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

I just got the TSB done today - 4.1K miles.

I used to have a NASTY delay/jump going into R, it was almost as bad getting into D but not quite as bad. The delays were bad enough that I'd really baby it when it was cold at all. This was all PRE-TSB.

POST-TSB??? Dude, it's like a new truck. No delay getting into D at all now, there's a tiny delay getting to R but no more-so than any other automatic I've driven. I'm more used to driving a manual, actually - so I'm sure your mileage will vary

I'm also having a hard time keeping my foot out of it now, throttle response also seems to have been improved. It's almost like I'm using ECT as the shift points seem really similar as I was using ECT a lot around town pre-TSB.

 

13.5K on my truck now. Very happy with the powertrain. I haul motorcycles and feel the truck has plenty of passing power. I was in a rush to get home yesterday and hauling my bike in the back doing 90ish. Still had way more power on tap. Only caveat is I was getting 15.5 mpg.

 

Agreed, my TRDOR DCSB freakin' FLIES!

Granted, I've been driving my 1st gen Tacoma 4-banger (profile pic) for the last 18 years so I'm sure this new one is a huge step up!

 

does the rear end howl in 4x2 or just 4x4

 

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...^^^... I always had more issues with the 4x4's that the 4x2's ... including rear diff howl and drive shafts that seemed out of balance.

But that is to be expected too ... with many more moving parts on 4x4's that have to always be in sync.

My present 4x2 has been a very good truck with a few small issues ... most of those seem to be self-correcting.
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thanks...Haven't heard anything but did not know if it was one of those things that was just waiting to show its ugly head....So far, just put the plug in LCAs and got TSB for re-flash...Truck runs really good......just don't like Toyota's arrogant attitude......with Lexus, customer is always right....no if's ands or but's with them.....but i guess thats Lexus......have had them for 25 years...great cars.....

 

Might be..... Minivans can be heavy.... they would need something to move it along comfortably... plus haul people and stuff.

I remember a couple of stock V6 caravans whipping up on a bunch of "import tuner" cars at the drag strip.

 

I've got a bit over 27k on mine(DCSB TRD OR). After the TSB for the transmission, it's a completely different truck. Ive got about 4K miles on since having the update done. It's great to be able to use the cruise again. My gas mileage has improved as well. My last 4 tanks have been 22.9, 21.1, 24.2, 22.4. Prior to the update I rarely saw 20mpg, now I'm usually at or above 20 mpg, even at 70-80 mph. Shifts are much more intelligent than it ever was for the first 24,000 miles.

 

I don't think the 3.5 is "gutless", and to call it that would be an exaggeration, but it was a bit of a pig in some ways. Obviously we all can agree that it's not a sports car, and it's that's what you are expecting then you're just an uninformed moron who has unreasonable expectations. What annoyed me about the 3.5 was the fact that when you did step on the pedal, say on the freeway to pass someone, the truck would have quite a long hesitation and kind of throw up all over itself and after that uncomfortable, noticeable pause it would then accelerate. Many times I'd try to pass, hit the gas and be like, "wtf?!?!" because the truck wouldn't go, then it would lurch forward finally, and when it did it had plenty of power, but that lag was incredibly annoying. Also, I just felt like they tuned the truck wrong for the '16's. The Atkinson cycle (or modified Atkinson cycle/whatever they call it) just plain blows for the application in this truck. It makes it feel like it's a 4cyl engine, and to get it to feel "normal" you have to mash on the gas pedal, thus negating any potential advantages in fuel economy. Sounds good in theory, but is not great in practice. If you keep the truck stock and drive it like a grandma, and are continuously being observant of your speed, never pass anyone and never speed up or go above 65mph then you can get fairly decent mpg from this truck. But good luck if you have to slow down then speed up on the freeway or decide to pass someone. Your mpg will be affected in a huge way.

And for the record I'd not into fast, powerful cars, and still was annoyed by the delay and lag from the '16's 3.5. I ditched it for a Subaru Outback Limited with the 2.5i 4 cylinder engine. I only mention that only because I'm more into the utilitarian aspects of vehicles, not speed, which is why I wanted a truck initially.

You really have to mash the pedal on the Tacoma to get any kind of performance out of it. It's all or nothing. There's no middle ground. The TSB update and using the ECT is a slight improvement, but still more of the same and more like a polished turd as opposed to a real fix for the problem.

 

If I had to pick one complaint about the truck, the engine would be it. The power is nice and the truck does accelerate pretty quickly, but the hesitation to get there sucks. I wish the power band was different with more low-end power etc... I did test drive the four banger, talk about gutless!!

 

Have you tried putting the truck in S mode. I tried it for the first time and it makes a big difference so much more acceleration

 

I'm fine with the power that the truck makes with the V6. The lag and hesitation (as mentioned above a few times) prior to acceleration is my nag.

 

Try S mode. You will find a world of difference in acceleration. It will impact your mpg though

 

When did the TSB for the transmission come out? My truck was built on 08-16. I wonder if it has the updat.