The new electronics scare me

When I bought my 2014 the saleswoman told me it was Toyota's most advanced technological vehicle. Meaning more mysterious black boxes that cost hundreds to replace. BUt what are you going to do?

 

That sounds like BS

 

Quoted from the first page but this literally made me lol.
Might be sig worthy.

 

...

 

I have a cell phone that is 4x more powerful than a desktop PC I purchased 4 years ago... and you're worried about a cars AC control failing because of dual zones? Technology is growing... this truck is "low tech" compared to most new cars. My 13 Audi S5 is pretty sick with technology but its still not ALL it could be with todays tech.

 

I dunno, I believe it. Voice control, bluetooth, nav... all the traction control otptions, ABS, electronic rear lockers...

 

While not Toyota's fault or related to the 3rd Gen Tacoma just yet, this is a very real threat to later 3rd Gen's all of us should be concerned about.

http://reason.com/archives/2015/01/23/california-mulling-more-government-acces

CARB wants the onboard computer to store info like MPG, speeds, distances driven, and other stats for later download. Truck owners are especially vulnerable if we install lift kits or aftermarket wheels. That's because MPG almost always drops when these mods are performed. It's not hard to envision a scenario 10 or 20 years from now where our trucks will fail smog checks because some bureaucrat decides the MPG is too low.

Makes no difference if you live in California or not. The auto manufacturers will make all cars capable of storing the data to ensure CARB compliance, just like they do with every other emissions requirement.

 

Then what happens if your truck is like mine and drops from 18mph -> 13mpg unexpectedly. Even Toyota has no idea why, after I spend $1000 on a potential fix.

I don't see that ever happening because some people drive only short distances, some people are only highway.

 

.
... ^^^ ... That's already happening .... they will just get MORE info for LONGER periods of time as newer models come out ...

.

 

If they follow the trend of appliances, they are designing expensive throwaways.

 

The proposed OBD standard would also record trip length. That can be correlated with MPG to see whether it's efficient or not for the distance traveled.

Don't dismiss any possibility by the eco-terrorists in California.

 

Oh hell, take all the black boxes out and it's still a great truck. Throw in a Chevy 350 short block and you're good to go. Probably drop 200 lbs. in wiring.

 

I hope they leave a decent piece of interior real estate where I can fit
A decent CB/Ham radio.

 

Give me enough room for my beagle and all is good with me. Well, maybe room for the wife too.

 

Manual t-case and manual front hubs wouldn't bother me at all. Navi? Don't need it, have this thing called a DeLorme Gazetteer. Do need a map pocket behind the front buckets for the Gazetteers though.

 

Love that thing, great for finding kayak launches and good hikes.

 

That's funny. Remember when we needed map pockets to actually carry maps??

 

eco-terrorists , lol