2015 Tacoma base

Hi All,

I am new to the forum, but have been lurking here for well over a year.

I got my silver base 2015 Tacoma auto* in mid 2015, after being a Nissan Hardbody/Frontier owner for 17 years (1995 SE V6 King Cab manual loaded, 2002 Crew Cab long bed auto loaded, 2005 King Cab manual base). In June 2015, I test drove a 2015 Frontier (auto), and it didn't feel like an upgrade from the 2005 (manual) that I had been driving for the past 10 years. I decided to check out the Tacoma, and the dealer made me an offer that I couldn't refuse. The truck that I test drove was a base model, but it had cruise control, floor mats and intermittent wipers. The only problem was that it was black. The dealer said that they would have an identical truck in silver the following day. When I came back to pick up my silver truck, it didn't have cruise control. No problem, the Frontier didn't have it either. I could live with it. It had floor mats, so all was good. I did not check for intermittent wipers before signing the papers and leaving the dealership. (*While I wanted a manual Tacoma, my wife wanted me to get an automatic so that she and my son could drive the truck.)

The lack of intermittent wipers continued to bother me. Then, in mid 2017, my Taco began squeaking from the front end. I tried lubricating every point of friction that I could think of, but the squeak would not go away. Every movement of the truck caused it to squeak. There were a few other little things that bothered me about the Taco, and I decided to check out a new Frontier in October 2017. Afterall, I didn't have such issues with my Frontier. (Or did I just learn to live with them over 10 years?) After a few test drives, too many dealer games, and discovering that the base Frontier had a fixed steering wheel, I decided that I liked my 2015 Tacoma better than the new Frontiers. I was keeping my Tacoma.

With that in mind, I was going to do something about the issues that were bothering me with my truck. I first researched the intermittent wiper switch. $80 from e-Bay for a used wiper switch, and it is a simple plug and play. I then found out that cruise control was a simple install, too. $36 for a used OEM CC switch, and I was good to go. I saw someone mention that they added a backup camera to the existing wiring in the tailgate of their Taco, and it was another plug and play mod. $48 from e-Bay, and I had what I needed. A little more research, and I had some high intensity LED backup lamps so that I can see what is behind me. The stock backup lamps were not as bright as my brake lamps. (For some odd reason, Toyota tinted the backup lamp plastic pink.) If I had known that the fixes were this easy or inexpensive, I would have done them sooner! I love how the Tacoma wiring harness allows for the easy addition of options. Thanks Toyota!

Back to the squeaking front end. That is the issue that lead me back to Tacoma World again. Through a lot of searching and reading, I have found what I believe is the solution to the squeak. The radiator support bushings. I will be installing Energy Suspension 9.4101 polyurethane bushings soon to (hopefully) eliminate that incessant squeak. It is embarrassing that a 2 year old truck sounds like a rustbucket when rolling down the road. It seems that Toyota would have addressed this know issue a long time ago, but I am reading about 2016 owners with the same problem.

Finally, tailgate security. I have read good things about the SaBellCo tailgate lock, and have been seriously considering it. The McGard tailgate lock with security key looks pretty secure, at less than half the cost. As a stopgap measure, I will be installing a hose clamp until I make up my mind and find the time.

 

Noice

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome

 

Howdy

 

Thanks for the welcome!

I am really impressed with the wealth of information available on this site. I am skilled at vehicle maintenance, repair and modification, but seeing a thread on the process is helpful.

 

Welcome!