Comments and Suggestions, never owned a Toyota

It will be used for towing occasionally. No plans for modifications other than a cap.

 

No one mentioned this yet. Changing the axle gears are you?

 

Tacomas are good for a lot of things but they're not perfect. Always remember it's the bottom rung of the Toyota truck line up.

I like them because they do what I need them to do.

 

Rear disc and offroading isn't a reliable setup. The front tires are alway kicking junk up and the rear calipers eat everything. It is possuble debris gets in there and binds up the brakes. Now your screwed in the middle of nowhere with locked brakes. The drum brakes are protected and will work flawlessly for years. I'll take the less braking power to know im not walking. It's a pickup not a sports car. IMO it's the better option.

 

This. Now is a good time to test drive since the dealer will likely just give you keys and send you on your way.

Note: You may notice the Tacoma feels more like a car than a truck. This was my observation coming from a lifted 5th Gen 4Runner to my Taco. It handles much better but doesn’t have that “truck feel”.

 

But if you get the TRD with premium and tech packages or Limited they don't appear to be the bottom rung of anything as are very comfortable well optioned trucks.

 

I sold my 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins truck in July 2020 and purchased a 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road DCSB two weeks ago. I loved my Cummins truck, had it for 12 years and put 105K on it. I never had any major problems with mine in that time and I sold it for within $3500 of what I paid for it (take that Tacoma resale ). I was in a similar position to the OP, I wasn’t towing anymore and didn’t need the huge truck. I was also concerned about the future maintenance of replacing the transmission and fuel injectors for probably $8-9K.

My initial impression is that the Tacoma is a good little truck that seems to do everything pretty well, I’m glad we got it. I have 4200 miles on the Tacoma in the first two weeks after driving it cross country. I like the aesthetics and the stance from the factory. I haven’t driven it offroad yet, but I’m certain it will be suitable for my needs. I’m also a big dude at 6’4” and 315# (built like a lineman), I’m kind of surprised that I fit in the Tacoma. It is significantly smaller everywhere than my 2500 was, but was plenty comfortable for the drive from AZ to MA with my wife. The steering wheel height is almost an issue, but the power seat adjusts enough to make it ok. The front passenger seat is way too flat, I did get the Seat Jackers installed on both seats yesterday so that should make it better. The back seats are kind of a joke, there is enough room for two people under 6’ in the truck if the front seats are moved forward slightly, my head rubs the headliner in the back. My wife is 5’2” and can squeeze behind me with my seat all the way back, but barely. The back seats can’t be folded flat with the front seat in my driving position. I considered a 2020 F-150, talk about a huge back seat by comparison. My 2500 averaged 17 in town and 18.5 highway (75-80 mph), the Tacoma averaged 18-20 highway across country depending on the speed. I got the short bed and added the factory tonneau cover. I prefer shorter trucks, so the long bed didn’t interest me. In my current garage the long bed wouldn’t have fit without removing some shelving. The bed is smaller than the 8’ on my 2500, but it’s fine. If I need to haul more I can grab any number of dump body trucks from work. The 3.5L engine has enough power for the truck, the 2.7L I test drove seems dangerously slow. The automatic transmission works fine but does hunt a little and drops to 4th (1:1) on most highway grades. I leased this truck, but after owning it for two weeks I’m already planning on buying another when this lease is done.

Most importantly I don’t miss my 2500. The Tacoma is easier to drive and park daily than the 2500 was, costs less to operate, and suits my needs. You’ll do well selling a one owner 5.9L truck in the current market, should pay for about half of your Tacoma.

As far as options on your truck, here are my recommendations having just purchased one. I would get the technology package, the backup sensors are nice. I would get the LED headlight package, I didn’t due to limited truck availability and I want them having been in another truck that had them. Don’t pay $149 for the factory bed lights, you can add them in 10 minutes for $53. Do pay $169 for the power tailgate lock, it’s $140 for the parts and a longer install. I don’t care for the Predator steps that came on my truck, I’m tall enough I don’t use them. Mine came with factory mud flaps, floor liners, door sill protectors, etc. all ok stuff that I probably would’ve sourced aftermarket but the factory stuff is fine.

I ran rear discs on the 9” axle of my Bronco that was used for nothing but offroad for 15 years, never once had a problem with the setup or any debris issues. There was no factory backing plates or anything, just a pair of open discs with calipers. I’ll take the disc brakes every time.

 

I think you'll have a similar experience as @BroncoAZ just wrote out. My only concern was towing because with 5000lbs to tow it'll be living in the 4k rpm range while you're doing it. The engine can handle it all day long so it's not an issue, but it may be kind for you so when you test drive try driving around for a bit manually shifting between 3rd and 4th. I tow a 3k lbs travel trailer and I love my taco. I also think the rear drums are fine for stopping. Get it to 60, nail the brakes, and I think you'll find them fine too.

Lastly even if I weren't going to do any other mods to my truck, I'd still sound deaden the entire interior. Everything about driving it is so much more pleasant. Good luck with your decision. Feel free to ask me anything specific you'd like.

 

That’s a very good year of cummins.
Commuting in Seattle I get 17mpg.
My coworkers 05 dodge 5.9 is faster, better mpg, larger tow cap, etc.
First thing you will notice is the auto transmission shifts all over the place, this will rob power in the corners and hills.

 

I have all that except the 6' bed. I came from a GMC with a 6' bed and I miss it a little, but the bed extender more than makes up for it.

