2004 Tacoma reg cab for a road trip vehicle . . . . .

So am I insane . . .

Truck in question is a 2004 Tacoma regular cab, 2wd, base model, has such options as styled steel wheels, a/c, carpet, 5.25" door speakers with tweeters, single piece bench seat that doesn't recline, etc.

Anyways, this truck was owned by my old man, impeccably maintained, he gave it to me with 170k on it, it now has 182k. All maintenance performed on time, he racked up the miles driving back and forth from home in Franklin TN to Centennial Park in Nashville, about a 50 mile commute round trip, all interstate.

I don't doubt the reliability of said truck, as it runs like a new truck, shifts great, no slop in the steering, has never failed to start in the 12k miles I've owned it.

So my current road trip car is a 1992 Lexus SC300, 101k original miles, pearl white, just a beautiful car, original paint, original leather interior that is NICE, rare 5 speed manual car, 2JZ-GE inline six that just sings, man I love the sound of that motor, along with the total vibration free smoothness.

But I've grown bored of the luxo-barge, and I don't want to spend 7 to 10k on a turbo build that this car really deserves. So I'm selling my SC300 for a Miata, I really want a car that handles.

Anyways, the main question is can I make this truck a bit more civil on the highway??? I want to add some sound insulation, what should I use??? Main thing that drives me nuts is the noise, it isn't too bad at 60mph, but 70mph, 75, 80 its really annoying, to where I really have to turn up the radio.

I like the stock bench seat, hell its better than the seats in my SC300, but the main thing is the noise.

My other question, is how hard is it to install cruise control on this truck?????

 

Yes you are insane !!

These is just no way to compare those two vehicles .

If you want quiet strip the interior out of the truck spray on the high end sound deadening material over top that the sound deadening mat.

Then the underneath of the floor and wheel wells

Ear plugs work much better and are cheaper

Check out the After Market kits for your cruise control

 

Well I will take your insanity advice into question, but in heavy traffic, the reg cab Tacoma is more comfortable. You sit a bit higher than that Lexus SC300, the slightly higher ride height/view out is better. The clutch is way easier than the SC300. Main thing is I like how you sit bolt upright in the Tacoma, legs closer to the 90 degree angle, no console in your way. I've driven several 1980's/1990's Chevy trucks with the bench seat, man its the same feeling, I love that upright, sitting in a chair feeling.

Now that being said, the SC300 is a bit more comfortable on a long cruise, or if you have a twisty road in front of you. Mainly its quieter and rides nicer.

That being said I think the Tacoma could be a much better interstate cruiser if I stuffed it full of sound insulation. Also I've noticed that the bouncy ride smooths out with about 200-300lbs worth of cement block in the bed.

 

Check out RAAMaudio, they are a vendor on here. They make a multilayer sound deadening system that works very well. I completely stripped my interior and covered my truck with that stuff, it got rid of 95% of the squeaks, rattles, and road noise. If you're running highway tires im sure it will kill the tire noise as well.

There are a couple people on here I've seen that installed factory cruise control.

 

Definitely insane.

Who switches a smooth driving, fun to drive luxury car for a loud, poorly handling, under powered truck for highway cruising? And you're selling the Lexus for a Miata because of handling? Why not get a quality suspension for that SC? You could make it handle real well.

 

The pickup will always ride like a truck and sound like an econobox

 

Main thing is I don't need and don't have space for 3 cars. I'd love to keep my Lexus, but where I live now, there just isn't room for a Miata, the Lexus SC300 and my Tacoma. The Lexus isn't that much more useful than the Miata to be honest, other than it being just a great GT cruiser for two people, lots of room for 2 on a road trip.

Plus I don't want the insurance and maintenance costs of owning 3 vehicles. The Lexus is "kind of" a sports car, a fat sports car maybe, its a great RWD chassis, but man I've been craving a Miata for a good 10+ years now, since I first drove one back around 2005 or so. The handling difference between the SC300 and Miata is like night and day, the SC300 is like a luxury car that has decent handling, the Miata is just SO MUCH BETTER IMO. Main thing is weight, SC300 is 3400lbs, Miata is 2400lbs, no matter what you do to the SC300, it isn't going to handle as well as a Miata.

Anyways, I think I can tolerate the 2004 Tacoma on a road trip, if its a bit more sound insulated, I'm already planning a decent stereo build. I have a tool box, so that acts as a trunk for the cooler, bags, suitcase, etc.

