2nd Gen not considered Yotas?

REAL "Yota" by some of those arguments...

 

Actually, the 91 Mazda was a rebadged Ford Ranger. The only Ford pickups built and designed by Mazda was the 70s era Ford Courier. When Ford introduced the Ranger in 84 it was designed and built by Ford. Mazda later started rebadging Rangers and selling them as Mazda.

 

I agree with you. My theory is that Toyota panicked. They got comfortable with their place in the midsize market. Along comes GM with a significantly redesigned midsized set of trucks which threatened to take large portion of the midsized market which they ruled, so they rushed an all new redesigned Tacoma in to production. The changes ie 6 speed transmission, deeper bed, easy drop tail gate just to name a few were somewhat predictable.

 

My first vehicle was a blue 1970. Very similar to this green one.

 

I'll take a new one over that 70 Toyota, UGLY! No wonder domestics ruled back then

 

In the early 80s Miami mudding scene the Toyotas ran circles around the domestic 4x4s. They were solid axeled beats that were easy to lift 6 or more inches and no mud could stop them. I wish those were back.

 

I agree, but I was a kid just glad to have anything that ran

 

I had a 1980 and I would run rings around the Fords and Chevys. It was great times!

 

Here's we are in 2016 with 17s on the lot and that seems to still be the case.

 

Weight. Like driving a modern day side by side. My old Chevy couldn't off road like a 1st gen Tacoma. It weighed a lot more. But my chevy's transmission wouldn't overheat, frame is still solid, and it hauls a trailer a lot better. Each is strong in its own area.

 

My transmission never over heated and the frame didn't rot...

 

both tacomas in the group at the time overheated in about 1.5' of snow constantly spinning in 4wd for a long time. Definitely not normal driving conditions, but my 700r4 tranny took it fine.

As for the frame, you live in SC

I'm just stating each truck has its strong and weak points. Also never replaced a wheel bearing or rear axel seals on my Chevy. All things mechanical break. From my years experience I don't find Toyota anymore reliable or tough than my Chevy trucks or cars I've owned.

 

I've had both. My turd gen has had the diff replaced, but got a free warranty out of it, but you are very wrong on mpg, my turd gen gets 21-23mpg consistently with 265 ko2s nowhere near any of my 2nd gens. Yes they are different trucks but so are the 1st and 2nd gens each has its goods and bads. By the way low transmission fluid is not a 3rd gen only issue, also effected 15s. And have you seen the uptick in the secondary pump failures on the newer 2nd gens...$1000 repair out of warranty...not trying to start anything but each gen is different and each has plus and minuses, issues and nuisances.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but the engine and transmission in that truck is actually manufactured and designed by Mazda. At least the 4 banger models.

 

Dont think so. The early 4 cylinders were a 2.3 that Ford used in a lot of their cars and trucks. Can't say where they were manufactured but in the mid 80s Ford owned a piece of Mazda and a Mazda sales were down. If you recall the Mazda Tribute in the 90s was simply a rebadged Ford Escape. The only Ford that I remember being designed by Mazda was the Ford Probe, which was the same basic car as the Mazda MX6. The Probe was originally going to be introduced as the new Mustang.

 

There was a top gear episode that showed how tough the hilux was. Doubt the new 2nd gen could get through round 1.

 

When the Hilux has a 22R motor, we'll talk about tough and being a real Yota.

 

I don't totally hate the third gen. Definitely has a better ride, better interior and better tech. Just wished they had refreshed the 4.0 instead of putting in a new motor.

 

My Dad's 78 FJ40... now THIS is what I call a Toyota!

 

They are all Toy Yotas. Get one you like, or push a ford, enjoy dodge death wobble 'cause you're an adrenaline junky, or ride in a tow truck parading your precious GM around, I really don't care.