Any of yall upgrade from a 1st gen to a 2nd gen?

Title says it all, (05-15)

For those of you that have, is it worth it? What are some of the biggest differences besides the obvious?

Thinking about upgrading to a 2nd gen mainly because the aftermarket support is wayyy bigger than the aftermarket us 1st gen guys have..

Dont none of yall snitch on me to the 1st gen guys though, ill be exiled

 

Yes, I did.

1999 Sr5 4x4 3.4L Auto
2005 2.7L PreRunner 5-speed
2007 TRD-OR 4.0L Auto

Yes, the 4.0L engine was worth it to me.
It has more power and gets about the same mpg (maybe better?)
I wish it had the Manual Transfer case like the 1st gen.
I feel like the 1st gen trucks were put together a bit better.

Honestly, unless you need more power, I’d probably keep the 1st gen.
Save money for the 4th Gen. lol

 

Yep.

1989 Pickup ex cab 4x4
1994 Pickup ex cab 4x4
2003 Tacoma DCSB 4x4
2015 Tacoma DCSB TRD OR 4x4

1st gen trucks are more fun on the trail, they are smaller, nimbler and better suited for PNW trails. They also have a manual T-case. 1st Gen Auto trans sucks, the 4spd is inefficient and lacks highway passing power without extreme raving by dropping to 3rd. The 2nd Gen 5spd auto is light years ahead, also helped by the more powerful 4.0. Far better highway commuter. However the truck is larger on the trail. I still use it ok, but it is definitely tighter in some areas, and the trucks are more expensive. I loved my 1st gen by swapped it as the 1st general really didn't have the needed extra room for a kid. While I miss the 1st gen, I feel the 2nd gen is very ideally sized for being a general purpose rig, from family hauler to commuter, to trail runner, to home depot hauler. The 1st gen was awesome but fell a little short on everything but the trail compared to the 2nd gen. Now, if you are perfectly happy with your 1st gen, then there is not a reason to sell. I sold mine because it was too small.

 

Yep, the only thing I miss is the metal bed. Other than that, the manual transmission is better (could just be because it has less than half the amount of miles on it though), it looks better, it feels more comfy, a little bigger, more powerful, more aftermarket support, gas mileage is 1-2 mpg better for me. Watch out for frame rust though when you're looking to buy.

 

What about the 2nd gens makes you feel like the 1st gens were put together better?

It's not really the power that I'm after, ill always be down for a swap if I need more power, its just the aftermarket support that is drawing me in lol especially as far as lt suspension goes

 

Thanks for the input, a lot of good points there. I really am just interested in a 2nd gen for the aftermarket. There's just simply way more support than there is for 1st gens. A lot of shit, at least for lt suspension, needs to be custom fabbed

 

Gas mileage is really only that much better? Id expect a little bit better mpgs for a new engine lol but there is more power like all of you say so

 

The arm rest on the doors seem kind of weak. Although, I haven’t broken one yet.
The fabric on the rest is kind of thin.
I don’t know, maybe I’m just getting old?
Everything is light weight plastic. Lol

 

Nailed it perfect, had an 02. Now i have a 15 I'm satisfied.

 

Went from 2000 SR5 access cab to 2010 TRD Sport access cab. Loved both to death, but probably like the gen 2 a little better. I prefer the smaller size of the first gen though. But prefer gen 2 overall.

 

Can you tell us more about the metal bed? I hear this brought up from time to time.

 

First gens (and previous Pickup models) had an all steel bed. The second gens have metal outer fender skin, but the inner bed where you actually put stuff is composite. Some like it, some don’t. I’d prefer metal.

Edit- also, here’s my short list:

1994 2.4L 4x4 5-speed single cab

2002 2.7L 4x4 5-speed single cab(my favorite!- loved manual transfer case)

2007 4.0L 4x4 6-speed double cab short bed

I loved the size of my ‘02, fit it anywhere, felt great going down the road, and the 2.7 is pretty great in a single cab manual truck. I loved it. Also loved the style, and honestly the ergonomics of the interior were better to me. Not much room in it though, sold it to buy my ‘07 for a cross country road trip and because we’ll be starting a family soon.

 

Now I see. Thanks

 

I went from:
02 Reg cab (2005-2016)
03 Access Cab (Briefly in 2017)
05 Access Cab 2017-present)

I LOVE my 2nd gen and admire it every time I’m walking up to it. I only did that most of the time with my 1st gen.

I sure do miss the manual transfer case though. But having the 4.0, keyless entry, suicide doors, cruise control etc is so worth it. If you move up you won’t be disappointed

 

I just said for me, for most people it's a decent bit better (I think most people get around 18 or so, if I'm not wrong) but I have larger, wider tires on the 2nd gen and had stock size on my 1st Gen. I also drive a little more "spirited" now, so to speak.

 

'92 Toyota X-cab 4WD
'04 Tacoma DC 4WD
'05 Tacoma DC 4WD LB

Love all 3 but needed more size. 2nd gens come in a 5ft and 6ft beds so keep that in mind if you use your bed often for hauling, camping, etc..No regrets here. With the 2nd gen, you get a newer less mileage truck with more power and space along with a no rust composite bed. I'm sure the answers will differ from us here if this was a 1st Gen forum.

 

Where to begin? Lets see I miss the smaller size that was easier to maneuver with, the ignition and hand brake in the dash, manual 4wd shifter, better overall look that closer resembled the Toyota's of the 80's and 90's.

I regret selling my 1st Gen everyday.

 

82 Toyota pick up 1st, 89 pick up 2nd, 93 pick up 3rd, 02 1st gen 4th , currently 2015 2nd gen. Loved the size of the 1st gen the most but really like the 4.0 now and the feel of the 15 on the hey. My 82 solid axle probably the best truck they made. It was bullet proof.

 

I would love to find an older one like my '92 as a change of pace daily driving "beater".

 

I miss my 1st gen but it got hit and totaled. The 3.4 got better mileage (but gas didn't have ethanol in it either; yes, I despise ethanol), manual transfer case, the five speed was worlds better than the six speed, the dash layout was better and didn't get glare across it rendering it unreadable at certain angles, same with the radio, the interior didn't feel quite as cheap, metal bed and bed rails that actually sealed with a camper shell, glass headlights instead of crappy plastic lights that fog and cost $200/each to replace, better clutch and throttle feel, paint seemed to be a bit thicker and more durable, probably a few other things I can't think of at the moment.

The size difference is a plus and a minus- the 2nd gen is better on road (where I spend far more of my time) but worse off road (I'm a little bigger than I used to be too). I like the increased space behind the seats (access cab) and the suicide doors make accessing that space far easier. The 4L tows a little better although I wasn't impressed with either of them. Eleven cup/bottle holders!