Will hold off for 2015

Ah, Ram V6, whose performance is closer to the 4-cyl Taco. The V8 model is 15/22 (17). And keep in mind the Ram's 8th gear is very tall - it has to kick down very often.

 

then your post count would most likely be 0 instead of 200

 

^

 

Im surprised how many tacoma owners hate their trucks and bitch about the mileage.

If you like the dodge trucks then go buy one, I have yet to meet a dodge truck owner that hasnt had a transfer case, transsmission or motor repalced by the time the truck hit 90k


Guys are comparing v6 dodges now to the tacoma ? lol

 

Uh, no, not the '4 cylinder like V6' whatever that is. Since you seem to be pedantic on this topic... I was actually referring to the Ram V6 rated by the EPA at 25 mpg hwy. That V6 has over 300+ Hp and 270ish ft lbs as I recall. It's mated to a new 8-speed and now gets 25mpg hwy.

Why not turn off your reality distortion field and try apples to apples comparison as in V6 to V6?

I think that's the whole point of any 8 speed, not just the Ram's. Taller gear equals better hwy mph.

Or do you know of any 8 speed or modern high gear count transmissions that are NOT increasingly tall in their upper gears?

In city driving or passing (or a heavy footed driver disinterested in mileage) - what's wrong with that? That's the design goal. Besides the 25 mpg rating is hwy. That means steady state cruise so "kick down very often" would not be in that scenario.

Let's bring this back on topic shall we? Question was raised about the Taco's 5 speed having issues. Again it doesn't have any IMO. I'ts just 'dated' is all. I believe the Taco would benefit from at least a 6 speed auto (8 may be a little overkill) for better hwy mpg.

I mentioned the Ram mileage with the 8 speed auto MERELY AS AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE. I apologize, I didn't intend for it to be a stage for anyone's ignorance. Sorry 'bout that.

 

Don't ban me! OP, are you positive there will be a redesign for 2015? You might be waiting for no reason. Maybe you should buy the 2002 and drive it until the redesigned truck comes out for real. The 2002 will still have excellent resale value.

I guess a cheap mod doesn't work 100% of the time. I also switched my transmission oil to Amsoil GL-4 when I bought my truck with 46,000 miles on it. It has shifted as smooth as our Honda stick-shift ever since I did the Amsoil and axle wrap mod. I'm also happy with my mileage when I can keep my foot out of it, but I also don't have a lift kit or oversized tires. My coworker has an 09 double-cab 4x4 automatic with a 3" lift, 18" wheels and mud terrain tires, he gets about 12 mpg in town and 15-ish on the freeway. He is not happy with his mileage, but that's the price of lookin' cool, man.

 

Because the Ram is big and weighs over 5000 lbs? Ram with V6 doesn't perform like the Taco with V6

 

X2. That mpg is only for the 2wd V6 Ram, not the 4wd. Add the 4wd, a crew cab, a couple people and some stuff in the back, and it won't get better mileage than a 4wd V6 Tacoma. Maybe worse because of its low power to weight ratio. And, Mopar's horrible reliability is included for FREE!

 

Hit the pause on your reality distortion field and you might note that it doesn't really matter if a truck weights 4k or 5k, the advantages in efficiency are there because of (not despite) the "tall gears", "kickdown" and so on of a higher gear count transmission.

Is this your attempt to refute the empirical fact based data posted earlier? That's the best you've got to support your position that higher gear counts in an automatic would not be good in a future Tacoma? Heck I'm starting to miss the ol' Chevy Powerglide already!

 

The EPA ratings for the 4WD Ram V6 w/ 8 speed auto is 23 mpg hwy and for the Taco 5 speed V6 auto 21 mpg hwy. Unfortunately I don't think the EPA ratings include "a couple people and some stuff in the back" but you're welcome to post some verifiable facts with such configurations. If you have any.

