3rd Gen Concerns

Here are the items that have me very concerned about the 3rd Gen Taco and might cause be to pass on it.

1) The body shape looks the same - not that I mind the look of it, but I am concerned that it will have those really low to the ground seats as Gen 2 - that would be a deal breaker. If you have to be sitting on the floor for Toyota to get their aerodynamics - no thanks.

2) Will the tailgate still be so weak that it bends if you look at it? I use my truck and want to be able to sit on the tailgate or load items on there without worrying it will bend.

3) Partially boxed frame - why can every other truck maker fully box their frames - even Toyota does on the 4Runner - but why not the Tacoma? Along with the leaf pack, too - will we be able to load more than 500 lbs without the suspension bottoming out.

4) Drum brakes - really in 2016? Not a deal breaker, but just seems to be cheap.

5) Cheap looking interior. I hope it looks better in person, but it reminds me of what they did with the 4Runner 5th Gen - it seems much cheaper and hard plastics than the 4th Gen.

6) Hood Scope - I hope the TRD-Off Road does NOT include the hood scope - I will not buy a truck with a fake hood scoop. Silly as it sounds, that is the reason I don't have a 4Runner trail.

7) Are the TRD-OFF roads getting 18" wheels? Please - this is an off-road model, I don't want bigger wheels, we need to be able to air-down the tires. Keep the TRD-OR at 17". Just like those foolish 20" rims on the 4Runner. No place for that on a body-on-frame 4X4 vehicle.

8) Please don't use that paper thin aluminum on the hood that starts to flap all over the place on the freeway like the 5th Gen 4Runner. Lighter is good - but not when it gets to thin.

9) The nav/radio looks like an aftermarket special - hope it looks better in person and that it supports Apple Carplay.

10) Ever since they moved the 2nd Gen Double Cab/Short Bed to production in Mexico I see a lot more quality(fit and finish) complaints on this forum then they ever had when made in California. I know they make some extended cab and long bed DC's in Texas, but I really wish they made the Double Cab/Short Beds in the USA.


One thing I believe they got right - which is a very big deal to me - they seem to have increased the strength in the A and B pillars that should result in a much stronger roof crush rating. The 2nd Gen is rated "marginal" (IIHS). I think the 3rd Gen (from listening to the engineer) has addressed that major weakness.

10 years ago (or even 5) I would have never considered anything other than Toyota. But they let the Tacoma get REALLY old and it seems Toyota got really lazy. And from what I have seen so far, I am not really impressed with the 3RD Gen Tacoma. I guess we will see.

 

If you want to buy a sport, I'll trade for your hood scoop, straight up... And I know that it isn't functional. Just calling dibs, while solving one of your many complains on a truck that none of us have actually driven yet.

 

Most of this post is pretty exaggerated but I'll full on agree with you that the seats are low as hell! I want height adjustment. I don't care if it's a manual crank or some shit!

 

Just look at pictures of the new Tacoma. You should be able to tell if the seat height is about the same as the Gen 2. They look pretty low in this picture.

 

I am only 5'7" and have no issues/problem with the seat height in my 06 Tacoma.
Having a higher seat height would be ok. but the seat position as is would not be a deal breaker for me.

 

1) I like the seat height as it is. Feels like sitting in a sedan, and the biomechanics of the leg relative to the pedals is great. Since the floor is high, you get good visibility. I hate high seats like those in the Jeep Wrangler.

3) Toyota uses a partially-boxed frame on purpose, to save weight and to provide greater NVH isolation between the cab and the cargo. Supposedly it comes from Hino design experience. Big haul trucks are designed this way.

Not sure if you are trolling about the roof strength. The 2nd gen gets a marginal IIHS rating because the roof can support "only" 2.5x the truck's weight vs 3x. I'd rather avoid thicker pillars and larger blind spots.

 

Sounds like the 3rd Gen seats will be perfect for you. Not for me from what it looks like.

The frame - take a look at the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJZVUnOduH4

They fully box the Hilux - why not the Tacoma?


Roof strength is important to me. A truck is more likely to roll in an accident than a car and studies (Check IIHS if you like) have shown that the amount of roof crush resistance directly relates to your likelihood of severe injury or death in a roll-over crash. The IIHS requires 4X the trucks weight for a good rating. Nissan did it since 2005 with the Frontier - why didn't Toyota? However, if you look at the video of the 3RD Gen Tacoma Into - the guy specifically mentions that this will be stronger in the 3rd Gen.

 

Yes, much is exaggerated, but I am a little disappointed in a truck that I have waited a long time for and had really high hopes for.

 

I know it's a little premature, we will see when it comes out. I am just sharing what has me concerned at this point. Maybe I will be pleasantly surprised on some of these issues.

 

So what is the actual max payload capacity? I am assuming 500lbs is an exaggeration. If not, I may reconsider my choices.

 

The Tacoma has always had low seats with your knees sitting higher. The gen 1 too. Probably so the truck can have ample clearance.

 

I agree, but a seat height adjuster would be cool. My 07 Civic has it and it comes in handy for my wife and I. She has it all the way up and I adjust it all the way down.

 

I have no concerns. This will obviously be the greatest truck in history.

 

I'm 5'9", my daily driver/work commuter is a 2008 scion tC which feels like driving a go kart compared to the taco when comparing seat to floor height ratio. Then again, every vehicle I've owned prior to the taco were 2 door coupes so I can't really complain.

 

500 is ridiculous. That is 3 adults. IMO you should be able to put more weight in the bed than the cab. I was dead set on the tacoma, but you have me seriously doubting this will fit my needs.

Can this avoided with more springs or a slight lift (not leveling)? I understand this truck is not designed for work, but when it is rated at 1200 or so and your telling me less than 1/2 that..........it is concerning.

 

Ive got one piece helper springs and had over 1500 lbs in the bed without hitting the bumpstops. Not recommending this much weight be put in there, just making the point that they do help. Many people here seem to prefer air bags or adding an extra leaf, both of which are very helpful.

 

Do we even know if Toyota has upgraded on the past generations leaf issue on the Gen 3 Tacoma. Any difference or relief with the TRD off-road model?

 

Based on what I saw at the autoshow and what others commented I think its the same leaf pack (save money that way with redesign, carryover). It's a midsize truck, and honestly most don't use it for hauling much, I think Toyota knows this. I only haul my dirt bikes so never saw any significant sag.