First time I've seen Toyota confirm a 6th gen offering

[wfo9]

At least they say they are working on it. That is news. I have a feeling it will be a long wait.

Toyota to Update Body-on-Frame Models, Considers Hybrid Truck - Motor Trend


Toyota's future: Lots of trucks and SUVs

To continue to be able to address that, we have to work on upgrades. Let’s face it, the competition is getting stronger and stronger. Things like the [Ford] Ranger coming back. We have to be able to address that. Now, the Tacoma was completely redone. But 4Runner, Sequoia, Tundra…those are being worked on as we speak.

 

[Jetboy]

I think it's easy to extrapolate that to mean there's new more powerful engines coming. You can't seriously change the frame or suspension designs. The interior/exterior probably will get updates. But the competition I think they should be very concerned about is a Ranger with a 2.7 ecoboost. Tacoma's sales are legitimately in trouble if that happens. The GM twins were an also-ran. Not a serious contender. The Ranger might shake things up a bit more.

 

[JSparky]

I agree, pretty cool news. If Jeep materializes their Africa concept (solid bodied wrangler with increased interior cargo volume) in the new wrangler I imagine that will give the 4Runner a run for its money too. I heard Jeep has confirmed a full time 4wd option in the new wrangler as well. New Defender and Bronco are around the corner, Bronco more speculation at this point that anything though.

Edit: Just checked, Ford has confirmed a new Bronco.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a31079/new-ford-bronco-ranger-details/

 

[randomguy]

Ecoboost is going to make the 2GR-FKS look like even more of a giant dog terd than it already is.

Toyota needs boost and diesel if it wants to stay competitive with the average buyer. Those of us who appreciate quality and reliability are the minority as evidenced by how many Jeep Grand Cherokees and Ford Explorers sell each year.

 

[007Tacoma]

I know the LC's primary market is not the USA, but I found it interesting he didn't mention it still. I would love to even have a Prado or full LC100 bodied diesel... Sadly, I think my hopes of a Turbo Diesel Toyota truck are never going to come to fruition...

 

[Steel28]

If 2019 t4R is getting 3.5L Tacoma engine we better hold on to our rigs.

 

[Brandon H]

If 2019 t4R is getting 3.5L Tacoma engine we better hold on to our rigs.

Agreed. I drove one before I bought my $Runner, and I WASNT impressed at all. Be thankful we have the 4.0 Dual VVTI motor

 

[Ryan1975]

I know the LC's primary market is not the USA, but I found it interesting he didn't mention it still. I would love to even have a Prado or full LC100 bodied diesel... Sadly, I think my hopes of a Turbo Diesel Toyota truck are never going to come to fruition...

I saw a post from Toyota of Gibraltar today on Facebook and I wanted to scream lol

 

[Quentin]

There is talk of an all new TNGA body on frame platform for the 4Runner and Tacoma. There is also talk about the 4Runner being localized to the Mexico plant that was supposed to eventually build the Corolla.

I don't think the 2GR-FKS would be bad if it had an 8 speed behind it and the weight would come down by 300lbs. The 6AT has a lot more to do with the way the new Tacoma accelerates. You see the speedometer go up, but you don't feel it.

 

[83Mule]

My new 4Runner will have a Body on frame, selectable lockers, a 4.0 with 300 hp and more torque, 6 speed, or.....3.0 Turbo Diesel. It will have aluminum doors, hatch and hood with steel body and will come it a no frills version for Off-Roading with increased travel and lift. It will fit a 33'' tire with no mods, and have better approach angles without the bulbous nose and tail plastic...........:jump:

 

[randomguy]

There is talk of an all new TNGA body on frame platform for the 4Runner and Tacoma. There is also talk about the 4Runner being localized to the Mexico plant that was supposed to eventually build the Corolla.

I don't think the 2GR-FKS would be bad if it had an 8 speed behind it and the weight would come down by 300lbs. The 6AT has a lot more to do with the way the new Tacoma accelerates. You see the speedometer go up, but you don't feel it.

MT makes up for the horrible torque curve but in the end the 1GR-FE is a better truck engine even if it does make less HP the torque comes on way sooner.

