Still Miss my 2nd GEN!!!

So it's been about a year. Got rid of my 06, AC, TRD-OR, and got an F250 Diesel. Loved it, but after 30K miles showed all the creaks, shakes and rattles of a big work truck. Wasn't hauling with it, wasn't really doing much with it except paying for it. Despite i loved the size, LOVE diesles ( was my third)...just didn't want to pay for it.

So i got myself a great VERY well taken care of 04, chevy 1500. Extended cab, great little truck, Its roomier than the taco was, and the 5.3 pulls harder. but I still miss my Taco.

The taco SUCKED as a construction truck, not even taking a full sheet of ply wood or drywall. And with 6500 lbs towing max....not a great hauler (tho i don't hal all that often)...but it is just built so solid and well.

my chevy has 95000 on it. Just did all major fluids, shocks, and drives well, but just feels loose, and rattley...they all do...my taco had 66K on it and was solid as a rock.

Now a days, I subcontract Major work, and for little repairs here and there the little bed would work. As well as local runs to home depot for soil and plants.

When this truck goes, or i ahve another kid and need a real back seat...Despite it's small size, I will be getting a lightly used DC, 6 speed, with the OR package...just a great solid truck, a real work horse, cheap to maintain..and holds value..

I am envious of all you guys..

 

Ok.

 

WAT

 

Taco envy.

 

maybe, but I've had EVERY truck out there in past decade
97 F150
97 Dodge 2500 12v diesel
2001 Chevy 1500
2006 Ford F350 6.0 Diesel
2010 Ford F250 6.4 Diesel
2004 Chevy 1500
2006 Toyota Tacoma

They all have pro's and Cons

but when you consider overall build quality, and provel longevity..the taco wins. Sure I ran my 12v to 190K..and still mechanically ran great..I didn't want to sit in it, barely stop it and death wobble

the taco is a pretty solid, albeit small rig.

but

 

ok

 

You had a 12 volt truck????

 

12 valve. Its a 5.9 diesel that dodge used in their early 3/4 and 1 tons, up until 97, (some 98's have the old motor with new interior....to this date worth a fortune)

they are the BEST light duty diesels you can find, all mechanical, even lift pump (primary fuel pump) is mechanical. you can start it on a stand.

They are notorious for HUGE miles. I'm talking 1,000,000 and still going before an overhaul. and will get you 20mpg in a 3/4 ton truck.

They are great, but the trucks after this long are falling apart.

 

12 valve cummins

 

get a tundra

 

def have taco envy right now...

 

I bought my 06 with 30k on the odo from some guy that moved to a bigger rig. I've often wondered how he is doing with it. I almost bought a dodge diesel but decided I would rather pay cash for a used truck. I ended up with my taco and I love it. It is boring, common, stock looking but I love it. It fits me and my life perfectly.

 

Zing!..plus 1...lol

 

I was looking at them, and a buddy has one...and as nice as they are...I like the tacoma better. I have trailers if i need a big home depot run. THey get decent mpg, it's not the primary kid hauler, but a DC has no problem hauling kids around.

If my car was the every day car, I'd get a tundra four door. but my wives RAV is the primary kid mover...

but even my extended cab now...time is limited on how long they will fit back there. At least with the DC taco there is room for two..

 

I love bigger rigs. i love NEVER having to worry about if i can move something..but I have family in ecuador, they ALL drive little Chevy pickups (same size as taco) and Hilux...and they survive, buildings still go up, things still get hauled, and over MUCH worse roads and terrain we have.

The added expense ( I had to do tie rods (inner and outer), and ball joints on a one ton) COST 2200!!, fuel, and insurance ( they assume anything I hit with a 8700lb rig will be totaled so I pay so much more for collision).

If I have to take two trips, or just keep it slow now and again...it's worth the overall less expense. Even the oil change, doing it myself in the 6.4 powerstroke would cost me $93 bucks, since it need 4 GALLONS of oil.

The kids might have to sit closer together, and may not be as huge, but over a few years of operating costs a smaller rig is MUCH cheaper. Not saying that if you hauld a 15K lb trailer EVERYDAY for your business you should get one...but for me...i can make due.