"Yoda' '08 4Runner

[NTIman]

The 3.5 liter D4S engines are trash. Along with the rest of what they're paired to in the Tacoma. Those engines are notorious for valve seat failure. Toyota really managed to fuck them up when they brought out the 3rd generation.

BUT. The 3.5 liters also suck in the Highlanders, Camrys, Avalons, and Siennas. And don't get me started on Toyotas new 8-speed transmission. 

I swear I'm pretty sure that after the collapse of GM and Chrysler during the Great Recession, Toyota scooped up their "finest" engineers, because our quality has gone to the shitter, and problems that used to be fixed nearly immediately go unresolved for years now.

Tell me more about the 3.5 and 8AT combo. I liked it in the Camry TRD but was infuriated by the transmission's programming in what is supposed to be a vaguely sporty car.

They slip. They lock up completely. We had one two weeks ago that would randomly go into TC lockup while idling and shut the engine off. They leak from the side cover. These problems can happen even in an extremely low mileage car.

On the other hand, I did have a lot of fun rolling in neutral down a hill from the dealer next door hoping that I could make it into the shop. I didn't.

And yeah, the valve seats just randomly drop and cause a misfire. They also had a problem with cam towers that were machined wrong and leaked from the top of the valve covers. They also leak from the front cover (where ever other GR family engine leaks from). Early on the engines would just cut off due to a faulty crankposition sensor.

In the last four years I've done more repairs on Tacomas than I had in the previous 10.

And do the 5100s with the adjustable perch in the front. It's a great set up. I want to do the same thing on my Tacoma.