Buzzy Vibration at certain RPM's..read before buying!

That guys is local to me. Trying to find time to meet up with him to see/feel/hear it. Maybe have him drive mine to see how strong his was to begin with.

 

After reading most of not all this thread. I'm convinced it's exhaust resonance. My past experience with catbacks leads me to this conclusion. Especially when I'm cruising in 6th gear it feels just like how it felt on my cars in the past that I upgraded to an aftermarket exhaust. These cars were all v-8's though. But, I have never experienced factory exhaust resonance...this is a first!

I feel it can be drastically reduced with just a muffler change, but not totally removed. I believe it all has to do with how Toyota has overly tuned the truck with gas saving in mind.

Personally, I hate how v6 engines sound with aftermarket catbacks, except for the Infiniti G cars, Porches, some BMWs. They all sound like bees on steroids. That's why I returned my Borla muffler. Anyway, I'll go with a Dynomax Super Turbo like I said prior. It's quiet and known for taming engine resonance.

 

Keep us updated!

 

Thanks again for the update and detailed review. Even though present, hopefully now you can start letting it go. Don't let it consume the mind and have fun with the truck. Looking forward to eventually picking up the Tacoma later this year.

 

Of course the dealer today could not duplicate the buzzy vibration

 

Just tell them you'll drive, take the tech for a spin and let him reach over and touch the steering wheel. They probably just drove it quickly around the block.

 

Well, the wife and I went down to the local Honda dealer and drove a new Ridgeline....not as 'masculine' looking; however, very easy to drive, a multitude of driver and passenger seat adjustments, more room inside (both head and feet). Nice, easy shifting tranny. A little quirky (like the 'trunk' in the bed); however, overall I think Honda hit a home run, here.

Tempting......especially since my dealer and Toyota seem totally disinterested in assisting me with my 'vibe' issue...with all of the vehicles I've bought from them, I would have thought I'd get more help....oh, well, live and learn.

Wife is encouraging me to just dump the Taco for a Ridgeline....she REALLY likes it....(probably because it drives like a slightly stiffer Pilot, which is what it is based on...).

Decisions, Decisions....

 

Since Toyota doesn't seem interested I say dump the damn thing!!! My truck has a very slight "buzz" that seems to have gotten better with miles, 3200.

I'm not about to be some crazy "Tacoma Fanatic" and support Toyota no matter what...so I say move on and let the bastards know that you've moved on!!!

 

I've just owned too many Toyotas. They have never left me stranded in the remote places I play and work. Therefore I have just accepted the buzz as a characteristic of this truck and will drive it for 100000 plus miles. I just can not trust a Ridgeline that does not have the history that Tacomas do in accessing backcountry jeep trails. Call me a fan boy I guess.

 

I say wait just a tad bit longer (assuming of course that the buzz is the ONLY thing that really annoys you). We have 2 claims that a new catback cured the vibes. The magnaflow and a flowmaster dual exhaust. Here is what we have so far:

1.

$890 Magnaflow 19291 : Cat-Back, Street Series, For 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3.5L, 73.7" Bed Length, Extended Cab, 60.5" Bed Length, Crew Cab, Single Passenger Side Rear Exit

Magnaflow 19291 reduced vibrations significantly to the point of hardly telling it is there. The Magnaflow system differs from stock in terms of muffler, tail pipe diameter, and new gasket.

2. Flowmaster dual exhaust has eliminated vibration issue. Danielnc06 is going to go see for himself that it has no vibration. I am not sure on the details of what was modified for the flowmaster system. I would assume at least extra mounting locations were added.

3. My Borla exhaust didn't 100% cure the issue, but did slightly change the characteristic of the vibration. Unless I am holding steady at 2000-2100 RPM on an incline in 5th or 6th gear, I can say the vibes have been reduced. The buzzing also has a deeper rumble too it. Borla is actually sending me a new system (same style) for free due to a manufacturing error on their part. I want to reiterate again, as a side note, that their customer service was amazing. Even though I had a set back with the install, I will continue to buy their products based on how I was treated as a customer and for their genuine concern over the issue I faced. When I get the new cat back I am going to replace the OEM exhaust gasket as well and see if that makes any sort of difference (I didn't notice if there even was one when I took the OEM exhaust off honestly. It wasn't on the pipe that came off and nothing pulled easily off the part that was still attached to the truck).

So I would wait for myself to give a final feedback of hey, the new, proper Borla cat back with new gasket didn't fix the issue AND another data point for someone installing a new Magnaflow or custom exhaust to make the decision to trade in.

Oh, and the Borla cat back sits much further away from one of the frame cross members (unfortunately, the forward portion clearance to the frame cross member doesn't change with only a new cat back). I used to have a loud clank and bang from the rear when going over speed bumps. I've noticed that no longer happens, so the stock exhaust must have been way too close to that rear cross member.

 

Do what you have to do and be happy. But if you goto it wanting a truck for truck things you may he dissappointed. The passive awd is inferior unfortunately. Go look up subaru test videos where they put their drivetrain up against all other competitor's "awd." the difference is staggering. So if you need it for anything besides some light snow, it may disappoint. Im really surprised theyve made it FWD w/ passive AWD.

Other than that the bed has some neat tricks that are a plus but not sure about hauling capacity or durability.

Do what you have to do. Happy wife, happy life.

 

Holding out hope for a fix.....but the wife is getting tired of my taking her car for any trip that is not around town (and the complaints about how Toyota isn't providing any good customer service to fix the truck). She wasn't as thrilled with the new GMC Canyon and was concerned about reliability in a Canyon, too....a neighbor's friend has one and it, apparently, is a rattle box. THAT would drive me bonkers....all of my Toyota's have stayed very tight over the years.

I am dong some more research into the Ridgeline as I really don't know much about it. Some interesting off-road videos are emerging online that I need to pay attention to. I do drive a lot on fire roads, many of which are not well maintained, so your comments about the AWD system will be taken to heart.

 

And that is exactly why I bought the Taco in the first place...bullet-proof reliability and stellar reputation. Unfortunately, my opinion of Toyota's customer service has taken a hit; however, still holding out some hope...

 

Agree. This 2016 has been the first Toyota that I've owned that had a warranty with it. So this has been my first experience with the customer service. And it is the worst possible.

 

Picked up my '16 dc TRD sport, around 120-125km/hr it definitely has a vibration or a shudder, feeling it mostly through the steering wheel and really in the seats. It seems to be somewhat intermittent, and drops off completely when I drop below 110km/hr. I've read through much of the thread but not all 89 pages, this seems like it is what everyone else is describing, has anyone had any success in finding any solutions that work? I'm running stock Firestone Destination on it as well.

 

New build? Sucks to hear. I was kinda hoping they quietly fixed the issue.

 

Built may 2016 in at the Texas plant.

 

Hmmm I don't know if that is the same issue. The buzz definitely doesn't feel like a shudder.

Yours sounds like tire balance/alignment or driveline related issue

 

Agree...I'd start with a road-force balancing and go from there...

 

Thanks for the advice, I'm taking it in Monday morning to have them look. Truck doesn't even have 300km on it yet!