New Tacoma Owner's questions answered.

1. What's a TSB?

A TSB is short for a Technical Service Bulletin. It is not a recall, but basically a free upgrade if your in warranty. Or it can be a specific fix... SO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT!

For the TSB list: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/7107-tsb-list-2005-2008-toyota-tacoma.html


2. What are better? Spacers vs. Body Lifts vs. Suspension lifts

Spacers are a inexpensive way to get that "lifted" look. But come with a very bad ride and is not the Grade A suspension if you are wanting to go off road.

Body Lifts are another cheap alternative. But have its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: You can accommodate bigger tires. Disadvantage: Awful gap between the Chassis and Body and can damage your chassis with "heavy" driving.

Suspension Lifts are the best way to go. Maybe the most pricey but are well worth it in the long run. NEVER BUY USED PRODUCTS.

For all other suspension tips, Look at toku58's sticky.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/40469-lifting-you-truck-things-you-need-know.html

3. What is the biggest tire I can fit with a 3" lift?

The biggest is about a 33" tire. Anything bigger you will have to do some major trimming on the fenders.

4. Spacers or Aftermarket wheels?

Either are fine, but I would just spend the money on new wheels. The concept is the same but Spacers can tear up hub bearings if you wheel too hard.

5. What are the differences in trim levels available?

Three different cabs- regular cab, access cab, double cab.

Regular cab is only available with the 4 cyl. Access cab is available with either engine. Double cab is only available with the V6. Manual and automatic transmissions are available at all trim levels (5 spd manual/4 spd auto for 4, 6 spd manual/5 spd auto for V6). 4x4 is available at all trims.

All trim levels start at "base". "Convenience" packages are available to regular and Access Cabs (which add cruise control, remote entry, etc). SR5 options are available to Access and Double Cabs (which can add backup camera, color-keyed body parts, upgraded rims, etc).

A Prerunner is a RWD Tacoma that have the "4x4 look" (more GC, larger tires, etc). Not all RWD Tacos are Prerunners (ie, regular cabs).

There are two TRD packages available for Access and Double Cabs- Sport and Off-Road. Sport adds color coded body parts vs chrome on SR5 and TRD OR, hood scoop, and Bilstein road-tuned shocks. TRD OR adds skid plates, rear diff locker, more electronic off-road aids, and off-road shocks to name a few. All 09 Tacomas have auto-lsd (electronic). This does not take the place of the e-locker (if applicable).

TRD Offroad has an electronic locking rear.
TRD Sport has a LSD, mechanical up to 2008.

For all other questions about the Trim Levels go to http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/trims-prices.html

6. What is the bed made out of?

It is made out of a VERY STRONG plastic composite. The bed...is the bed. The 4 bolts that you see are connected to the chassis itself.

7. What's better? Full exhaust system or muffler.

Muffler.... Its really the same thing as a full exhaust except less pipes to worry about.
Cut out old... Weld in new.

8. Im new to modding... What should be my first mod?

I would do something small and something that wouldnt affect your trucks performance in anyway. Cosmetic mods always work out the best. Just to make sure this is what you want to spend your money on.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/7174-2nd-gen-tips-mods-more.html

9. TPMS?

Tire Pressure Monitoring System. There are little sensors in your tires or on your wheels (if equipped), that tell you if you need to put more air in your tires.

There is also one in the spare. So if your "flat tire" light comes up on the dash, I would check the spare first.




I will be updating this thread! Keep a eye on this thread!

 

That's the kind of thing car manufacturers hate about issuing a TSB.

It is not a free upgrade. It spells out a specific fix to a specific problem. It may apply to you, it may not apply to you...it depends on whether you have observed the problem or not.

If you don't have the problem and you try to get the TSB done, you're just asking all the future Toyota purchasers to buy you some unnecessary parts.

 

dam i like this write-up. This way everybody who joins knows exactly what everybody else is talking about.

 

This is more wrong than not. I'd answer like this (and reword the question):

What are the differences in trim levels available?

Three different cabs- regular cab, access cab, double cab.

Regular cab is only available with the 4 cyl. Access cab is available with either engine. Double cab is only available with the V6. Manual and automatic transmissions are available at all trim levels (5 spd manual/4 spd auto for 4, 6 spd manual/5 spd auto for V6). 4x4 is available at all trims.

All trim levels start at "base". "Convenience" packages are available to regular and Access Cabs (which add cruise control, remote entry, etc). SR5 options are available to Access and Double Cabs (which can add backup camera, color-keyed body parts, upgraded rims, etc).

A Prerunner is a RWD Tacoma that have the "4x4 look" (more GC, larger tires, etc). Not all RWD Tacos are Prerunners (ie, regular cabs).

There are two TRD packages available for Access and Double Cabs- Sport and Off-Road. Sport adds color coded body parts vs chrome on SR5 and TRD OR, hood scoop, and Bilstein road-tuned shocks. TRD OR adds skid plates, rear diff locker, more electronic off-road aids, and off-road shocks to name a few. All 09 Tacomas have auto-lsd (electronic). This does not take the place of the e-locker (if applicable).

 

Not everyone should get every TSB that applies to their truck done. If they do not have a problem then don't need to get it done. READ the TSB info yourself and see if you qualify and be aware of the negative affects it could have.....search all the posts about people who got the Rear Leaf TSB and regret it due to the 'stiffer ride'.


SR5 is not a Base model, SR5 is an upgrade package that is available for most set-ups. It is included in the TRD packages. V6 trucks can come with the SR5 and V6 trucks can come without the SR5 or TRD packages. And Base model does not mean 5lug 4cyl work style regular cab truck either.

Prerunner is the 2wd with the 4x4 'stance' ie. different suspension, has the lifted look compared the the 5lug "work truck".

4x4 does not usually come with front and/or rear differential lockers.
4x4 can have open differentials ie. on a base or sr5 truck.
The locker is part of the TRD Offroad package and has no bearing on being 2wd or 4x4. Locking front differentials are not standard on any Tacoma package and must be added aftermarket. Limited slip differentials are another option.


Your intentions for making this kind of thread are good, but the information needs to be accurate if you are stating it as fact to the new owners or those looking to buy.

 

Better stated than mine.. but
SR5 is available to the Regular Cab Prerunner model. There are 3 levels of SR5 packages with different things included.
There is an 'enhancement' package for the Regular cabs.
The 'convenience' package is not available on Regular cabs, applies to Access Cabs.

 

Thank you for the corrections. In my region (?) SR5s do not exist in the regular cab. Also there are no Prerunners and Xrunners, etc. No 2wd in double cabs, etc.

 

Thanks! I will get those 2 or 3 fixed

 

Prerunner- Fancy way of saying RWD. Usually has a Auto LSD.

Not always...

 

4x4- All wheel drive. Usually has front and rear differential lockers
trd-offroad has an electronic locking rear.....
trd sport has a LSD, mechanical up to 2k8.

sr5 is a "package".

 

I know yall are going to flame me for somethings but this is a TW thread.... anyone can help out

 

i'm not flaming, i'm helping.

 

I didn't say anything, just .

 

I wasnt talking about you Paul.. Some of the others that have already posted on here

.....you just said something.....

 

Getting technical, are we?

 

eyup:d

 

It'll be a great thread, when the kinks are worked out.

But it's great to take the initiative to make a thread like this.

 

Yep thats why i made it......at 4:00 in the morning

I always seem to have the best ideas when im half asleep

 

That happens to me too . . . But I usually forget them a minute later.