PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

I agree, but even if they did, I still like the softoper better.

 

I can see painting the calipers, but the drums would be a little much, IMO.

 

There are pros and cons just like any other setup. Here are a couple things that I experienced.

Pro: easy to install and replace with one person, decent prices on used ones, fairly unique look.

Con: Canvas is stiff as shit in cold weather and more difficult to install, vinyl windows brittle/susceptible to breakage in freezing temperatures.

 

Do it! Post picture.

 

The Supertop not fitting a 3rd gen is irrelevant to the OP, he has a 2nd gen.

I think the biggest decision comes down to whether you want side windows or not.

 

Best braking and beyond satisfied? I think you're the first person I've seen write that about the brakes on these trucks but anyways...

Why would you pay someone to paint them? Basically two options- pull the wheels, clean/prep the calipers, then brush on paint such as Duplicolor*:

$29 Dupli-Color BCP400 Single Brake Caliper Kit - Red - Brake Paint Kit

https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-BCP400-Red-Brake-Caliper/dp/B000B6AF80 or remove the calipers carefully while leaving the brake lines attached and spray them with something like Duplicolor or VHT caliper spray paint.

Pull your rear wheels off, spray the drums with black high temp or caliper paint, let dry and replace the wheels- done. Red drums would look pretty ghetto.

That's how I did mine a couple of years ago anyways and they still look fine when I wash them. Pretty dirty right now.




*Buy a better quality brush than the one that comes with the kit.

 

Ever since domestic automakers (Ford, GM) started making their own compact pickups instead of selling rebadged Japanese models, domestics have always had a foot pedal parking brake located by the left kick panel. Japanese trucks, with the exception of the 1994-newer Ford Ranger-based Mazda B-series and Dodge Dakota-based Mitsubishi Raider (which is really more of a "mid-size"), exclusively seemed to have the "pull and turn" parking brake to the right of the steering column (even on trucks with automatic transmissions). From what I can tell, Tacomas went to the foot pedal on automatic transmission models beginning in late 2004 with the introduction of the first 2nd Gen 2005 models, but retained the "pull and turn" handle on all stick shift models (regardless of engine size, 2WD or 4x4, cab style, etc) for the entire Gen 2 production run. The 3rd Gen has a handbrake in the center console, just like the most recent generation of Nissan Frontier. I don't think a handbrake in ANY truck is very "truck-like," but that's just me...

But hey, Cherokees and Grand Cherokees have always had handbrakes. Wranglers have had them since 1997. I'm pretty sure the Tacoma's closest living relative, the 4Runner, has had this type of parking brake since 1996, regardless of transmission.

The earliest Frontiers (1998-2000?) had pull-and-turn across the board, and then seemed to have switched to the foot pedal in 2001 or so. My uncle's 2002 Frontier 5-speed crew cab has a foot pedal.

Chevy S-10s, GMC Sonomas/S-15s, Ford Rangers, and Dodge Dakotas had foot pedals for their entire production runs.

My 2010 regular cab, equipped with a slushbox, has a foot pedal which I almost never use. Why? Because whenever I do use it, I regularly forget to release the damn thing!

Back when we first bought the truck brand new in 2009, it only took me about a year or so (probably less) to screw up the parking brake because I habitually set it every time I parked, and I pushed the pedal in too far. This led to system becoming "loose." The dealership adjusted it for free when we brought the Tacoma in for it's very first oil change. My dad told me to only use the parking brake when on a hill (or other steep incline, etc), and from that point on I rarely used it.

I am beginning to wish that Toyota never did away with the "pull-and-turn" parking brakes! Why? Because they are impossible to miss! They are right there by the ignition and steering column, and when in the "on" position, they intrude into kneespace! I do love the little storage space that my truck gets as a result of not having a third pedal, but I think I'd rather have the pull-and-turn parking brake handle!

Twice in the last few weeks, I set the parking brake in my truck (once at work and once in my own driveway), and drove off without releasing it. I completely missed the red "BRAKE" light on my gauge cluster, and only released it when the warning started screaming (beeping) at me.

What is everyone's opinion?

 

Maybe I should ask my friend's dad if he'll let me use the professional-grade lift in the garage at his house (my friend is a former mechanic and his dad owns a 1969 Road Runner that he regularly works on).

All I have is a portable floor jack, and a dad who won't even let me change my oil in his driveway. I also do not feel comfortable disassembling and reassembling anything having to do with the brakes in my truck...

 

The 3rd gen brought back the handbrake with good reason, it's the best style. I don't know any 2nd gen owner that isn't resentful of that one single feature.

 

The lack of a handbrake between the seats is the main reason I got an auto instead of a manual.

 

I think any off road vehicle needs the "3rd foot leaver" one foot to operate the throttle, one for the clutch, and one (hand) on the brake.

I suppose it's less important on an auto tranny but I have always felt that auto tranny's "weren't very truck like."

I prefer the center console lever vs the T handle but I've gotten used to it. I couldn't get by with a foot actuated parking brake.

 

I have a foot brake.

Hand brake is much more controllable if needed in an emergency.

Your poll seems to have forgotten about the ever so popular, electric emergency brake that are in a lot of modern vehicles.

 

Once, my dad needed to use the Tacoma for reasons I can't remember. The next morning, I got in the truck to drive to college. It was nice out (not too hot, not too cold), so I rolled the windows down, put on Guns N' Roses, and cranked it. Unbeknownst to me, my dad had habitually set the parking brake, and I had the stereo turned up so loud that I couldn't the "warning beep." I backed out of the driveway, and drove about half a mile before I noticed a bizarre beeping noise competing with the riffs of "Welcome to the Jungle." I glanced down at the gauge cluster and realized the "BRAKE" light was on. I freaked out, promptly released the parking brake, and immediately called my dad, absolutely livid. I love my parents and respect them, as all kids should even in adulthood, but I was PISSED. First words out of my mouth "Why the hell would you set the brake just to park in the driveway?!?!"

My dad in return got mad at me for "cussing" at him (I hardly consider "Hell" a cuss word) and being disrespectful, but we made up shortly thereafter. You know what? He hasn't set the parking brake after using the truck since then!

However, it still annoys me to no end that my dad doesn't return the seat and steering column to my desired positions after using the Tacoma. My parents' vehicles, a 2013 Honda Pilot Touring 4WD (dad's) and a 2013 Nissan Murano SV AWD (mom's) both have power everything (including seats) and keyless entry, as well as a memory feature that returns the seats to their desired positions based on the settings in their key fobs!

My truck, which didn't even get variable/intermittent windshield wipers until about 8 months ago, doesn't have any of that fancy shit! I always return my parents' vehicle in same condition they were when I got the keys (none of my stuff left inside, full tank of gas, etc). Is it so much to ask for my dad to push the seat all the way back and put the steering column all the way up?

My mom hasn't actually driven the Tacoma in years, and now only "drives" it to move it if her Murano is blocked in and I am either asleep or not around.

 

I deleted the the poll with the intention of redoing it and now I can't get it back...

 

I accidentally permanently deleted my recent "Which type of parking brake do you prefer?" poll.



Here it is again...

 

Center console cuz it's fun in the snow

 

Of all the configurations I prefer the center console hand brake. Easiest to operate and close at hand.

 

Came to post this. I love the T handle just because it is different. But the center console handle is amazing for screwing around.

 

Lever in the center console has to be the most convenient but the classic pull and twist will always have a place in my heart

 

Lever on the center console