3rd gen Tacoma Appreciation thread

I’m not a truck guy by any stretch of the imagination but I got my first taco in Feb 18 and it’s been such a pleasurable experience having a vehicle that I can depend on for anything and know that it’s built to last for 20+ years.

While the auto drove me nuts, fortunately I was able to trade for a 2020 MT sport today with no funds exchanged. Awesome that they can retain value like that. I’m hoping this one can have a 20 year run!

 

Awesome man, yea the hair is there permanently unfortunately. Do you use that special dog blanket/cover for back seats?

 

One of those hammock style ones that hang from the headrest on the back seats and front seats. Works pretty well for like $25 but man the hair gets everywhere. Sigh.

 

Good call on MT! You will love it

 

We took a 30 min test drive today, I’ll have to say that it immediately made sense why people are so annoying about it on here.

100% justified.

 

You get 4.3 rear diff gear ratio with MT as well. AT gets 3.909

Happy shifting brother!

 

1. Coolant leaking out of reservoir bottle, coolant sprayed all over engine bay. -Known issue caused by heavy off-road use. There is a mod fix here somewhere, the name\post eludes me, sorry I'm sure someone here might remember and help.
Edit: Make sure you're not over filled

2. Rear diff leaking - No biggie - just loose fasteners on cover. Tighten to specs and you'll B GTG.

3. Power steering reservoir leaking - Again. heavy off-road use or loose cap. IDK of a fix for that.

4. Trans still shifts like crap (S4 helps a lot) - ECT might also help, if using stock size tires, it should get smooth as over time as it adjust to the wear characteristics of your vehicle.

5. Dead pedal (A characteristic of modern emissions tuning, that one gets a pass). - Check for loose intake hose clamps, remove plastic cover for access to the inner clamp.

6. Idle surge when turning steering wheel (very noticeable when backing out of a tight spot. I've almost hit the wall or other cars as the rpm surges and it causes the truck to lunge forward or backward). -It shouldn't jump more than a couple hundred rpms, should improve as you rack in the miles.

All & all, you're not bad, you get a pass

Cheers!

 

I was pretty well set to buy a Gladiator just before I bought the taco. I spent a lot of time on their forum also, as well as a lot of others for the various vehicles I own and owned. No such whining and gnashing of teeth over there either.

 

Bought it in April. Not a problem yet. Awesome truck.

 

Dont know what the fuck is up with most tacoma owners.

 

You know how I got my truck to shift better ? Driving it like a truck and not a mustang. It’s weird it shifts smooth accelerates good when I do mash it. I truly wonder if people’s trucks actually shift and drive like shit or they are expecting it to be a Lexus.

 

Well they paid "40k" so it better drive like lexus.

 

Right ?! Imagine if they paid $80k plus for a Lexus. Would be riots in the streets. “This doesn’t drive like my buddy’s Ferrari?!”

 

Very grateful to have found a 5spd 2.7, the last year they made this classic combo. Always happy to walk out to it after work.

It’s a piggy until a regear with stock 3.92s, but it’s still a joy to have

 

Its because, whether we like it or not, the Taco is a "lifestyle vehicle". This truck attracts a lot of 20/30-something scenester types who migrate from completely different vehicles altogether, many of whom don't particularly care about or understand trucks but want to be part of the outdoorsy lifestyle scene.

Jeep on the other hand is another lifestyle vehicle, but tends to attract more 40-something+ gen X'ers and boomers.

Not knocking on anyone who falls into these categories, merely trying to explain why we see a lot of people complaining about why their previous Lexus was quieter than their new Taco lol

 

Solid, true sr5. Nice machine!

 

Over three years and nearly 60,000 flawless miles. I had almost no justification for purchasing a truck, but it's an inexpensive 4wd with low-range and options for skid plates, and that's what I needed.

It'll probably be the only truck I own, but it's the closest thing to a custom ordered vehicle... "no back seats, but retain features like heated mirrors? yeah we offer that, and at a nicely discounted price." "that engine that rivals an anvil in terms of durability, included at no cost".

Nicely done Toyota, thanks!

 

I appreciate my Tacoma and have a question. What’s up with these trannies today?

 

Right?! Who the hell knows, but I've read one tried to actually kill a dude...

 

Mine didn’t try to kill me but it was very rude to me for 2 days.