Checking in at 20,000 miles

So I'm over 20k miles with about 5k of that offroad/logging roads. Thought I would check back in with some thoughts.

Truck has held up well to my beatings! Only squeaks I have so far are the rear leafs and head unit occasionally. So I can't complain! In my co-workers trucks every panel inside is loose (dodge/ford).

Pros:
-happy with capability offroad (Bilstein 5100's great upgrade)
-quiet and smooth on the highway
-Interior cleans easily
-Use 4WD everyday and only once had the transfer case get confused


Cons:
-Squeaky leaf springs
-Transmission drives me nuts!! (I keep it in 5th in sport mode to solve the issues)
-Factory Tonneau cover is deteriorating quickly and feels like it wants to fall apart
-Paint seems thin and chips easily
-Seat is very uncomfortable with long legs

Other than that I'm pretty happy with the truck! I've put a lot of hard miles on the truck in a short amount of time and haven't had any issues, and the truck hasn't been in the shop. So all you worried about reliability, I wouldn't be.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

Nice!

 

Thin paint is my biggest fuss. And that downhill 6th gear. They must have designed the trans for downhill driving

 

Thanks for the thread! Nice to know there are no real major issues thus far. I'm looking to lift mine when I get one and I'm assuming replacing the leafs with aftermarket would solve the noise. Gonna order a 2017. I had a 1st gen tacoma back in the day and I was all US trucks ever since. But, the gas mileage and price tag of the current full size trucks are turning me to the tacoma.

 

This. So much this. I get better gas mileage in 5th gear highway driving (55-60mph) than I do 6th unless its downhill in which case its a wash. Noticed a significant mpg improvement by driving S5 instead of D on my work commute.

 

I actually tried that once bc I was getting tired of the shifting lol and it on steeper uphills kept going into 4th but yes I agree s5 I think performs better on highway.

 

Where is the paint chipping?

 

The first 5 gears are relatively similar ratios to the gen 2. You shouldn't be revving too high in 5th as it is still an overdrive gear. The 6th gear on the 2016 is kind of a "bonus" gear that you only get to use when conditions are right.

 

You're a logger?
And you didn't buy a full size?
Finally someone understands that sometimes you need something "small" to get to every corner of this world.

 

This picture is cool.
Thanks for posting.

 

Haha! I'm a forester and the only one in our company that doesn't drive a full size and get so much shit. But I couldn't take a tundra off-roading where I go out side of work so it doesn't make sense.

 

Nice!
At least you can come back and say that you're not compensating haha.

 

If you are a forester why didn't you get a Subaru Forester?

 

Awesome, thanks for your post. You’ve verified what I imagined this truck would be and could take when I bough it.

Have you greased/purged your U joints?
Some years ago we had a couple (Fords and Chevys) in our fleet that sounded like suspension noise and drove us nuts.
We got tired of checking suspension and finding nothing, till we checked the U-joints, and there was the noise.
Too bad about the paint, it’s disappointing, all Toyotas I’ve had in the past (and still have) were great with paint (2) 4R made in Japan and three other trucks besides the ’16. I hope they’re not trying to go the way GM went by cutting down=less weight.
Stay safe out there.
Cheers!

 

Exactly what I said to my boss on my first day when I showed up haha.

 

Haha. Well played. I liked the older foresters, you could rally the shit out of them.

 

I've got a 2013 4 runner and if I look at it wrong the paint marks, it's just how they are now I think, 3m should be standard now if you ask me

 

Thanks for the write up! Not many have made it to the 20k milestone yet,
Good work!

 

Wait so you bought a brand new TRD OR and put Bilstein 5100's on it? Why not wear out the OEM billies first? My understanding is there is not much of a noticeable difference in ride quality from OEM to the 5100 Billies

 

Found a B.B. size speck of paint missing on my truck this morning. About 6 inches below the rear access cab side window. So cloudy here I cannot tell if it is primer or bare metal showing. Anyhow I ordered a Genuine Toyota touch up pen on Amazon this morning.

$15 Toyota Genuine Touch up Paint, Black Onyx, Color Code 202, Scion/Lexus

http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-00258-00202-21-Black-Touch-Up/dp/B008216AGC