Dad buying Taco: need help!

My Dad just called. He is at this second looking at a 09' Taco, with 2.7 liter 4 banger, 4x4, access cab. Now I've heard about 2nd gen tacos having some problems with the rear springs, radios, and a few transmissions. Have these problems been fixed or is there a TSB that you can do to fix them? Just curious before he makes the call. Any advice would be GREAT! thanks-

 

theres a tsb for the radios on the 09's but the rear spring has yet to be added

 

The Radio thing has been getting fixed for everyone-I'm pretty sure there is a TSB for it and either way it'd be covered by the warranty.

The leaf spring thing is not yet TSB'd- If he plans on hauling heavy loads it may befomre an issue...but the TSB may be updated...and all he has to do is take it to them and state the problem @ that point.

Transmission problems were mainly manual and they were not common issues IIRC.

 

So if there's no TSB on the springs, then he can't get it fixed? Also- what problems do the manual trannys have? thanks.

 

go w/ the 4.0 though

 

He wants the 4 banger for fuel economy. Anyhow, how bad is the rear spring problem? He hauls lots of crap on occasion.

 

By "lots of crap" do you mean in excess of 600 lbs?? That seems to be the magic number for a lot of folks. I had the "bad springs" in my 08 and hauled my 400 lbs bike plus camping gear and didn't have any issues.

If he has an issue with loading the truck and having a rough ride/bottoming out- He can take it to the dealer and start with a regular warranty claim...The TSB just gives some extra information/leverage.

 

He hauls things like golf carts, firewood, rocks, etc etc. 600 pounds seems more reasonable. He will also be hauling a 5,000 Lb boat.

 

I would say before he buys it, make sure they do the TSB on the rear springs, sounds like he would need it...

 

Yup, I told him he aught to ask about the springs before he considers it. He seems to really like it, but he's also used to a Tundra which can haul a lot of weight. So hopefully this truck would do well for him.

 

Hauling IN the bed and trailering are two different things....Tongue weight for a fully loaded trailer on the tow package is only 650lbs...His trailer/boat tongue weight should be ~500#s.

He'll probably want the newer springs...Mighta be worth getting him the part numbers for the old springs ASAP and trying to work it as part of the purchase deal??

 

I have no idea what the tongue weight of the trailer is. Arg! probably would have been a good idea to have brought the boat and see if the truck would actually haul it.

 

For a 5000# boat- It should have the factory tow package- Upgraded alternator and battery, oil cooler, trans cool, wiring harness, hitch receiver...If it doesn't you'll still be able to tow it...but it could can long term damage.

Tongue weight should be about 10% of the trailer weight...Still probably worth looking to get the springs...

 

Well... he decided not to get it. But thanks for all the help guys!

 

No problem!!

 

I feel like a noob but i havent been looking at the TSB but what is going on with the radios 09's?? Could you please post the webpage where you found that info aswell! thanks!

 

i found the info myself..i experienced it and im in the process of getting it fixed..but heres one http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/audio-video/45783-radio-issues.html