Initial impressions from a backcountry Tacoma user

I didn't like my 2nd gen Tacoma for offroad use. The steering was the main issue, excessive feedback through the wheel, eventually the steering rack wore out and it's awful to service. The rear drums would fill with dust, sand and gravel causing them to lock up. The ABS was extremely sensitive even with brand new all terrains. The rear section of the frame was not as stiff as I hoped, too much shimmy and shake on rough roads. The access doors came put of adjustment easily and made a ton of noise.

Compared to my 88 4runner it seemed underbuilt and dissapointing offroad. Nicer to drive on paved roads and lots of power at least. I replaced it with a Frontier which handles rough roads much better.

 

I should add that I can't speak for the 3rd gen Tacoma, it could be much better than my 06 was. The Frontier is not as nice on paved roads but it's not far off.

 

I don't even...

 

HERESY!!!

 

They measure ground clearance at the lowest point of the truck. That's usually the bottom of the diff. Even with the pipe like that it's probably still above or as high up as the bottom of the diff so the ground clearance is unchanged. Crap hanging down in the middle of the truck will change the breakover angle. Also there might be a typo in the brochure. Every 2016 has a breakover of 23.5 degrees, except the TRDOR-AC which is listed at 29. Someone needs to look under an access cab TRDOR and see if the pipe looks the same. edit i was looking at the departure angle, not breakover. still surprising the departure angle is so much higher than everything else.


for reference heres the 2nd gens (2015).

 

If you spelled it right it wouldn't be made up

That's all I have to add

 

So a tacoma known for its off road prowness is beat by a frontier with 1 inch clearance in the wheel well. Hmmmm. I would have to see it to believe it. When I lived in colorado I saw quite a few tacomas, jeeps, fj's and exterra's high up in the mountains as well as heavily modified Frankenstein trucks. Never remember seeing one frontier.

 

I saw my first 16 today. It was under an hour ago. It was a DCLB Sport in quicksand. I only noticed it flying by because it was in quick sand

 

You aren't an actual owner?

 

Do you remember if this truck had a sunroof? I can't tell because of the roof rack..

 

The Tacoma is clearly a better hardcore offroader, superior departure, approach, break over angles, turning circle and aftermarket support. The Nismo and Pro4x Frontier's do have some sweet off road goodies though, stock 265/75R16 All Terrains, 4.2:1 crawl ratio in 4 low and 1st (6spd), rear disc brakes, nothing hanging below the frame rails, and a full size matching spare wheel & tire. Beyond that its all the same stuff as a TRD OR, full skids, bilsteins, locker, traction control etc. I've never driven a TRD Pro or a 16+ Tacoma so this isn't really relevant to anything, just thought I'd leave some input on how I felt about my 2nd gen Tacoma's performance off road (rough gravel road driving mainly). The Frontier does not have the same slightly annoying issues my Tacoma had (I shouldn't have sounded harsh, it wasn't terrible or anything) which is a pleasant surprise.