What the hell ''flexy frame'' means????

I checked the car and driver buyer's guide, and one of the lows for the tacoma was that is had flexy frame. Is it good? Bad?

 

It meant to say " Sexy Frame" they got it wrong. no, seriously, it is probably talking about wheel hop.. nothing an add a leaf can't take care of

 

Did they even show any test results to prove that? What tests did they perform? Did they even talk to Toyota about WHY it's that way? Maybe it's better for crashes/crumple zones?

 

It is good (to me). The buyer's guide idiot writers found out that the Tacoma does not use a fully boxed frame and immediately wrote 'flexy'. It's not bad for offroad, quite often a stiffer, fully boxed frame will be too rough and not as nimble offroad, where trucks should be.

 

It is flexy compared to a fully boxed frame. Nissan has us on this one.
Some bumps at speed you get a hop going...sorta sucks.

 

These frames are open C-Channel frames similar to the ones used on the 40 Series Landcruiser which enables the frame to twist over obstacles giving a little more flex.

Unfortunately with the length of these frames, there's also lots of up and down flexing of the frame which translates into wheel hop, or bounce.

Topper companies for these trucks have left more than an inch of room between the cab and the topper specifically for this reason. The rear flexes up and down that much.

The only weakness off-road with this type of set up is when you're doing a steep hill-climb and the rear end will buck. You can actually see how much it bends from a distance!

 

Let's tell the truth...it's a lame design

 

Maybe they are making them out of rubber now to help with the rust.

 

I would of liked a boxed frame. O well. Nissan still sucks. Not even a true 4x4.

 

My dad has an '06 Frontier and his truck bounces/hops around a lot more than mine, according to him "the Nissan has too much power".

 

With a boxed frame, debris and mud can get trapped inside the frame and cause it to rust. With the rust problems the 1st generations were having, I kinda feel better with my c-frame.

 

If that is the case, then i don't care anymore.

I don't feel anything out of the ordinary on bumps anyways.

 

Can't find it at work today, but anyone see that comparison of full size trucks on a washboard track? The Tundra was tweaking all over the place while the other trucks kept their beds pretty straight. Bet the Tacoma would do the same...

 

How is it not a true 4x4? My 05 4X4 Nismo King Cab was leaps and bounds above my 1986 full size Bronco (what I conisder a true 4x4). I have yet to test the full prowness of my Toyota but would never once believe that it was more/less capable off road than my Nissan was.

 

And MY (not THE) best 4x4 was an Isuzu Rodeo Sport. That thing was a goat, the 3.2 was bullet proof, and I do not miss any vehicle off road more than that one.

 

Isn't a washboard track a stretch of bumpy road ? I think that has more to do with the suspension set up than frame design. Also you ever wonder why the bed is separated from the cab ?

 

so true, i have score marks on the back of the cab from the front bed of the bed touching. flexing that much from the trails

 

My 1990 4Runner had a fully boxed frame. To this day, there is not rust on that frame. I undercoated it well. It does kind of tick me off that my brand new Tacoma has a C-channel frame. I definitely can tell when it flexes, if I'm on the throttle mid-corner. You can feel the LSD kick in, but even the posi can't hide the fact that the rear end bucks. I'd rather have a stiffer ride w/ a boxed frame than this. Oh well...

 

Ahhh ok i googled C-channel frame and i know what they mean. I don't think it's that big a deal. I won't buy a Dakota just for a god damn box frame.

I wouldn't mind the Frontier, i was talking out of my ass that time, but i prefer Tacoma. As for why i think it's not a real 4x4; From what i heard is that it is FWD until you get mud, then the 4WD comes in. I don't like fancy stuff on my trucks. Least you got electronic wheel hubs, honda CRV has a similar system but no E. wheel hubs.

Maybe i got somethings wrong, i read about those things long time ago. If i am completely wrong, i am sorry Forgive my ignorance.


If Nissan Frontier would offer that tasty 3.0L Diesel from Renault, i would probably be riding one Same thing goes for the Hilux diesel i guess.

 

No offense taken but my Nissan was not a FWD truck. Someone please post a picture of a VW Rabbit pickup and let this guy know what a real FWD truck looks like...