3rd gen readers, inquisitors and the like read here first.

So, the new 2016 Tacoma is hitting the streets and it's all shiny and new but wait, read this first.

A lot of what you're seeing on the new Tacoma isn't really new at all, keep reading.

So, some have posted about the crawl control and the multi terrain select. These systems have been installed on the Land Cruisers since 2008 and the 4Runners since 2010. These systems aid in making a difficult situation easier to get out of by electronically controlling the throttle and braking to gain maximum traction. There are limitations to the system and it isn't fool proof by any means but, it's been used and it's beaten average drivers with comparable and better rigs up the trail.

The transmission. Once again, it's not something new and has been in Toyotas before. The Tundra, 4Runner, camry, RAV4, Sienna, etc. sport mode is an ability to shift over and maintain that gear until you tell it to up shift. It will downshift but won't shift up beyond the gear selected. Say your coming to a stop and you slide the old lever over. It'll select 5th gear, from there you can move the shift knob back one and it will downshift to 4th and so on. So on as long as your RPM's don't exceed that gears capability. Once there it will maintain that gear until you up shift, yes, you'll bounce off the rev limiter at 35mph in 1st gear.

The ECT button... It won't throw more fuel into the engine, no magical turbo comes out of the wheel well and no super secret valve opens changing the air intake pressure. It changes the shift points on the transmission so you'll rev higher before gear change.

That else?

 

3rd gen also has identical suspension to the second gen except it uses the larger FJ cam bolts.
But it does have an all new fancy butterfly plate over an all new massive front body mount. That right there is genuine ingenuity.

 

No, just tired of everyone thinking that this Tacoma is bringing game changing technology to the market.

It's not and it's been on other vehicles already. The crawl control, sports trans, cartridge oil filter, and such. Many people have experience with these systems so might as well make one spot where very one can go and check up on them before getting blinded by the "newness" of it.

 

There is some good info. When you say larger FJ cam bolts, are they the same as the 4Runner cam bolts? I ask because the FJ and 4Runner are based off the Prado 150 and a lot of components match up.

 

I personally have not had my dick beaters on a 5th gen 4R. But if it's the same as the late year FJ's, then yes.

I however was witness to the 2016 that was out at Rock Therapy back in May. And I was the asshole underneith the truck with a tape measure for so long the Toyota tech explicitly stated "sir...please come out from under the vehicle"...and I didn't because he only told me I couldn't pop the hood. I was eventually coerced out.

3rd gen still has a 65" wms-wms. Upper and lower control arm mount point dimensions are the same. Shock bucket is also the same. Rear suspension is still an inverted shackle. I'm not 100% if the leaf hanger and shackle pivot are the same as the frame is slightly different, but my eyeball tape measure said yes and it's still a dovetailed frame. There is a new/different cross member for the transmission/transfer case.

This basically means that most vendors won't have to do shit when it comes to aftermarket support for suspension. Likely all the players will be announcing availability for control arms, coilovers, spring packs, LT kits very soon...as they don't have to do anything. Aftermarket skid plates however will be at least slightly redesigned due to the new crossmember.

 

Oh FFS. Is that a serious question? No judgement if it is. I can't fucking tell anymore on this site.

 

Stock skids are meh at best. If you intend to take the truck out and test its capabilities the stock skids will not hold up the the abuse of running them across rocks and stumps.

 

Factory skid plate is basically 2 ply 18 gauge steel. Meaning I could bend it with my knee. It's a far cry for standing up what I use my truck for. My thinnest skid plate is 1/4". As thick as 3/8 on my rear diff bash guard. The factory skid will not stand up to enthusiasts and it only covers the IFS. No belly pan/trans skid.