What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Rotated the tires today. I try to do it myself every 5K miles so that I can retention the lift bolts and check the brake pad wear. I use a pattern where the rears go directly to the front and the fronts cross going to the rears. So far I've got good wear over 40K miles and will probably age out of the tires before they wear out. Front pads had 5+mm on the outboard and a little over 3mm on the inboard. I plan to get the Power Stop OE rotor and pad kit in hand to change out during the next rotation cycle. While the rears are in great shape, I thought I might just change the brake shoes only. What's your advice on changing the drum along with shoes on the rears?

 

2.7 L I4 is 100,000 miles and 4.0 L 1GR-FE is 30,000 miles recommended from Toyota. I changed the plugs on my 4.0L 1 GR-FE at 90,000 miles and again at 180,000 miles. Both times they could have gone another 90,000 and I saw no appreciable difference in performance or gas mileage. I am the original owner and have put all 183,000 miles on my 2013 Tacoma. I'll change them again at 270,000 miles.

 

How was wiring this up? I have had this in my Amazon list for a while

 

I have 83k on my original 2008 V6 plugs. My rear wheel drive got 17.5 mpg on the last tank. It is a little hesitant starting - by that I mean I have to crank it twice so it may need plugs. Depends a lot on if your area has switched to winter blend gas that always gets worse mpg. I don't think 81k is too early. It is definitely not too late. My 2012 had 140k on the original plugs when I changed them recently. Have not checked mileage. I also did the MAF cleaning, all new fluids, filters, pcv, etc on the 12 and it runs like new. I suggest doing the MAF and throttle body cleaning, a pcv and plugs at the same time. If anything helps your mpg then doing all that will give you the best results. Still under $60 for gaskets, cleaner, plugs and pcv. If you haven't done it I would do a coolant flush too.

 

Yeah I'd wager Turbo 4 cylinder. I'd be cool with that as long as they don't put a CVT in it. I hate those things, total deal breaker for me!

 

I only hope they don't put that lame 3.5 Atkinson V6 from the Tacoma in a 4runner. They ruined the 3rd gen Tacoma with the new V6 and automatic. That is why, after 5.5 years, I sold my 2016 Sport with only 25k miles. I hope they put something different in the 4th gen Tacoma. My daily grocery getter is a Ford ecoboost 4 cylinder. It has more power than my 2016 Tacoma V6 did. I have hesitation buying anything new, that I plan to keep for many years, with a turbo in it. The turbo engines in US built vehicles have not proven any longevity without big issues. Ford is a good example of that. Mine has low miles and will never get to 80k miles in my hands. I know the 4runner 4.0 is not a mpg leader but it is the best powerplant Toyota ever made as a 6 cylinder. I love my Toyotas. I also have owned quite a few very good Ford trucks. I am not comparing Ford to Toyota. You put a turbo on a 4 banger, of any make, you will get power and mpg but I think you will wear out the bottom end and drivetrain earlier than a conventional engine. My son was a huge fan of the Subaru WRX. That thing makes monster power but those engines have a rough life and 130k miles is nearing the rebuild season. He had a good one that was hit and totaled. I talked him out of buying another one and got him into the best vehicle on the market. A 2nd gen V6 Tacoma. When Toyota stops producing the 4.0 I fear it will not compare to the bulletproof history. My friend bought a new Highlander 3.5. He has had a lot of issues with the eco mode where it just won't get out of it's own way. I think he just got a bad one. Most people have good reviews of them. That is not the Atkinson 3.5 used in the Tacoma. For that reason the Highlander has nearly 25 more hp than the Tacoma.

 

Seems reasonable to us childless folks.

 

Oh I agree 100% on all of your points. LOVE LOVE LOVE my 1GR-FE and my 2nd gen is never going anywhere! I plan to drive it until the wheels fall off and then I'll probably just reattach the wheels. I've received some crazy cash offers lately for my truck but a big part of why I'd never sell it is I hate the turd gen and it's camry/sienna engine.

I'm guessing turbo 4 cyl and probably a hybrid version based on what we've seen with the new Tundra killing the V8, it only makes sense they'd downsize the engine in the smaller trucks too. Knowing toyota we won't be lucky enough to get that turbo V6 in a tacoma or 4 runner sized platform.

FWIW with tighter and tighter MPG requirements I think forced induction is an inevitability on new vehicles coming out.

 

Well, not trying to start this conversation, but, gasoline engines are on the way out. California has a new law, already signed by the Governor, banning sales of all gasoline powered lawn equipment including lawnmowers, weed eaters, leaf blowers, pressure washers and, the big duh, generators. So I guess they expect you to use electric powered generators now. They also have the earliest ban on sales of gasoline powered cars and trucks. I think that one starts in 2035. The President wants all gas powered vehicles halted by 2050. My brother in law, in Florida, searched for weeks to find a gas powered lawn tractor. All the lawn care companies are buying up inventory. I guess Florida is next on the ban list. I read that, based on a California study, a gas powered lawnmower puts out more pollution running for 1 hour than a new Camry puts out in 1100 miles. So the government is rallying to get to zero emissions and zero gasoline powered vehicles. We are converting to the new Russia. I guess NASCAR in 2050 will be 1000 hp Teslas with a 250 hp electric motor on each wheel.

 

Lol I think that’s still only 250 hp

 

I just hate the direction we are heading. Cutting emissions should be good enough. I do wonder how Californians will power their house, during a storm or blackout, with a battery operated generator.

 

https://youtu.be/Ly7RXmleyPk

 

yeah I heard about that and am not super stoaked. Here in oregon the government likes to try to copy what our neighbors to the south do.

SCIENCE! I love my 1GR-FE for a truck engine but it ain’t got shit compared to a 2JZ - Legit one of the best/coolest engines ever!

 

Typical Carolina SUV. Got priorities right - a/c is crankin with the cab windows up to keep the beer cold.
"them kids are safe Bubba since they be in car seats"

 

Not knowledgeable on this stuff at all, but if Newsom can just sign the 2035 ban into law without a vote (at least i don't remember being able to vote on it), could some future governor just like undo it, or at least postpone it?

 

Fashion, baby!



6 or 8 coats of red enamel, mostly because I wanted to play with the wire wheel and I was already painting stuff. Let's see how it holds up.

 

You need to remove this and get some frame caps.

 

It was quite easy. The kit comes with almost everything you need for install. I had to purchase a bus bar and a short cable for the grounds. You will have to make a bracket to mount it.