Disappointed in gen3, need advice on my gen2

Great video of your beautiful Tacoma. Thanks about your advice on tire size as well.

I miss my TJ. My kids and wife loved it. Funny story.. I bought it from a guy who lost his job and was heartbroken to sell his Jeep. He did all the work on it. I used it occasionally for 3 years then I texted him if he wanted it back and the next day he was at my door and paid me the same amount I paid him. He was almost in tears and couldn't believe he got it back. Couldn't help but be happy for the guy, we even had a beer to celebrate lol

 

Holy smokes that's impressive, congratulations! Maybe there's hope for me too haha

I bet it's a great and satisfying feeling, and therapudic for most lol. I don't doubt there's a good YouTube video for just about everything.

 

I also have 3 friends wanting to buy it off me, but I try not to do business with friends.

I made it clear to the dealer the 2023 OR wasn't for me. They offered me $3,200 off the MSRP right off the bat.

 

IMO. you have the best looking front end out of all the 2nd gen models and barely broken in at 107k miles. Customize it how you like it and you will fall in love with it again. If you use your truck like a truck, a 4runner is nice but won't have the hauling capacity of a tacoma.

 

Yessir, I'm excited. I think that's what it needs, a few tasteful tweaks.

 

real comparison question is what’s better 2nd gen or JT Gladiator rubicon diesel

 

+1 2nd Gen. You won't find a better truck.

 

How do the tires feel? Considering the BFG route myself

 

They've been great as a daily driver. 55k miles later and still have life left. I'd say at around 45k they started to slip.

I'll be putting KO2s again soon when I do the lift and new rims.

 

2nd gen or bust

 

^they even moved the lights inboard for room to put axle approach angle forward

 

Sweet and thanks for sharing!

I'll be posting what I've done to my gen2 as a result of this thread. Nothing extreme but really like it's coming along.

 

The Gladiator may be a better off roader, but not by much, and loses massively to the Taco as a daily.

 

This. If you've been served well with no basic maintenance, it's time to do the maintenance. Fluids, belts, hoses, etc. Then keep using it. No need to gussie it up with $$$$ of other stuff.

And that lets you keep the Miata. Because awesome.

Side benny is lower insurance and no payments, along with less electronics.

 

Definitely siding Team Keep the Taco, for all the mentioned reasons. For a fraction of the monthly payments you'd be forking over, a nice overhaul could be had. She's timeless and clean. 2.5s are still beautiful. Do some suspension work, maybe some interior mods to modernize the comfort and tech if you're into that. Ride it for another 150k. I crested 200k on my 2012, and will be holding out till she finally gives up before even considering 4th Gen or another truck.

 

She's a beauty ❤️

 

Thanks again for all feedback and recommendations, I finally got my upgrades completed.

I wanted to keep her OEM looking as much as possible.

1. New suspension with 2" lift, tires and OEM rims
2. De-chromed everything, OEM predator steps, Pro grill, OEM roof rack
3. RTT rack, LEDs, hard shell cover, floormats, tailgate lock, shifter, etc.

For my use case a 2" lift and 275/70/17 are perfect and just the right amount of rake for me.

Cheers!

 

+1 for keeping the rake.

Mine went 1.75” up front and 1.5” in the rear. Rakes makes a statement and serves a purpose.

 

Looks very nice. Your retired self will thank you. Not sure you’d have that much of a different vehicle if you had gone to a 3rd gen yet the cost savings of keeping the second gen are huge.

 

don’t let Toyota dealer salesmen see you pull up in that to buy oil filter