Opinions on Toyota 1AR-FE 2.7L engine?

[Elkins45]

This was the 2.7L I4 engine used in the earlier generation Venza and Highlander. Any big issues or things to look out for?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

They are good engines. The 1AR was also used in the Sienna in 2011 and 2012

MUCH better than the 2GR

 

[GR_CoB]

They are good engines. The 1AR was also used in the Sienna in 2011 and 2012

MUCH better than the 2GR

Yup, I know multiple people who specifically searched out the base model Siennas just to have the 2.7L instead of the 3.5L V6. Slightly better on MPG, but a ton better on serviceability and access to everything in the engine bay.
There is also a guy on YouTube who had a Venza with blown 2.7L 1AR, and he stuck the 2.5L 2AR in there and everything supposedly just bolted in and worked. Been a while since I saw that video, so details are hazy.
UPDATE: found that video. Venza accepted the 2.5L as a 2.7L and ECU isn't even complaining, no CELs at all.

 

[cptbarkey]

Agricultural, best left to working a field or pumping water and not being a road hazard.

 

[GR_CoB]

Agricultural, best left to working a field or pumping water and not being a road hazard.

I found that 2.7L (1AR) to be quite peppy in the AWD Venza and FWD 3-row Highlander. Never felt in danger when merging into traffic, plenty of power. I'm sure it's same for the Sienna.
Now the 2.7L (2TR) in the Tacoma, which is a completely different engine despite same displacement, is in every way an agricultural unit like you described. My dad had it in 2009 Tacoma for over a decade, extremely sloooow, but reliable and 28MPG on highway. When merging into traffic I had to floor it a full business day in advance.

 

[jimbocarrey]

Agricultural, best left to working a field or pumping water and not being a road hazard.

Agricultural, which is why it will last twice as long as whatever junk you drive

 

[cptbarkey]

Agricultural, which is why it will last twice as long as whatever junk you drive

My neighbor nuked his in his 2014 Tacoma about 5 months ago. It sounded horrible for quite awhile before that, I believe the tensioner let go.

 

[D60]

I found that 2.7L (1AR) to be quite peppy in the AWD Venza and FWD 3-row Highlander. Never felt in danger when merging into traffic, plenty of power. I'm sure it's same for the Sienna.
Now the 2.7L (2TR) in the Tacoma, which is a completely different engine despite same displacement, is in every way an agricultural unit like you described. My dad had it in 2009 Tacoma for over a decade, extremely sloooow, but reliable and 28MPG on highway. When merging into traffic I had to floor it a full business day in advance.

It's funny you say that because yesterday I drove this '09 Taco 2.7 regular cab 4x4 after replacing the plastic coolant bypass tube. With the manual it sure seemed like a dog, but I figured maybe it's lost some compression after 270k freedom.

However I used to service an '02 Taco extra cab 4x4 with the 2.7/manual and felt it was pretty zippy. I know the first gens are lighter, but it can't be that much lighter than a regular cab 2nd gen...?

 

[jimbocarrey]

My neighbor nuked his in his 2014 Tacoma about 5 months ago. It sounded horrible for quite awhile before that, I believe the tensioner let go.

Cool story bro. Completely different engine

 

[mccandish]

Ours (2010 Highlander) has gone 400,000 miles without a hitch, but they do eventually start to burn oil due to stuck rings. Run Valvoline Restore and Protect or plan on a piston soak for the higher mileage ones. They can also have VVT actuator rattle on start-up - @Fabulous50s went ahead and fixed his on this thread, while we've left ours alone and haven't had any issues.

 

[Rand]

Cool story bro. Completely different engine

Alrighty then.

 

[cptbarkey]

Cool story bro. Completely different engine

Oh dear, except for you being quite wrong, thanks for the chuckles. The two engines are very closely related.

 

[dfarr67]

If you need a 4cyl, tough to beat Toy/Honda.....

 

[jimbocarrey]

Oh dear, except for you being quite wrong, thanks for the chuckles. The two engines are very closely related.

Oh dear, imagine living in this day and age of instant and limitless access to information and still being this arrogant and confidently wrong. Re-read what GR_CoB posted above.
Also, read the below and enjoy the taste of that crow. But keep chuckling like some psych ward patient.

