What Have You Done To Your 2nd Gen Tacoma Today?

Finally got around to installing new OEM headlight housings. Job wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. There is a special place in hell for the Toyota engineer that put that bottom screw in the housing next to the side of the front bumper. May that engineer ingest a satchel of Richards.

 

Replaced speakers finally, from those crappy stockers to Rockford Fosgates. Should have done this 10 years ago!

 

Replaced a burned out passenger side headlight bulb over the weekend. That blasted retaining clip turns what should be a five minute procedure into a 30-45 minute struggle, particularly because of the cold weather.

 

All while trying to keep fingerprints off the bulb.

 

They finally went to twist-in bulbs on 3rd gens. I think that is probably the best "new" feature on 3rd gens. Well it did get better mpg's. That still wasn't enough reasons to keep mine. Well mine did have navigation - added to my better 2nd gen, mine had a nice touch screen radio - added to my better 2nd gen, mine had better coil springs and struts - added to my better 2nd gen, mine had a full screen rear camera - added to my better 2nd gen, mine had a cheap plastic 20 mph safe rear bumper - that I would never add to my better 2nd gen, mine had a no-low-torque Atkinson cycle V6 - that I would never want in my better 2nd gen, mine had a quirky automatic transmission - that I would never want in my better 2nd gen. Sorry for ranting. I hope this IS the 2nd gen forum.

 

Paranoid fabrications makes a carling switch panel that fits a single din slot like what the Scosche single din dash kits have

 

This is what I see 90% of 2nd gen owners say that have owned and came back or test driven and decided no but I’ve been wondering…. Do you think those 2 issues could be addressed with tuning? Seems to be extremely popular among the 3rd gens. No way I’m popping in there and asking.

 

Thanks! That looks really good. Always love simple, unique mods.

 

Drove to Tennessee yesterday and back today to get a Four Wheel Camper. About 1200 miles round trip. Kept track of a couple things:
Regular daily driving with cap - 18.3mpg
Driving to TN with no cap or tailgate - 18.8 mpg
Driving from TN with FWC - 15.3mpg
All mpgs taken from ultragauge.

 

Sold my truck to buy my dads third gen. He passed away last weekend and I didn’t want to see it go to someone else.

 

Sorry for your loss, shame you couldn’t keep both trucks but nice that you were able to keep his truck in the family

 

Certainly a tune would have helped. My problem was, after 5.5 years and only 25k miles, the recalls and TSB's seemed to be never ending. I did seriously consider a tune. Less than $1,000 and would greatly improve performance however my deeper concern was the unknown long term effects of the tune on items like the valve train and transmission. This is something unknown. I was also paranoid about some rear main seal failures and the little more common timing cover seal failures. I had a 2008 SR5 V6 with 58k miles when I bought my new 3rd gen. It took me a few weeks to decide on selling the 2008. Within 6 months, and numerous overnighters for repairs on the 3rd gen, I realized that I sold the wrong truck. I did love the 3rd gen and adding a CAI and better exhaust gave it more pep. Had the transmission flashed 3 times, had the dash cluster replaced after failing, had the 4 tpms replaced after failing, had the differential cover recall, had the radiator support bushings replaced after failing, and, the same week I sold it, I received a recall notice for frame corrosion. The long term tune effects on the VVT was really what prevented a tune. Knowing how well the 4.0/AT performed drove my decision to go back to a 2nd gen. I have yet to see a 3rd gen make it to 200k miles and certainly not 300k miles. I kept thinking that there is a very good reason the 4runners and internationally sold FJ Cruisers still use a 4.0. Long term reliability. The only true positive about the 3rd gen powertrain is the fuel economy. When pampered mine got 18 city and almost 26 highway with KO2'S. From day one I never had a warm and fuzzy feeling that it would see 200k miles. As is stated by many 4.0 owners I get smiles per gallon instead of miles per gallon.

 

Do yourself a favor and install sound deadening. It was the biggest improvement of sound quality for me, over my head unit, speakers and amp.

 

Sorry brother.

 

Appreciate it love it such a solid product

 

I had a ‘16 with a long list of issues so on the 1 year mark, I traded for a ‘17. I had it for about 14 months and traded it in. I went to a ‘10 and have been happier ever since. The 2nd gens are so much peppier and just runs smoother. After spending $40k on a brand new truck, I can’t see having to spend a ton more to tune it so it runs and shifts correctly. I have a 1st and 2nd Gen and would never trade them for a 3rd. Been there, done that! I know someone who basically has a brick right now because the block has started leaking antifreeze and Toyota won’t cover replacing it. They don’t call them Turd Gens for nothing.

 

Sorry to hear about your dad! Cherish his truck and keep him close to you while you drive it around.

 

That's exactly how I felt about a tune. I bought a brand new truck that had a sub-par power train. Not throwing more money in it to make it something that it is not. Never had to tune any other Toyota to make it run "right".

 

Good man. Sorry for your loss. I know you'll take good care of that truck.