2017 Tacoma, One Month In

Is there a seat position mod or did you guys just fabricate something yourself to raise the back of the seat?

 

What did you do to raise the rear seats? Did you just buy some sort of bushing/washer? What size did you use? Did you have to change the rear seat bolts?

 

Everything is relative my friend. Coming from your truck, you probably wouldn't have these complaints - coming from an B8 Audi S4, I will.

 

I don't even have air conditioning, and the windows are hand crank. I did somehow end up with a dash clock though. I understand those weren't standard.

Why'd you lose the Audi? Apples to oranges.

 

The same transmission is used in the 2.7L and 3.5L and clearly was put in to save on production costs. It's a turd, so what else is new?

 

There are problems with the B8 clutch system. A systemic problem related to stack-up tolerance in the design of the parts. There's a number of guys who are having trouble tripping the starter interlock switch with their B8s. Audi chalks it up to clutch wear, but these guys have pulled their trannys out and found 60% life left on their plates. The starter interlock switch is mounted to the clutch master cylinder on those cars, instead of under the clutch pedal like every perfectly operating normal vehicle. Audi went all german on us and over designed it. Clutch systems are a wear item (non-warranty). My car started to show early signs of the issue. I also needed a little more space and some priorities changed.

 

I raised them about 3/4" and honestly I can't remember if I used some spacers or a stack of washers or some combination, it was just stuff from my junk boxes. But I did buy new, longer, mounting bolts to compensate. And compared to my '97 T100 with sagged out bench seat, even the stock Taco seating is great.

 

https://www.google.ca/amp/www.usnew...-legatum-study-says?context=amp?client=safari
Click on this.

 

I give your truck a 7 out of 10. It deserves the other 4 points for you putting it down so much.

 

coming from an '98 legacy, '05 civic, and an '04 tsx and taking into consideration it's a truck; I'd give mine a 9/10. Only thing I miss is the quick get up and go of the tsx. But that was a sporty little sedan, not a 4k pound truck.

 

Audi is the poster child for over-engineering things.

Great cars but get rid of them around the time the warranty runs out as parts are very expensive.

Audi's famous (infamous?) S4 V8 timing chain setup, at the rear of the engine (requires engine removal to service), and yes it is problematic.

Just the ticket for the average DIY enthusiast.

 

What a fricken nightmare.
As far as my Taco goes, Im pretty happy with it so far. I did want the OR but like the OP I wanted the longed and couldn't find an OR with the LB.
As far as performance goes, I had an 81 F150 4x4 with a 302 in it and 3:30 rears once. Even after rebuilding it and putting in a cam it was pretty much a dog.
I like my Taco.

 

*shrug* I'm happy with my truck. Bought it to be a truck. Plenty of power if you quit playing footsie with the gas pedal and actually mash it down to get to the power band revs.

I already have a sports coupe for when I want to go-real-fast-real-quick. It sucks at hauling flooring or lumber or other stuff. That's why I have a truck.

 

I'd give mine an 8 out of 10.

Pluses include
- I do not have any of the transmission issues albeit I drive with ECT on
- Great turning radius (same as my Acura TSX)
- Truck can be worked on without jacking up
- Very easy to work on
- Plenty of power with ECT especially after 3000 rpm
- I have done a fair share of off roading and random things such as running over curbs just for the sake of doing so which zero problems.
- Transfer case was filled to the proper level.

Negatives include
- Rattles along both A pillars by the speaker grills (fixed with a piece of black weatherstripping)
- Rattles in the headliner (took it all down, put adhesive foam where any wires could or would move)
- Really really bad speakers. They are paper and just plain garbage. I replaced all speakers with JBL GTO speakers which are 3 ohm and sound great. For $250 there is a big difference. Not as good as my old stereo with a 1200W amp and Alpine Type R sub, but let's be realistic here.
- 0.6 quarts low on front and rear diff
- 1 quart low on transmission fluid

I came in with the intention of doing all the maintenance, work and fixes myself so I won't complain too much about the extra work.

 

I am 1 month in as well and in my first Tacoma also. I came from an 03 Silverado, Duramax and was prepared to have less torque, but I will admit that the engine is light for torque on a V6. The torque and steering wheel reach have been my biggest detractors so far, but I absolutely love the truck overall! I'm puzzled why Toyota has failed to realize that people who drive truck's love low-end torque and lots of it!