"The Toyota 2TR-FE (2014 Tacoma) and 1AR-FE engines are not related. They belong to entirely different engine families with distinct designs, architectures, histories, and intended applications, despite both being 2.7-liter inline-4 (I4) gasoline engines.
Key Differences
Engine Family and Lineage:
The 2TR-FE is part of the TR engine family (introduced 2003–2004), which succeeded the older RZ engine family. It was designed primarily for longitudinal mounting in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or 4WD trucks and body-on-frame vehicles.
The 1AR-FE is part of the AR engine family (introduced late 2008), which succeeded the AZ engine family. It is a stretched variant of the 2AR-FE (2.5L) in the same family and was designed for passenger cars and unibody SUVs/crossovers.
Core Specifications (highlighting design differences):
2TR-FE: Displacement 2,693 cc; bore × stroke 95 mm × 95 mm (square design); cast-iron block with aluminum head; compression ratio 9.6:1 (original) or 10.2:1 (post-2015 Dual VVT-i update); power ~149–161 hp; torque ~178–181 lb-ft.
1AR-FE: Displacement 2,672 cc; bore × stroke 90 mm × 105 mm (undersquare, long-stroke design); all-aluminum block and head; compression ratio 10.0:1; power ~182–187 hp; torque ~182–186 lb-ft. It includes features like dual VVT-i from launch, Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS), and low-friction technologies.
Technology and Features:
The 2TR-FE started with single VVT-i (intake only) and added Dual VVT-i in 2015 for some markets; it uses a timing chain and multi-point fuel injection, optimized for durability in truck duty cycles.
The 1AR-FE has Dual VVT-i standard, plus advanced efficiency features (e.g., roller rockers, variable oil pump, tumble control valves). It shares its architecture with the 2AR-FE but has a taller block for the longer stroke.
Applications (further evidence of separation):
2TR-FE: Trucks like Toyota Tacoma, Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado, 4Runner, HiAce, Fortuner, and Coaster (truck-oriented, off-road/towing focus).09b06b
1AR-FE: Vehicles like Toyota Highlander, Venza, and Sienna (passenger/family haulers).
Why the Confusion?
Both displace ~2.7L and are Toyota I4s with DOHC 16-valve heads and electronic fuel injection, but that's where similarities end. Forums and reviews explicitly call them "completely different engines" due to the bore/stroke mismatch, block materials, VVT-i setups, and vehicle classes.
In short, the TR family is a rugged truck evolution from the RZ era, while the AR family is a modern efficiency-focused passenger car line (later succeeded by Dynamic Force engines like the A25A). They share no design lineage, components, or development history. If you're comparing them for a specific vehicle swap or build, they are not interchangeable."

 

[jimbocarrey]

Alrighty then.

Read it and weep, and enjoy the taste of that crow.

"The Toyota 2TR-FE (2014 Tacoma) and 1AR-FE engines are not related. They belong to entirely different engine families with distinct designs, architectures, histories, and intended applications, despite both being 2.7-liter inline-4 (I4) gasoline engines.
Key Differences
Engine Family and Lineage:
The 2TR-FE is part of the TR engine family (introduced 2003–2004), which succeeded the older RZ engine family. It was designed primarily for longitudinal mounting in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or 4WD trucks and body-on-frame vehicles.
The 1AR-FE is part of the AR engine family (introduced late 2008), which succeeded the AZ engine family. It is a stretched variant of the 2AR-FE (2.5L) in the same family and was designed for passenger cars and unibody SUVs/crossovers.
Core Specifications (highlighting design differences):
2TR-FE: Displacement 2,693 cc; bore × stroke 95 mm × 95 mm (square design); cast-iron block with aluminum head; compression ratio 9.6:1 (original) or 10.2:1 (post-2015 Dual VVT-i update); power ~149–161 hp; torque ~178–181 lb-ft.
1AR-FE: Displacement 2,672 cc; bore × stroke 90 mm × 105 mm (undersquare, long-stroke design); all-aluminum block and head; compression ratio 10.0:1; power ~182–187 hp; torque ~182–186 lb-ft. It includes features like dual VVT-i from launch, Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS), and low-friction technologies.
Technology and Features:
The 2TR-FE started with single VVT-i (intake only) and added Dual VVT-i in 2015 for some markets; it uses a timing chain and multi-point fuel injection, optimized for durability in truck duty cycles.
The 1AR-FE has Dual VVT-i standard, plus advanced efficiency features (e.g., roller rockers, variable oil pump, tumble control valves). It shares its architecture with the 2AR-FE but has a taller block for the longer stroke.
Applications (further evidence of separation):
2TR-FE: Trucks like Toyota Tacoma, Hilux, Land Cruiser Prado, 4Runner, HiAce, Fortuner, and Coaster (truck-oriented, off-road/towing focus).09b06b
1AR-FE: Vehicles like Toyota Highlander, Venza, and Sienna (passenger/family haulers).
Why the Confusion?
Both displace ~2.7L and are Toyota I4s with DOHC 16-valve heads and electronic fuel injection, but that's where similarities end. Forums and reviews explicitly call them "completely different engines" due to the bore/stroke mismatch, block materials, VVT-i setups, and vehicle classes.
In short, the TR family is a rugged truck evolution from the RZ era, while the AR family is a modern efficiency-focused passenger car line (later succeeded by Dynamic Force engines like the A25A). They share no design lineage, components, or development history. If you're comparing them for a specific vehicle swap or build, they are not interchangeable."

 

[jimbocarrey]

Radio silence better luck next time fellas!