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

Maybe I should make a thread regarding this exact topic, but instead "When I got into Law Enforcement, I had no idea what I was in for!"

I love making random threads on truck forums!

 

Yes, harder and harder to find cars and especially trucks with manual transmissions, and fewer drivers that are able to drive them. Only 3.9% of the cars sold in the U.S. are build with manual transmissions, but manuals are still the overwhelming choice in the rest of the world. In Europe and Japan, more than 80% of the cars sold have manual transmissions. Just 30 years ago, 71% of vehicles on American roads were automatics, vs. more than 96% today. And, 67% of all car models built in 2013 were available with ONLY an automatic. Probably higher today. One of the reasons cited is that traffic keeps getting worse, and bumper-to-bumper in a stick can get old fast. Even Ferrari gave up, and no longer makes a car with a manual. To me, that's just not right!

Automatics are definitely more reliable now than they used to be, but they still cost more to buy, and more to fix. They are easier to live with as a daily driver, but also allow you to do too many other things while driving. A stick shift forces me to focus on driving, and it's way more fun! It keeps me from speeding too, because you just leave it in 3rd to stay under 30-35 mph. I know, not everyone agrees... my wife can't drive a stick, and my daughter never learned either. My son started on a stick shift, and has owned more manual trans than automatics.

I took drivers ed in high school in 1973 - they had 8 cars, only one was a manual - and I would always hurry to try to get to the stick shift first. I figured anyone could drive an automatic, I'll learn how to drive a stick. I've had many cars, trucks, and motorcycles since then, probably more automatics but still a fair share of manuals. Like I said, there are advantages to both, but I prefer to drive a stick, it's just more fun, and it forces me to pay attention, plus I can put a new clutch in myself. I can't rebuild a modern automatic. Even though I'll be 60 this year, if I can fix it myself, I will... hate to pay someone to do something I could do myself. The '05 Tacoma TRD with a 6-speed manual is the first stick shift I've owned in many years, at least as a daily driver. I'm just having a hard time thinking about selling my '06 F150 - even with double the miles, the Ford runs great and I've kept it up very well. So for now, I have both trucks, along with 2 Avalons, and my Honda 750 Nighthawk.

Anyway, I appreciate the thread Charlie... brings back some good memories of my 1969 Opel Kadett! I could see the pavement if I looked straight down the stick shift!

 

I do have backup story for you that I just remember, but I wasn't in my Tacoma. My parents had a 2004 Honda Odyssey EX they bought brand new and had for 9 years. My mom primarily drove it. Whenever my friends and I went to the movies or did whatever, the Odyssey was our vehicle of choice and my parents were happy to let me borrow it. Once, some time after I got my license (May 2011) but before I got the stereo installed in my truck (April 2013), I backed the van into my friend's mom's car after dropping said friend off.

I turned the wheel to the right and backed out of the driveway, and promptly kissed the front bumper bumper of my buddy's mom's 1997 Monte Carlo with the van's back bumper. My friend's mom had this old car because she'd got it for only like $2,000 and used it to commute to work. It had low miles despite being like 15 years old at the time, had ice cold A/C, and was in great

Police officers, Firefighters, Marines, Tacoma owners... We're all different but ultimately the same!

 

I agree. My tacoma is my first ever truck, but i have grown up around family with trucks, just never have owned one. Im extremely pleased with my truck and the community that comes along with it. I have been the stranger thats walked up to other tacoma owners to ask about their truck.

One of my proudest moments was just after i put my lift and wheels on, i was at a gas station and during the time it took me to get fuel, 3 different people complimented me on my truck. Two were older gentleman and one was a younger guy, early to mid 20's probably.

I dont know what it is, but its always nice getting a compliment on my truck, theres just something about it. Its nice to know that people notice it and other tacoma owners ask you questions about them.

 

Wow, that's pretty cool. Oddly I like Alan Jackson and country too! Lol

 

I'm a self proclaimed air conditioning connesuier.

The AC in my DC works well and I live in Arizona's asshole so during the summer my AC is on nonstop and functioning at peak is a TOP priority.

My previous Lexus with air conditioned seats had a wonderful AC system that kept your testicles and ass crack cool even when it's 120°+ outside.

