Did I get the worst Tacoma ever?

Front bumper looks fine to me

 

I think the conditions OP describes make him a prime candidate for a full size 3/4 or 1 ton. A setup similar to what the US Border Patrol runs - upgraded heavy duty suspension, brakes, cooling, electrical... the works. And even then, parts will break and wear out more quickly than average.

 

O nice and its SWB!

 

But did you stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night?

 

I had a 2004 2.7l 4x4 with a cap and about 300+ pounds in the bed at all times. I work in the woods and have friends that do the same type of work. You seem to be having extra issues. Ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks, brakes, axel seals are all common. Either re route your rear diff breather or clean it often, they get clogged and will take out axel seals.

In the end forest service roads and active logging roads that are tire to shit (fall/spring) takes a toll on a truck. However I would say you have had more than what I would call normal or acceptable wear items on your Tacoma.

Btw I got 10-10.5 l/100km average with my 2.7 with 31x10.5x15 lt tires

 

An oil patch truck that isn't beaten like a red-headed step-child? Now that'd be the first one I've heard of.

Have you checked for an active recall for the clockspring?

And I'm shaking my head that you even tried running the P=rated dunflops in those sort of conditions - that's a given with any P-rated tire.

 

I've always run 245/75/16. Just running 10 ply. Although for next spring I have a set of Goodyear duratracs C rated that I'm going to try. Also 245/75/16

 

Well, the Dunlop AT 20's came on the truck. And I try to be frugal and use what came on it. But, I was not expecting them to be that bad and useless.

And I have typed my Vin number into that recall vin number website. Nothing came up.

 

Sorry dude but you've beaten the shit out of that Tacoma. Its not designed for what you are doing to it and thats why its falling apart.

 

Sounds like your truck has had a lot harder life than mine - but that's the way it is up north - especially on unpaved surfaces. One thing that got me is the stereo's volume knob turning the volume up when you turn it down - yep that happens to mine too lol. Had my spiral cable (clockspring?) replaced under recall but never had a problem with it - the dealer just added it when I brought it in for the leaf spring recall.

Some other minor issues you've mentioned have happened to my truck - especially the front plastic bodywork. They love to use the kind of screws and plastic fasteners that work well until you hit anything even lightly and then it's time to break out the zip ties - at least that was my solution. So what are you going to do? Keep it till it dies or get something new?

 

I think you need to be driving a military built vehicle.

 

Tacomas are tougher than this. They are very common trucks in forestry where I live and none of the people I know in my line of work have had this many issues. I have seen them beat really bad and never need all the things the op has needed. Some trucks seem to hold together better than others. Tacomas seem to hold together the best from what I've seen. What I'm saying is id buy another one as I would consider op's results not normal for a taco.

 

Sounds like it's been beat up on unpaved roads (suspension failures and undercarriage failures). And not getting needed repairs done can lead to more failures

 

I'm reading warranty items, mixed with hard miles, compiled with overload, and results of suspension modifications. It all adds up to the wrong vehicle for the purpose.

 

I'm going to have to be the dissenting opinion here. My work Tacoma (2013 DCSB V6) gets abused terribly with the desert off-road LE driving I subject it to. The only similar issues I've experienced have been the torn front wheel well liners and blown front shocks. Now at 70k miles and it's still pretty solid. Still running the factory battery and only last month replaced the front brakes.

I wouldn't say you've got the worst one ever, but every manufacturer can have a sub par vehicle roll off the line from time to time.

 

I assume that you are paid a per mile/kilometer diem for the use of your truck. And that is a taxable income.

Since you have another designated daily driver Dodge, the Taco can be claimed as used solely for work. Since that is the case, you can write off 100% of the expenses for the truck, including, but not limited to: payments, repairs/tools, upgrades, gas, licensing and insurance (Revenue Canada form T2200).

Assuming the allotment is .35 cents/kilometer, you have been paid around $57,000 over 6 years less the income tax, which is offset by the aforementioned tax write offs that are applicable to your total income (salary plus vehicle allotment). At close to $10K per year average income from the Taco I would dare to say that you have a free, albeit beat up, truck in your possession. It owes you nothing.

It's either time to buy a newer one (low mileage 2nd Gen ACLB 4x4 Auto V6 4.0), or simply pound this one into one very brutal and final submission, and make a few more bucks in the process.

... and considering how the oil patch has gone for a shit, you're lucky that you have a job.

 

Funny - My dad used to tell me never to buy a vehicle built on a Friday or Monday. The factory workers would rush to get done on Friday and be hung over on Monday. This was back in the 70's/80's though.

 

He's likely getting close to $0.50/km. I know I am.

A work truck with over 200k is getting near the end of its life though, as far as continuing to use it as a work truck.

However I would say your Tacoma did not hold up well, and it should not have needed all those repairs. The brand loyal peeps will say you abused it, but I've seen severely abused company vehicles (gm) and none of them needed as many repairs as you listed. I'd say you got a dud

 

When driving in the spring and fall, and when the weather is around freezing the mud and ice build up in the wheel wells and do get quite heavy. Like the mud and snow etc freezes and my tires rub on my new found bumpers.

And I will keep it till it dies.....

 

I agree with you. Most people are also surprised with all the little problems I'm having. There are Toyota's used in rough conditions throughout the world. Like the jungles of Guyana, the Australian outback, the African plains, and the mean streets of West Linn Oregon. And they do have a reputation for being tough little trucks. I got the 1 in a thousand maybe.