Why doesn't my 2014 have any guts?

Hi everyone!

This is my first post, I'm hoping someone can answer a question I've had for awhile now....

I have been driving Toyota 4x4's since I was 17. I have my 5th Tacoma right now and I have over 600K on these trucks in all 50 states.

I had a 2007 TRD sport (bought used in 2012) and when I got it, my mechanic said, "That truck likes to SCOOT." And it did. It had real punch. The previous owner lifted it and put in a new exhaust.

When it hit 210K I sold it and bought a 2014 SR5 figuring that I'm running out of time to get a 2nd generation with low mileage. It had <60K on it, stock. Same 4.0 liter V6. Same transmission. NO GUTS.

WTF!!!

Now I'm looking for a 2012-2015 TRD Sport to test drive, and BUY if it has any kick. Is it possible that it's the same engine but tuned differently? Is there any hope for fixing my 2014? I'd happily modify it - had already planned to put it up on Bilstein's - considering a new exhaust system, but it's not worth putting the money in if the engine/transmission aren't what I want (it's such a PAIN IN ASS to find these trucks.)

Any help, or info appreciated. Thanks y'all.

girldogtruck

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
It's all about the gearing.

 

Is the truck stock? Bigger/heavier wheels and tires can make it way more sluggish.

 

This truck IS stock. The last one was lifted and had bigger tires and way more get up and go!

 

Black dog Lila- can I CHANGE the gearing (or IRL, pay someone else to change the gearing?)

 

I had an 08 access and recently got a 2015 double cab not to long ago. I do feel like my 08 had more pep to it. Even though the 08 had armor, lift, etc. I guess that extra seat added more weight that I thought it would.

 

yeah, sounds like he had a supercharger in the other truck....

If you didn't know you had a super charger, you sure you have the V6?

 

The last one might have been tuned

 

2012+'s did get a different stock tune with quite a different (less aggressive) throttle pedal mapping which might make it feel sluggish as you have to push on the pedal more for the throttle at the motor to open the same amount as your old truck. WOT is the same.

Also placebo effect of a loud exhaust is a real thing.

 

This makes sense in my case then.

 

lol. Damn, you know, I don't. (I have picture of when it went through the floor of the carwash!?!?) and ones I took when I sold it, but none with the hood up.
Seems like Yodaman (who i took it to in Santa Rosa) or my mechanic up in Portland would have mentioned something about it at some point..... what would it have looked like? (I work on humans > trucks but I did OPEN the lid fairly frequently...)

 

Unless it was properly regeared, I think that exhaust probably added 100 whp on the butt dyno. Any stock second gen is slow. Any lifted second gen with the same exact drivetrain is slower, no matter how loud it is.

 

So- I'm really looking for something OLDER than 2012 if I want my scoot back? Does it matter Sport vs SR5? Is there a downside to having this truck re-geared or supercharged?

 

what does "100whp on the butt dyno" mean? (apologies for cluelessness. Thank you all for being so nice.)

 

it means people think that an exhaust will improve performance but in reality all it does is make truck louder.

 

Yeah. I'm sure. Because while i may not be mechanically inclined, I can read.

 

that's what I've heard. Maybe I'd get a couple more horsepower. But not enough to explain the difference between the driving experience. On the 2007 it WANTED to lay rubber down. It wasn't placebo.

 

Did the old one have a pedal commander.....?

 

Lololol