Surprisingly, there isn’t much information out there about the best truck engines coming from Toyota. We spent some time browsing through the record to find and organize the list below. Our criteria was to find Toyota engines that fit trucks and SUVs that also have some critical acclaim from experts we found across the web. Make comments if you’d like to see one not on this list!
1985-1995 Toyota 22RE (Tacoma, Tundra, SUVs)
The sole non-American engine on the list, the Toyota 22RE, earns its place for being a tough, spunky workhorse that helped build Toyota’s reputation for building nearly indestructible trucks.
Tracing its ancestry as far back as 1953, the 22RE as we know it today got its start in 1981 with the carbureted 22R in 1981. Fuel injection was added in 1982, raising output slightly. A major update in 1985 included a switch to a single-row timing chain and a new block, cylinder head, and piston design. The only major issue with this engine was the stretching of the timing chain on higher-mileage engines, which can damage the factory plastic chain guide and cause drivability issues. Replacement steel chain guide kits are readily available to remedy this issue for a reasonable cost.
A turbocharged version of the engine was briefly offered prior to the introduction of Toyota’s 3.0L V-6 on the trucks and 4Runner SUVs.
2002-Present Toyota GR 3.5L V6 (Toyota Tacoma)
We agree, the Toyota Tacoma hasn’t been the most successful truck and sales remain much lower than the other biggies of Detroit. But that said, this has been one of the most reliable engines to come out of the stable of Toyota, and the V6 currently makes 278 horses and 265 ft-lb of torque.
It’s a dependability winner and has been for long, simply because whatever wrong that the truck can do, the engine remains angelically strong. Currently, the engine boasts 60-degree die-cast aluminum blocks and cylinder heads for less weight and more durability.
Toyota 3UR-FE (2020 Toyota Tundra)
With the release of the all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra pickup imminent, it looks like Toyota’s next generation full size pickup will be packing some much needed new powertrain options, including potentially both twin turbocharged V6 and hybrid power.
Since 2007, Toyota has delivered the Tundra full size pickup with an i-FORCE 5.7-liter DOHC V8 engine. This plant produces 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, and it’s paired to a six-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive.
The 5.7-liter i-FORCE engine has been in service so long because it’s incredibly reliable. This engine also gives the 2020 Toyota Tundra towing capacity up to 10,200 pounds, and payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. Be sure to specify the tow package, because this adds engine and transmission oil coolers. The Tundra returns 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.
Toyota’s Original F Engine (Land Cruiser)
3.9-liter, inline 6, with carburetor
Fast Facts (Stock Engine)
- Production years: 1955-1974
- Horsepower: up to 125 hp @ 3,600 rpm
- Torque: up to 209 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm
- Carburetor
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: three-speed or four-speed manual
- Great for: Off-roading, weekend drives, and vintage feel
The original F engine powered its way onto the scene in November of 1955. It boasted 23% more horsepower than previous Land Cruiser engines and quickly became known for its ability to generate high torque at lower rpms — an advantage many of our clients appreciate out on the trail.
One of the things you can’t help but notice about this engine is its large cast-iron block — just one of the reasons these engines were thought to be nearly indestructible. Some even claimed that Toyota’s F engine would run for 500,000 to 600,000 miles before finally calling it quits. And we believe it!
Like many other classic engines, the F uses a carburetor to deliver fuel into its cylinders. The great thing about a carburetor-based system is that it keeps things simple and doesn’t cost as much to install as modern fuel injection systems. The carb-based systems are less powerful and less efficient, but for those seeking a stock setup, you can’t get more authentic than the original.
Best for the below models:
Toyota’s 2F Engine (Land Cruiser)
4.2-liter, inline 6, with carburetor
Fast Facts (Stock Engine)
- Production years: 1975-1988
- Horsepower: up to 135 hp @ 3,600 rpm
- Torque: up to 217 lb-ft of torque @ 1,800 rpm
- Carburetor or EFI Carburetor, Carburetor, (EFI is available through The FJ Company)
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: 4-speed manual or 5-speed manual
- Great for: Off-roading, driving around town, highway driving (with the 5-speed).
Over its nearly 20-year production period, the original F engine saw many improvements. It seemed to only to get better over time. Yet, it was also morphing into something else – the larger and more powerful 2F.
