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Don't hate me: "Best" model & year MT Tacoma for...

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by woytovich, Nov 13, 2020.

  1. Nov 13, 2020 at 12:46 PM
    #1
    woytovich

    #1
    woytovich [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm sure this has been covered here and there... I hope this will bring together the collective wisdom of all of you Tacoma gurus...

    Looking for a platform to build an expo/overland truck. I'm hoping for a double cab short bed.
    (Eventual build elements below.)

    In this case "best" is:
    - absent common failure known issues present in certain model/year combos (ie. xxx is known to have timing chain leak issues etc)
    - ease of upgrade OR OEM version is as good as upgrade (ie. xxx is problematic to add sliders/bumpers/lockers etc)
    - reliability/maintenance (ie. xxx seems to require brake replacement more often than others etc)

    I'll want to add/modify/have:
    manual transmission (am I misguided here? - I do like my manual transmissions)
    locker(s)
    front bumper/winch
    rear bumper/carrier
    sliders
    mild lift
    skid plates
    beefier steering/IFS component upgrades
    cloth seats

    Don't need fancy electronic stuff - I'd rather have control over traction, navigation and sound/music options. (unless I'm totally misguided here as well)

    Thanks all....
    mark
     
    woytovich, Nov 13, 2020
    #1
  2. Nov 13, 2020 at 12:49 PM
    #2
    TnShooter

    #2
    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    STOCK
    2013-2015 are what I consider “the best” years.
     
    TnShooter, Nov 13, 2020
    #2
    topoutman, jkuniverse, wangamachang and 3 others like this.
  3. Nov 13, 2020 at 12:51 PM
    #3
    BassAckwards

    #3
    BassAckwards Well-Known Member

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    AWD Turbo 2TR-FE
    2013
     
    BassAckwards, Nov 13, 2020
    #3
    topoutman, jkuniverse, Armed in Utah and 2 others like this.
  4. Nov 13, 2020 at 1:13 PM
    #4
    RedTaco68

    #4
    RedTaco68 Well-Known Member

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    Pete
    WOOtown County, MA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Barcelona Red SR5 4x4 DCSB V6 6spd MT
    Millennial Anti-Theft Device (stick shift)
    I had been looking for a few months prior to my recent 2nd gen MT purchase last month, and my research led me to my ultimate decision:

    2013
     
    RedTaco68, Nov 13, 2020
    #4
    topoutman, jkuniverse and TnShooter like this.
  5. Nov 13, 2020 at 1:18 PM
    #5
    MrFixit420

    #5
    MrFixit420 Well-Known Member

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    Portland Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2014 TRD Off Road DCSB
    Eibach Pro Stage 1 on 2nd clip, 3 leaf Icon AAL's in back.
    100% the 2013 to 2015.
    Almost all the bugs have been worked out and they are a solid platform.
     
    MrFixit420, Nov 13, 2020
    #5
    topoutman likes this.
  6. Nov 13, 2020 at 1:42 PM
    #6
    Armed in Utah

    #6
    Armed in Utah Well-Known Member

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    Utah's High Desert.......
    Vehicle:
    2003 Lexus LX 470
    unlucky

    especially on today Friday the 13th
     
    Armed in Utah, Nov 13, 2020
    #6
    drewnali and BassAckwards[QUOTED] like this.
  7. Nov 13, 2020 at 1:44 PM
    #7
    DiscoYaker

    #7
    DiscoYaker Well-Known Member

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    SE USA and Alaska
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tacoma 4WD SR5 AC MT, 1995 Tacoma 2wd ext. cab auto
    Stock for now.. maybe

    I was looking for a 2013-15 but would've settled for a clean 2010-13. I just didn't want a third gen for several reasons. It took awhile to find the right truck. Alot I looked at were rusty as hell and were not for me. I also wanted an access cab which also made the search harder. Finally found a truck that marked all the boxes cuz I wasn't going to settle. 2015 acces cab, 4wd, manual, V6 with little rust (only on the welded parts). Keep looking and figure out what you want, might take abit unless you get lucky. I also had to travel 7 hours one way.
    I'm partial to a 2015 but only because I have one but my vote is for 2013-15
     
    DiscoYaker, Nov 13, 2020
    #7
  8. Nov 13, 2020 at 1:48 PM
    #8
    Armed in Utah

    #8
    Armed in Utah Well-Known Member

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    Utah's High Desert.......
    Vehicle:
    2003 Lexus LX 470
    We had an '05 TURD w/auto as my wife's DD....for 15 years...sold to buy a GX 460

    I currently been driving my '14 for 3 yrs...6 MT

    Although I've only put 20K miles on it...good solid truck...bought it w/70K miles

    So....'14 for me

    [​IMG]
     
    Armed in Utah, Nov 13, 2020
    #8
  9. Nov 13, 2020 at 2:02 PM
    #9
    RedTaco68

    #9
    RedTaco68 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
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    144
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    Male
    First Name:
    Pete
    WOOtown County, MA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Barcelona Red SR5 4x4 DCSB V6 6spd MT
    Millennial Anti-Theft Device (stick shift)
    That trucks a beauty! I’m also around 90,000 miles on my 2013 6 MT DCSB. I’m curious what maintenance have you done for your 90,000, if anything?
     
    RedTaco68, Nov 13, 2020
    #9
    Armed in Utah[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Nov 13, 2020 at 2:34 PM
    #10
    winkel

    #10
    winkel Well-Known Member

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    Corydon, IN
    Vehicle:
    2014 Spruce Mica, TRD Off-Road, 6 Spd Manual
    Sliders, Tailgate Liner
    2014 TRD Off Road.jpg
    2014. Yes, it has a manual transmission.
     
    winkel, Nov 13, 2020
    #10
    Armed in Utah and BassAckwards like this.
  11. Nov 13, 2020 at 4:58 PM
    #11
    Armed in Utah

    #11
    Armed in Utah Well-Known Member

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    Utah's High Desert.......
    Vehicle:
    2003 Lexus LX 470

    Thx !

    all the gear boxes changed...Super Tech synthetic..MT 90 in X/fer

    Brake fluid & PS fluid too........Serp belt

    Coolant flush & refill will do @ 100K

    Motor oil every 6-7K (all 3 times)
    $15 Wix 51516XP XP Oil Filter
    Wix 51516XP filter

    I like my 'Taco......

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Armed in Utah, Nov 13, 2020
    #11
  12. Nov 13, 2020 at 5:03 PM
    #12
    eon_blue

    #12
    eon_blue Most Improved Member

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    '04 TRD 3.4l 4x4 5sp manual Xtraca & '96 4runner 4x4 5spd manual
    Best color too
     
    eon_blue, Nov 13, 2020
    #12
    winkel[QUOTED] likes this.

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