Tundra to Tacoma? Q's for you Taco experts

I currently have a sweet '07 (New body style) Tundra which I love. However my needs have changed and I am thinking about switching to a newer Tacoma. I am "green" on these things and thought I would turn to the experts for some answers/advice. A chance to embark your vast knowledge on those in need.
*Any particular year - say '08 and up that are better than other?
*Looking at a long bed, crew cab with the 4.0. 4X4. How long is the bed?
*How is the stock ride going down the road - compared to a Tundra?
*Towing capacity?
*Average overall gas mileage?
*How come some have a cool hood scoop? Is that the SR5 package?
*How is the ride quality affected if you give it a small lift?
*What size tires can you put on them stock?
I have lots of other questions but I don't want to push my luck. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I think the bed is 6 feet.
Hood scoop comes with TRD Sport package.
towing capacity is 6500 pounds with towing package.
Only thing about years is that 06 and up had better engine mounts(stronger)
The lift ride quality is dependent on what suspension you go with.

 

hood scoops are the trd sport package
overall gas milage for the auto is like 18ish manual is like 16. (weird i know)
you should be able to fit 31s stock
if you get a small lift, and you get spacers the ride is crap, if you get a good lift. coils and add a leaf its a good ride

i personally like first gen tacomas. they have proven themselfs, 1st gens havent yet.

 

Personally I love my 05, It does not have all that fancy traction control crap.

I do own a double cab long bed. the bed is 6ft

The double cab long bed rides like a Cadillac on the highway with stock suspension

Towing capacity is right around 6000lbs i believe

Looking at getting about 16ish/20ish on it stock

The TRD Sport has the non-functional hood scoop

I still ride like a Cadillac with my 3" lift. But, It is not a cheap lift, it is dont right with quality parts

265/70/17 is stock on the TRD Sport and is the largest until you get a lift.

Welcome to the site.

 

answers in bold.

 

Love it. Thanks. You guys know your Tacomas like I know dirt bikes.

 

I just came from a 07 Tundra loved at 1st then the ride is horrible tried so many things shocks the tsb for cab mounts longer shackles nothing worked. traded it in on a 06 d-cab short bed last week and the ride is so much better and mileage is 21-22 mpg on my 1st tank.

 

So you are saying that the ride is BETTER on the short bed Tacoma then the bigger heavier Tundra? Wow!

 

Assume you meant 2nd gens haven't proven themselves yet?

Strongly disagree. How much seniority do they need? If you don't see the 2nd gen proving themselves after 7 model years, it's time to look for another truck.

 

IMO a Sport with a long bed will fit you're needs. 1st Gens are too small in comparison to 2nd Gens.

 

I have an 06 Manual and am getting a little over 20 MPG. With small lift still rides really smooth. There great trucks but I want more power, thinking of trying to install the 5.7 Thundra engine in mine, but reallistically probably wont.

 

yes no comparison

 

Dirtbikes you say

From my experience with the double cab short bed, with a dirtbike in the back. You have to leave the tailgate down, it stinks. I didnt do the necessary research on bed size when i bought mine.

I can still fit 2 bikes pretty easily in the back but back tires are only inch's away from the end.

I also have a 09 tundra 4 door 4x4 and the ride on the Tacoma before lift and after lift is actually better somehow. My lift also cost me a pretty penny. The gas mileage was better than the tundy stock, but ive been scared to check my mileage on the tacoma as of recently.

Thats about all i can give, if you have any other questions, fire away and welcome to the site!

 

A would tend to agree with this too. I have an '07 Tundra DC and it has a very stiff ride. I have heard the TRD off road Tundra is worse than the stock supension, which makes sense. Although I don't own a 2nd gen taco, I can confirm just from the test drives I've taken that the taco has a better ride. Plus, it's so much easier to maneuver (atleast the 5ft is).

I am also on the verge of going from Tundra to Taco. Wanted a 1st gen really bad, but the one I bought a couple of weeks ago is probably going to be bought back due to frame rot. I'll either go with a new 2nd gen, or an '01-'04.

Techinically, you get a lot more truck for your money with a Tundra. There's just something about the Taco, though. I think a lot of it has to do with the sporty look, perfect size, and off-road capability. That's one man's opinion. Curious of others opions.

 

I am coming off a 3/4 4X4 diesel. So my Tundra is pretty damn nice compared to that. But it is still a big honkin' truck and since I don't need to tow with it anymore, I'm thinkin' the Tacoma longbed might be a sweet daily driver and weekend warrior. (I'm not afraid to admit that almost 20 mpg would be nice also).

 

Most of the questions have been answered accurately.

However if you want a 4.0 4x4 long bed, you're looking at 16-18mpg

 

1st gens have proven themselfs since 95 (i think thats when the first taco came out) it was a opinion though. i love my first gen

 

I hear you man. Thinking the turning radius on a DC LB Taco is no better than the DC Tundra. what do you think? I can't find anything from Toyota regarding the Tundra radius, but the DC LB Taco is '44..

From what I've read on TW over the past few weeks, I think an automatic 4x4 Taco will get close to the same MPG as a 2x4 Tundra. I just hate to buy a brand new truck when a more efficient motor is only 1 - 2 years out. Decisions decisions.

 

you should be able to fit 3 bikes, i fit 3 450s in my first gen but the tail gate does have to stay down.

 

I figure the turning radius is pretty close (I'm going to go drive one today and I think I'll be able tell right away) but the overall width simply getting in and out of parking spots and the garage etc would make a difference. However the massive rear seat leg room in the Tundy is sure nice.