Double Cab vs Access Cab Performance

My uncle in Pennsylvania and I (in SoCal) have near identical Silver 2005 Tacoma, 4.0, 6spd, 4x4, TRD Sport, tow package. We both have the same General AT2 265/70/17 tires but my double cab has 17x8 wheels that are about 5-6lbs lighter than stock, and he has stock 17's. I have a 1.75" lift and he has a 3" lift. My truck has 116k and his close to 130k. Both trucks have new newer NGK plugs, no check engine lights, and are similarly maintained as we often share our experiences with each other. When I was home over Christmas I got to drive his and it just has noticeably more power, pulls harder, etc. I use 91 octane gas that's available here in SoCal and he runs 93 over on the east coast.

Does the access cab weight that much less than the double cab that it creates a noticeable effect on performance? Does 93 offer than much more performance than 91? My truck just seems sluggish compared to his. I've started reading into cleaning out the VVT-I oil control valve and screen, possibly changing out the fuel pump/filter assembly for the URD kit or stock setup. My truck sometimes has a rougher idle than normal but its not consistent. Any thoughts on why my truck is so sluggish and his is so much more sluggish?

 

Compare the weight specs first. Also, does he have access to ethanol-free gas? Have either of you ever replaced coil packs/wires? Do you carry more crap in your truck than he does?

 

Sluggish and so much more sluggish


Access cab ftw.

 

I found some info online and a spec sheet says my truck weights in at 4130lbs and his at 4045lbs. My fat ass probably has 50lbs on him so my truck probably weights 135lbs more with me in it. He tends to carry tools and crap behind the seat and both beds were empty when I drove them. I have never replaced the coil packs. Ill have to ask him if he has.

 

Maybe different PCM software level? Have both trucks done the gas pedal chop recall?

With coil-on-plug ignition, coils and wires shouldn't need replacing unless you find one burnt or bulging.

 

Mine has the gas pedal chop done. Didn’t notice his at the time. Does this affect performance? I asked a question on here about getting a factory software update and got no replies.

 

Did either of you get the software reflash for predetonation pinging?

If his 93 is non ethanol and your 91 has ethanol, there would be some difference, but still negligible.

Maybe his miles have been easier on the engine than yours and he simply has better compression than you.

 

I highly doubt he's running ethanol free gas. Looking on Pure-gas.org there are none near Philadelphia and there are close to none in SoCal. I'm sure he fills up at Wawa because its cheap just like I fill up at Arco for the same reason. Is the predetonation pinging reflash included in the gas pedal chop TSB?

 

The gross vehicle weight has to be more than a couple hundred pounds. More frame, seats, more panel etc.

I would think weight has a lot to do with it.

 

If the double cab is a short bed, it's the same frame.

 

Here's the spec sheet for the 2010 Tacoma, I am sure its similar enough to a 2005 for the sake of conversation.

 

Access Cab is heavy for its size because there is no fixed B-pillar. The roof and rear doors need to be reinforced to take seat belt loads, roof crush loads (rollovers), and side-impact loads. There's a bigger weight difference between 4x4 and PreRunner than between Access Cab and Double Cab.

 

Gas pedal chop came with a PCM software update that added the brake override feature; the software update included all previous fixes. One of the fixes was reduced pinging, probably achieved by retarding ignition timing. If his truck didn't get the recall done, it might have earlier PCM software able to take greater advantage of 93 gas.

Of course with the miles, it's also possible his MAF sensor is less dirty than yours, his throttle plate is less gummed up than yours, etc.

 

My Access Cab weighs in at 4,660 but thats with a bunch of mods on it.

 

Probably just feels different as the ECU has acclimatized to his driving style. (How much of that is bullshit, I don’t know)

 

There are some differences in weights and capacities I’m aware of in the 2015 year models and I believe that these are consistent across all the 2nd generation model years. There are also some gear ratio differentials between the manual and automatic models. I chose the acess cab in part because of the better payload and the reported ability to tow more weight. I believe the acess cab is quicker and more agile overall, perhaps because of these slight differences. So many things can impact performance though there is probably no way pin down the thing or group of things that makes your truck perform differently than your uncles. Tire condition, air pressure, engine wear, fuel and air management, etc. All these things can make a difference. When’s the last time you changed out your engine air filter? Let us know if you determine what the issue is!

 

I cleaned my throttle and MAF when I did my spark plugs 5k ago. When i was visiting him we changed the air filter in his truck and it was still faster before we put a new one in. I am starting to think its due to the ECU flash the dealer did when they cut the gas pedal on the TSB/Warranty thing as well as the 93 octane fuel they get over there. Ill probably go ahead and clean out the OCV filters and valves this weekend and see. Its free and doesnt look like too big of a project. Thanks for the insights.

 

Hmm...

Last time I rolled across a scale, mine was a fair bit over 6000 pounds. I had some tools in it that don't live in there, but no more than 200 pounds max. I got some junk in the trunk, I guess.

 

I kinda have a hard time believing that those few mods that I have on my truck comes to over 600 pounds... but the scales dont lie I guess... oh, and thats with me in it so 400 pounds over? thats a little easier to imagine.

Even with your topper 6000? Sounds like high dont it?

 

In the bed, I have 100' of 3/8" cable with attachments on each end, 2 - 4"x20' tow straps, a 30' snatch strap, 5 large shackles, 3 logging rated pulleys, my Warn X8000i with steel rope on a removable cradle, shovel, grain scoop, pulaski, come along, 4 way lug wrench, extra automotive fluids, Husky 550 XP (20" bar) with extra fluids, a sled and cross country skis (in winter), various lengths of rope, and a small plastic bottle of whiskey. The small stuff is in a milk crate, and everything fits under my sleeping platform. I also have a 60" all cast hi lift which nests beside the platform, and the off road base and lift mate.



The cab is a tool box too.





In the cab, I have:
Tire chains, socket set, wrench set, random tools box, retired climbing rope, rain gear, bottle jack (in addition to OEM jack), road flares, PB Blaster, window cleaner, starting fluid, ARB inflator and hose, 3lb hammer, tire plug kit, roll of shop towels, and toilet paper. Then I shove a bunch of other stuff behind the front seats. This includes: large crescent wrench, channel locks, framing hammer, crow bar, wire fence tool, gallon of water (currently frozen), rifle scabbard (currently unoccupied), CB (because it's huge and old. I'll mount my newer smaller one eventually), and magnetic base antenna.

I won't bother to mention what I manage to stuff into my center console and glove box...

Oh, I also have skids, bolt on sliders, a hidden front hitch, a fiberglass topper, and 5 60pound tires (just the rubber) on steel wheels.