Disappointed in gen3, need advice on my gen2

Dude that thing is cleannnn, and low miles!

If it were me I'd keep driving that the way it is, and then wait for the market to cool off

 

I'm agreeing with the rest that are telling you to keep your 2012. I'm not just saying this because I have much love for my 2015 limited, but the 2nd gen in my personal opinion is the best taco made. Especially the gen 2.5 trucks (2012-2015). The later in the years of Toyota gens, the better. Toyota overtime works out the kinks in their generations as the years go on. Not saying this to get the 3rd gen guys pissed at me, but i hate them. They do not make the torque like the 4.0 does down low. You have to beat the living crap out of them to do anything. I've personally not drove one, but i've talked to people who have. They said the same as you. The 4.0, if you dump 91 gas in them, they make their torque round 3600rpm. 4000rpm on 87. Insane for a big V6. I have 207,000 miles on mine and it runs like a raped ape. From time to time, I take it on trails and beat the crap out of it and drive it home. I mow for a living and tow 2,900lbs with it at least twice a week. Its also my daily. These trucks, even if you abuse em from time to time, just make sure they are maintained, and they will easily be capable of 300k miles trouble free. I would put the money in mods on your 2012 any day then buy a new vehicle. The 2012-15 trucks with the 4.0 are the best taco made in my opinion. The 1GR-FE is way overbuilt. Keep your truck.

 

Thank you so much! Definitely helps with the decision learning more about gen 2.5 lol

 

Thank you for weighing in and sharing your experience. I've learned a lot about my Tacoma from all the great feedback.

I plan to proceed with the long overdue maintenance work, new suspension, tires and rims.

 

Wow nice miata. I know i couldn't let myself sell this. Taco is nice too!

 

Ahh the miata's with the pop up headlights!!
My favorite!

 

Since you're keeping the 2012:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/preventative-measures-for-failure-of-secondary-air-pump.744086/

Good idea to do the air pump mod.

 

PLEASE HELP! Does this sound correct?

Just got back from a local custom shop. It's pretty big and a nice shop. The owner who quoted me the following was super nice and a stand up guy. He seems to know his stuff but then when googled he's recommendations, I see plenty of contradicting stories.

1. Billstein 5100 (I'm okay with this based on my limited and mild off-roading)
2. 17" Black Rhino Armory in gunmetal, -18 offset
3. 285/70/17 KO2s
4. No AAL
5 factory control arms, unless damaged and needing replacement

I see a ton of negative feedback about rubbing, trimming at this tire size and offset with the 5100.,

Please help confirm if he's correct or help me figure out the correct combination. I like the rims and tires, and prefer 33" but I could go slightly smaller to avoid rubbing or control arms issues, or issues in general. What could be added to his recommendation to still fit 33, or is that not doable?

Thank you!

 

You wont regret it. Something to tell you, the regular stuff to maintain on these trucks is really easy to do. Only thing is when you go to do spark plugs on these, the drivers bank, take your time with it. The connectors on these toyotas love to break. But with yours being a 12, you shouldnt have issues. The differentials and transfer case on these trucks is very easy to service as well. If it hasnt been done, I highly suggest you do.
After servicing mine, (i got my truck used), my 4wd engagement is 5x better than what it used to be. If you wanna go a cheaper route and still put good oil in them, get some mobil 1 75w90 gear oil, you can put that in both your diffs and t case. Its round $18 a quart at any parts store. Spark plugs, go to toyota and get em, i get all 6 for like $24 i think. If you know someone who is mechanically inclined and knows how to work on stuff, let them show you how to do this stuff. Once your shown, this stuff is easy. The 1GR-FE as someone said in this fourm is true, its a port injected dinosaur. Only thing that makes this a modern engine is its a duel overhead cam engine with variable valve timing, other than that, thats it. Since of it being a dinosaur, its so easy to work on.

 

Big heavy tires, heavy ass wheels, offset on the wheels is too aggressive, 5100 is decent but not even mid tier. You need new rear springs, whether that is a take off pack and AAL (it’s what I did and it’s pretty good) or even better a full custom leaf pack. Keep the lift to 2” or lower and UCA aren’t needed.

Find another shop. Sounds like he’s selling you his standard bro taco kit.

 

What you think or would recommend?

Bilstein 6112/5160 set at 2"
1.5" AAL?
275/70/17?
Good rim options?

 

I like all of that, I wouldn’t add-a-leaf to an old worn out leaf pack. Get a take off pack from a 2023 and add the leaf to that. Or buy a whole new pack from deaver, alcan, icon, or OME.

For rims I would go with the lightest wheel you can find in 17x8” -0 offset.

 

I keep coming back to look at this picture, there's just something about it. Completely stock, whitewalls out on the tires, shiny black paint and tasteful TRD badging on the bed. Classic Tacoma silhouette of the cab and body lines, the way they did the front fenders, mirrors and cab lines is timeless. Other manufacturers have been trying to copy this look for decades. What a great looking vehicle..

