Happy with your 5 Lug????

I have a 96 2 wd. I changed the 14" tires to 15" the ride is better, And the fuel mileage is about the same.

 

I got an 09 5-lug regular cab. Got it this summer on a cash-for-clunkers deal. I traded in an 89 chevy k1500 that I would use maybe once a month. By the time I was able to do my deal, the lot was picked clean of these trucks. They had a white one with an auto stuffed in the back of the lot with a broken radio. I said I would take it, because C-F-C money was starting to run out. My daily driver is an 04 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan 6MT, and it has about the stiffest clutch I have ever come across. I live in the DC suburbs and the traffic here sux. So the little truck has become my commuting vehicle, since it gets better mileage, and about the best AC system (coldest) of any car/truck I have ever owned.

One pleasant side effect of this little white truck, is that, nobody pays any attention to you. They just assume that it is a fleet vehicle and that you are a meter reader or Ms Utility or something like that. People in DC are pretty stuck up, so if you are not driving a nice or flashy car they ignore you, this can be a good thing, not that I would ever do anything that is against the law.

 

I love my 5-lug taco! Got an 09 access cab SR5, 2WD, auto. I prefer a standard tranny, but this is just fine. I had the same issue as someone earlier in the thread. I did the cash4clunker and by the time I had my paperwork straight, this was the only 2.7L long bed available in CT that was not 4WD. When we get snow, I just take the Harley out. Just kidding, I got good snow tires from tirerack and she does just fine. Short story made long, the 5 lugger is great!!!!

 

Yeah I am happy with it..

Though I wish I had power windows and locks, intermittent windshield wipers, and cruise control. Those seem like something every car should have, even at a base model.

 

ive had mine about a year and put on about 37k i love it got the 3inch lift 235 tires ( soon to be 31s ) exhaust, rims, yeah i wanted a 4x4 too but i realize i dont really go muddin anywhere i would need it. i used to have a fullsize bronco and yeah i loved muddin in it but i just like my little lifted taco especially cause ive only seen one in florida. plus i dont get stuck just wish i had a locker

 

x2.

 

mine should have intermittent wipers by early next week. just waiting on my stalk to come in. My truck proved itself with the last snow. 4x2 but it just kicked on through no problems. probably do a lift in the spring, bigger wheels in the fall and she will be set.... or so i think as of now

 

x3

 

let me know how the intermittent wiper instal goes, i would like to do this on my truck becuz consistantly hitting the switch get old lol

 

Note: the lift and tire change could diminish your snow traction quite a bit. I have been driving my 2wd in the snow here in CT with no problems. I have not put any weight in the back, but I did install a set of Blizzak.

Oh and by the way, lovin' my 5 lugger!!!

 

Yeah i too just got slammed with around 6-10" of snow. The truck ripped thru it no problem, i am running some AT's and not an issue. Loving my 5 luggy rite now

 

Kansas City has been hit with about 8" since Christmas. But it has been so cold that none has melted and the leftovers are still quite a challenge in the subdivisions and other lightly traveled streets. The truck has done real well and have had only one serious tire spinning episode. Overall I'd rate the snow capabilities a 4.5 out of 5. But will probably buy a more snow worthy tire the next time.

 

I love my 5 lug. It is clearly bomb proof and exceeds my level of expectations for this truck.

 

Mine has sucked in the KC ice this week. It usually does ok in just snow, but we have thick packed snow underneath that has turned into solid ice. I got stuck for the first time on New Years Eve day in a Sears parking lot. I spun it around in 2nd and before I had time to get into 1st go get going again it stalled on me and I was dead in the water. I've got about 200 lbs of sand in the bed which didn't help at all, even when i took a scoop out and put some in front and under the tires. I have a rope and thought God sent me help in the form of a 2nd gen Silver DC, drove right by. Clearly not a TW member. A nice guy in a Chevy finally stopped and pulled me out. I didn't even have to put up with the not-a-real-truck crap that i thought I would've gotten from a domestic truck driver. He pulled me to dry pavement and away I went. I was close to stuck again a few days later on an icy uphill and I've had to avoid a few left turns at uphill intersections that I would've had to stop at and didn't stand a chance. I could really use an LSD or 4X4 right now

 

I've had a few vehicles in my past, but my Tacoma has been different. It's an emotional connection. Manual transmission, manual locks, manual windows... it's a direct connection between man and machine. I love my 5 lug.

 

That's why I got the SR5 package. All that is included and makes the vehicle much more usable.

 

I added the IW to my bare bones AC and love it. This is a very easy mod and one of the first ones I did.

I also did a CFC deal back in August. The 2.7L Tacoma was the only engine that would qualify my trade in vehicle. The Tacoma's were scarce and the dealer received mine at 4:00 and I drove it home at 09:00 the same day.

I am very happy with the Tacoma. I had wanted the SR5 package but in reality I am customizing the truck the way I want to. One of the bennies of DIY is that I now have a better understanding of how Toyota constructs the vehicles. Coming from an all GM family the learning curve has not been all that bad.

This is my DD and I have no desire to go off roading. However I am just starting to investigate how to beef up the Tacoma to carry a larger payload without raising the truck. One thing I have noticed is that there are not a lot of suspension items for the 2WD Tacoma’s. Looks like I will be custom fabricating a solution.

 

SR5 packages don't exist on my truck lol

 

Just gotta jump in here...all you guys talking about snow. I've said before I wish I had a 4x4, and I still do, but up here in Iowa I've managed ok. I either have two or four sand bags in my truck, the biggest problem I have is getting through the driveway where I live when the snow is 2-4 feet high...overall the extra weight helps a lot. Yeah it's still a pain, but I manage. As long as your smart about it you can get by just fine with a 5 lug.

I have had to get used to the extra "length" of the truck as opposed to my camry...just a greater chance to fish tail, even when it's just raining out. I think leaving a few sandbags in the truck year round is a good idea, that back end is so light...maybe that's a given, I dunno.

 

I feel you man. It snowed here recently, and I was driving around 15mph...and the back end starts wobbling everywhere, in the middle of the street.

Now I'm not gonna drive in the snow anymore, lol..unless of course I have 4x4.