Comments and Suggestions, never owned a Toyota

I have never owned a Tacoma before and have decided to buy one come summer time, whether it be from a dealer's lot or by ordering one. I have specifically chosen a TRD Off-Road with a double cab and a 6-foot bed. I am asking for anyone's comments based on their experiences.

I currently own a 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 with a Cummins I bought new. It's been a great truck, but I no longer need a heavy duty truck. I don't want a new Ram with rear coil springs and I don't like the 6-cylinder gas engine Fiat is offering. I have never been a fan of Fords. GMC/Chevy doesn't do it for me. My work truck is a Nissan NV3500, and it is nice. Condensed version: I specifically do not want a bed shorter than 5 feet and I want a locking rear axle. I have two Labradors and I have a 4-door cab now, so I won't be happy with two doors. I like the mileage the 3.5L is advertised to get and it seems like a simple engine. 5,000 pounds of towing will serve me just fine and everything I've read so far labels Toyota vehicles as the most reliable and least problematic to own. And, it's easier to get in and out of now that I'm getting older. What are your experiences with a Tacoma, and your overall experiences with Toyota? I have been reading what I can find on the current Tacoma. If you know of something I should read, I would be interested in it.

A few things I noticed:

• It still has drum brakes in the rear. My old Jeep has drums- not a huge deal except when the rears start grabbing at slow speed on humid days.
• The V6 has a high compression ratio, but runs on 87 octane. Still reading about the Atkinson design. Direct injection I understand.
• The combination of axle ratio and transmission ratios calculates out reasonably.
• No rear limited-slip differential capabilities- locked or open.

 

I have one just like what you want in white (DCLB). I waited 10 years for one: Love it.

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Is that an ARE cap with side win-doors? I have one on my Dodge, and will put one on my Toyota after I buy one. I like the side windows opening to access the bed.

 

I have 2019 Tacoma TRD...long bed...shorter beds in tight turns off roading has the advantages...a 2 inch lifted short bed can fit better in most off road trails, than 2 inch lifted long bed..( more over hang) especially under center of the long beds..
What are you going to do with your truck? Yes the carrying capacity in a long bed...has more space for more things to carry is a huge benefit...

My Dodge Ram..after all the aftermarket mods..lucky I got 10 miles per gallon...(credit card needed)..
Tacoma’s...I don’t mind filling up...even at under 18 miles per gallon..

the seating seats low compare to full size trucks..I lifted both front seats one inch..spacers rear..fronts side SeatJackers..it help..!
It is a midsize truck ..expect it to feel smaller...but parking will be easier!
Aloha
I hear tundra’s rear disc brakes can be added on the Tacoma’s replaceing drums..
My 1991 Toyota Camry has 4 wheel disc. Brakes.....what not Tacoma’s’?


P

 

Yes. I have the Leer XR cap with windoors, Thule rack rails and foldout front window. The windoors are a must in my opinion, as it makes getting things inside the bed easier to get to as you can just open one side, and reach in without having to climb in the back of the bed. I have a 2007 Chevy 3/4 ton access cab PU with an 8 foot bed with an ARE cap, and I got tired of having to climb in to the truck every time I needed something from the front of the bed. I promised myself the next truck I get with a cap is going to have the windoor option. I like it very much, and my dogs appreciate the cap as well: They comfortably ride "in style".

 

It won't be used for recreational off-road; I have an old Jeep for that. My use will be utilitarian; hauling gravel, dirt, mulch and lumber in my utility trailer for home, and using the bed for light-weight stuff. I want the locking axle for the snow and mud when I do need it on my property.

My Dodge has the older Cummins, and I've consistently gotten 19 around town, and up to 23 on the highway with 3.73s if I'm traveling lightly. That's why I don't want a big gas engine in my next truck.

 

You might be disappointed with the real world mileage, although some folks results differ, the majority of people do not get anywhere near the advertised MPG. Bone stock I averaged around 18, with slightly bigger tires, and a few hundred pounds of weight carried over stock, I am getting around 16-16.5.