 

Yes

 

^ Main thing is I'm switching my fun cars here, 1992 SC300 5 speed to a newer 1999-2004 NB Miata. Truck is staying here, as it is the practical vehicle, and it would be nicer on a road trip vs the Miata.

I'm thinking if I stuff the truck with some sound insulation, spend some $$$$ on some good quality door speakers, amp, and sub. Thinking about installing cruise control as well, but I'd imagine that's kind of a PITA with the 5 speed manual.

Honestly the bench seat in the truck is pretty comfy IMO. Its about the same level of comfort as the ass on the ground bucket seating position in the SC300, perhaps maybe better, since you sit more upright.

 

I wonder about the ideal cruising speed for your 2.4L and whether it is suitable for current HWY speeds over longer periods of time?
I have the 2.7L engine in a 2003 4x4.
With 280k miles she runs like a mechanical watch and will continue to do so ad infinitum.
But here's one good reason of several why she still runs so good.

I always cruise highways at 65mph (2500 rpm) and rarely run to 70mph... only to pass.
At that rpm it certainly takes the engine out of its smoothest running rate and I get a bit of vibration.
I cannot imagine that yours is much under 3000rpm at 65mph, and what about 70mph?
How much can an older 2.4L take at those levels over extended lengths of time?

I have heard that many other 4 cyl Japanese import engines burn out quick because people run them at prolonged high speeds on the interstates.
I am curious what you think.

 

Or instead of all the work, material and equipment get this:

Bose Quietcontrol 30 Black (761448-0010)

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-Quietcontrol-Wireless-Headphones-Cancelling/dp/B01HETFQA8

 

why don't you get a motorcycle? It's basically a Miata and way faster... not biased or anything

Plus you'll have room for a bike, you can carry it in the back of your truck if you need to, and insurance is hella cheap depending on the coverage.

 

I had a Miata for awhile and it was great! I ended up getting a BRZ, though, because it's a similar car in terms of feel, but slightly more practical.
I road trip in my Tacoma all the time, and before I rolled it, in my ranger. After a long drive, stepping out of the truck is easier than squatting out of the car...

Big thing for me is seats - in the Ranger I swapped in seats from an Eddie Bauer Explorer, in the Tacoma they came from a 4runner Limited. I want to get Corbeau's, though. After that, add sound deadening, nice headunit with good speakers, some good highway-oriented tires, and then replace the suspension. All of it. Buy the energy suspension bushing kit and replace all of them, get some new springs, front and back, good quality shocks (I have Bilstein), do the slip joint steering fix, maybe even get new tie rods and ball joints, and then get your truck aligned. Then throw some sandbags in the bed, it'll move the center of gravity back a little bit and help the truck feel more stable on the highway.

 

Tires and suspension will probably get you more comfortable ride for road trips than a sound upgrade (if you haven't planned this already)
I've just done 2 separate 250+ mile trips (one with 2 other passengers and 300+lbs of gear), after a sound upgrade, while nice to have some good sound, I know without tires and suspension the ride would have been horrible.

I don't think you need to go crazy, but that many miles on stock suspension, regardless of maintenance, will be your biggest ride improvement and add to overall enjoyment of the truck.

I honestly don't have an issue with road noise in my truck. Sure, it could be a little quieter, but I like to hear what's going on around me.

I should also add, I have a mini cooper Clubman S. I'd rather drive my truck on a long mostly straight trip. If I know I'm going somewhere with some curves, and can really use the turbo, I'll take the Cooper.

 

You can always sell them all for something that can do everything

 

Or Honda S2000

 

I have a 2.4 regular cab and I drive it 80 miles an hour everyday... no problem at all. I drove it from NYC to SF in 4 days a couple of years ago and the only time I wanted more power was climbing the rockies outside of Cheyanne and the Donner pass. Bench seats are fine as long as you get out every couple of hours for a bathroom break. While I would of preferred an 4x4 extended cab (and still want one) I found one that had been garaged with only 29K miles for $6600.... I couldnt pass that up. I have sound issues too and its a weather strip issue. Seems to come primarily from my sliding back window. Gonna get a leer topper soon and drive it until the wheels fall off.

 

PM sent on the SC

 

I own a 2003 Miata that I don't drive much (82k). Anyhow I've always admired the sc300, set me to thinking. Perhaps a trade?

 

do it and get it over with.