 

I hate to do it, but I gotta use the ignore button for the 1st time. Your threads are like a car crash. A person can't help look and the next thing you know, you crashed your own car.

Still think you should start your own blog or write a book.

Peace/out

KO

 

I owned 5 vehicles previous to the Tacoma- every one was stick. So much more control with a manual transmission- around curves, slowing down and speeding up, and you are more focused on actually driving when you are shifting the gears manually.
Never had a problem with stop and go traffic, and never had a transmission mechanical problem.
Last truck was a 97- owned it 19 years and it was the original clutch- when I traded it in, the transmission was still working perfectly.
My wife has always refused to learn manual trans, and when we we talking about buying a new truck, I asked her if she would prefer it if I bought an automatic trans. She gave a slight smile and said she would like that, and since she has put up with me for the last 26 years, I thought I would make the switch.
Probably a good idea, since this will hopefully be the last truck I will own- have heard stories about older people getting some sort of injury that prevents them from driving a stick. My brother in law inherited his dads Frontier in almost new condition- a manual transmission truck that his dad could not drive because of an injury.

AND- I really like the quirky 3rd gen AT- yes the shifting is on rare occasion mystifying, but I mostly drive conservatively so no problem. Really love the engine braking- not really as good as an MT, but similar and I don't use the brake as much in light traffic.

 

Both

of You.


<3

 

I prefer an auto Tacoma over a manual Taco any day. The way the 6 speed shifted was horrible.

 

My 1971 Trans Am is a manual transmission. Driver's Ed was still using manual transmission cars in the late 90's and I took my driving test with one. Both of my parents drove only vehicles with manual transmissions up until Toyota no longer offered the 4-Runner with a manual. My mother actually cannot drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission.

 

I'd buy this!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2010-Toyota...cbf057f3:g:a5EAAOSwnHZYdj0w&item=162335315955

Toyota Tacomas always have been and always will be good trucks, but I just don't like the 3rd gens as much as I like the 2nd gens. I have no idea why. I don't plan on getting into any more fender benders that ARE my fault. However, shit happens...

I've saw 2007-2014 Silverado 2500HD that got totaled because a tree fell on the hood of the truck right before the windshield and the structural damage exceeded resale value or something. Floods also aren't unheard of around here either. And, I didn't foresee myself getting hit by a drunk driver, but everyone knows how that went.

So yeah, shit happens, and I'd just buy another good condition low-mileage used 2009-2010 Toyota Tacoma and install the stereo and wheels from my current Taco in it. This white 2010 model is an SR5 so it has intermittent wipers, and a backup camera in the rearview mirror. It also already has a new head unit installed. Unless I could find some way to hook my Sony touch-screen unit to the factory tailgate handle camera. Is that even possible?

FYI, if I got another regular cab, it would be a 4x4 5-speed. I just really like this white access cab.

 

I agree with you. The 3rd gens just aren't my cup of tea (nothing against them cause they look great) but I really like the first gens cause of the smaller size. If I wanted a bigger truck id probably go with a tundra.

 

Snag it!!!!​

 

Or theres always a 1st Gen out there needing a loving owner.... To run it till it runs no more

 

Plus you can't get them in regular cab anymore and that center console handbrake just isn't my cup of tea. For the longest time, Japanese mini trucks had the pull-handle thing to the right of the steering column. All domestically produced pickups, large and small, had the little pedal on the left with the release handle.

Until just a few years ago, all stick shift 2nd gen Tacos had the pull handle to the right of the steering wheel. My Taco, being a slushbox, has the little foot pedal, but it is push on/push off release and no handle.

 

Mine is the pull and twist handle.

 

And it's crazy how much the Tacomas have changed over time especially in the size.

 

I wouldn't mind having one of them either. I'd buy a 4x4 beater to drive during the winter and keep my mint 2010 regular cab in the garage during the winter (I'd "exercise" it on nice days though).

My requirements for a beater 4x4 would be:

Heat must work (obviously, for driving it in the winter)
A/C must work (I'll end up using it in the summer)
Must be manual (engine does not matter)
No salvage title or severe accident/flood damage
Must pass PA emissions test and safety inspection
Must be $3,000 or less (I'm living in a fantasy world)