Hello all,

I am looking at some '98-00 2.7/automatic Pre Runners locally because I want a more fuel efficient tow vehicle for 3,500 - 4,000 lbs. Have a Dodge Ram that will pull more than I need (5,500#) and it gets 13 lousy mpg, not to mention it has lousy maneuverability.

How much has anyone safely towed with a 2.7 2wd auto Pre Runner? I am fixated on the Pre Runners because it is the only one with the 2.7 (base models get the 2.4) and I assume it'll tow more than the 2.4, though the 31" tires may cancel that out. I may also consider gearing, brake, and suspension upgrades to further stretch the towing capacity, but I'd like to know what people have towed "out of the box."

Basically I'm looking for 20 mpg unloaded in heavy city traffic and a minimum of 3,500 lbs of towing capacity. The Chevy Colorado 2800 Vortec I-4/ automatic/2wd almost fits that bill, with 18 mpg city and 3400# towing, but being fairly new I haven't found one near what I want to pay (<$6000).

Any v6 mini-truck would obviously be better for towing, but that's gonna cut into my MPG savings. I gotta get at least 7 mpg more to make a noticeable dent in my monthly gas bills. Most v6 mini trucks at 15-16 mpg city would only save me like $45 a month -- not worth it for the hassle of changing out used vehicles again -- but 20 mpg saves me $100.

Also, if I were to make this move, at a minimum I'd want to install a big tranny cooler with an electric fan and route a pre-cooler temp gauge to the A-pillar. Does the 4-speed auto behind the 2.7 of these years have a handy port to plumb a temp sender in (like the GM 4L60E) or should I just plumb it into the cooler input hose?

3,500 pounds is the absolute limit of what that truck can handle and if you tow 3,500-4,000 pounds frequently you are probably going to fry the transmission.
If gas milage is such a concern, I strongly suggest getting one with a 5-speed, even if that means not getting a PreRunner.
I personally wouldnt be fixated on the 2.7L because it was only a difference of about 10 hp. Not to mention that a base model is going to get better milage because it has different gearing, sits lower to the ground (less aerodynamic drag) and has small tires (less unsprung weight).
With a base model 5-speed Tacoma you should be getting 23-25 mpg.
I most definetly would not buy a Colorado. Everyone I know who has owned a Colorado has had nothing but problems with it. IMO, that truck is a cheaply-made POS.

Of course - that's why I would go with the a biggest/best tranny cooler I could get and a temp gauge to keep an eye on impending doom. And of course do a fluid/filter change.

Right now I HAVE a 5-speed, V-8 powered truck. No cruise control -- annoying on a long highway drive -- which will be many of my tows. Plus, I already shift as much as I want to with 300 lbs-ft @ 3200 rpm, and with an I-4 I'd be shifting a whole lot more. No thanks.

00 2.7: 150 hp @ 4800 rpm, 177 lbs-ft @ 4000 rpm
00 2.4: 142 hp @ 5000 rpm, 160 lbs-ft @ 4000 rpm
HP is not as important as TQ in this situation. That said, maybe 17 lbs-ft at the same RPM is not a huge difference, especially when considering the 31" tires.

Were they 1st-year models? ANY first year anything will have problems. FWIW, everything from GM I think in 07 and beyond had 5 year/100k warranties, so that at least defrays the problems. However, as a former GM owner, "no comment" on how their warranty customer service ACTUALLY works out....

All of the Colorados Im talking about are '06s and '07s and the problems were mostly electrical. My ex-girlfriend had an '05 Colorado and the motor blew up at about 20,000 miles. GM wouldnt really do anything to cover it under warranty either. They pretty much told her that it was her fault it blew up.
Last year, GM issued a recall for the I-5 engine in that they said the valve seats could wear and could cause the engine to fail, which is exactly what happened to her engine. She contacted GM about them reimbursing her what it cost her to get the engine rebuilt (I think it cost her at least $2,000) and she was told that since she no longer owned the truck, that she would not be reimbursed.
Thats yet another reason why I would never own any GM products. Stick with Toyota. Its a quality product and the company does a lot to stand behind the product and treat their customers right.