I might be buying a Tacoma. Can I get your inputs?

My advice is to be very wary of the comments on this site for problems. Unless your one of those "Taco shins", "Too big headrests", "4x4 selector is too close to climate control" kinda dudes. A lot of real bad info on here too.

 

welcome!

 

The dude with BMW shit plastered all over his profile doesn't care for the Taco auto transmission. Shocking.

 

Dude it’s a well known fact the auto trans on the 3rd gens is crap.

 

Dude you don't even have one

 

Dude I don’t want one because the transmission is crap.

 

Oh boy

 

Welcome to the site. As someone else have stated, if you don't need the bed then a 4Runner would be a better option for your use though it can be a bit pricey. As for the 3rd Gen, I had a (17) SR trim 4x4 and it's super basic. I didn't like the way the automatic transmission shifted as it seems to be in a gear above where it should be all the time. Off-road it was plenty capable in stock form with better tires even without the locker. I also have a 2nd Gen (09, 11, 15) for a long time now have only engaged the locker less than a handful of times though I've only done moderate trails. Also air locker > e-locker. Build the SR/SR5 according to use if needed. No use paying for something you're not going to use. I've only used the bed outlet twice. Good luck on your research.

 

Too big, as in overall length? Or

 

A couple drinks in to my ski day, but here's my attempt at an answer. If you're set on a tacoma, let's talk bed sizes. I have the sb because it suits my needs and i also don't haul much. I have a sport as it is a step up from the SR5 with some more things as standard, slightly better suspension and i don't need a locking diff for what i do. I didn't get a pro because that hadn't come out yet. Take into a count your needs vs. wants, what you'll be doing mostly, and amenities you want. Okay, now throw that list away because you do what your heart tells you

 

Random thought, but be aware if you get a manual trans OR then you'll get a standard hard key (no fob, no passive entry door handle). Manual trans trucks also do not have crawl control or MTS. They do have ATRAC and clutch start cancel feature.

If you decide you definitely want a manual then these compromises are worth it to get the stick. Also... cool Jeep

 

As a past Jeep guy I would recommend a 4Runner or FJ if you a looking for a TJ replacement. If you want a bed I would recommend OR. Nothing wrong with the SR5. You will be happy with either one compared to the TJ. I would consider new, used prices are crazy.

 

....and I didn't read your entire post, but if you are considering 4 Runner then drive it back to back with the Tacoma. They handle much differently (steering, handling, braking, etc). See which one you like. Best place to do this quickly is a dealership obviously.

 

Good god. The early 3rd gens shifting. The transmission is completely f’ing fine. It was the programming people, which is a easy flash. My 2019 auto has not once had a shifting issue. 3rd gen owners are retarded for the most part after seeing all the posts on here the last few months. Millennials have money to buy new trucks now is the problem. My truck should bla bla bla. My floors aren’t heated , my truck smells bad when I soak the carpet, I can’t shove 36 inch tires under my stock mall crawler. Dude....... I’ve driven manual trucks since I was 15. I’m 38 now and love my auto. I love it in traffic and I love it off road too. The crawl control is a fun thing to use , but I prefer using my feet personally. I think you’d be happy with a new TRD OR. You can find steals on them loaded down with all the nanny features and nice easy to clean leather. You seem like a guy that wants a long term vehicle you’ll keep for many years. Used Tacoma’s are value holding m’fers. Might as well just buy a new one and break it in yourself and know how it’s been driven since day 1. Just my .02

 

TRD Offroad 4x4. Long or short bed. All day!!!

Let's see, panty skewp on the hood, or a beefy rear diff that has a real locker, hmm...

The price between a 2wd and 4x4 is like $3-4k. You will get that $3-4k back if you sell it in the future.

 

I was in the exact same situation as you are now. I owned an 04 TJ Rubicon with the standard 5-speed manual. My wife didn’t know how to drive it and despite my best efforts to teach her (I’m not a very good teacher) she never got comfortable enough to drive it on her own.

We knew we needed to upgrade to an automatic and the TJ was starting to show it’s age. I had never owned a pickup before but liked the look of the Tacoma’s. I also knew Toyota's were pretty reliable so it seemed like a step in the right direction for me.

I was never impressed with all the bells and whistles that came on newer vehicles and the only time I ever used my lockers in the Jeep was when I was up at Rauch Creek Off-roading. I knew the truck would be a daily driver and not a trail rig, so the locker was not all that important to me and the crawl control sounded cool but just seemed like something I also didn’t need. What I did want was 4x4, crew cab for passengers, Power windows and mirrors, AC, and locks with keyless entry since it was going to be used as a daily driver. What I settled on was an SR (not SR5) crew cab short bed 4x4 with the convenience package.

I added factory fog lights since the SR did not have that option and bought some second hand OR rims and tires to upgrade from the steel rims that came stock. Its been a great truck for us, I also have not nodded the suspension but may upgrade the shocks when the time comes and add a trailer brake. I took it on the beach in South Carolina and never got stuck.

as mentioned before, do your research and buy the truck you want. Lots of people complain about the engine and the Trans in the 3rd gen. I have had no issues and currently have 37k on my truck. The only thing I sometimes wish is to have more bed space but you already mentioned getting the long bed so no problems there.

 

Same story. Currently have 8k on my truck with 0 issues.

 

Keep the Jeep & find you a 4 cylinder SR. You'll have the Jeep for offroading or camping or whatever, & the Tacoma for daily driving and keeping wifey in mind... Best of both worlds.