I highly recommend test driving the truck before purchasing. Some people complain about the engine/transmission combo. Personally, I don't mind it and think people are being too picky while expecting a V8, but to each their own.

Yes, it still has drums in the rear. These brakes firm up quicker than any other brakes I've ever used so they took some getting used to. However, I never notice any issues with them. My GMC also had drums in the rear and I didn't notice any issues with those either. Perhaps the Jeep's brakes need some work?

The engine uses 87 octane and can be high compression. It is designed to run both direct injected and port injected. It runs direct when it needs power and port when it doesn't. But due to it being direct injected, it makes its power at 3500 RPM, so don't be alarmed when it runs up there at times. However, it's nothing for me to cruise on the highway at 70 MPH at 1800 RPM.

This brings me to my next point. Gearing. Due to the stance of these trucks, Toyota achieves the MPG rating through gearing. A manual transmission has lower gearing and will get worse MPG, but a manual is not available in the configuration you want. The automatic gets better MPG and will generally try to always be in the best gear for that. Thus, the complaints people have. Me, personally, I like that. Many people don't. But I find the more gears a transmission has, the more it does that. (You should see how many people complained about that with the 10 speed from Ford/GM) Gearing is also the reason that the 3rd gen has 42 more HP than the 2nd gens 4.0L engine, but the 2nd gen will beat the 3rd gen off the line. Not a big deal unless that's all you really care about.

Speaking of MPG. Some people said real world was like 18. It just depends on your driving. In the summer, on my 45 minute commute to work, I can get 23 MPG for the trip which is mostly at 70. Currently, in the winter, those trips are anywhere from 18-20 MPG and with the slightly more off road tires than stock.

 

Really? I’m surprised you haven’t heard about the 3rd Gen searching for gears especially on the highway with cruise control. Because of this a lot of guys will bump their gearing up to a 4.88 or 5.29 the latter if they run 33s with armor or if they go up to 35s. That said I’m not mentioning this to discourage you from getting one rather I’m just trying to give you a better picture of what you can expect.

 

As of this moment I still recommend certain TOYOTA models to family, friends and those who ask. They do have their share issues but in my experience, they step up to the plate both feet when needed.

The 3.5L version is far from a simple engine design, but it is as good a quality as can be found today. For simple I recommend the 2.7L but it may not meet all desired requirements.
Gas mileage won’t be impressive or much better over a diesel for low speed around the farm operations.

Would I purchase another? You bet

Hope that helps

Cheers!

 

Didn’t Toyota actually invent the “lean” process for manufacturing? Similar to 6 sigma in many ways.

 

You're still buying the most expensive truck at the bottom rung of the ladder.

My point is still valid, they're good trucks and are suitable for many things but they're not perfect and not the truck for everyone, some people need more capability that the Tacoma is not well suited for. Many people buy Tacomas based on reputation or popularity then find later they should have bought a Tundra, 4 Runner, Sequoia or Land Cruiser because it won't meet their needs and wonder why because the Tacoma is so popular.

 

Fact is most people who buy full size trucks don't actually need full size trucks (or a truck at all in some cases). I wanted a full size, but didn't need a full size and so I went with the Tacoma and have been very happy. I certainly wouldn't consider it "bottom rung" though. But that's me

 

I have a 2-3 inch lift, 33’s and 300lb’s of armor which put me right at the edge of this chart in the “fuel economy” category. I don’t think it’s bad enough to spend the money to re-gear but close....lol. I did pick up a Pedal Commander which helps a bit with the slow throttle response.

 

What truck in the Toyota line up is more entry level than the Tacoma? I dont consider the RAV4 and Highlanders "trucks".

 

Isn’t it just a trim level thing? There is a bottom rung in each of the models and the models themselves are just a matter of what you need for the purpose you need it? I would consider a base model Tundra more “bottom rung” that the maxed out Tacoma. Just my opinion of course.....

 

Why do you insist on rear locker? Unless you are rock crawling you will never notice a difference. I spend 3000 miles a year driving high desert nevada trails and I have never seen the rear locker make a noticeable difference. I am in the same boat as you. Only owned a Toyota Sienna.

Being totally honest IMO Tacoma isn’t that great of a value for nearly everyone. I only want it for better off road wheeling and hopefully added reliability. The price Is within 4k of a comparable f150 that’s got 400 hp and 500 torque. Get the 2.7 eco and your only a couple grand away. Bluntly the f150 is way more comfortable than a Tacoma and will have rear locker too. The f150 will have more towing power with the ecoboost than your Cummins potentially. Here is the really insane thing. In practice the f150 is going to get better fuel mileage too, I only consider the Tacoma for my very specific use. If not for that no way I pick one over an f150 with twin turbskis. I don’t understand how they sell so many trucks for the price they get. It’s insane

 

I had an 06 Ram Cummins, the Tacoma will definitely be better riding but you are downsizing a lot and if you compare the power, you’re gonna be disappointed. I’ve owned all brands and a lot of them for my business especially and absolute favorite trucks were all my Toyota’s and a 2018 F-150.

Only reason I went back to the Tacoma is because I too, don’t need a full size truck anymore. But I do miss the F-150. The V8 and 10 speed auto is such a good truck.

People complain that the 3.5 is a dog but I’ve owned Toyota’s starting with an 82 with the 22R and right thru all the other engines and generations up until now and not one of those trucks was a speed demon. They are what they are, off road capable and reliable trucks right off the lot.