 

Don’t expect to get much better with the Tacoma. Toyota advertises 19/24 but most never see that. Real world MPG is probably around 18 average stock.

 

Keep the Cummins if it is still reliable.

 

I've owned 7 cars, 5 of them have been Toyotas:

• 79 Plymouth Volare first car, bought for $500 with 156k on it, it lasted a year with an oil leak which got progressively worse.
• 96 Nissan 200sx (Sentra coupe, basically) 5 MT, bought with 55k miles and put around 75k on it. The interior was chincy and the cable clutch was awful.
  
• 89 Toyota Supra Targa Top AT which I loved except for the transmission. I know the car was a GT car compared to the economy Nissan model, but I couldn't help but notice the built quality was FAR better than the 200sx. Plus features like... the headlights automatically turned off when you turned off the car and opened the door. I got T-boned on the driver's side by a truck and it got totaled, but I didn't feel a thing.
  
• 88 Toyota Supra MT - still have this, love it. A lot of aftermarket stuff and it's had it's problems. I can say that the aftermarket parts are definitely responsible for the issues, but I also recognize the original engine had its faults (I have a 1JZ-GTE and it's bullet proof ).
  
• 99 Toyota 4R MT - LOVED this except for the leaky sunroof. It had 150k when I traded the Nissan in for it, I put on another 150k before I ultimately totaled it. I wish I had bought it back, but my wife was not a fan of the sunroof issue.
  
• 03 Toyota 4R v8 - purchased after the 4R and really liked it but ultimately missed the manual. I got it with around 170k, and after 115k uneventful miles with just changing the oil occasionally, I ultimately traded it in last December
  
• 21 Toyota Tacoma DCSB OR MT - 0 complaints so far 1100 miles in. Couldn't be happier.

I'm a process engineer, and have extensively studied Toyota Production Systems and will be the first to admit I'm biased, but Toyota is the gold standard for manufacturing. Not just automotive, manufacturing. Have they slipped recently? Maybe, I don't know, I don't work for them, but my guess isn't so much as they've slipped, but other auto manufacturers are reading their books and are catching up.

 

If funds allow, I'd keep that old Dodge for work horse duty. You purchased it new, know how it's been cared for. New Tacoma for run around, fun truck. Just my 2 cents

 

I bought my ‘17 Tacoma brand new and I never test drove one. I would not change a thing.

These V6 engines are designed to be high revving, so don’t be afraid to swing the tach needle past 5000.

 

For what it’s worth, here’s what your brethren are reporting for mileage.

https://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma

 

I've had no issue with the drum brakes, and I haven't personally seen anyone have any issues with them

I'm assuming what you're worried about reliablity on the motor. I wouldn't. This motor is extremely tested, and is extremely reliable. [/QUOTE]

Yes, they generally are. HOWEVER, if you go to a larger tire, the manual is overall a lower geared ratio, and therefore will fair better than the automatic. The manuals do have a very tall reverse, for some really weird reason tho.

Whilst this is true, if you press the Traction control button 1 time you will engage an "auto-lsd" (see https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/ for more details). It uses the abs and traction control system in sync to mimic the effect of a traditional LSD. In my experience, in snow, light mud, and wet grass, this function works very well to keep both wheels spinning at a reasonable speed. I personally haven't wished I had an true LSD yet, but you may feel differently.

 

If you ever want to get a pipe rack? ..for your Tacoma...more solid than Thule type systems ..
The company is call ..RACK-IT...bolts to the bed...
My son had a Thule racks ..just to carry his long fishing poles ...racks are always coming loose..when off roading..no longer uses them...the salted air (corrosion)..damages the bolts.too..making it unusable..
Check out “Rack-it” web site...
Aloha,
Towing your trailer.on a Tacoma vs a diesel truck..you may find yourself disappointed in the Tacoma..? And less torque too.

Maybe. Tundra might be a better option? Wait for turbo V-6? And Tundra bed will be bigger on the width too..ever notice..? A wider pants fit more people?

 

Dude just drive test drive test drive again. Once you try it 3x times, make a decision.good luck.