Again - the real point here is that the 8 speed automatic in the above example provides impressive mileage improvement on the hwy without sacrifice in another manufacturers truck over previous models.

FACT: Despite the wailing of the flat earth society, a more modern automatic with a higher gear count would help make a mpg improvement in a future Tacoma whether it's 2WD or 4WD.

I'm hoping to see a 6 speed or better automatic in a future Tacoma like the one the OP referenced...

 

You can get up to highway speeds in 3rd gear with the manual. And the only reason the auto would beat the manual in the 1/4 is because it's tricky to shift at high RPM without grinding.



...

 

Honestly Toyota probably has the next generation designed and they probably are testing it out right now.

 

I'm going to trade my. ' 09 in on a 2016 Tacoma when they introduce the diesel / electric hybrid in Canada

 

^You must be driving an uglier truck than the rest of us, with more electronic nannies and idiot chimes.

You were saying the Ram V6 has surpassed the Taco V6 in fuel economy. I'm saying a V6 in the heavier Ram is underpowered relative to a V6 in the Taco, so it isn't an apples-to-apples comparison.

And frankly I couldn't care less about tall cruising gears designed to game EPA's highway tests - the benefits in real-life usage is very limited. It won't be practical to stay in the 7th and 8th gears in the Ram for any appreciable amount of time. Passing is a frequent activity on highways even if you want to maintain a reasonable speed (say 70 mph)..

 

on what hwy? I get 20.5 at 60 - 65 but when I run the open hwys to hunting ranch at 75 it drops way off. 20.5 is running hwys in town with 60 mph limits.

 

Can't we all just git along?

I wish I could wait for the redesign. I bought a used '01 singlecab in 2006, it has been an incredible vehicle, and if it were a doublecab I'd hang on to it for a few more years. But I have an 18 month old now, so I need more room...

Anyway, I've had a first generation for almost the entire run of the second generations with only a few, intermittent moments of "newer model envy." ...And despite my best intentions, it looks like that's exactly what I'm setting myself up for again--the wait is over for me, I'm headed down to the dealership today

The V6 Ram vs the V6 Tacoma is definitely a valid comparison, and I hope to see transmission changes (along with direct injection) to help with fuel economy. The increase in price will offset fuel savings for a few years for new owners, I'd imagine, and living in the Rockies I'm always climbing one grade or another, so I probably would see less benefit from those super-tall top gears.

The trucks are great. Maybe next year they'll be greater. OP enjoy your 2015!

 

I hear it's going to get 65 mpg , 70 if your in reverse

 

I think there are 2 problems that cannot be overcome as far as getting a truck to be more fuel efficient with conventional fuels and internal combustion. The problem with a pickup truck getting great mileage at interstate speeds (70-80mph) is aerodynamics. The other problem, that keeps trucks from getting good mileage in the city, is weight. Unless you want your truck to look like a Prius with a bed, it just ain't gonna get that much better. It takes lots energy to move lots of weight and it takes lots of energy to push a box through the air at high speed, there's no way around these problems other than dropping weight (and capability) and improving aerodynamics (ruining the looks of a truck). Now, an electric motor and it's gobs of torque can overcome the weight issue in city driving, so a diesel/electric could certainly be an improvement.

 

I have a 2nd Gen 2008 DCSB TRD OFFROAD 4x4.... Don't get me wrong I love all the new electronic gadgets on the new 2013/14 models because let's face it technology advances are really traveling at a high rate of speed but even when the 2015/16 trucks come out I'm sure they will have more advances than the 2013/14 models and I will still have my O8 Dinosaur.... But to this day I wish I still had my 1997 Ext Cab TRD V6 4x4 and if I can find one in decent shape I'll probably get it just to have. My first truck was a 1987 SC 4x4 no frills straight off the lot. I wish I still had it too. Paid 10,787.14 for it. Someone will probably try to buy my 08 from me 20 years from now but they'll have a hard time prying it out of my hands I can assure you.