The V6 2GR-FKS -at least it's not a pig!

It’s not just Toyota/Lexus thing. GM and Ford do the same thing to their trucks, not sure about dodge though.

4.0 in my ranger was de tuned to 207 hp, whereas same engine in mustang made like 240 hp.

I honestly have no complaints regarding power of the 3.5

 

Eh, don’t really agree with the first post. I’ve put 14k on mine and while it will roll down the road fine, the motor overall is mediocre at best. I naturally rev everything way up (it’s just how I drive) and I’m not a fan that no power kicks in until 3500 rpm. It makes it to where decent passing on the highway requires 3rd. Not that I’m scared to rev the motor, but it’s just annoying having to rev match all the way down to 3rd to have any decent pickup for passing.

What really makes it noticeable though is comparing with other trucks. If I hadn’t come from a 4.0 Frontier, I probably wouldn’t think much about it. The Frontier just blows the Taco 3.5 away so it made it hard to accept the trade, but I did it anyways for other reasons.

As for “standing the test of time,” I don’t know that it’s really done so all that spectacularly. The timing cover leaks, coolant pipe leaks, and exhaust valve issues are a teensy bit discouraging. Just have to hope the statistics are on your side and that you’ll be lucky and miss all 3. I’m not particularly concerned about them but they do exist, pop up semi regularly and are very real issues for those that experience them.

I like the truck but the motor could have been way better than it is. It was simply the easy route for Toyota to take which is why they used it. I don’t regret buying the truck, but I don’t know why we have to pretend the engine is so awesome when it isn’t really. It’s ok to see flaws in products our money purchased and not pretend things are way better than they are.

 

I don’t think it’s for reliability at all, I think it’s for emissions garbage. Make it act like a slug and it will get better emissions.

 

That’s not what I always heard and read. It also makes sense to me, trucks carry loads and tow. Don’t wanna be using your engine at absolute max capacity, if that makes sense to you.

 

I guess, but if that were the case then one could assume the aftermarket tunes have effectively made our motor less reliable by doing to them what we wish the factory did.

I’ve driven plenty of trucks with vastly better stock-tuned motors (in fact pretty much every truck I’ve driven had a plenty responsive tune - way better than stock on the Tacoma) and they aren’t all falling apart. The Tacoma is the only one I’ve gotten behind the wheel of and said to myself “seriously?” when I hit the gas and saw how it responds.

 

I get what you are saying, but the lexus 2gr is literally an entirely different feeling motor. Except it isnt very different. And its older than the 2gr-fks.

So to break it down:
-revs quicker and more freely and more smoothly
-makes 30 more hp
-makes 30 more torque

But we are just accepting it as "well truck motors are more dependable" which I dont believe compared to the lexus version. I do believe that it is a cost saving measure as my taco was 32k new in 2015 and the Lex was 55k in 2013. My taco has left me stranded twice and the lexus never did. Obviously that last one is a small sample but has happened.

 

I thought about it too but if you look at 3.5 Camry hp/tq numbers they are still higher then any performance tune for the taco.

Also, the engine runs smoother with a tune. No power surge at 3500 RPMs. I am running 94 E0 though.

I’m keeping this truck for 15-20 years so time will tell!

 

Well Lexus 2GR is tuned for premium gas I think that’s the difference you are feeling. I’m using 94 E0 (tuned for it) and it’s pretty smooth if you ask me.

 

Went to pick up my wife's xmas gift yesterday. Was buzzing along the Long Island Expressway at 90 mph. Think the tach said 2100/2200 rpms. I was happy .

 

I like the 3200 I do 90 at.

 

These types threads are why I can’t seem to stay out of the 3rd Gen forum.

 

I came from a Frontier too and that 4.0 was a tank lol. Definitely had some getty up.

 

I LOVE the 2gr-fe so much that it’s in my mr2. LOL.
I don’t own an fks powered Tacoma. But i work on them all the time. They’re reliable. The power band is just funky for a truck.

 

Tacoma vs RX350.
Me: Is this the same engine?

It’s all in the gearing and rpm.
You have to run the 2GR-FKS high in the RPM range to get a good comparison.
The problem is, most people never make it that far up in the range.

 

Believe it or not those were only rated at 245 hp. The Dakota could be had with a manual trans and a 3.92 posi it was a fun truck, but slow by today's standards. We're spoiled now.

 

I have to agree, if you put that fks where it makes its power it's strong and rev happy. People just don't like to rev truck motors.

 

But nearly 350 ft lbs of torque. Not fast but should beat a Tacoma. Not to mention the Dakota was lighter than a Tacoma.

 

Yes but the torque.

 

https://youtu.be/qo-6b2IUGII

 

Merp…

Aiight, I’m bored, so I’ll drop my nonsense in this bitch basket.

Did we all forget what we bought the damn truck for? I mean, you bought it, you should be complaining to yourself if you’re not happy with it.

It’s a truck. Not a race car, not something with a Hemi, not forced inducted. If you wanted power to begin with, well you’re in the wrong playing field the moment you left the lot.

For those (like myself) who’s had tacomas in the past, and which the truck suites the needs - it’s pretty darn good.

The moment we modify them with larger tires, lifts and other nonsense, we take away what they were specifically designed for from the factory - however, there’s hope!

Gears/tune.

I knew what I was gonna do before I left the lot, so I left the lot with an SR5. The price difference from an SR5 to an offroad (back in December 2016 that was the only option to have a locker) was the amount I could use to lift, throw tires, and do my diffs. I didn’t need fancy shit like Apple CarPlay or side mirror blinkers (half the population don’t use blinkers to begin with).

I’m honestly very very happy with my OTT tuned, 4.88 taco on 35s. It’s far from a pig.

If you don’t like your truck, sell it and pony up the $$ to buy something else - or modify what you got.


The part I don’t understand is how some of you buy a Toyota Tercel, and complain that it ain’t a Toyota Supra.

I’ve driven 22r’s, 22re’s, 3.slows, 3.4 n/a and 3.4 supercharged witha 7th injector (holy moly that was a fun truck), and 4.0’s. Every single one of them I had a gripe about something, but it always got the damn job done

“I wIsH iT hAD pOwEr LiKe A hEmI dUrAnGo”

show me a Hemi Durango offroading how WarFab Armor offroads his Tacoma then I’ll change my mind (sorry to bring you into this buddy)