SAYING ...GOODBYE to TACOMA !!!!

I traded my 2006 Tacoma 4x4 DC V6 @ the end of Sep for a 2011 Tundra DC 4.6. 4x4 ~ I love the truck & have no regrets.

As far as the upshifting I do not get that effect everyone is talking about and live in Vermont (ie. not flat). Don't use cruise do not like it and don't mash the pedal. I mean the tacoma's auto shifted going up hill. I turn off the nannies and really like it. It tows my enclosed snowmobile trailer like its not even there, smooth trans, quiet, lots of creature comforts, lighted 4by dial, cold weather pkg, heated mirrors, adjustable headlights, tons of space. The steering is light & honestly have gotten over its size. I love driving it & do not putt putt with it.

Now why did I go 4.6 rather than 5.7?
Well, I had a 2004 Tundra Crew 4.7 before which I really liked with no complaints. My decision wasn't about mpg ratings, its a truck, but finding the best leftover model year deal for flippin my Tacoma.
Inventory was limited for affordable 5.7s. All I could find were platinum editions or mega option laded (45-50K) up here in the Northeast. I had driven both drivetrains and loved the grand pooba screamer but did not want to pay no more than 10k after my trade. I had no luck peddling the tacoma privately & it actually is still sitting on the dealers lot, 75 days later priced at 19,995. Through USAA, dealer incentives & good trade in value on the Tacoma(17.5) the deal worked.

Now if I was toting 800 lbs of tools daily or towing a heavy TT or wanted to have a payment totally different story. 5.7 all the way & would probably get me into trouble with mr. law.
That truck & drivetrain is awesome!
But as far as my current 4.6L, the the truck has worked flawlessly for me no complaints going on 3500 miles.

 

the 4.6 has only been out for a year which replaced the aging 4.7 so the 4.6 has the technology the 5.7 you speak of...

 

I live in texas... not very hilly here... I have talked to several people with 4x4 DC and Crew Cab Tundras with the 4.6 liter and they all had the same problem I had with downshifting constantly at 60 mph+. I bought the 4.10 gearing hoping to avoid this problem.. it lessened it to a degree but it didnt eliminate it. Mabye the 4.88 gearing from the 5.7 would take care of it... but there is no way to do that yet. I drove my 2010 tundra for 10k miles and it never got any better... drove me crazy. Much happier with the Tacoma so far. I am glad you have not encountered this problem in your truck. Did they change something in the 2011 model trucks? From what I have read they are identical to the 2010's.

 

I test drove a 2010 Tundra 4.6L auto and it did change gears 3 times up/down, i was on cruise and the hwy was a bit climbing..and i was making 75mph. I guess i should really go with 5.7L !!

 

Where I live the Tacoma doesnt downshift at all at 65-70mph... no hills steep enough to set off the hunt.. even with cruise control on. My Tundra couldnt do that even on slight grades or headwinds ... I am glad that you are happy with your truck, thats what counts. I was just trying to point out a problem to the O.P that I REALLY wished somebody had told me about prior to purchasing my 4.6 tundra. Seems that they fixed the problem for 2011 so kudos to you, they are the best looking fullsize trucks on the road IMO.

 

Wonder if any lister or their friends have CAI upgrade on 4.6L tundra to hear what perfrmance u/g did it give including mileage...?????

 

I don't know about the 4.6, but my boy here in West Central TX has a 2011 Double Cab with the 5.7, 4x4. He keeps it all highway, maybe goes to the lake once a week, off a gravel road. He gets about 16-18 mpg on the highway (the wind), and 14-16 in city. He has the TRD dual exhaust and the TRD intake on it.

 

here is the new monster...

 

Looks nice! Its still a Toyota Enjoy.

 

Nice truck! TRD off road. I like the smaller rear cab.

 

I wish I had found this post 3 weeks ago! Just went from a 2006 Tundra dcab to a 2012 Tacoma dcab, bought based on reported MPG, and am in major Tundra withdrawals, to the point I'm considering trading my 3 week old Tacoma for a 4.6L Tundra. The current incentives on the Tundras make the numbers on the trade fairly doable.

Coming from the 4.7L Tundra, the new 4.6L Tundra feels awesome. Surely the 5.7L must be a dream to race around, but with the miles I rack up, the 4.6L is all I would consider, and plenty fast/powerful enough. Much better than the 2006 4.7L. Realistically I should be in a Prius, but need the truck.

 

Congrats brudda!!

 

The 4.6L is an awesome engine that has plenty of power for most any towing task. Don't buy into all the hype, coming from a 4.0L Tacoma that thing will feel like its got a nuclear reactor under the hood.

 

Like what ?
Ok so what is the problem with Towing with midsize truck?
Also mileage BS of Tundra is nothing more then just that a BS.
I have soccer mom version of 5.7 Tundra and that thing gets 13 MPG with down draft pushing from behind.
4.0 L Tacoma.... I went from New England to Outter banks and my pickup clocked 21 MPG average (and that's 4 times already each trip 520 miles)
21 MPG for 4x4 pickup loaded for vacations is darn very good.

 

Did you get the tow package? You get 4.30 gearing I believe. As well as a plethora of coolers. Transmission, Engine Oil, and Power Steering.

I'm guessing it doesn't get that hot up in Toronto, but in texas 100F weather is pretty common and it's nice to have all the extra cooling

 

Just came from a trip to Newfoundland..total drive of abt 7000kms. Towing a TT 19ft with 550lbs Yamaha motorcycle, 3 bikes & other things on Bed..TUNDRA did amazing drive. I loved the S Drive, that let me to downshift on hills. Had lots of steep roads going thru mountains. I swear tacos would struggle on them with just TT and no load on Bed. Infact i took it in for a TSB for hunting gear shift on cruise..now its gone(stays on top gear on cruise even on reasonable climb roads) and am watching close on the mileage...will update. Overall LOVE IT !!

 

sounds good.
I get close to 20 mpg w/ my 4.6L 2011 DC 4x4 on the long trips.
Around town 15.5-16
That is what I got with my tacoma V6 so I am very happy.
Towing in the mtns is a breeze.
Glad you had a good trip.
I never did have the hunt shift on the 11 model year I bought & yeah the S mode is pretty cool.
Turn off the nannies is fun too.