About to Jump In, Couple Quick Questions...

Hi All,


Thanks for maintaining and participating in this forum, lots of great info! After 2 tacomas that were great ('91 and '00) I opted for an '08 Tundra. The Tundra is a great truck, but its size is just too much and in general it is more truck than I need so I'm considering trading it in on an '09 access cab, V6 manual 4wd TRD model tacoma.

I have a couple quick questions though - I apologize if these have been asked before. I tried searching, but either didn't have enough luck and/or I'm running out of time. So here we go:

1) Any major reliability issues with the 2nd gen tacoma v6 or 6spd tranny? I've seen the posts about some minor TSB's, but I guess I just want to make sure there are no fundamental reliabilty issues. My last two toyota trucks were pretty much bullet proof for 200K miles and I would be hoping for the same in this one. (although the '91 v6 did have that head gasket recall).

2) The clutch seems abnormally stiff in the new tacomas. Have the rest of you manual owners noticed this too, or is it just me? My last 2 tacoma's were manual and I don't recall the clutch being that stiff. Transmission seems a little notchy too, but after a long test ride it seems like something you could totally get used to.

3) Can you disable all traction control like aids on an '09? I'm curious because sometimes its fun to leave it in 2wd and powerslide and what not in snow or sany roads etc. I'm sure I'd use the traction control stuff 95% of the time, but I would hate it if I couldn't have some fun the other 5% of the time.

4) In the access cab can that rear seat center console thing be removed cleanly? I'll almost never have pssengers in the back so I'd rather have more storage room back there.

5) what's up with that fugly subwoofer box? That seems like an after thought. I suppose its a matter of opinion, but I hate the looks of that thing. Any options for replacing it with something similar?

Thanks in advance for any responses!
Al

 

im sure you will get lots of great answers. i have an 08 atomatic so i can't chime in. But as far as reliabilty, the other members can't complain. They are all great trucks man. Welcome!

 

Oh yea, one other question:

Does a sheet of plywood fit into the bed width wise?

Thanks Again,
Al

 

#4)

Are you talking about the Access cab or the double cab?

I have an access cab and I don't have a rear seat center console thing.

#5) I also don't have a subwoofer box either.... but perhaps that comes with the JBL system?

 

#4) Yes access cab. I think the access cab rear center console thing may have been new for '09.

#5) subwoofer comes with TRD off-road package and the premium, but not JBL, sound system.

 

Plywood fits in the back widthwise but does not fall between the wheel wells,