Should have bought a half ton

He's got nothing to do, other than reply to every thread with his woes,,,,
We get it, you hate your Tacoma and want a F150, cool move on

 

Our municipality also had a bunch of Fords and from what I see, they don't age well..... all that comfort and space when they are young turns to fat, sloppy and squeaky well before 100K. Of course they are put through the mill with many drivers and minimal maintenance.

As much as I agree with a lot of what is said here about the new tacoma, I haven't found a serious contender for replacement.

Took out 2 Titans this week (brand new and a '17) to sample and found the same thing....

 

Same thing meaning they're like our Tacos? Well built and reliable, but with a few questionable engineering decisions?

Or same thing like the Ford's? All that space turning into junk before 100k?

 

I got my Tacoma knowing that I would tow my camping trailer about 1300lbs, 3-5 a year and a 5000lbs trailer 1-2 times a year.. Last week I drove it across NM and it did shift a lot, got 13.5-16mpg doing 75mph. The 13mpg was also into a head wind. The picture shows my trailer behind my 2006 Lexus GX470 with a 4.7l V8 5 speed. Going up to the Arctic Ocean and Alaska, that GX avg about 15mpg at 60-65mph and down around 13mpg at any speeds over 65, worst was 11mpg.

Aerodynamic makes a major difference in modern vehicles, and trailers upset that.

 

Well, I've driven these exclusively since 1993. I traded a Ford F250XLT something or other at the time, velour seats et al.
My first "Toyota pickup"was a 4cyl king cab with a 5 speed.
Cap, racks, tow hitch and a snow plow on all till now and I asked a lot of them.

I've had 4 during that time, each with roughly 1/4 million miles (except the '03) and no issues.
I like to keep my stuff clean and they all looked great when we parted company.
I took pride in how nice they looked and ran with the stated mileage.

Each replacement came because it was time, not cause I wanted newer. Each version became more comfortable but a little less capable performance wise but still Very capable and trouble free..... It was with no thought that I went to the dealer and replaced my '06 Gen II with 227K on the clock after hitting a deer. Ran like a swiss watch. Had the frame replaced (which looked like swiss cheese too ) etc, I really liked that truck.

I expected just what I had experienced over the last 24years..... but not so. I really dislike this truck and regret buying it almost daily. But I still see no alternative. The others just don't hold up. My brother (F150 3.5 TT) says I got to get used to a car payment for the rest of my life and quit falling in love with stuff that can't love me back ! "drive 'em and move on" just ain't my style.
I've beefed up the suspension on this one, added all kinds of cool stuff and bought the OVTune. Better but It still sucks in my opinion. (the truck, not the program)
Engine and trans by themselves are probably excellent, but the marriage between the two blows.

Now when I read truck with 10+ speeds it scares the hell out of me ! There are too many choices for the stupid computer to choose from and it seems like it wants to sample all of them like a teenager who wants to impress you with how many swear words he knows !

Anyway, I'll still be on the hunt. Took out a Tundra this week as well.... just can't get by the round town mileage when looking at my Tacoma's computer telling me I'm getting a constant 18.4. Ahhh well... C'est la vie.
Hate to put another nickel into this little bitch as I round 60K but I am starting to consider re-gearing.
Anyone in Fla or NE done so that will advise or take me for a ride ?

Whew ! Thanks, I needed that !

 

If you're an auto but running tires 33 in or less, regarding the 488s will feel like God himself is in charge of your trucks gearing. If you're running 34-in or 35-in tires, regard to five 29 and happy sailing.

In a manual, regard to 488 and leave everyone else in the dust

 

If you haven’t done so already, take a look at what’s going on in the vf tuner thread. Some of those guys are doing some good stuff using OV’s tune as a starting point.

Check out @Mooseditty17 ‘s work. You might be happy with the result and you could keep your taco. What’s to lose?

 

I'm in the first category there and don't think I'd ever go to 35's. 4.88 will do it you say, eh ?

No more short shifts, hunting and keep me in the power band ?

 

Thanks. I am subscribed to that thread.
I fret over whether I have the time or will have what it takes to get into the mode of thinking in these terms to make it work....

If someone had the magic bullet, I'd gladly pay ! I got other things to do

 

Just wait until you fill the trailer up with something.

11mpg towing only 1000 lb.? I thought it was bad enough getting 14 mpg towing 4000 pounds with my 2011 DCSB. Oh, don't tow in OD, anyway. You'd be surprised what your trans temps do with all that hunting and shifting.

 

driving conditions will vary, but it should help keep you in the power band a hell of a lot longer. That's the idea of regaring anyway, plus it allows for a lot more torque multiplication so your truck doesn't feel so sluggish when you're trying to get moving.

My midterm plans for my MT involve regaring to 4.88s

 

I've had well over 1200 lbs in the bed and still got around 24mpg on the highway. If you drive fast you mileage will go down. The ramp on the trailer is going to make things that much worse.

 

Sounds like just what the doctor ordered !

You think 5.29 is too extreme for everyday driving with stock-ish tires and wheels ?
I do tow a 19' #4500 Airstream trailer form time to time....

 

conventional wisdom says that's a little steep, but others may have that experience and say it's fine. I personally have not driven a third gen automatic with gearing that low so I cannot say for certain.

 

Thanks Mahn....

 

Does this mean you have driven Gen III with 4.88 ?

 

Yup. World of difference.

 

I think we are all looking forward to you posting on the Ford forums.

 

Round this out for me.... don't hold back