 

Most here seem to be in agreement, myself included, that the Tacoma mileage is comparable to your existing truck. Plus diesel is generally less expensive than gas. All your other stated reasons and evaluation seem to be spot on, except for one. I have trouble getting into the Tacoma, one must swing your knees in first followed by your feet to enter. The steering wheel gets in my way if I put my feet in first. My 1986 Samurai has more leg room under the steering wheel than the Tacoma.

Blunder: When I said "Diesel" is less expensive than gas. I'd been in Europe for some time where diesel is indeed less expensive in many of the countries. 1Feb21

 

I have a 19 TRD OR short bed. My last truck was a Ram 1500 4x4. It was a good truck that hauled a lot of gear and people all over with few complaints.
I was thinking about buying a new truck, and honestly, thinking of buying a 2500. However, my wife was having some problems with getting into the mildly lifted 1500 because of her knees. A mid size wasn’t in the mix at that time though.
We had an 18 Tacoma TRDOR as a rental while on vacation. My wife suggested looking at one as a replacement for my 1500 but I wasn’t interested in anything but a full size. After driving the Tacoma for a while, I changed my mind.
It got much better mileage than the Ram which got an all time best of 15 on a long trip. Typically, it got 10 city and 13 highway. My Tacoma gets 23 to 25 on the highway depending on conditions and 18 to 19 in the city. I have an inch in the front to set it level and am on BFG KOs 265/70/17s, load range C, on the TRD SEMA rims. No big lift, tires, or Load range E weight.
The Tacoma drives great and makes me less tired on a long drive than the Ram which required more steering inputs and trans management. It’s easier to park and get into small places which is great. For me, I like the adaptive cruise, terrain select, and crawl control. I really enjoy driving this thing. If I had to go into LA with my old full size, I never looked forward to it.
I do miss the sound of my old truck and the size and solid bumpers were great for idiots and tailgaters. Being higher up was nice too. However, for 90% of what I do, the Tacoma is a better choice. If I need a lot of lumber, cement, or steel for something, I just take my trailer. Just remember, this truck does not have the torque of a diesel and it builds power higher up the power band. That may be the critical issue for you.
To answer your question about the compression ratio, you can run pump gas because the heads are aluminum. They pull heat away faster so it doesn’t detonate. Generally, you need to run a higher C/R with aluminum heads. 11 to 1 with iron heads would require higher octane than pump gas. Either way, I run mid grade. My old truck was premium only due to the tune.
Toyota reliability is legendary. Normal maintenance and it’s will last a long time. I had a 90 Hi Lux 4x4 that just ran and ran. Maintenance is all it ever needed. It never had an issue. I wish I still had it. Tacoma resale is legendary too if that matters.
If you are on the fence, think about renting one for a day or two and see if it does what you need and if it fits your life.

 

After 2 years of looking around and 8 months of serious shopping I bought a 17’ TRD OR 4x4 DCLB last year like you’re saying you want and ABSOLUTELY love it! My first taco was a 99’ v6 Prerunner 4x2 and had 137000 miles on it when I bought it. 10 years later I had 280000 on it when I sold it and if you don’t take into account the maintenance costs I only lost $3000 once sold. Over the 10 years I had to put in a new alternator, radiator, o2 sensors, fuel injectors, plugs and wires, coil packs, u joints, and suspension. All of these repairs with the exception of the suspension and u joints I did myself with the help of this site and YouTube. To put it simply these trucks are amazing and with a little TLC will run forever!

The only “complaints” I have thus far with my 17’ are: changing the oil filter sucks, the seating position takes some getting used to, bc the wheel base is longer it doesn’t turn as well as my previous taco, and like everyone on here who has a 3rd Gen will say the gearing sucks! All the former “issues” I obviously can’t do anything about but will hopefully be addressing the gearing in the next year or so.

 

How often will you be towing the 5000 pounds?

Are you planning on modifying it from stock?

These are important questions to judge your experience.

I love my DCLB, but I've spent a ton of money so far trying to perfect it.