PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

ORIGINAL POST:

When my truck got hit by a drunk driver last October, the old fart lied to his insurance company. He told them I ran a stop sign and they believed him, despite the fact that he'd killed someone while driving drunk in the 1980s and he was ultimately convicted of DUI after hitting my truck.

His insurance company refused to pay to fix my Taco, so my insurance paid to fix my truck, waived the deductible, and didn't raise my rates. They then sued the drunk guy's insurance company and to get their money back while refusing to pay for his Mercedes. Despite the evidence being overwhelmingly in my favor, the court ruled it a draw. My insurance company ate the cost of fixing my truck, and believe it or not I heard that his insurance company refused to pay for his car despite not paying to fix my truck.

My body guy will fix this for free, but he is swamped with other wrecked vehicles to repair...

So, what's the problem? My insurance company has a policy where it won't use "factory" parts on vehicles older than 2 years. My truck was 6 years old at the time. As such, they only paid for a non-Toyota aftermarket bumper that was cheaper than a Toyota OEM bumper. Now, about 6 months after repairs were made, the epoxy holding plastic covering in place has failed...

UPDATE:

The plastic pads are supposed to be bolted down. Someone at the body shop got lazy and used some caulking crap that I can't remember the name of INSTEAD of using the bolts. I don't know if the new bumper was shipped without them or if they got lost. Regardless, this stuff is not meant to be used on cars.

 

That sucks, but at least you didn't have to pay for it

Keep your eyes on the buy sell trade forum, bumpers come up pretty regularly. You might get lucky and find one close to you.

Edit: I'd blame the strippers. They gave your truck VD.

 

My Taco's A/C is blowing 41°F at the vents!

My A/C has never been opened up or otherwise messed with. It is pretty much a "virgin" A/C system. After almost 7 years (2010 model purchased new in September 2009), more than 62,000 miles, and a collision where I rear-ended a Mustang in which the condenser was NOT damaged, my A/C system still has it's factory charge. I took it to the dealer for an oil change and had them performance test the A/C. They were thoroughly impressed that it had never been recharged or serviced. It was more than 90 degrees today in the Philly area and I could see my breath in my truck!

Anyway, I started this thread to see if anyone has noticed a difference between the A/C systems in 4-cyl. Tacos versus V6 Tacos. I have a 2.7L auto and my A/C is like a geyser of Arctic air when running on full blast. I also use Uber when I plan on drinking, and the vehicle that picked me and my friend up on Friday night was a 2014 Tacoma crew cab short bed 4x4 with the V6. The A/C in that Taco worked pretty good to but I don't think it was any better or any worse than the A/C in my Taco.

 

Perhaps having a reg cab with less area to cool, is a factor?

 

In terms of cooling efficiency, yes. A regular cab will cool off much faster. But, a brand new 2.7L extra cab and a brand new 2.7L regular cab should be blowing the same temperature AT THE VENTS.

 

I have been underwhelmed with the cooling capacity of A/C in my 2015 dcsb 4.0 V6.

Had it checked by dealer the last time my truck was serviced ( just under 15000 miles) and checked out as " normal".

My other vehicles mostly GM Yukon, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Corvette, all have cooled much better than my Tacoma. The only exception was a Honda Accord which also had a marginal cooling A/C. The common denominator is both are Japanese vehicles. I understand that many Japanese vehicles have very good (read cold) A/C units so not condemning all of them.

To answer the question by OP, I do not think the A/C performance has anything to do with which engine the truck has. I can see the larger the cab interior the more volume of air must be cooled.

I need to get one of those thermometers that A/C techs use check vent temperature. My friend with a Porche 911 keeps one with a probe in the drivers side vent at all times.

 

From my experience Fords have icy cold AC. A lot of the import cars are marginal like Toyota, Honda, Audi, BMW etc....

 

Mine blows snow.

 

Mine isn't bad.

I have to echo what others said here, though--my parents had Fords when I was growing up (various models), I'd bet the A/C in those would easily bring the interior of the car into the upper 50s on a 90 degree day.

I had several Subaru Outbacks before my Tacoma and while they were adequate for New England, I don't think they would have been so great in a warmer climate. The Tacoma is better than the Subarus were, but still isn't as cold as the Fords.

 

My 15' ,2.7,4x4,5spd,access cab, A/C works great. Can't run on high for very long, I'll turn blue. Had an 02, v6, 5spd,access cab, had to be recharged at about 160,000. it work well also.

 

Mine's cold AF. Even on 100+ degree days I don't have to have mine on full blast for long. Then I have to turn the fan to low and it stays nice and comfy. I'm still thinking about dropping the head liner to put some thermal shielding up there for both hot and cold insulation.

 

Buy epoxy, re glue the plastic back on. Done

 

Another spin on V6 vs I4 debate? Same a/c system, no difference, no poll necessary.

 

2003 Sequoia - Ice cold air coming at a ridiculous volume from every direction.
2006 Tacoma v6 dclb - Ice cold and good flow.
2013 Tacoma v6 dclb - cold. decent flow. Not as good as my 06 was.

I think it boils down to more than just the engine and in my case there was even a difference between model years with identical setups.

 

Aren't they supposed to be bolt on?

 

JB weld it and forget it. Do you have a dash cam now?

 

went out to the truck and measured 40 degrees at the vent in normal air with high speed on the blower, with recirc off (what we used to call max A/C), I saw 35 degrees. I have a 'virgin' A/C and 152K miles on the truck (2.7L, Manual 5 speed Access Cab). Unfortunately, I have a squeal in the A/C Compressor clutch when I start up in the morning for about 15 minutes. I will tolerate it till the frame swap soon.... then looking at a new compressor while they have the engine out of the truck and they are paying for the labor.

 

He pays his insurance, they paid for the part.

He paid for the part.

 

Just get a steel rear bumper....?

 

Repair shop doesn't warranty their repairs? The place I use warranty them for life. Sounds like you got half way screwed.