3.5 Gutless? Eh, not really. 10,000 mile review

Well, I hit my 10,000 mile mark and figured I owe a review of the truck. I also drove my brothers 2012 DCLB Sport to compare some differences between motors and the LB and SB.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the truck. Rides good. Road noise isn't bad with the General Grabber AT2s.

Mileage:
With the heavier tires, no air dam.... 22mpgs is reasonably obtainable. If you drive aggressively and in the city... expect 16 mpgs. Mileage drops off when driving 70 mph or faster.

Gutless 3.5? I think not. When comparing to the 4.0, the 3.5 makes power at about 1000-1500 rpm higher. Low speed torque is there sooner with the 4.0. Still, once you are in the 3.5's poweband the 3.5 has more power by far. It also runs much much smoother in the higher rpm range.

If the guts aren't there on the 3.5, you aren't giving enough go pedal. I think most just aren't used to this driving dynamic change. Also, the ECT button places the engine closer to it's power band. I really think Toyota was trying to have it's cake and eat it too.... or at least give the driver the option to choose between better mileage or more response. I drive like a paw paw.... so I choose mileage in general.

Driving in hilly areas, the Taco does shift a bit as the engine just isn't in it's power band when in the final drive gears. The 4.0 would probably not shift as much. Cruise control does seem to stick a little more in the lower gears in hilly areas.

Overall, the 3.5 is a change to what most of us are used too. Just let it work in it's power band and it's perfectly fine for this truck. Give more pedal when you need power.

LB or SB? the SB rides a little better (though I'm comparing 2012 vs. 2016) especially when going over uneven surfaces.... it is noticeably more nimble and easier to park. I could live with either, but most of the time I'll get more benefit from the SB. Still not decided if I was buying today and had both on the lot. Probably I would pick the SB, but it would be a tough decision.

Seat position.... I'm 6' and 350lbs.... I find the seat plenty comfortable. I don't see why there is so much issue. I do wish the steering wheel had more up tilt for entry/exit. That's about it.

Stereo.... I've played guitar for 35ish years, love music, love good sound, I listen to Rock, Blues, Country, Jazz, Metal and most anything else.... I don't have JBL or the larger screen. I find the sound quality fine for an automobile and enough volume and plenty bass response. EQ is plenty good. It has enough volume, but do wish it had more power just because I don't like having the volume near max to rock.... but it's enough. It's not a home stereo, but plenty fine driving down the road.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the truck. I'd buy it again though I might would get the OR if I could get it with tow and OR package only at a little over invoice. My only other wish is that it was Green in color.

This has been a great little truck.

 

Nice review, similar experience here

 

Good review, I agree on many of your points.

 

Shit review. Not nearly enough drama, assumptions and generalizations. Not even a single "you shoulda bought a Ringeline" comment. Amateur hour.

 

Thanks WFC, great breakdown.

 

The 3.5 screams with my manual transmission. 4.3 gears. It's as fast as my 02 auto 5.3l silverado. At least to the butt dyno.

I saw a review where they got high 6s 0-60 with the mt. That would make it the fastest mid size.

 

Nice eval.

 

Thanks! Any creaks, leaks or rattles coming from int or ext at 10k?

 

Good review but one point of correction. Long wheel base vehicles drive smoother than short wheel base ones all other things being equal. Very simple vehicle geometry. So if you felt the short wheel base drove smoother, that was the 3rd gen drives smoother than the 2nd gen, which I wouldn't doubt. That said short wheel base wins out in maneuverability like you pointed out, which I find more valuable.

 

Agreed!

I will say the only thing i hate about my truck is the sticker my school made me put on the window

 

I did have one squeek.... sounded like a belt or idler pully. It went away before I could check it. That was a few 1000 miles ago. That was it though.

 

@crashnburn80 Probably didn't come out the way I intended... the 2012 Sport DCLB rode rougher no doubt....but the LB noticably shifted harsher when going over an uneven surface like a dip in an intersection when approached at an angle other than perpendicular.... some of that may also be attributed to the Sport shocks.

