Anyone else feeling better about their 3rd gen.

This whole forum is a shitshow, but so is the internet…people use it to escape the shitshow of reality. Everything is a shitshow…

Definitely a double standard going on, still no idea what I did, never got a warning.

Had one night shift job before, would probably kill me now. Even though I am self employed and make my own hours. my boss is still a dick…

Have absolutely no desire to become an influencer, do wonder what those guys make, must be doing ok, all of them have put on the lbs over the years. Even Roman’s skinny kid. They are certainly eating well.

 

Same here. Have a Sport so I couldn't see the angle, but it was steep. Backed to a better angle and it went away.

 

If they're going to pump in sound, then make it sound like an A-10 doing CAS. At least we could have some fun pulling away from the traffic light at the mall.

 

I love my 3rd gen which is why I bought a leftover 2023.

If the 3.5 blows up, it'll get a 1GD-FTV with 6 speed manual swap

 

I climb 20 degree stuff fairly often, and every now and then it hits 25 degrees. I've never gotten the dreaded "low oil warning" message except once. I was climbing a 4ft ledge at close to 30 degrees. My front end made it up, but I couldn't get my rear end up and stalled the engine (I was trying to go nice and slow, but I'm in a manual and didn't give it enough gas). I tried to restart the engine, but it just cranked and cranked and then I got the warning. I immediately thought, "Oh shit! I fried my engine!" I backed down, let it sit for several seconds, then restarted no problem. I made it up on the second try and didn't get the warning again. I think I got the warning because with the engine off, my oil pump stopped running. Not sure if that's correct, just my guess based off what I know. Anyways, she still runs like new.

 

I’m not on the 4th-gen bandwagon. I definitely don’t need a 4-banger turbo that sounds like two maracas with all that rattle. I love my ‘22 with a V6 and will keep it for many years. It’s been perfect and reliable. You can still buy a ‘23 Taco brand new. I’d go for that.

 

I love my truck and all, but the way some of you talk about this V6 like it’s a sweet sweet LS V8 makes me think you ate lead chips as a child.

 

Oh shit… I didn’t know an LS v8 was an option for the 3rd Gen’s?!?! Plenty that think that engine sucks too, or at least the cars they’re in.

 

LOL. Yeah, it's not a hemi or a turbo diesel for sure, but everythings relative. I'm coming from a 2.4L with 275,000 miles so, for me, this V6 is a racecar!

 

I’ve had all air cooled VW’s. My favorite was my ‘56 oval… this V6 is a formula 1!!!

 

Don’t see too many people telling someone to put a 2GR in their ride. “If you want mediocre torque and a nice wheeze throw a 3.5 in it!”
LS swap has to be the most popular option out there.

 

Lol! Right!?

I mean…it is “ok” for chick truck, it is fast for a Toyota, but it certainly is no LS.

Funny reading which gen is better is like watching a bunch of women fight over which purse is superior…they both hold your man’s balls, but ohhh so differently. Lol!

That video of the Toyota tech on the 4G pretty much says it all, don’t really buy a Tacoma for towing (or hauling), so why in the world did they weld the receiver hitch to the frame??? *scratching head*

 

This and a whole bunch of other failures of the 3.5 + crappy transmission helped me sell my 2018 Tacoma. It's a bad ass truck overall.

But after seeing my engine bay covered in coolant at 6 months old I had a hunch. Now looking at the 3rd gen engine failure thread, me being a mechanic that works on these 3rd gens literally every week. I don't and can't recommend the 3rd gen Tacoma.

I look forward to the 4 banger turbo in the 4th gen. The low end torque will be SO nice.

 

I completely agree.

I'm a Toyota specialist mechanic. I've changed spark plugs on several 3rd gens. Out of over a dozen, 2 of them had loose spark plugs from the factory. Both on the passenger side. Spark plug covered in burnt oil since that cylinder had blow by through the spark plug hole. That is completely unacceptable aside from all the other 3rd gen engine failures like timing cover leaks that almost ALL of them have or will have. It's sad honestly because I love Toyota as a brand, manufacturer and awesome car maker.

These are my photos below on a recent 3rd gen spark plug change at 58k miles. Thank God the customer decided to change plugs on time. Middle cylinder on PS the spark plug was super loose. The coil pack even got soaked in oil.

 

Plug seal faulty?

 

It's a night and day difference between the 3rd and 4th gen powertrain's. I forgot what the word torque even meant when I owned my 2019.

 

Love my 3G, but I was getting into it on the way home from work (long day and feeling punchy) I can see why people complain, slam the throttle to the floor and nothing, like it takes a few seconds to decide if it wants to get up and go.

Good thing I am rarely in a hurry 99% of the time.

 

You mean the crush washer?

No. 5 out of 6 normal. 6th hand loose,
came out by hand, loose as a goose, fancy free, loose as a buy one get one free, for free, free spirit. The spark plug was ready to jump out of it's hole.

Burnt oil everywhere. Never seen any manufacturer leave spark plugs loose. Either they need to up their spark plug torque spec, or check their torque wrenches at the factory.

 

Sorry, the seal on the spark plug tube. This is a pic from the 3.4, assuming the 3.5 is similar.

Did the loose plug damage it, causing the leak?

 

Got it. No, it's not that. Spark plug actually super loose.