I might be a bit biased given that I also own a black 2nd gen. Before my 2015 I had a 2011 access cab Offroad in black. Manual transmission, factory tinted headlights.. I realize now how rare it was. that TRD sticker on the bed of a shiny black tacoma gets me every time..

 

Gotcha thanks so much!

 

Keep your 2012 OR and leave it stock. I believe it was the Tacoma Flagship for that year... well before the TRD Pro. It has been doing what you want/need it to do for eleven years and 100,000 miles now: so why mess with it? Your initial lines don't seem indicate you currently do any serious off-roading or are planing on taking it on the Rubicon, so why the 33" tires/rims/lift? You have a $7-9K budget? Spend some of that money for the long-past-due required maintenance before it's too late.... ...and keep the nice Miata.

 

Well said.. you almost had me convinced to do nothing to it, just keep changing the oil, and keep driving it for another 10 years, and it will probably just keep running too lol

 

I recently purchased a 2014 TRD Sport with 45k miles in great condition. I was also looking at a 21 TRD Sport with 12k miles because I wanted to make sure I was exercising due diligence in my purchasing decision. Money wise I can afford either so it was not a choice based on affordability alone.

I bought the 14 because I think it has that old school look and was $20K less expensive. I just did not see any value in spending an extra 20Gs to get a truck that is missing that 2nd gen 2.5 look plus the 14 is also at the top when it comes to reliability. Utility wise both will get the job done and I just saw no point in buying the newer one over the 2014. The savings can go towards personalizing my new to me Tacoma described in my video

https://youtu.be/A2Cce4XfWx0?si=xWwmBEIsk2HdEdCF

My other car is a 98 Jeep TJ with 28K miles… So it is safe to say I just enjoy older but well maintained cars over newer ones. The wife has the family car, I have the fun rigs.

Hope that helps you figure things out in terms of what to do vehicle wise.

As far as the tires and wheels question you have I tell you that I just got my new tires today. A sweet set of Mickey Thompson Baja Boss in 265/70R17 XL rated at 44 pounds in TRD Pro wheels with +4mm offset. To me that is the perfect tire for a mild lift under 2 inches that I will do with the Eibach Pro lift (bought but not installed).

After a ton of research I came to the conclusion that there is no value in doing the 60 pound 285 tires with 3 inch lift for my intended use (city truck with little
mild off road). The consensus is that an under 2 inch lift with P rated tires in 265/70R17 format are easy on the truck and budget while giving the Tacoma a good look and stance without any of the 285 LT rated tire downsides. I’d say get the 285 if your intended use requires them, otherwise make sure you understand the journey you will go through in making it work.

The decision to go to 285s is just as big as the question you originally asked and it has a lot of implications, plus it takes know how and stomach to do mods, such as cutting or trimming. As always YMMV.

 

Keep the 2nd gen and keep her stock, what a pretty truck!

I'm the original owner of a 2.5 2nd gen (2014). While I keep up on all maintenance, I have a local shop do everything cause like you, I don't have the skills or tools to do any of it.

However, two months ago I found a couple of awesome youtube channels that talk nothing but Toyota's and have very detailed how to's. I thought, I can do that, so I went and bought a few new tools (less than $100 bucks), took the MAC in the garage and over the last two months I changed the plugs, cleaned the MAF, removed the throttle bottle and cleaned it, bled the brakes, changed the rear differential, changed the oil, replaced air and cabin filter and changed/flushed the power steering fluid. These things I have never even attempted before.

While these things are minor compared to what the majority of people on this forum can do, it was huge for me and so extremely gratifying. I am trying to think what is next. It's coming up on 10 years old, looks brand new, garage kept its whole life, 144k miles, drives like a dream, and has never let me down!

 

Not being an enthusiast, I basically got bored with it over time, and since it needs new tires, maintenance, struts, etc. I've decided to trade it for a 2023.

Would you believe they offered me more than half what I paid 12 years ago?! Even with all the needed repairs. I didn't counter offer but I know I could've gotten another thousand if I was interested in the 2023.

The truck is already more than capable than my needs so my primary reasoning are purely asthetics, refreshed looks, and a more aggressive stance.

 

Understood. Play hard-ball with them on the trade for your truck. You have a very desirable 2nd gen even if it happened to be a generic base model. Not the case here: it a 2nd gen OR. The dealer wants that truck: stock is the icing on the cake. Don't let them whine about: "all the needed repairs/maintenance" it needs either: they have a complete service and parts department to resolve that supposed issue at dealer cost. Once they own it, they will prob throw generic parts at it and/or won't do anything at all to it. You may find they will be willing to fork over -more- than half of what you paid 12 years ago. Play hard ball and get your new '23 if you want. If you're buying it from the same dealer, again: play hard ball. Negotiate the price of the new truck -before- you negotiate the price of your trade. Accept no: "price-with-trade" nonsense... You can always sell it yourself privately: tell them that: Their worst nightmare on a clean, one owner truck like you possess. The sales mgr will fire everyone if they screw up.