Moving from 2nd Gen to 3rd...what to know

One thing, when deciding between a 2015 and the 2016 at the time. We had 11 years with that EXACT same motor in our 4 Runner. It had very good initial response. We use a well traveled main thoroughfare with posted speed limit of 55 mph daily after getting off our gravel road. . Getting on and off this road quickly is a BIG safety issue as we use it daily. Even towing a 4000 pontoon boat, my 4 Runner did it well while climbing a long grade.
I trust this motor in truck use daily. That was a huge factor. 0-60 may seem gimmicky to some, but decent times are fairly important for us. It was a known quantity at the time.

 

I mean really I don’t get it, these are small trucks. Does this shit really matter that much. I came down from a 2500 diesel and I love this little bastard. It’s for trails, fun, and occasional truck stuff. Fuck it move on

 

Everyone has different opinions and different applications for their trucks. Mine is a work truck. My truck works harder than most F150s. If I had a big truck then i'd need a bigger trailer and then i would need a CVOR with daily check list and annual inspections. I don't wont any of that. The truck I have, with it's god like... torque monster engine, is perfect for me.

 

I have no doubt you do I just don’t see any real merit to the argument. For what you pay for Tacoma OR or Sport why not pay a little more and get a 1/2 with the drivetrain you want. These are little trucks with great dependability and off road capability. They are not the bench mark vehicle for payload and other truck duties

 

I use my 3rd gen and use it for work as well. It hauls, tows and wheels just fine. The reason I went with a midsize is size. I traded in a full size and on some jobsites and in real world driving, a full size gets tiresome. I've never wished it had more power.

Brakes, absolutely.

 

Says who? I'm on the North East, oceanside town. Couldn't ask for any more rust in the rust belt Haven't even wash the bottom of the truck. I did a lift on my 16 Tacoma last weekend and I was hard-pressed to find any rusts on the frame. Exposed bolt heads, exhaust clamps are another story.

Honestly, Toyota is not stupid enough to keep paying out or buying back their trucks, especially now with so many competitors.

 

I assume he is referring to the fact that Toyota has extended the coverage for frame replacements and coating application up to 2017 models.

Jeff

 

Any documentation on this? Thanks.

 

Canada Recall L32
USA Recall K0D

 

I actually just got a letter last month, with a card, that warranties my frame for 12 years from purchase date. I have a 2017.

 

Please for the love of all that is Dr. Pepper...test drive. You'll at least know a little bit of what you're getting into and can make an informed decision; not just in 2nd vs. 3rd gen, but Sport vs. OR vs. Pro etc. I enjoy the seating position as i moved to the Tacoma from a sports car, so it was easy. The ride is comfortable enough for a truck, road noise is much less than what i used to have, infotainment is easy to use and pretty intuitive. Gas mileage is fine if I don't forget I'm driving a truck and not a car. Most of the dimensions and storage are similar to the 2nd gen, so that shouldn't be an issue. As you know, these things already have an expanse of modifications ready for install (budget dependent, of course). Biggest thing is going over your budget, needs vs. wants, and comparing them to the different trims and what each will give you as far as give & take. Take your time. These are great vehicles and I love mine more and more every time i drive it...
On an unrelated note, people complain about power and yet this thing (with trac and stabil fully off) will absolutely go if you give it the beans, just expect mileage to reflect your poor decisions.

 

I had a 2011 OR and now have a 2019 OR - the 2019 is quieter, rides better and has better technology. The 2011 had a much better engine/ transmission combo and got better mileage - driving the same route every day. The HP rating of the 2019 is almost 40 HP more - which is at 6000+ RPM in normal driving rpm ranges it feels like it has 50HP less than the 4.0L in the 2011

 

I would have to disagree on the trans. I had an18 as a rental for a month and could never get comfortable with the shifting.

 

With a manual?

 

Yup, the epa mileage and emission requirements demanded it. Every one else has down sized their engines for the most part. We’re in an interim period where reliability of normal aspiration of down sized engines is more important then the power of turbos or literally, reprogramming a computer to make them more powerful. Perhaps a Taco hybrid eventually will change all that. Electric motors are efficient powerful and ultra reliable. Adding them makes whole package that way. Now, all Toyota has to do is find room in the already cramped quarters of a taco for another battery.

 

In the auto, you just move the lever to S and pretend it’s a manual. How hard is it to keep it out of 5th and 6th gear where most of the problems arise, until you’re going 45-50 mph ?
That’s what we did with our Venza with a similar motor and auto trans configuration. Please, don’t tell us it isn’t the same primary motor ? It is and with the same limitations.

The 4.0 has plenty of low end torque to keep chugging along at 1500 rpm. The 3.5 minivan motor, just can’t do it. So you drive differently, pretty much like all cars that want to hunt in and out of OD at lower speeds with less torque available.....you don’t let them.

 

Everything is better except the drivetrain. I have a 6MT so the trans is fine, but the lack of low end torque in the 3.5 does leave something to be desired. It also has surging issues, for example when I hit 3500 RPM its almost as if a turbo kicks in. That said, I love my truck - in the mid size space, nothing even comes close.

 

No one denies the 3.5 is not a very good motor, after all, it’s the short stroke version of the 4.0.
But, as you have indicated, it’s little different then what everyone else in the mid truck line us doing with non turbo engines.

 

The 3.5 Lexus motor in our trucks scoot along pretty good with the MT.