2016 DCSB TRD OR - First Impressions

I picked up the 2016 TRD Off Road with Manual Transmission this morning from a dealer out of state in Golden, CO which is a little over 400 miles from home. The drive home which included some mountain passes gave me a chance to get acquainted with the new truck.



I am a longtime 2nd Gen Tacoma owner, in fact my 2006 DCSB TRD OR has over 395k on it.






Here are a few impressions of the 2016. Not a thorough review, just some seat of the pants impressions.

Overall: It is a Tacoma. It handles like a Tacoma, rides like a Tacoma, feels like a Tacoma.







The new transmission is a real delight. The shifts are smooth, VERY smooth, without any of the awkward feel of the 2nd Gen 6 speed manual. A huge improvement.

The new 3.5L 2GR-FKS engine is definitely a big change. On the Interstate, the new engine/transmission did very well. Quiet and smooth. On steep hills, the new truck does not seem to have as much power/torque - close but a bit less unless you get heavy on the gas. Found I had to downshift earlier. Low rpm torque is not as good as 2nd Gen.

The interior is a huge improvement over the 2nd Gen. Very quiet and tight feel to everything. Well thought out controls. Very new feeling and at the same time very much still a Tacoma feel. I like it.

The trip included a lot of 80 MPH running on the Interstate over over non-flat terrain with lots of hills and a few steep climbs. I do not know exactly how full the truck was leaving the dealer, but the first tank was measured at 17.488 gallons for 336 miles which is 19.2 MPG.



I will be starting the build on this truck with coilovers and shocks, UCAs and rear leafs over the next couple of weeks.

 

Looks good. Almost exactly same truck I tested up here in Cheyenne, Wy. How was passing power at highway speeds?

 

Passing power seemed pretty good, on par with 2nd Gen. Steep hills seemed to be a little more taxing on the power than 2nd Gen.

 

I drive over I70 to go to Fruita/Grand Junction/Moab once a year or so. Wondering how well a new Taco will pull my 3,000 lb camper. When I tested the 2016 I did not get a chance to put my foot into it much. I like that Quicksand color more and more each time I see it.

 

Very nice, congrats. Similar rpms compared to the 4.0L in 6th?

 

How did you make out on price from that dealer?

 

Much better than local dealers. Below MSRP.

 

Congrats!

 

Sub'd

 

the quicksand is really growing on me, torn between it and white. i sure miss colorado, beautiful state. grats on the truck!

 

Thanks for sharing. Do you think the engine seemed more taxed than a 2nd gen because you were running a taller gear (6) on the 3rd gen so a little lower on the HP curve?.

 

Looks Good.

 

Not sure. I will try a few more hills and get a better idea what differences exist. It did not seem like a huge difference.

 

No ETC on a manual.

 

I guess that reaffirms the etc is transmission shift points only and not a different ECU map. What did you go with for a lift?

 

Icon remote resi coilovers and 2.5" rear shocks. TC UCAs and Dakar leafs. A lot like the setup on my 2006.

 

Nice, that's going to look good. I'll be looking forward to those pics. Staying with the stock tires for now?

 

Same truck I ordered cept auto... Very nice.. Can't wait.. Congrats!

 

Likely will swap the OEM tires onto the old truck, and buy a new set of tires.

 

How is the throw on the shifter? I very quickly installed the TRD short throw shift kit in my 2005 Tacoma. Hoping they reduced the throw for the 2016. Is reverse in the same spot as 05-15?