Thinking of trading in my 18 Taco for a full-size

Our beloved Taco came in 3rd... out of 3.

Basically, the Taco's weak points are it's car motor, and a poorly calibrated transmission with absurdly tall gearing.

Also, testers almost flooded their test Taco when making a water crossing... traction control cutting power was not appreciated.

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/colorado/2019/toyota-tacoma-trd-pro-vs-jeep-gladiator-rubicon-vs-chevrolet-colorado-zr2-comparison-test/?sm_id=paid:sm_id:fb:gen:MTo&o_test:link_clicks:glad_taco_zr2:mt

Me thinks I should stop complaining, lest potential buyers realize the Taco isn't worthy of its resale value, and I get hosed when I buy something better.

Sheesh, I really love to hate this thing.

 

I am looking at a 2020 2500HD with the 6.6 gasser and 6 speed. Called dealer yesterday and they said it should be here in 2 weeks.

If that doesn't work out, I will wait for a 2020 Custom Trail Boss with the 6.2 and 10sp.

 

Good choice on the 10sp. All the 19s with the 6.2 and 10sp are more than I want to spend. So, I will be waiting for 2020s when GM will offer the 6.2 in lower trim models or the 5.3 with the 10sp. The 8sp is a no go for me after seeing what some friends have been through with that transmission. It would be the Tacoma all over again.

 

I just test drove the 8 speed. It was strange and will take getting used to. Not as quirky as the Tacoma. Picking up a 2019 Silverado 1500 RST on Saturday

 

Traction control does that but can and should be shut off under those conditions. Not just on a taco but on any truck that has it. It’s the first thing I do when I go off road.

 

Picked up my Ram 2500 MT today and put 500+ miles on it driving home. Mileage for trip was 19.8 mpg. So much more power than my Tacoma and ride is firm but comfortable. Got the vinyl seats and so much better than fabric. Like large trucks, you need to start off in 2nd gear. Reminds me of 1969 when I was driving around in a Deuce and a half.

 

Just wanted to say THANKS! for all the info and help acquired on this forum. It's been a real pleasure even when you get some negative posts. Will be moving on to a Ram forum asap. Ron

 

That engine is fabulous...and actually the most efficient out of all the HD diesels. But the truck surrounding that engine is highly suspect. Ram's have among the highest # of recalls and are consistently ranked the lowest among US pickups.

So by all means: go join that Ram forum....you're going to need a good resource for help when issues come up and the dealership can't/won't provide assistance.

 

Hope that raps this up and we move on....

 

I wish you the best of luck with your new Ram, but...I am friends with a guy who is a long time fleet mechanic for a large utility company that owns thousands of pickups from Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota. He wouldn’t touch a Dodge truck with a ten foot pole. Constant issues, way more than Ford and Chevy. If he had to buy a domestic truck he would pick Ford since they have the least amount of issues. The Toyota trucks? He claims they just need oil changes and normal maintenance, he has many in the fleet with well over 100k miles.

What is his personal car? A Toyota Prius for commuting to work, a Toyota pickup as a second vehicle.

 

lol you bought a ram see you in december

 

Yes! Let's see some photos, I love utilitarian poverty-spec trucks. Now you just need an old-school saddle blanket seat cover with a tape measure, bullets and TP in the pouches and you're set for life.

$48 Seat Covers Unlimited - Universal Car Seat Cover for Truck and Car Bench Seats That are One Piece and Durable for Long Lasting Protection - Black

https://www.amazon.com/Saddle-Blank...ocphy=9052441&hvtargid=pla-460992064033&psc=1

 

Well seeing as how I was the one who started it....

No

 

Engine and tranny top notch. Getting MPG the same as my Tacoma. Don't really care about the the rest. Anybody want to engage in a pull of war with their Taco? You will lose big time.

 

enjoy your new truck its very nice!! I would love one, but cant get over the size for everyday driving.(I like the single cab long bed )BEST of luck with it drive safe!!

 

I dig my truck, in reality, it's a lot like my Tacomas. Just bigger, way bigger.

 

The Cummins 6.7 is a great motor...you will have no issues with it.

A couple of observations from a current owner of a 2016 2500:

1. The main seal will develop a slow drip over time. Some people think its assembly lube. It's not. I've yet to see one develop into something that actually drips on the driveway.

2. Keep anything other than the actual key off the key ring. The ignition "slot" is prone to failure if you put additional weight on the key ring.

3. Stay on the fuel filter changes - every other oil change. They are easy as a DIY and Amazon sometimes has great deals on a combo fuel filter package.

4. Doing an oil change on these is a bit of a PITA due to the access of the oil filter. They can be accessed through the passenger front wheel well, but you need a special tool to pull it out. Or you can go from the top down and do some disassembly.

5. These do not like to be chugged around town. Your fuel economy will suffer and you will put a lot of expensive wear on the emissions system components. Regens on these things are fairly uncommon if they are worked and driven at ideal temps. If you take a lot of short local trips, you will soon get sick of the regen funk.

6. If you have the 68RFE, it definitely shifts better in tow/haul mode. It's a bit of a slug and surprisingly sloppy without it.

7. The emissions system needs a major service at 67.5 K miles. There's a DIY kit, but it's a fair bit of work.

8. The emission systems on these don't often make it past 100K miles. Our 3500 and 4500s at work that we purchased in 2014 have all had to have DEF injectors replaced and DPFs taken off and sent to a specialty cleaning service. This shit is expensive.

I have a shit load of extra specialty tools. PM me if you're interested.

 

Thanks for the info. Asked the dealer about the key ring and he said no problem having keys on it. Will take them off ASAP. Saw the oil filter and video for changing. Have to get the plug that keeps oil from spilling when you turn it sideways to get it out. Have the manual tranny which was awful notchy when I left dealership but got vastly better after the 500 mile trip. Thanks again!

 

This was asked before and just got a meme response but, why not consider the Titan? I'm going to look at one this afternoon.

 

Because......