Got all patriotic at Toyota this weekend (17 TX factory build review)

Should probably have some patriotic statement like "these colors don't run", or "make Tacomas great again", or something along those lines...

Anyways, went over my Aug 24 TX built 17 DCSBOR4x4A/T last weekend at Toyota with around 3-400 miles to address all the concerns people are stressing about. (Didn't know the owners of the other two Tacos in the bays next to me, but it made for a cool red/white/blue picture.)

Here's what we found:

-transmission fluid *slightly* low, added about .25 quart. (For the record, there are two temp sensors for the A/T and they don't always agree. As much as 3-5 degree difference at times. A/T fluid expands as temp increases, so check it quick once it gets within range.)


-U-bolts on leaf springs all torqued to 52lbs from factory. Slight variances, but not worth mentioning. Close enough.

-Leaf spring mounts all torqued to spec from factory (89lbs I think).

-Only found 1 grease zerk on front drive shaft, it was greased but took an additional 3-4 pumps. (might be another one mid-shaft, but I didn't pull the plate)


-Transmission was updated to latest software from factory.

-Lower control arm holes not plugged, but I haven't heard too much noise yet. Only in crosswinds.


Other things to mention: windshield got replaced at 150 miles due to quarter size rock chip on the highway . Slight delay between P-D and P-R, but I'm coming from a M/T so I suppose it seems normal. Some gear hunting on hills and with cruise (hoping this will smooth itself out). Definitely more power than my 3.4L V6, just not as much low end response. Throttle manipulation plays a bigger role than expected in gear selection and the more I drive, the easier it is to anticipate shifts.

So far I'm impressed with the build quality from the TX plant. Way to go America!
Must have lucked out getting a Wednesday build...

Love this truck! Time to get it dirty.

 

Great post OP. Wish my Baja truck was made in TX instead, oh well. Merica!

 

Check diff fluids?

 

That was definitely on my list, but I ran out of time. Could have stayed there for hours wrenching on stuff. Based on what we found so far, I had no reason to suspect low diff fluids...but then again trust no one. I'll update when I have time to check them out.

 

Wait... Toyota dealer lets you pull your truck in and do wrenching yourself?? How does one get to do that??

 

You didn't hear about Toyota's new marketing campaign?

They Manufacturer truck per customer order. Don't do quality control or final check. Once truck is in customer hands, let them find the problems. Then let them come to the dealer of their choosing. Toyota provides all lifts and tools, and customers fix their own trucks. This way, after paying $40k for a midsize trucks, when we get identify the problems and fix our own problems and do the own quality control checks, by getting our hands dirty, we feel one with the truck.

Jinba Ittai