New Toyota tow and rust thoughts

I may trade/sell my 06 Tacoma. It is not currently rusted as I have been on top of it as the original owner since day one.

Question 1, how are the new Gen IIIs for rust? Is this still an issue for us salt state folks?

Question 2, how are the Gen IIIs for towing small(er) campers or better yet my 19 feet Boston Whaler Center Console, tow weight high side of 3,500 loaded up with trailer? My current 4.0 tows it easy and we have crossed the country both ways towing with no issues. Can the GIII do as well?

It is coming down to a new truck or additional upgrades on my 06 (124,000 miles). For instance a $1,600 aluminum front bumper, winch, rear aluminum bumper. Already have lifted it 2.5 inches.



I am worried to dump some good money into the 06 due to possibility of rust getting the better of me at some point but also have heard the GIIIs are gutless for towing? Start over new or forge ahead?

 

Third gen trucks already have a frame rust advisory, if that gives you an inclination.

 

Here we go so I would recommend getting a gen3 with a manual get exhaust a intake system and ov tune it and wallaaah cause being a 2017 3gen automatic owner I love my truck I put every bit of 100k + miles on it and going strong still but for me to get my truck where I wanted it took some do's and don'ts $$$$ when I get a newer tacoma some 10yrs down the road or when they make their last manual which ever comes 1st . This was my first attempt at Toyota automatic and they don't know what the hell they are doing .

 

And my 2017 doesnt have frame rust and never had any recalls so definitely got the best of the best off the assembly line in mexico .

 

#1- Of the metals only gold is rust proof
#2- 3500lbs not a problem
@ 124,000 miles, your TOYOTA is just getting warmed up

 

Uh and btw...

 

I had a friend call me the other day with a ’12 (2nd gen) bought 2nd hand in ’15 with 30k miles and has since put in 175k miles asking if he should change the serpentine belt, plugs or anything else? And I’m like yah, and the PCV valve too lmao!

 

x2 on the MT with tune. Tows so much better than the AT ever dreamed of.

if you are planning on towing long distances or frequently with the AT, you’ll definitely want 4.88s or 5.29s and the tune. Otherwise you are gonna be sad.

 

What he said again my truck piss mobs great and has great hwy behavior just took $$$ time and patience if someone would give me a supercharger life with my tacoma would be complete shit put higher gears in it let's do 180 mph damn that sounds scary in a taco

 

My concern is rust in the frame. Three years ago I pulled the bed off and did some major rust proofing. There was rust in the usual GII areas of concern but it was just getting started so I killed it and did a good job. But rust is like cancer, it never stops, it never goes away and the GIIs do have a serious issue far beyond what is considered normal. I am 67 yo, compete triathlon since I was in my twenties and was semi-pro. I am good to go but not sure my Taco is or worth continued investment. I could start over new. I am at a quandary and a crossroads both in life and in Toyotas, stay and fight or bail and start fresh.

Aside from the continued battles with frame rust, my truck is 100%. I am an A&P, it has been maintained as if it were an aircraft. But I hate rust.

So the GIIIs need to be regeared to tow a 19 foot boat? My GII tows just fine, is this for real? Regear??

 

You don’t have to but you’ll be running 3rd or 4th gear at 3000-5000 rpm, doing the shift dance and 7-10 mpg if you want to stay on stock gears.

my MT, I have no issue cruising at 2500-3000 rpm in 5th all day long. 12-14 mpg usually.

the AT with 4.88s (stock is 3.91) puts it pretty close to the MT.

 

@SpeySquatch has 4.88s and tows a 4000 lb camper with his AT. He can give you some additional insight

when I had my AT, gears and tuning were not yet available.

 

When it's just me and my truck around 5100 lbs on the hwy 60 to 65 mph I can maintain 21.5 mpg stock gears 285/75/16 method wheels tuned and some other goodies done to motor all bolt on

 

My next attempt to better the truck is re gear 5.29 heard alot from owners wishing they just went with 5.29 instead of 4.88

 

I have no regrets I'm a long time toyota pickup owner I love Toyota cause in the end they are most reliable to this day even if they can't meet everyone's wants tough trucks and everyone wants one

 

If you are AT with larger than stock tires, 5.29 for sure. 4.88 only if you are staying stock size tires forever.

 

Fo

For sure

 

With my AT, I could get 20+ if I stayed 55 mph or less. Once I crossed that, it was anywhere from 14-19 depending on the day with cruise at 65-70. The early 16 calibrations were so bad - bought mine in November 2015 so it was one of the very first.

 

you have any aftermarket motor bolt ons

 

Negative. Just tuning (on my 17 MT)