$25K Question. Tacoma SR ACLB vs F150 XL SCSB

I was in the exact same boat as you when i was looking to buy my Tacoma. Had never owned a new vehicle before, but knew what I wanted as far as capabilities go, and what didnt matter to me. I ended up with a 4Cylinder access cab 4wd, with the 5-speed manual. It's spent a lot of times in the woods of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin and it's never failed me. My thoughts and pros/cons that might eb relevant...

If you are going to be towing constantly, I would worry about the clutch, in my experience it's not strong enough for the abuse that the rest of the truck can take. There was a TSB to get it replaced a few years ago, not sure if they changed anything at the factory at this point, but it's something i would investigate if i was buying another 5-speed.

You are never going to win any races up a hill with this combination, but 3rd and 4th gear are really strong, and this motor will run for decades at 4,000 RPM's. Just don't be afraid to keep it in the powerband between 3-4k RPM's and you should never really have anything to worry about as far as towing and getting up hills. You need to drive a solid amount of distance in front of you and plan your shifts for turns and hills while towing, but once you get used to it, it's not an issue. Besides, isn't that the fun of owning a stick these days?

DON"T PUT HEAVY TIRES ON IT. I'm running 265/75/16 All terrains on the stock steel rims, and those things were as big of a power drain and MPG drain as towing a trailer is. Unless you can find a lightweight version, stick with the stock size, unless you are going skinny for the snow issues in Idaho.

Pull the jumpseats and headrests out of the back the day you get it. No self respecting human can sit in them anyways. Check my pictures for what i did, but building a bench in back there allows for a lot of secure storage without the need for a heavy topper.

That's what comes to mind off the top of my head, ive put 110,000 on mine since i bought it new in 2010, issues ive had was the clutch, a wheel bearing, and some other random TSB work that Toyota paid for (leaf springs, Blower fan motor, new catalytic converter). I'd drive this truck forever, but it was me and a dog when i bought it, now its dog, wife, expanding family so I'm going to end up in a double cab. I might cry a little when i have to give this truck up, lol.

 

Tacoma all the way !! from what you say I think the Tacoma will do ok with the weight of your trailer and gear and you wont have to worry about reliability with the Tacoma like you would with the ford.

 

Currently have a 1st gen with the 3.4...it pulls my combo fine...a little slow on long climbs, but I am usually not in a hurry...the 4 cylinder is a little down on power from what I have...I "think" it will be fine, but don't know until I load it down.

Have been looking at the SR ACLB with the utility package, since it doesn't come with jump seats. We don't have any kids and never haul passengers. I use AC portion for camping gear that I don't want in the bed or trailer.

I'll keep it mostly stock, most likely upgrade the suspension when the stock gets clapped out, usually at 50-60K it starts to go. I have Camburg CO's and OME Dakar Heavies on my current rig, really like that setup.

Currently running 32" Kumho AT51's on the 1st gen...didn't really notice any power loss, though the truck has had 32's on it since I have had it. It has had BFG's AT/MT, Goodyears MT, and Coopers MT at one time or another.

Like that size tire, might have to regear the 4-Banger, that could wait until I wore out the stock tires.

So far pretty happy with the Kumho's haven't had them int he snow yet, they are severe rated though, we will see.


http://www.kumhotireusa.com/tire/category/truck-suv/2DAD4945-E708-43A2-ADF1-0A43551871B2


I am pretty good on clutches, my last one lasted 245K miles. Bought my current truck with 70K on it, that clutch went at 90K. Purchased it from a female owner...believe she rested her foot on the pedal, why it went so early.


I like that platform you did in your AC, planning on doing the same, if I don't go with the F150

Yeah, that is the issue I am having we need a spare 4X4. The Isuzu Trooper I have is RWD, so if I break down either in the Tacoma or the dirt bike out in the back country she can't come and get me. Doesn't happen often, but occasionally I'll take the tacoma down something somewhat rough and nasty, to go fetch a broken down bike, not sure if I could get the Ford into. So that is another con for the F150. I am keeping the 1st gen, so there is that too...

I am pretty patient, have had my current Tacoma for 14 years now, I just keep on fixing it, because there isn't anything out there that I "really" like, wish I could get a new version of what I already have. But it is getting long in the tooth...don't trust it anymore. She is actually pressuring me to get a new truck, since it makes her nervous that I head out into the boonies in such an old truck with so many miles on it. Quite literally the fuel pump went out a week after I was running around in the high country. At 335K....think the engine is going to be the next thing that goes.

Seems like I am right on the line...do you buy a truck for 90% of the things you need, or the 10%? I also have a 5X8 open trailer that I use for day trips, trailer, bike, 5 gal jug of fuel for the bike is right around 1250 lbs. Only take the enclosed out about every 6-8 weeks.

 

If the Tacoma will do what you want it to do for that 10%, then go with the Tacoma. If not, you'll kick yourself every 6-8 weeks b/c it won't haul what you wanted it to haul.
I'd be hesitant to say that a 4 Cyl will do what you're wanting though. V6 probably. But the 4 may struggle.

