Going from a 1st gen Tundra to a Tacoma?

Thanks for all your help guys I just got back from test driving a couple of Tacoma’s first a 2014 4.0 v6 4x4 with the 6 speed manual and a 2018 with the 3.5 v6 and automatic trans. The 4.0 was nice but no 4.7 which is to be expected though. Also for what I’m doing a manual is just not ideal unfortunately. That 3.5 and 6 speed automatic just didn’t do it for me. Just no low end torque at all and did a lot of gear hunting.

 

If you want low end torque. Look at a v8 or eco boost. No Tacoma will satisfy that need.

 

225k miles and it runs like a clock doesn’t burn a drop of oil and it even still looks brand new after 5k miles. The truck has maybe 80% highway miles on it and the original owner was an engineer who meticulously maintained it. Other than the rear end it really does have a lot of life left in it but I’m just thinking about that Tacoma for new technology and Getting about an extra 5mpg is a nice bonus

 

I dont believe youll be making a substantial increase in mpg, I dont think even 5. In my opinion, fix the truck and run it to the ground, its a great truck. But your more than welcome to join is here in TW if you decide otherwise

 

I’m

I wish I had all the money in the world lol I’d just keep the tundra and buy the Tacoma and throw that 2.8 cummins in it haha

 

If you buy a new tacoma though, thats alot of money.

 

Just sold my '03 Tundra with almost 300k miles. Never a problem. The engine could last easy to 500k. Sold it in 2 days 30% of orginal purchase price. Pure Toyota value. Loved the size. Purchased a '18 Tacoma as the new oversized Tundra was not for me. Tacoma is almost the same size as the '03, much better milage; however miss the V8 ! I plan on keeping the Tacoma another 15 years as well. Can't go wrong with the Tacoma, great ride, more safety features and smells NEW ! Go for it.....

 

I’m thinking I’m gonan fix my truck and put it up for sale and see what happens and go from there. I’m a little hesitant to go for it still I’m not a fan of that 3.5 and 6 speed auto combo and I’d much rather have the 3rd gen. A while back I drove a 2.7 with the 6 speed auto and imo even that was better than the 3.5

 

I know there's a lot of hate for the 3.5 6-speed auto combo, and it was definitely different for me at first. But, I love it now, especially on winding paved roads in the Ozarks and running forest roads and trails. It takes it a while to learn your driving style, or for you to learn how to drive it (not sure which is true, likely a combination of both). This is coming from driving a long line of Toyota drivetrains, including the old 3.4, 4.0, and 4.7 (4Runner we handed down to my daughter has the 4.7). The 4.7 is still my favorite, but the 3.5 is just different. But, YMMV, some people just hate it.

 

Don't see many Stepsides. I liked my '05 Limited. Actually used the steps to access the shell windoors, put 3M grit tape on them so I didn't lose a kneecap slipping off.

OP, I can't give any advice, but best of luck with whatever you do.

 

The thing about new tech is in 5 years it will be old tech.

 

I test drove a 2016 3.5 auto when they first came out, being a longtime customer the dealer let me take it out by myself for an hour.

The drive-by-wire throttle response is poorly done (new 4Runners with the 4.0 dual vvt-I have the same problem), I'd slap one of those throttle commanders or whatever they're called onto it and call it a day. ECT mode was much better and nice to have, but I'd still slap one of those throttle things on for $175.

Having A-Trac and crawl control sure would be nice compared to a GenI Tundra. I'm sticking with the 4.7 4Runner for a while, has A-Trac, tows well, decent interior. I love the 4.7's, decent mpg, and the engine note when I put my foot into it . . . .

 

I still have my 1st gen tundra that I bought new in 2001, 160k now, completely trouble free. I’ve had others but this was the one that was just rock solid maintenance wise. As for moving from the 1gen tundra to 3rd gen Tacoma, overall the size is almost identical, like the extra interior space in the Tacoma and just about everything else is 100% better in the Tacoma, handling, confort, driving, noise etc, but I do miss the Tundra engine and bed. Don’t miss those fucking stupid rear doors though. My MPG in the Tundra was 15 and 19 in Tacoma. Trans in the Tacoma is way better once you get used to it, the kick down in the Tundra was always way too slow. Overall I’m really happy with the switch, glad I did it. I’ve had other Tundras and always gone back to this 1st gen. Tundra is my sons now, but I still use it for hauling anything big. As for towing I use a different vehicle, even though this particular Tacoma and Tundra are rated close to the same, the Tacoma is not even close in the real world.

 

Um, what's that behind the WRX?

 

Methinks it's a Shelby....

 

Well done. It’s a Cobra.

 

Oooh like the Cobra!

 

My fiancee's sister was selling her '08 Tundra--it was a 2010. We didn't bite, mainly because it seemed too huge and gas mileage so poor. My fiancee got a Volvo S60 instead.

We've had full-size trucks (Chevy Avalanche) and as stated for towing and a smooth ride they are unbeatable, but the Tacoma does have a more comfortable feel to me, at least as a daily driver.

Trucks keep getting bigger and bigger. I wish they still made the Subaru Baja...put a turbo on that thing and it would rock!!

 

hi , i trade in my 03 Tundra for a 18 DCSB taco, in June, love the taco but missed my Tundra though,The tundra served me well during the last 14 year didn't cause any trouble but the last year some issue begin to show even with regular maintenance during those years
love the tundra because its v8 power &drive in snow, Midwest winter is no worry,roomy and bigger cup holder
the Taco is good ,just the when driving with cruise the radar safety feature don't make feel good
& the hesitation when try to speed up for passing ( i'm not updating the TSB yet,hopefully better after update)
and i just have my Taco for few month, not much to talk about just enjoying a new truck
but if you keep follow this forum you sure will learn a lot

 

If you’re itching for a new vehicle, get the new Tacoma. From what you describe, it’ll serve you fine. Latest TSB’s from Toyota have really cleaned the shifting up some. Or consider another $770 and add the OVTune to the new one. If you’re just worried about your tundra, just fix the issues and drop in a nice aftermarket head unit and you’ll get Bluetooth, CarPlay, and all that jazz.

It’s been a few years, but I had a new 2001 Tundra and really liked it. I blew through about 130k miles in three years and it drove like the day I bought it. The new Tacoma throttle isn’t quite as linear, and low end torque is lower, but I can adapt and deal easy. Space is about the same and you get 4 real doors. Smaller bed unless you bite on a long bed.

Tech and safety is obviously much better in the new Tacoma. Colors are pretty cool right now too. If you like inferno, do it now... no more in 2019.