The 2F engine was first installed on the newly developed FJ56V – and other models followed. This was an engine that would give Toyota’s larger 4×4’s a much-needed boost in horsepower, and it arrived just in time to power up the FJ45 troopy, which debuted in Australia in the mid-seventies.
Look closely at this engine and you’ll notice that the steel fan of the original F engine has been replaced with a plastic fan, but the cast-iron block is still present. However, while the 2F engine is bigger than the F, it’s also more efficient and its parts are more readily available and easy to replace.
2F Upgrade Available!
The stock Toyota 2F engine was equipped with a carburetor. However, if you’re restoring your Land Cruiser with us, you can always opt for the Electronic Fuel Injection System from Haltech.
With the Haltech Platinum Sprint 500, you’ll have the programmable fuel injection, which is said to increase efficiency and performance 10% to 15% on a Toyota 2F engine. Apart from that, you’ll experience better performance in high altitudes and challenging road conditions.
Best for the below models:
FJ40, FJ45 Troopy, FJ60
Toyota’s 1FZ Engine (Land Cruiser)
4.5-liter DOHC, 24-valve inline 6, with Haltech Electronic Fuel Injection
Fast Facts
- Production years: 1993-1997 (US market)
- Horsepower: up to 212 hp
- Torque: up to 275 lb-ft of torque @ 3,200 RPM
- Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Transmission: Five-speed manual or automatic
- Great for: Off-roading, everyday driving, and modern feel
The Toyota 1FZ is made its U.S. debut under the hood of the Land Cruiser 80 series. Like the F-series engines that came before, it has the cast iron engine block, and carries on Toyota’s tradition of extreme durability and reliability. It is one of Toyota’s biggest inline 6 engines.
A Haltech EFI Powerplay
The stock 1FZ engine was equipped with a Fuel Injection System from Toyota. However, at The FJ Company, you get an Electronic Fuel Injection System (EFI) from Haltech – making this engine/EFI combination a popular choice for those who want the kind of confidence a modern powertrain inspires – on the road or on the trail.
Many of our Land Cruisers were not equipped with this engine originally. However, it’s more powerful and efficient than many of the other engines we offer. And, you have a choice between a 5-speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission with this one (and we know some of you really want that automatic). Now you can indulge in the classic good looks of our of our early Land Cruisers, with all of the capability and convenience of a modern powertrain.
Honorable Mentions
As you can see there, are a few engines missing from this list: the diesel-powered H series and B series engines that were popular overseas, the 3F, and countless others that came on the scene later on. While we may not have highlighted them here, our team has worked on other builds that featured these engines — just check out this BJ46 Land Cruiser project and others from the Land Cruiser 60 series and 70 series. As you long as your preferred engine stays true to the heritage of the classic Land Cruiser, and is compatible with the build you’ve chosen, we’re game.
1GD-FTV Diesel (Land Cruiser)
One of Toyota’s newest engines, the 1GD-FTV is a super-efficient 4-cylinder 2.8L diesel engine. Producing 174-horsepower and 330 ft-lb of torque, you can find the 1GD-FTV on Toyota Hilux trucks and Land Cruiser Prado SUVs. The 1GD replaces the 1KD, producing 25% more torque while also being 15% more fuel-efficient. With the use of selective catalytic reduction (SCR), NOx emissions are reduced by 99%. The 1GD-FTV is arguably the most advanced diesel engine available.
Toyota 2H 4.0L 6 Cylinder (Land Cruiser)
The Toyota 2H is a 4.0 L (3,980 cc, 242.9 cu·in) six cylinders, four-stroke cycle water-cooled naturally aspirated internal combustion diesel engine, from the Toyota H-family, manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation.
The 2H diesel engine has a cast-iron cylinder block with 91.0 mm (3.58 in) cylinder bores and a 102.0 mm (4.02 in) piston stroke. Compression ratio rating is 20.7:1. The motor has a cast iron cylinder head with the overhead valves (2 per cylinder, 12 in total).
The Toyota 2H engine produced 105 PS (77 kW; 103 HP) at 3,500 rpm or 109 PS (80 kW; 107 HP) at 3,500 rpm of maximum horsepower and 240 N·m (24.5 kg·m, 176.9 ft·lb) at 2,000 rpm of peak torque.
The breakdown of the engine code is as follows:
- 2 – 2-nd generation engine
- H – Engine family
Source: engine-specs.net
