Chain or belt

Do the 2019 Tacomas use a chain or belt system?

I'm in the market to replace my 2006 Tacoma that's been incredibly reliable, but I'm hearing the 3rd generations might be lesser beasts. Let's start with the chain versus belt question.

Fritz

 

chain, I think

 

2GR-FKS

 

Chain Drive, http://www.toyotareference.com/guts/tacoma16_engine.pdf

 

What was the answer you were looking for? Im honestly skin because I don't know which is better ha

 

Thanks to both of you.

Next question, if you've owned a 2nd & 3rd generation Tacoma, what are your thoughts on build quality and reliability?

I was on a lot today looking at 2019 Tacomas and while I didn't give them a thorough look, a quick peek at the rear drivetrain gave me the impression they're built more cheaply. It could be my imagination, but that combined with quality issues I've read on this and other sites makes me wonder if I should get a Tundra or wait for the 3rd gen kinks to be worked out.

 

Chelt drive

 

I had a 2010 base model, 5-lug, 5-speed, 4 banger: so I made quite the jump when I went to my 2017. Freaking love this truck and have not had a single issue.

 

Good luck with that. Toyota had 10 years to work out the kinks in the second gen.

 

It's in your head, although I have found build quality in both 2nd and 3rd gens are lacking compared to the vehicles Toyota builds in Japan. The 2019 taco's should have most of the kinks worked out. Other than a CPS failure my truck has been great and currently sits with 80k on the odometer. How do you plan to use the truck? That question will answer whether you should get a tundra or tacoma.

 

It'll get me to work everyday and tow a boat or RV on weekends. My 2006 towed a boat 2 hours to the beach loaded to the gills, figure a 5,500lb trailer and the cab was loaded with 4 guys who should have gone on a diet. I was actually surprised how well it did.

 

Sounds like you will be happy with another taco, better DD and probably will get slightly better mpg than a tundra. The 3.5 likes to work higher in the rev range but I was pleasantly surprised how well the 3.5 pulls above 85 mph, much better than my old 2008. A 5,500lb trailer should be no problem.

 

My older left leg grows tired of my 6 speed.... did you tow with a manual or auto transmission?

 

chain gang, that being said I don't trust chains too much after one experience with a said Japanese car

 

Auto transmission, before I had the tsb done on the trans I will admit it was kind of a bitch living in Colorado and pulling 6,000 +lbs on I70. After the tsb the truck performed much better, and I regularly throw it in to s mode which helps a lot.

 

Pardon my ignorance..... what's tsb?

 

I think it's "Toyota Service Bulletin"

 

So when the 16's came out many of them had finicky transmissions that hunted for gears, downshifted at the worst times and in my case often struggled to maintain speed without revving the engine like crazy. It drove me and many other taco owners nuts. Luckily for us Toyota listened and came out with a software update for the transmissions. Completely changed the way my truck drove.

 

Excellent! Thanks for the comments.....my 2006 with 198,880 miles is in the shop getting what I hope is only a CV shaft replaced. If it's more then I might be looking at a 2019. We're shall see...

 

Chinese chain!