Any Former Gen 2/3 Tundra Owners Switch to Taco?

I've seen quite a few former gen 3 taco owners trade for a Tundra. Anyone gone the other direction and move from the tundra to the gen 3 taco and content with the decision? I'm ready to buy a truck but kinda conflicted with all the Tacoma issues popping up. I really want to like the 3.5 especially with a manual, but having some second thoughts.

 

I went from a 13 Tundra to a 17 Taco. The only thing I really miss is horsepower. There are small things, but that is the main one for me. I have already made up my mind that if my Taco develops issues like some of the people on here have had, they will get it back, and I will go back to a Tundra.

 

I went from an '07 Tundra with 100,000 miles to a used '16 Tacoma with 28,000 miles. Lack of power is my only issue and will be enhanced by the OV Tune eventually.

 

I owned a 2007 Tundra. I know the power is ridiculous...most powerful vehicle I've ever owned. Got rid of it during the financial crisis. I also owned a gen 2 access cab 4banger taco. I wouldn't expect the two to perform remotely similar, but I'm coming from a quite sluggish 4.5 liter straight 6 Land Cruiser tipping the scales at 7k. If the new Tacoma with a manual was somewhere in between the old 4 cylinder and the big V8, I think I'd be pretty content. All the issues are concerning and likely overhyped, but you really don't hear all this crap on any other Toyota platform forum...IDK what to believe anymore.

 

I had a 2002 Tundra for 15 years. Loved it until rust took the motor mounts. My 2017 Off Road long bed is awesome. Just a little less power at the line than the V8, but it blows it away once you get in the power band. The smaller frame is tight and handles well. Be sure to Drive the different models as they have different suspensions. Be warned, if you drive one your going to buy one...

 

Went from Tundra to Tacoma. Far nicer drive and vehicle all round. Can't talk about issues, as I've only got 8k on the Tacoma, and 160k on the Tundra. Tundra has been bulletproof, but no issues on the Tacoma so far.
The tacoma has a better power to weight ratio, so all things being equal its faster. But the Tundra has better torque per lbs ratio, and a better torque curve, and better gearing / axle ratio. So that's probably why people say they miss the power, when it actually has less power per lbs than the Tacoma.

My biggest complaint is fuel capacity, get about 320 miles per tank on the Tacoma.

But I do have other vehicle for Towing (1 ton diesel) and kept Tundra for hauling decent sized shit. No way I could have a Tacoma as my only / do everything vehicle. Both towing and hauling anything more that a few hunderd lbs suck in the Tacoma compared to the Tundra.

 

I went from a 2014 tundra to a 2016 tacoma and agree the lack of power and torque is the biggest adjustment. I’ve grown to really enjoy my tacoma but feel like I’m always on the verge of going back to the tundra. Mostly due to the power train. The 3.5 and auto tranny seem like they are in fist fight with each other unless you’re going down hill at 55. Averaged 14 mpg with the 5.7 and averaged about 18 mpg before my lift. Can’t beat the tacoma on the trial and as a daily driver.

 

Trails are a big reason I'm leaning toward Taco...I won't wheel it like my 80 series but do want to head off the path now and again. I feel the tundra is just too big.

 

When you think about it, if your problem is Tundra vs. Tacoma, it is hard to "sympathize" this as a problem ;-). <-not intended as a dis btw.

Go buy the Tacoma and bolt a bunch of cool stuff on it and drive it like a lunatic...pretty much what I've done and I can't complain about a thing accept having to get out of it and back to real life. Check out my media page for ideas and post some pics when you get it.

 

Moved from 08 Tundra with 160000 miles to 16 tacoma 4x4 with 19000 miles. As others have mentioned big change in power but really like the feel and comfort of the Tacoma.

 

In a span of 12 months I went from an 03 Dodge Hemi to a 2017 Taco. Only took 4 month to realize what a mistake that was. The Taco was nice, for what it is, but I can honestly say I don't care for the platform. I'm back in a full size F150 Screw w/ a 2.7 EcoBoost. Life is good again!!

 

Depends on your trails, but I’ve seen plenty of videos of Tundras in somewhat technical trails.

https://youtu.be/vHDHmD0xjoQ

 

I wonder why Dodge still calls them Hemi's since they haven't had hemis in them in years.

 

The new HEMI is now an acronym and has nothing to do with hemi-spherical combustion chambers; mainly due to the fact that the classic hemi engine design is simply no longer efficient. Now, however, HEMI stands for High Energy Multiport Injection. They are saying "This thing has a Hemi," where they should be saying, "This thing has a modern fuel delivery system."

 

Thanks, gotta love marketing "experts". I agree with your comments to ewillis...if he needs a hauler/payload truck the Tacoma in my opinion is more a performance/technical truck...you can fill its bed to the brim with logs and it does not get stuck in snow or hills, so its not a total wimp, and I find myself on the tail of every f-n Prius out there.

 

I went from a 2013 Tundra TRD off road crewmax, to a 2017 Tacoma TRD Sport Double cab long bed. Here are my thoughts:

Power: Fully loaded with everything my family needs for a week wherever, including 4 bikes, the Tacoma has ample power to move itself around. Granted, its not leaping into action the way a nearly 400hp Tundra did, but its more than enough. I never pull a trailer.

Bed space: I had a 5.5' bed on my Tundra. The length of the Tacoma bed more than makes up for the lack of height or width in comparison. For instance my skis [177cm nominal size] wouldn't fit in there without some sort of angle nonsense, which would be frustrating with 4 pairs of skis + gear.

Cab space: My whole family travels well in this truck. I have 2 boys. 2 and 5 years old. They, and all the necessary crap for a road trip [most recently travelled 800km each way with them to spend a week with grandparents] fit just fine. Anyone who says otherwise are lying to themselves.

Overall: The Tacoma fits. It just fits everywhere. Parking spaces, driveways, garages, trails, forestry roads, etc. The Tacoma is just large enough to carry whatever I need, and just small enough to go everywhere with ease. It carries 4 mountain bikes, along with me and 3 buddies, up any trail for any drop point, and enjoys the trip. It picks up milk like a champ. Carries lumber home from the HW store like that guy you know who seems to be just a little too strong for his size.

Final thought: This truck F'n rocks.

 

Wouldn't work here in the PNW. 2-3rd gen Tacos are already big for our trails. My kickouts on my sliders saved my doors and cab multiple times.

https://youtu.be/EKxMCz7xTfI?t=130

 

Is the single cab tundra still available? Always wanted one...

 

That's when I'd just sell all the mods and tow a RZR to the trail.

 

Went from a 2010 Tundra SR5 TRD OR with 125k miles to a new 2017 Taco. Miss the roominess, and the ample storage for little stuff in the cab, but other than that no regrets. Loved the Tundra, love the Taco! Miss the Pyrite Mica color though.



And now it looks like this: