New Tundra...Tacoma redesign

Retro into Depo housings (BHLM already done), painted the reflector bowls over a year ago.
Did the grille a good 18 months ago... just bought a white OEM grille for $200 and did my own Satoshi.

 

I actually read a review of the Tacoma a few months back that knocked it for not having as much chrome up front as other trucks. I stopped reading. That review lost all credibility to me at that point.

 

If Toyota doesn't use the 4runner/FJ/* 4.0L in 2015 for the Tacoma, I'll have lost all faith. I don't mind the 2012 exterior but I feel like they'll change the look and up the motor at the same time. It'd be nice if they did something to the interior other than package items that you have to pay more for, or radio crap... like a redesign to the interior that affects all trim levels - all for that. 5spd auto is pretty highly regarded and I'd rather see that stay than get some new 6782934903speed transmission with no track record.

IMO, they can keep the exterior changes as it'll likely only get worse, or alienate more potential buyers. Just give us a 4.0L that has the same output as the 4runner (with the fuel economy perks too), make the interior a little nicer, and make it easy for us to get rid of the inevitable chrome If they can make it cut through the wind a little better that'd be great too, if it didn't involve making it look stupid.

 

x2 ^ I don't like what they have done to the Tundra. I like the Tacoma just the way it is. Just my .02 cents.

 

Who did this review?

Really? Well shit looks good.

 

thats because thats who they are trying to compete with for market share of the full sized trucks. toyota is literally dumbing down the tundra for idiot ford owners

 

The tundra isn't really all new...

Sure, some of the plastics have been updated like our 2011 vs 2012, but I think that's all...

The front end is different, as is the tailgate and taillights. The cab, doors, windshield, and all that appears to be the same. I was actually looking at this while I was at the dealership yesterday since they had the two parked right next to each other.

They're the same engines, transmissions, and everything under the "new looks" aren't they?

 

Yup, exactly what you said. New front end and tailgate. Updated interior. And now gets the worst mileage of any full size because it still uses a 8 year old power train

 

From what I've read from several sources (all unreliable) the new tacoma will be built on a completely new platform and have new engines as well. It was also reported that when GM released the concept for the new Colorado several Toyota engineers were seen pouring over it. Let's hope the new competition spurs Toyota to really come out with something special and not just mail it in like they did on the Tundra.

 

Too late for that for 2015.

They may have been scrutinizing it, but anything that is going to be the 2015 Tacoma is already very close to being production-ready.
Molds, dies, etc... all of that can't be done until after the design is finished and the prototype is built.
Molds and dies cost hundreds of thousands.
With the introduction of the 2015 just over 6 months away, it's too late to make any significant design changes, much less begin a new design from a vehicle that was just looked at.

That is assuming the Tacoma redesign is in 2015... if 2016, then there is time for changes.

 

I agree they won't be able to do much. Maybe some engine or suspension tweaks but nothing substantial, at least not for 2015. However, manufacturers make running changes so I'm thinking perhaps with more competition Toyota might put forth a little more effort $$$ this time. Additionally they could come out with a mid-life refresh a little sooner. It's all pure speculation of course but I'd really like to see them come out with a better product.

 

Interior is all new. The only exterior that carried over is the firewall to the rear glass. The nose to firewall and complete bed exterior is all new (completely different shape to the fenders, rockers, and taillights). Not just the tailgate. I imagine they are readying the updated DI UR engines that will come out a year or two into this gen just like the 4.6L UR replaced the carryover UZ.

Taco won't be getting the 4Runner 1GR. That engine is basically dead for the US. I expect the 2GR with DI will be the engine for the Tacoma, Sienna, Avalon, next gen 4Runner, etc. The torque improvements of DI make a long stroke version that only goes in a few vehicles sort of pointless.

And this.
http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/12/05/0518.html

Says to me that the 2GR is coming to some new product. My guess is that Tacoma is one that is slated for.

 

Well looking at the past, The shortest amount of time a Tacoma went before a facelift is 3 years (1995-1997, 1998-2000, 2001-2004)

So I would assume that the earliest we will see another facelift or redesign would be the 2015 model year. But with the snail pace Toyota moves at lately it will be later.

 

What do you mean by historically ? Since the early 90s the 4runner and toyota truck front end looked the same . Right up untill about 2011 they shared the same front end, very similar interiors aswell.

 

I don't believe that there have been interchangeable exterior parts (grilles, hoods, fenders, doors, bumpers) since the first gen 4Runner and Hilux days. The 1st gen Tacoma does share a basic look, but not parts, with the 3rd Gen 4Runner. The 4th gen 4Runner and 2nd gen Taco less so. The 4Runner Tacoma relationship is not like the Tundra Sequoia relationship.

 

The only issues I would see with using the 2GR would be the transverse mount design and converting certain motors on the line to a longitudinal mount for the Tacoma/4Runner and the higher RPM for max torque which if DI is implemented I could see lowering RPM to meet the demands of implementing the 2GR into the Tacoma/4Runner.

Owning vehicles with both motors the 2GR definitely seems more refined. With the 1GR I feel more torque lower in the RPM.

 

This.

I'm perfectly happy with my 2008 as far as design. All that needs to happen is add some new technology to the already proven 4.0L (dual vvt-i, direct injection).

 

They already make a longitudinal 2GR for the GS and IS. Even so, that is the matter of some mounting holes in the block. Toyota machining lines are already flexible enough to handle that. Fitting an engine originally designed to be transverse into a longitudinal bay (especially one as big as the Taco or 4Runner) is easier than adapting a longitudinal engine to a transverse unit body.

The DI will accommodate the low end torque difference between the 1GR and 2GR. That is where DI really makes a difference.

 

There's so may threads about redesigning the tacoma!

 

was thinking the exact same thing before I even read your comment.