Tacoma Stalking, er...uh, Spotting, with Charlie™ (3rd Gen Edition)!

It has been my goal for a long time to make a worthwhile contribution to all three generation-specific forums on TW...

This thread is comprised of numerous 3rd Gen threads I've started over the years, including my uncle's purchase of a 2017 TRD Sport 2WD in 2019! All of these thread have been merged into my "3rd Gen Stalking" thread!

Again, pretty self-explanatory...

CLICK HERE to see my 1st Gen photo thread!

CLICK HERE to see my 2nd Gen photo thread!

CLICK HERE to jump to the "photo" part of this thread!


ORIGINAL POST: After some of my other random Gen-specific threads proved rather popular, I figured I'd propose this idea for a tricked-out 3rd gen!

So, I did not realize this until I went on the Toyota USA website, but it is not possible to get an SR5 or higher without 4WD. The only 2017 Tacoma available in 2WD is the SR. Not a big deal, though the SR is not available in any of my favorite colors for the 3rd gen. I'm particularly fond of Blazing Blue Pearl. For the amount of money it would cost to do what I have in my mind, replacing the blackout bumpers and trim on the "donor truck" with color-coded ones, and repainting the whole truck in the desired factory color would be chump change by comparison...

Here's my idea...

Doing a V8 swap! Take a 5.7L Tundra engine/transmission from a wrecked Tundra and install it in a 2016-2017 Taco! As stated above, replace blackout bumpers and trim with color-coded SR5 bumpers and trim, and repaint the truck in 2017 Tacoma Blazing Blue Pearl.

Then, lower the suspension slightly and beef it up accordingly to handle the extra power/torque. Remove factory steel wheels and replace with black NASCAR-style steel wheels wrapped in black tires with yellow lettering on the sides.

On the inside, leave the truck entirely stock except adding intermittent windshield wipers and upgrading the stereo system slightly.

Is navigation available on the 3rd gen? If so, take a head unit with GPS from a wrecked 3rd gen and install in the project truck. Backup camera, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, etc, should work with new unit. Install powerful aftermarket speakers in factory locations (my preferred brand is Pioneer), and possibly add a subwoofer and external amp.

Doing something like this would probably cost close to $100,000 including the cost of the basic truck, a decent used Tundra 5.7L powertrain and associated parts, all of the aftermarket stuff, and the cost of labor to have it all done. However, I still thought it was pretty damn cool and wanted to share it...

A 5.7L-powered 2nd gen has already been built, so why wouldn't it be possible to do it to the 3rd gen? Imagine, all the power of a Tundra in a smaller package, plus you have a handbrake instead of a floor pedal so you can drift it around corners, perform burnouts, and do other stupid stuff!



Also, Does anybody know why Toyota doesn't put intermittent wipers in it's base model Tacomas? I've also noticed that tenth generation (2006-2010) Corollas, even the higher-end ones, don't seem to have intermittent wipers. They even have the exact same control stalk as my truck!

I did not realize my Tacoma didn't have intermittent wipers until like 2 days after we bought it! I am wondering what owners of all generations think of the lack of intermittent wipers?

 

Hey, if you like the new truck, the intermittent wipers is an easy upgrade. A new stalk costs about a hundred bucks and takes less than 19 minutes to install.

 

I'd love to have a new truck, but I wouldn't love to have payments. I've built up my credit and my current truck was a gift. I've also made a lot of memories in my Tacoma. If I won a brand new Tacoma in a contest or something, or won the lottery, I'd probably still keep my 2010 as a backup. I'm just too attached to my 2010 Taco.

How come my Toyota dealer refuses to do it though? I can install stereos and change my own oil but I don't feel comfortable changing out an intermittent wiper stalk. I've been told there's a clock spring

 

You turn the steering wheel one way, remove a screw. Turn it the other way, remove another screw. Take off the column covers, unplug a couple of plugs, push in a tab while pulling out on the stalk. Pop in the new stalk, replug the plugs, replace the steering column covers and screws. Easy Peasy.

 

You would think that such a simple upgrade would come standard, but they attach it to high dollar trim packages. As was said before though, it is a simple diy pnp upgrade that even the least mechanicaally savy folks can do.

 

I think the lack of intermittent wipers on my truck only bothered me for a month, then I forgot about them and got used to flipping the stalk when I need a quick wipe. Definitely not worth $100 to buy a stalk.

Actually, I think the more annoying fact is that they don't take the few $$ that they save on the wiper stalk and include a key cylinder on the passenger door. The remote is cool and all, but some people like to keep their keys not bulky.

 

My Taco has a key hole on the passenger door...

 

A

Weird....my '15 doesn't.

 

Yeah, my '13 has a passenger door exterior lock as well. Maybe you were the beta tester for the 3rd gens, lol.

Unlike you, Ryan, I found the $100 upgrade well worth the money. I drove my truck for 2 years before I did it, and griped every time it rained. When it is raining pretty good, I didn't notice it, but we get a lot of drizzling rain where the intermittent operation really comes in handy.

 

I have a couple in like new condition for $75.

 

They eliminated the passenger door key in the handle thru Kaizen.

 

LEAN- why have 2 keyholes when there is only 1 key

 

I'm surprise they haven't gone back to one side mirror because of Kaizen.

 

In a couple of years time, you can find an intermittent 3rd Gen. stalk at a junkyard for peanuts.

For your current 2nd Gen, visit your local junkyard for one and go home and install it the same day.

 

3rd gen uses 2nd gen stalk if I'm not mistaken.

 

They are different.

 

Nope.

Mike Sweers: "The only thing that didn't change on the new 3rd Gen is the seatbelt buckle".

.... that's BS anyway.

 

Its probably a good bet why there is no grab handle on the drivers side A pillar.

 

OP, I have a single cab '10. Bought it just under 7k miles and noticed the wiper issue that night. The stalk swap is painless, there's writeups and Youtube vids on it and you won't blow the airbag or spring as you don't remove the wheel, just the column cover.

 

You're crazy man, but I like the way you think.

I have a white SRUP that I've been modding out here and there to add stock trim from other models. Nothing so crazy as an engine swap, I've just been monkeying around with things like foglights and suspension. Also figuring out if certain popular requests are feasible or not...

Funny too, I love BBP and I'm thinking about getting some vinyl accents done on my truck to throw a splash of that blue color on there.