5.2 good/bad?
14 year old thread? I wouldn't hold my breath.
Other than only getting about 16 mpg for highway miles with it, I love it.
I use it to support working around my home and as my personal vehicle.
I haul almost 1 ton loads down the highway keeping up with all the rest of them.
It does tend to squat with those sized loads.
It has the power and traction to do whatever I want it to do.
Although, it does sometimes run a bit short on traction for some of my tasks.
A smaller engine would be cheaper to operate, but wouldn't do the heavier jobs nearly as well.
The 318 is a time proven engine.
I occasionally do need to do some repair/maintenance work, but nowhere as much as I've needed to do for others.
Last edited by 1voyager1; Jun 28, 2021 at 05:08 PM.
I've been driving my "98 318 for about 10 years now with almost 200k miles on it.
Other than only getting about 16 mpg for highway miles with it, I love it.
I use it to support working around my home and as my personal vehicle.
I haul almost 1 ton loads down the highway keeping up with all the rest of them.
It does tend to squat with those sized loads.
It has the power and traction to do whatever I want it to do.
Although, it does sometimes run a bit short on traction for some of my tasks.
A smaller engine would be cheaper to operate, but wouldn't do the heavier jobs nearly as well.
The 318 is a time proven engine.
I occasionally do need to do some repair/maintenance work, but nowhere as much as I've needed to do for others.
Other than only getting about 16 mpg for highway miles with it, I love it.
I use it to support working around my home and as my personal vehicle.
I haul almost 1 ton loads down the highway keeping up with all the rest of them.
It does tend to squat with those sized loads.
It has the power and traction to do whatever I want it to do.
Although, it does sometimes run a bit short on traction for some of my tasks.
A smaller engine would be cheaper to operate, but wouldn't do the heavier jobs nearly as well.
The 318 is a time proven engine.
I occasionally do need to do some repair/maintenance work, but nowhere as much as I've needed to do for others.

From Alaska to Hawaii???? Holy Smokes. That is a MAJOR change of scenery.
(and climate....)
Yeah, I saw it.
But, It's still a valid question and answer concerning the engines available for the Daks, which are no longer made.
My Dak has been more usable and reliable than any Tacoma I've seen around.
Plus, I don't have to compete with all the under 20's to get one.
But, It's still a valid question and answer concerning the engines available for the Daks, which are no longer made.
My Dak has been more usable and reliable than any Tacoma I've seen around.
Plus, I don't have to compete with all the under 20's to get one.
Yeah, I see lots of Daks around in Atlanta, but few are in good condition. I mean 2nd gens as I'm not a fan of what came after. Now and then I do see a stellar one and you can tell the owner loves on it. They can be extremely reliable trucks with basic maintenance, no matter what engine. I just keep my 4.7 filled with synthetic oil and coolant. Biggest job I've ever done was new lifters last year. It's got more miles than any vehicle I've ever owned and it's my daily driver. It feels unstoppable.
Last edited by Dodgevity; Jun 29, 2021 at 07:33 PM.











