2016 Aluminum Body Panels

Do you think the next redesign (2016, rumor) will go with weight savings like the 2015 F-150? If you look at the direct numbers, by beefing up the steel frame and protective structure and adding all aluminum body panels, the F-150 lost 12.5% total curb weight. They took a 5,716 lb truck and got it down to right at 5000 lbs.

Imagine what that would do to the Tacoma. We're talking about reducing the Curb weight from 4200 lbs to about 3700 lbs. No look at a power to weight ratio chart. That'd be pretty impressive.

If we get a bump up in horsepower to boot it just gets more exciting. Seeing as the new kids on the block are rocking 305 hp and Jeeps are at 285, I imagine the Tacoma will get bumped up to at least 275 since it's never been a HP leading truck. The 1GR-FE is already capable of those types of numbers with better configuration.

I know I'm just dreaming and speculating here, but can you just imagine a 275 HP, 3700 lb curb weight, bigger, stronger, faster, more efficient Tacoma. Yes please.

 

They've had success with composite beds. Fourth gen Tacoma will be a Saturn.

 

Fine by me , but FYI lots of people got their tampons in a knot the last time this was discussed , you can probably expect the same here

oh and add a diesel / electric hybrid powerplant

 

Sorry, I wasn't trying to get anyone upset. I love my Tacoma but there's always some means to get better. I mean if you think Toyota isn't going to respond in some way to the market, you may be kidding yourself. Horsepower of 236 and 4200 lbs is pretty weak in comparison to competition.

I'm not saying I'd go that way, but the GMC Canyon has full time AWD and a 4H/4L differential with 305 HP and 3900 lb curb weight.

The top of the line GMC runs close to $40K. My Tacoma was $36K (2013 DCSB TRD Off-Road). $37K if you count in the TRD Cat-back exhaust I had them install.

 

I've had to take mine in for 2 Recall checks (brakes and TRD accessory wheels) and one TSB for Engine Knock.

A recall is just law suit protection at this point. It doesn't have anything to do with quality.

Sidenote: I highly suggest the TSB for Spark Knock. It's been fantastic.

 

Beavis, your white Tacoma in the sig is awesome. Do the tires scrub with only a 2.5 OME lift?

 

I'm still waiting to hear how the use of aluminum in the F150 will effect things like insurance rates and body repair. I can't imagine many body shops that have had any experience in working with aluminum, not to mention the body men that do the work.

 

I bet the 2016 is no quicker than the current, even with more hp. Lately this has been a marketing tactic with a lot of manufactures. Advertise higher hp & torque, but give the new vehicle an ultra tall axle ratio to make up for more fuel economy (GM is really good at this game).

Whatever "Magic" Toyota has done with the 1GR, that makes it's weak 236hp feel like 260hp I hope they continue to do with the new model. As an example, armchair warriors like to point out how our trucks only have this measly 236hp yet, the truck easily keeps up with say a Nissan Frontier, which has like 260 or so?

So what difference does it make what the label says on the box, as long as it "feels good" when you drive it. Sometimes I wish the specs read 190 hp for the 4.0L V6, that way when I run that guy in the 5.3 Silverado *At the track of course, I can let them know they got whooped by a measly 190 hp V6.

 

Says the guy who posted about loser Colorado owners trying to race him.

Why do in get the impression you are that same guy in the Colorado?

 

I'm not going to lie, I used to race everything with four wheels and a driver.............................................................................................


20 years ago that is... I think from 16-24 years old I averaged 2 tickets a year, not proud of that, but I've always been a car guy, and had a lead foot.

I have not had a ticket in over 12 years, probably haven't been over 80 mph in a decade.

 

Aluminum sucks. You lean against it and get a dent. Had then on my challenger and all you had to do was touch them and it left a ripple.

 

Aluminum is horrible to repair as well, I'm sure there are better/ newer techniques these days, seeing the industry is moving in that direction.

In the past, it was extremely difficult to remove dents or even do simple bodywork, due to the fact aluminum doesn't have a memory like steel, making it difficult to reverse the shape.

 

Having the factory reduce weight is a good thing! So yes, composite body panels, hood, etc. I do have reservations about aluminum for a frame though. Aluminum is good, but it's subject to cyclic fatigue, not sure I'd want my frame made out of aluminum if off-roading frequently. They do make boats out of aluminum and those things are very durable and people beat the hell out of them and they seem to be okay... I don't know. I do like saving weight though!

 

Honda is doing a similar tactic, they have said they expect the new Ridgeline to drop from 4300-4500 pounds to 4000-4200.

Weight savings is a key new ingredient in the fuel economy race.

 

The gauge of an aluminum boat will be different from body panels. Paper thin.

 

I have no clue how much HP our trucks make and I don't care. These are trucks, torque is what matters.

 

If you made the Tacoma with an aluminum frame you would have a lot of wheelers with bent frames left and right.

 

If your a contractor and you have magnetic signs, your doing it wrong. Stickers and wraps look 100% more legit <---- new TW buzzword right there.

 

Yup stickers and wraps are the current trends. Magnetic is so 20th century