2017 Tacoma a little disappointed, need help!

I just bought a 2017 SR5 with a dealer installed lift and wheels. I really like the truck but I am a bit disappointed with the ride and power. The ride is really rough and bouncy and it's a bit of a struggle to keep straight. Tires hum really loud for 33" tires. On the highway it really struggles to get to speed. Cruising at 70 is tough and it doesn't settle in to gear well.

I'm not new to lifted trucks , in fact this is the smallest lifted truck I've had. My 2008 Duramax on 38's rode smoother.

I'm guessing since it's a lighter / smaller truck it gets affected by a small lift . I can deal with the ride , but I need more power.

Suggestions that won't void warranty?

 

what type of lift is it? If they just used spacers or preloaded the coils that's the problem. Changing to a higher quality lift could help. It's got mud tires which are traditionally loud and have poor wear qualities.

 

Not sure. Good point though. Need to look at paperwork. I spent so much time haggling , I over looked the details on the lift ! I only drove it I. The auto mall so I didn't get a real world feel. I can deal with it. But the real problem is highway speeds. It really struggles to get up to 70. Feel like I'm hammering it to get and stay there.

 

Try driving with ect power mode engaged and see if it helps. You need to get these trucks to higher rpms (over 3000 or so) to get them moving. The engine doesn't hit its hp and torque number until higher in the rpm range. Different from driving a traditional truck but many owners are okay with it after they adapt.

 

I don't drive a new truck. Still in my lifted '03 DC SR-5 that runs strong, like a champ. So I can't say for sure why a new Tacoma with lift on it would be underpowered to the point of struggling to maintain 70 mph. Maybe it didn't have enough engine in it to begin with? I don't know. Some of the guys running new trucks will no doubt offer better suggestions than that. It just seems there must be something that can be dialed in a lot better with your truck than it is now. Hell, my '03 would leave your truck in the dust as it is now. So, the best of luck sorting everything out, and let us know what you find as you do so..

 

What is the build date of the truck? (on the inside sticker of the driver's door)?
You should see the shifting / speed maintaining level out as you clock more miles (>1,000) as it is "trying" to learn your driving habits. Sometimes works better than others, but it should improve the longer you drive it.

 

Also ovtune just released a tune for your truck that would improve hp and torque numbers along with throttle control and power throughout the rpm range. Check that out as a solution that would not void your warranty.

 

Check the weight of those tires and wheels the dealer installed. Unsprung weight is a killer when accelerating. For every 10 lbs you add of unsprung weight, its like adding 100 lbs to the truck. In reality you should be talking to the dealer about your issues, not us. The best thing is to go test drive an UNMODDED truck that is similar to yours. See how it drives. If it is better, then have the dealer swap the mods back to stock, or at least the tires.

 

The ride you can probably adjust and fix. The power not so much. This truck doesn't make any sort of noticeable torque until ~3k RPM (butt dyno). Have to cruise at higher RPM and stay there, don't know how to do that in the auto.

As someone else suggested, check out the OVtune thread. I think that will be your best shot aside from moving to a different truck.

 

Assuming you test drove it, why'd you buy it?

 

I think there is some validity to people calling for more power, who couldn't use more power? But I agree with this post. You said after they adapt. I feel like I had to learn to drive this truck. That with the ECT power button has made the truck much more of what I expected when I bought it.

 

The shit ride is from the shit lift the dealership put on there. I shake my head when you say you overlooked this. How does someone do that? I just don't understand. Is what it is now though. You're only options are to live with it, sell it, put a better lift on it or if you really want good ride quality go back to stock...although at that point you'd probably be better off trading for a different stock Tacoma. The heavy wheels and tires plus the lack of low end power plus the lethargic ECO focused transmission mapping Toyota has put on these trucks is why you feel like it doesn't have any power. The motor has plenty of power you just have a lot working against you at the moment.

 

I'll trade you my Duratracs for your 33s

 

Cool story bro.

 

True, too..

 

I have full armor, spare tire carrier, rtt, bedrack and 33's. I just took off the tire carrier and rtt and my truck feels like a rocket ship.

 

Those larger tires that I'm guessing are likely E rated are probably a big part of the issue.

We're talking about a 3.5l V6 truck and not the 2.7l 4 banger, right?

 

That's what I was wondering too, also, is the truck brand new? It will run different after you get some miles on it if it is new. If you have the 4 you might be sol.

 

The dealers around here usually use pro comp spacer lifts. Then they mark the truck up about 10 grand.

 

Yeah it's the pro comp lift. I definitely need more power !! I am at 2000 or so under tow cap , and it's hurting. Luckily I don't tow much since my lake is in my backyard. Today I'm heading about an hour south to another site so it will work for now. But I want more !!