 

[6172crew]

MT makes up for the horrible torque curve but in the end the 1GR-FE is a better truck engine even if it does make less HP the torque comes on way sooner.

I traded my MT 2017 taco for my 4runner. The gear ratio of the MT is horrible, the power comes on (limited by ECU) around 3200rpm but if you shift from 1st to 2nd at 4000rpm it will put you back to 2800rpm. You end up waiting for a few moments before youre back into the power and if you look at your instanat mileage you are around 10mpg. owned it up until 6300 miles, drove it from OR to NM and NM to TX and with my 300lbs bike in the back I was averaging 15-15.5 mpg with my TRD sport with all the options, heated seats, power rear window, moonroof, 4x4, climate control etc.

Just couldn't take it anymore. I even added a power pedal commander deal and it still needed lower gears and about 100ft lbs or torque. The torque was so linear it felt like driving the corolla I rented a few days ago. Horrible setup for a truck.

 

[Gecko]

MT makes up for the horrible torque curve but in the end the 1GR-FE is a better truck engine even if it does make less HP the torque comes on way sooner.

I wouldn't really call 200 rpm "way sooner." I drove a Tacoma over two days last weekend and I can tell you in an instant that I'd rather have that power plant than ours.

Why? Mostly the 6AT. That simple upgrade makes a world of difference.

Posted elsewhere, but here are my thoughts on the 2GR-FKS/Tacoma:

For the most part, this powertrain feels 80% like the 1GR-FE with a few notable differences:
- It shifts much faster and much smoother - I'm not talking about more often because of the 6AT, but the actual shifting action is notably faster and smoother.

- The truck moves off the line better for sure. Those of you who are worried about this being a "high revving engine that has no torque" are wrong. The peak torque arriving 200RPM later isn't discernible in every day driving and the shorter gear ratios help significantly with stop and go driving.

- The 2GR-FKS is noticeably faster at the top end (AND NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF TORQUE ON THE LOW END). Accelerating on the highway is easier with the extra gear and different tuning. You no longer have to wait for your turn to pass - this engine will jump out there and snap through gears much faster.

Two negatives: The Tacoma has a lot less sound deadening than the 4R, so the entire experience is a little lower rent - more road noise for sure.

The Tacoma interior is pretty cheap and there's no way I'd go out of a 4R into a Tacoma just because the 4R feels like an overall vastly superior product with overall quality, fit and finish, interior appointments, etc.

Disclaimer: This Tacoma was ~300lbs lighter than my Limited 4x4 4R so the weight might have accounted for some of the brisker acceleration, but I don't think that's a significant number.

Summary: We'd be pretty lucky to have this motor in the 4Runner. It doesn't apply to me now because I'm keeping mine for a long time to come, but if Toyota does decide to drop this power plant into the 4R, I don't think any of us have anything to worry about. It would be a welcome upgrade for every day drivability. With that said, all new Toyotas are getting Dynamic Force engines so I have a feeling that a next generation 4Runner would get a completely different motor all together, and probably an 8AT at least.

 

[Jetboy]

I don't know if the learning functions take time - but I just spent a week in a crew cab '16 tacoma on 34's with a fairly good load blasting around southern Utah. I had no issue at all with the power delivery or highway power. Stock axle gearing and and the 6AT. I thought it was much smoother engine at higher rpms - which is how it's designed to be a free revving motor. The tune could use help to keep it in a lower gear longer - something like a sport mode, but the engine is adequate. In an IS350 it feels great. In the RX it's really peppy. In a Taco the tune waters it down a bunch, not sure why. It's a great base engine. It just needs a bigger optional one for folks who want a bit more. With an 8AT - I'll take it without hesitation over our current 4.0L 5AT. It may be the extra cog in the transmission, but it handles larger tires much better.

 

[phillyd2]

I know the LC's primary market is not the USA, but I found it interesting he didn't mention it still. I would love to even have a Prado or full LC100 bodied diesel... Sadly, I think my hopes of a Turbo Diesel Toyota truck are never going to come to fruition...

Having driven them around the world you can correctly assume that they are that awesome. I would drop my 4R like a cheap French whore if they were ever available here.