine too. I could also be a lot happier with the next generation if it had over 300hp, a nice 8 speed transmission and perhaps 25 highway MPG. The new Wrangler will offer the pentastar 6, a 2.0 liter turbo and a diesel option. All can be had with an 8 speed auto as well.

Jeeps are a POS. Worst vehicle I've ever owned. That thing broke every damn time I went off road. Nonetheless, I'd still get a TJ for dedicated rock crawling. But I would never DD a jeep again.