Went from an old model ('89) straight to 3rd Gen. Anyone else?

I posted this is another thread but it got lost in some bickering. I was wondering if anyone else drove an older model Toyota truck before moving straight to a new 3rd Gen? How was the transition for you?

I've had my MGM Sport access cab auto 2x4 for about 6 weeks and now have ~1100 miles on it. Prior to it I drove a grey '89 Toyota 4x4 with a little lift that I bought in '94. Drove that truck for 22 years until it starting having some mechanical issues that I did not want to deal with. I loved that truck.

I love the new truck too but I have to be honest and say it has taken some major adjustment for me.

The new truck is really comfortable and quiet. I don't hear any of the air howl that some people have at highway speeds. The enhanced JBL stereo system sounds awesome. All the new tech with the nav, keyless entry, touch screen is great. The city mileage is about the same as my old truck, while the highway mileage is better - 22 or 23. The power and acceleration is a big step up from my old 4-cylinder but I agree with the posters who wish for a smoother transmission response. Once I discovered the ECT button that really helped a lot, and so far the difference in mileage is negligible. I like it. All the advancement in bed rails, tie-downs and storage is great. I like the stock Sport wheels too. Sure, there are plenty of terrific looking aftermarket rims and tires, but the stock equipment is a great initial offering.

I have had a hard time adjusting to the larger size. I really wish Toyota still had the small truck market but that is no longer reality. I also don't like the scooped hood and huge chrome front grill that sits forward about eight inches too far. As I understand it the extra spacing is for the newly required pedestrian crumple zone. Thanks to an excellent thread on repainting the grill I'll be soon fixing the huge chrome issue. I've considered swapping my scooped hood for a non-scooped but have serious concerns from reading about the non-scooped flexing at high speeds. My scooped hood doesn't move at all. I also have no body or transmission shake or vibration at any speeds.

So really my only issues with my new truck are cosmetic. I can't change the size, but I could choose to work on the other issues which are just personal preference.

Mechanically, my new truck is been great. I've only been driving it for a short while, and mostly in town, but I have not experienced any of the negative issues I read about here on the forum.

Cheers!

 

I'm considering it. Stepping out of my '95 RWD reg cab and into the 2016 Sport for a test drive was an experience, to say the least. I too had a hard time adjusting to the size. It definitely felt like a boat.

Right now considering the AC SR5 V6 4x4 but that changes by the day/minute. I could probably appreciate just about any configuration.

Glad to hear you're enjoying the truck.

 

Had and 86 and a 91 for 12 years before jumping into a couple of first gens (99 and an 04), basically the same truck in that span other than square to rounded front fenders, dash, gas filler swapped sides and the pickup name changed to tacoma. No real differences in how it handled or the size.

A bunch have jumped from 1st gen into the 3rd gens, big difference in tech and size.

No regrets now, just curious how the tech will age in 12 years.

Size comparison with my 16 and the 04.

 

How much wider are the new Tacomas compared to gen 1's?

 

Toolbox size went from 60 inches to 63 but I know it's much wider. When my son brings the 1st gen over I'll have accurate measurements.

 

WOW

That puts things in perspective.

 

In the car business they call "gold" Old Man Tan

 

I'm an old man anyway.... these things are made for me.

Don't have time for washing, cleaning, polishing or any of that nonsense, too busy running kids off the lawn.

 

A little surprised at the results, I expected them to be a lot more different based on visual perception.

Overall width is 74 inches on the 2016, 71 inches on the 04 measured fender liner to fender liner. Overall length bumper to bumper is 224 inches for 2016 DCLB, 202 inches for the 04 DCSB, no LB option offered on 2004 but its the same wheel base as the access cab. Almost two feet in length between the two.

Not sure of the actual length of the 16 Access cab.

 

Great responses, guys.

I wish I had measured my '89 access cab (I think they called it king cab back then) to compare to my new '16 access cab. But I think in '89 they were about the same size as the Gen1's, right? If true, that puts my old truck at 71" wide and the new at 74". It sure feels wider than that! The bed definitely seems a lot wider (and deeper) than my old one, even with the wider side walls and

I have a bad ankle at the moment, but I'll try to measure the bumper to bumper length of my '16 access cab.

 

Cool thanks!

 

Just found some specs online for the 1989 extended cab standard bed 4x4 and it says that the width was 66", length was 193" and height 67". So I guess my old truck was still a little smaller than the Gen1's which explains a little more my difficulty getting used to the new size.

I gained 8" in width and about 30" in length. Fortunately I'm getting used to it more and more each day.

 

<--See my 86 in my profile. I went from the 86 truck to the 2016 taco with a couple of Toyota sedans and domestic trucks in between. Wish I still had the 86. The 2016 is nice, but nothing beats your first love.

 

My first Tacoma experience was just the opposite. I was coming from 23 years of full size trucks to an '03 Tacoma and yes, it took a while to adjust. But I have to add, I loved that truck from the very first time I took it for a test ride. I still have it and will drive it to it's death. With that said, I bought a '14 and when I did I just couldn't part with my '03 so I kept it. As it turns out, I never warmed up to the 2nd gen and after trading for my 3rd gen I'm happy again. I don't miss the '14 one bit.
Good luck and hope you end up enjoying your new truck as much as you enjoyed your old on.

 

22 years in one vehicle is a long time and an adjustment period is definitely necessary. I would not go and swap hoods - you'll get used to it, and who knows you may end up selling the truck and the dealer/buyer will want to know what happened to the sport hood.

 

Thanks Stan, possibly selling the truck is one of the two big reasons I have resisted trading my hood. A potential buyer would likely want it and I'm hesitant on the non-scooped hood flex. I would definitely like the sleeker look of the non-scoop though. Fortunately, I'm slowly getting used to the scoop.

Htown - love your '86.