 

Can the towing package be added to the SR model? If so that might make your decision a little easier, the towing capacity would go way up.

 

Finding one with under 30K miles is the hard part. I drive roughly 20K miles a year...so I rack up the miles quick...why I want to start off new.

I don't like SUV's...we have one, and rarely use it, out of not wanting to screw up the interior. My last 4Runner, I spilled nearly a gallon of premix for the chainsaw in it...that sucked for a while. With a truck you just toss stuff back there without too much care.

 

Can't get a manual trans, one of the whole reasons I am looking at the SR ACLB. Believe the SR ACLB, is only available with the 4-CYL.

Clutches are cheap to repair, automatics these days start around $4,000 and up. Trying to think waaay down the road, as I really don't like spending money on vehicles. I view them as tools. Looking at the total cost of ownership. Tacomas are in the top 5 vehicles that are cheapest to own over a 10 year period.

To get a manual trans in the ACLB...looks like the options are the 4 banger SR, or the Sport V6. Don't really like auto's but since the F150 is a little more truck than the Tacoma. I guess I could live with it...just don't think it will go 300K without major repair.

It is like what do you do, if you can't get exactly what you want? The Tacoma, I have to give up a little on power...the F150 giving up the manual trans, and who knows what the long term reliability is going to be.

 

I'd still say get the f150 with economic boost you'll enjoy the truck alot more in the mountains an such. If you got the new 3.4 v6 in a yota you'd still be kicking yourself as they are super under powered. If your going with the yota get a 2015 4.0. Otherwise get the ford

 

I pull a 3000lb trailer and Its almost dangerous because I forget its there. BUT.... I also use an Andersen WDH, which makes it drive like a different truck when towing. AND..... Towing through the rocky mountains is not something i regularly (or ever) do.

 

I wouldn't trust a 3rd gen for keeping you not stranded. The CPS issue along with other problems have left many stranded on the road.

 

Don't want to deal with turbo repair down the road. Would consider the 5.0 V8, can't seem to find those cheaper than $28K. With tax and license that is over $30K. More money I spend on the truck, the less I have to spend on the dirt bikes and travel. Since I am self employed, the more I spend the more I have to work...work is a four letter word. The less time I am at work, and the more time I am on the scooter is mo' better!

Still have to call my insurance guy, and see what the insurance rates are...guessing the F150 will be more because of the aluminum body.

 

That is with the new V6, isn't it?

Another reason I am looking at the 2.7 5 Speed manual...kinda like an anvil.

 

You're right, it probably is with the V6. Since you are considering the 4 cyl, you probably are considering a more reliable configuration.

 

Finally making the move eh @SwollenGoat . I know we've chatted about this several times in the past.

Just to pass on my two cents you are right about the price and configuration of that F150. I have bought many fleet F150's in my previous line of work and most of them were under 30K in a similar package to what you are looking at with the V8 or Ecoboost and in CAD. Go to USD and the V6 and you get the type of price you are talking about.

The V6 F150 is surprisingly powerful. I mean it will keep up with a V6 Tacoma no problem. For that reason alone I'd go with the F150. You don't need a smaller truck, but you do need a bigger truck, so the decision is simple. As for the lifetime... well we all know that the newer Tacoma's aren't quite as famously reliable and, TBH, I've never had a personal problem with a Ford even those that I've run well past 200K. They last long if you take care of them. They aren't the early 2000's 5.4's with the sparkplug or timing issues. The new engines are a total redesign around those issues and have shown to be very reliable. Just make sure to swap to synthetic, or do early dino changes, and keep up on the other maintenance and I'd say it's a crap shoot between whether the F150 or Tacoma will die first. It'll probably have more to do with which day of the week each truck was built at that point .

 

Yep, would like this thing to get me into retirement with very little fussing...which is only 15 years away. yikes!

 

I personally feel like if you plan on getting the 3rd Gen wether being a v6 or 4 banger it won't like you as both are very under powered. I don't own one I have a 2014 4.0 and me driving the way I do towing a 3k trailer every weekend would put a major toll on that engine. I would go full size if I had an opportunity to do so as I tow alot and wish I would have gone full size from day 1. I love my truck but for towing the Taco is really not the best truck for the job

 

My buddy with a new Silverado pays the exact same rate, within $10, as my F150. Call around. Most of the higher rates due to the Aluminum are BS. Plenty of cars are built partly of Aluminum now and most shops have the equipment to work on it.

 

I think the Ford F150 will suit your needs better.

What is with all of these people saying they don't see 15 year old Fords on the road? Must be trolling... My father in law has a 1998 Ford Ranger V6 extended cab with well over 200k miles on it and it runs like a champ. My step father in law also has a 1994 and a 1999 Ranger that are still running strong.

 

Toyota forum = Toyota bias. If you hit up an F150 forum you'd see a bunch of guys saying that every Tacoma built before 2009 north of Cali has rusted out. Everyone likes to try and pick on everyone elses little flaws.