[Shredhead]

I don't know about a 6 outlasting a 4, Toyota makes the best 4 in the business. ( power wise try comparing it with the ford ranger 3L 6 not much difference) and up till 95 Toyota has been putting the 2.4 liter 22re 4cyl in there 4x4's and there still kicking around pretty good, another thing to consider is the 6 uses timing belt's which have to be changed somewhere between 80 to 90 no real big deal but the 4 uses a chain and unless you do something stupid You don't replace them. ( I don't care what a Toyota mechanic might say) as far as shifting down to 4th on hills I don't know if You remember the old 4 speed transmission but when they came out with a 5 the fifth gear was an overdrive only! not to be used on steep inclines or for stop and go towing such as in city traffic as this is hard on the engine, the same goes with automatics that little overdrive button is supposed to be switched off when making steep climes. If big towing is what your after however Yes get a 6 if You don't want to use the slow lane through big hills or mountains.