Happy to be back in a Tacoma

My first Tacoma was this 2006, 4 cylinder, 5MT, 4x4 SR5.

Great truck that did everything I needed, dependable and was easy on gas. Along the way I ended up in a work provided truck (various Silverados and F150’s), and my wife took over the Tacoma as her daily driver.

We eventually sold the ‘06 and bought her a 2017 Sport, 6MT, 4x4.


This summer I was offered a choice for my next truck, so I asked for a Tacoma. It arrived yesterday:


2020 OR, AT. Was worried about the AT from reading about it on here (work didn’t want a MT in the fleet), but so far it’s just fine. I’ll have to put a few more miles on it this weekend.

Mike

 

Nice

 

Neat job asking you what ya wanna drive. Welcome back.

 

Don’t let people scare you here talking nonsense about the transmission “problems” in which is the minority and most of them abuse the $hit out of these trucks. I’ve had two 3rd gen Tacos with 0 issues, the motor and transmission are bulletproof for sure!!! You made a good decision, enjoy your truck!!!

 

Are they hiring?

 

Well, we are looking for carpenters and iron workers right now...

Loaded up the bike and hit the trails today. Realized I no longer have a CD player (I’m suddenly feeling old!), but Apple Car Play was easy to set up. Have to check into digital media options.

 

Quick update after a few months and 5,000+ miles:
The good - topper installed today


It’s a LEER 100R. I like the t-handle lock design, simple and easy to maintain. My dogs can’t open the rear glass if I leave them out of the crates.

The bad - ordered and paid for vented windoors, arrived with normal windoors. Need the ventilation for my pups, so they are ordering new and I’ll have these swapped out.

Unfortunately, more bad - the truck has been back to the dealer already and had the transmission pan gasket replaced. My mechanic didn’t think that was the issue - he believed it was the input shaft seal. It appears he was correct, so it’s going back to the dealer for round 2. Hopefully they get it this time, I’ve really missed being able to load up my dogs to take them hiking / biking. Looks like that will have to wait at least one more weekend.

Mike

 

Another quick update, truck is still at the dealer. Transmission is supposed to be repaired, but their AC equipment is broken so they can’t recharge mine. Hopefully they get it fixed tomorrow...

Place I bought the topper from admitted the windoor mix-up was their fault and not LEER (I did pay for the vented windoors). Unfortunately it appears the vented windoors are slightly different than the normal windoors or the half sliders, and a different mold (or prep) is used for the shell. Can’t just replace them on my shell. I feel like a douche, but I really wanted the vented windoors and that’s why I ordered it with them - they are going to have to order a new topper... I’m still finding it hard to believe the windoors are different...

Mike

 

rough start... good luck with the repairs and hope you find a camper shell.

 

Nobody's debating the reliability of the drivetrain, but the sub-standard AT and the way the 3.5 delivers power is well documented.

 

Not sure if it’s just because my first taco was a 4 banger, but I find the 3.5 to be just fine. Having both a 3rd gen AT and MT at the same time, the AT isn’t terrible. It’s fine for my commute, but I do feel like the MT is more fun to drive, and definitely better on the highway (leave it in 6th gear and drive!). The gear hunting with the AT is a little annoying, but not a deal breaker for me.

Mike

 

fuel economy ruins everything.

the 2nd get 5AT was terrific. Was built for the v8 and worked flawlessly.

2013 FTW

 

I agree with the above post - the 2nd gen drivetrain was really great. This 3.5 has no balls down low, then when you give it the beans, it surges at around 3,500 RPMs and not in a good way.

 

Dude, you straight up cursed OP with this comment.

 

Getting what you want/paid for (vented windoors) is NOT a douche move.

 

Dealer finished up today and I have the truck back. Seems to shift fine, hopefully all of the leaks are fixed and I’m good.

Topper dealer contacted the windoor manufacturer direct and found they can in fact just replace the windoors. The specs / size match up. If this does work, I’ll probably have them order the vented windoors to replace the 1/2 sliders in my ‘17.

Mike

 

Well, bad news again. Second oil change this morning and the transmission is still leaking. Back to the dealer for a 3rd attempt. Maybe they will just put a new trans in this time...

Mike

 

Update: Dealer is installing a new transmission. Glad we’re not messing around trying to fix seals / gaskets again. Hopefully this takes care of it for good...

Mike

 

Get them to do a manual swap just kidding, I hope this resolves the issue. Glad to hear the dealer seems to be taking care of you properly tho.

 

How did it go with the topper, you get a new one, vented windows