 

I have the same truck as WCF and I agree. It's a great truck all around and plenty of power. I drive mostly city and the mileage does suffer a bit but if I was that concerned about it I wouldn't have bought a truck. Only problem with mine so far is done sand stuck in between the rubber bushing and one of the leaf springs from going off road. Been a pain trying to get it out so it'll stop squeaking. Next to try is spreading them to get it out. Overall I love the truck and it's a great daily driver.

 

The sports have heavier sway bars and stiffer suspension. A long wheel base vehicle changes less in relative angle when going over uneven surfaces compared to a short wheel base vehicle, resulting in a smoother ride for the long wheel base. Hence my comment being that it is likely difference between the truck generations, and trim level.

 

Part of the reason I qualified my statement. I'm still not sure about how the rear of the longbed seemed to shift when turning at a dip in an intersection. Might be just the suspension, but it is something that seems more likely with a longer wheelbase. I might need to think about it some more.

 

Made me happy, that did. Mine (MT LB AC OR) should be hear before end of the month.

 

15k mile review: engine needs more low end power and trans could be much better. Still has howling rear diff, excessive wind noise from passenger door seal failure, hood flutters from failed adhesive bonds, and driveline vibrations. Otherwise love the truck.

 

Wish we could get that version here.

 

My stream-of-consciousness 12K review here:

I dont have any major gripes with the engine. It seems to "flutter" at certain rpms/speeds but its negligible at this point. The ride on the OR is nice and quiet. The only negative about that is that it highlights the diff howling, and if the wind is just right, wind/road noise like my driver door is open. The OEM GY tires are great imo.

The transmission, for me at least, was fixed after the TSB. I don't really even notice it anymore. It shifts much more smoothly and readily..and it holds gears like it should.

The fit and finish of the interior is great. The seat is plenty comfortable. I love the wireless charging and big screen (WITH THE VOLUME KNOB! NEVER GET RID OF IT TOYOTA). Having a backup camera is nice. The roll and pitch screen still makes me geek out like a kid. I like the cup holders and storage options.

4x4 is perfect so far. I guess the MTS helps? I've never used the crawl control yet. I am planning a beach camping trip in a couple of weeks. Maybe I'll get myself stuck just to see if it works.

The absolute worst thing is: my brake pedal pulsates. According to everyone, its the brake accumulator--and completely normal. Its fucking awful and NOT normal or acceptable. It pulsates almost every press of the brake. When it goes in for the 15K service they will be addressing that (hopefully). I also have the 1800-2100 driveline vibration, but it doesn't seem to be as bad as others and it doesn't bother me. It feels like an engine working (to me). I have the rumble-strip while stopping vibrations too. That bothers me. I also have the hood flutter.

I go through waves of emotions with this truck. I have peaks and valleys where I love it and where I can't stand the POS. Toyota owes it to all of us to fix the diffs and the vibrations. We paid a lot of money--most of us because of Toyota Tacoma's reputation for bulletproof reliability (and bc the competition is know for these shitty issues). I considered unloading it but I refuse to take a bath on the deal. Toyota also gave me an 8 year 125K warranty which helps some. And, unfortunately, at the end of the day its still the only real option in the mid-sized truck market. The GM twins feel cheap, and I don't trust them anymore than I do Toyota at this point.

I want to love my truck and enjoy every minute of driving it. If Toyota fixes the problems, I think I will be happy.

Aside: If I could go back and do it over again (assuming no issues existed) I'd probably get the LB version. That extra foot would be nice, and I think it would make the truck look better overall. The DCSB looks lopsided/front heavy. I went with the SB because 1. Thats all they had 2. I thought parking would be tough (I live in a city). After having owned the SB, I dont think an extra foot would be a problem.

 

How about jacking it up and power washing the shit outta the springs before the sand destroys your "anti-squeak" plastic thingies...??