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3rd Gen, Best Gen?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Koolbreeze7, May 24, 2023.

  1. May 24, 2023 at 7:41 AM
    #1
    Koolbreeze7

    Koolbreeze7 [OP] GRILL MAN

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    2017 TRD Sport 4x4 DCLB Black, Trail Limo. RIP- 2009, 2000, 91,89,87 trucks
    Rigid pod fogs, SpartanX stealth grill and hood LED's, 17" SEMA's on 275/70/17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's, Fox 2.0 on all corners , TRD CAI, LEER 100XQ Blacked out, w/ Thule racks, and Cargo slider Flow master American Thunder "dual" exhaust, remote start, tint, TRD Pro grill and TRD shadow graphics, Alcan custom 8 leaf Spring Pack
    After 6 Toyota pickups of all generations I am settling in to the fact that my 3rd Gen is the best @ 105, 000 miles. ( maybe it's just me getting older and loving the creature comforts) Now, is it more capable off road? Who knows, as my off roading is snow, beach and camping/ fire roads on the east coast and DCLB sport handles each as good as all the others on 275's. Things I fixed for me to get to this opinion: Seating position, and seat covers, Better suspension and leafs, tune, OEM LED headlights, and additional lighting, Audio upgrades, bed slider and cap and rack, Meso total tails, stiffeners OEM aluminum side steps. It doesnt gear hunt any longer and the power is good enough. I am about to tow my 21' Searay 100+ miles and cant see it doing any worse than that same trip in my 1st or 2nd Gen.
     
  2. May 24, 2023 at 7:46 AM
    #2
    Ricardo13x

    Ricardo13x YT: @UrbanOpsOffRoad IG: @urban.ops.offroad

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    Random stuff. Oh! and converted to non ADD 4x4.
    All gens are good as long as the platform is properly prepped’ and serviced. I own a 2nd gen. Totally love the 1st and the 3rd looks very nice. 4th gen is a new chapter that so far looks amazing. Cool to hear that you are enjoying your truck :fistbump:
     
  3. May 24, 2023 at 7:47 AM
    #3
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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  4. May 24, 2023 at 7:51 AM
    #4
    David2431

    David2431 Well-Known Member

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    As a first-time Tacoma owner who has yet to take delivery that's good news! How long did it take to stop gear hunting?
     
  5. May 24, 2023 at 8:00 AM
    #5
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    No issues yet with my 3rd gen being my first tacoma. I'm liking it. Its more refined than past toyota pickups owned.
     
    Koolbreeze7[OP] likes this.
  6. May 24, 2023 at 8:33 AM
    #6
    Koolbreeze7

    Koolbreeze7 [OP] GRILL MAN

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    2017 TRD Sport 4x4 DCLB Black, Trail Limo. RIP- 2009, 2000, 91,89,87 trucks
    Rigid pod fogs, SpartanX stealth grill and hood LED's, 17" SEMA's on 275/70/17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W's, Fox 2.0 on all corners , TRD CAI, LEER 100XQ Blacked out, w/ Thule racks, and Cargo slider Flow master American Thunder "dual" exhaust, remote start, tint, TRD Pro grill and TRD shadow graphics, Alcan custom 8 leaf Spring Pack
    I think the 22's and 23's have better manners from the factory, but my 17, I had a tune that better addressed the issue. Maybe that and the truck finally learned that i dont drive it like a racecar.
     
  7. May 24, 2023 at 8:40 AM
    #7
    NWTacoTime

    NWTacoTime Well-Known Member

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    Car Seats
    aftermarket Tune if your best bet
     
  8. May 24, 2023 at 8:47 AM
    #8
    fourfourone

    fourfourone Well-Known Member

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    Gonna need to rack up some more miles before you can label it as the best gen. Most modern vehicles will make it 100k no problem. 100-200k is another story.
     
    RIX TUX and kahanabob like this.
  9. May 24, 2023 at 8:50 AM
    #9
    ThreeBeers

    ThreeBeers Well-Known Member

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    I am actually happy with my 3rd Gen, but I do wish they kept the 4.0 5spd auto that was in the 2nd Gens.
     
    kahanabob likes this.
  10. May 24, 2023 at 8:51 AM
    #10
    fourfourone

    fourfourone Well-Known Member

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    3rd gen with the updated 4.0 from the 4runner would have been the "best gen"
     
    kahanabob likes this.
  11. May 24, 2023 at 9:02 AM
    #11
    Fightnfire

    Fightnfire Recklessly tired

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    Starting over with a new GMC AT4 Satin Steel Metallic Softopper, Bilstein 5100's @ 1.75 in the front, TSB Rear, 17x8.5 Lvl 8 Guardians, 265/70-17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Scooped, Anytime fog mod, Osram Nightbreakers, LED Interior lights, Debadged, Painted valance, Removed rear head rests, De-flapped, Hidden Hitch installed, Weather Techs, Flyzeye'd A/W/A, Cover Kings.
    I'll take the 2nd gen with the 4.0 V6, the drivetrain in the 3rd gen is :tumbleweed:
     
    kahanabob and Ricardo13x like this.
  12. May 24, 2023 at 10:12 AM
    #12
    zoo truck

    zoo truck Well-Known Member

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    No tune needed in my 2020 access cab. Truck is a rocket. I can't ask for a truck to be more perfect, unless it can cook me a 5 star dinner.
     
  13. May 24, 2023 at 4:55 PM
    #13
    Lunar Squirrel

    Lunar Squirrel Well-Known Member

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    You’ve had 6 total, so I humbly defer to your wisdom on what’s the best.

    I personally like the 3.5’s, and say that having also previously owned the updated and excellent 4.0. Different flavors, but it’ll be a sad day when there’s no longer any version of a GR series V6 under the hood of a Tacoma.
     
  14. May 24, 2023 at 5:15 PM
    #14
    kahanabob

    kahanabob Well-Known Member

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    yea, and the 4th gen will have 8 speed tranny...talk about gear hunting...
     
    Mikeh80 likes this.

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