Drove a 3rd Gen Today...

yeah.... no. torque converter lockup is not a 6th gear sorry....

By that logic the "5spd" auto in our 2nd gens would have 7 speeds.... 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 4th lockup, 5th, 5th lockup

 

All of this stated, i have had quite a bit of time behind my dads DCSB TRD OR prerunner v6 auto and it drives great. So did my buddies DCLB TRD OR 4x4 v6 auto, didnt have to play with the shifter much if any more than i already do in my 2nd gen.

Id have no issue if for some reason i had to get rid of my 2nd gen, I wouldnt have an issue moving into a new 3rd gen TRD OR DCSB.

 

How about buying a new 2017 Tacoma SR5 4x4 with the 2.7 four cylinder engine?
I wonder how the 2.7 drives in comparison to the 3.5?
I like the 2.7 in my 2007 regular cab 2x4 Tacoma.

https://www.tomscotttoyota.com/new/Toyota/2017-Toyota-Tacoma--0d55e74c0a0e0a1779a4eb511a29d96e.htm

 

You gotta drive it like a car. I don't have any problem getting out of my own way, I just need to give it some shit.

On the trails is where that becomes an issue. I find myself using 4L alot sooner than 1st and 2nd gens, 1 because if I stop going up a hill on anything loose, I'm boned, and 2) because it saves my clutch

 

Not sure why the 3rd gen bashing keeps coming up. Toyota has sold more units annually in both 2016 and 2017 than they ever did with the 1st or 2nd gen. If it was that much of a piece of shit people wouldn't be buying them. Every single new generation of vehicles on the road today is 'softer' that the vehicle they replace with more safety features and tech and steps to improve mileage. Unfortunately these new features often come at the expense of driving experience for some. Good news is that if you don't like the 3rd gen your 2nd gen (or 1st gen) will last a long time if you take care of it so you can hold out for the 4th gen or a forced induction option on the 3rd gen to get more power.

Yup....my '98 Dakota had a 5.2L that put out a bit more power than the 4.0 in the Tacoma (250hp/290lb ft IIRC). If you look at the trend of boosted 6cyls going into fullsize trucks its a stretch to think Toyota will ever go that route with the Tacoma. The fact that Ford is getting over 300hp/lb-ft out of a boosted 2.7L tells me that there is no reason to for Toyota to put a V8 into a Tacoma.

 

I forgot to mention, I believe the Colorado had or still has a v8 option. Very rare

 

It's the engine and transmision, it's the engine and transmission, it's the engine and transmission.

 

I had a 2015 trd sport v6 dclb 4x4 and went to a 2017 trd dcsb or 4x4. I do believe my 2nd gen had more grunt then the 3rd gen but i would never trade back to a 2nd gen. If you have issues with the power its just a matter of re gearing.

 

toss some 4.88s in her. im sure that will get you the low end its lacking

 

Repeat it enough and it might come true.

How exactly does the engine and transmission in the 3rd gen effect you (other than making your 2nd gen mode valuable of course)?

 

I did the same exact thing when the 16's came out. I drove an Access Cab and a Double Cab 3rd Gen and then bought my 15. I drove a '17 DC TRD 4x4 Auto and Manual then I drove a 4 cyl SR 4x4 as well. I drove them back to back at the dealership since manuals are harder to come by and was surely disappointed with the stop and go. I didn't like having to wind the motor 4-5K on 1st and 2nd gear daily driving and that was on stock tires. I ended up settling with the 4cyl as I trust the 2.7L more than I would the 3.5L. The 4.30 axle ratio gets it going.

I like both my 2nd Gen and 3rd Gen for different reasons.

 

I was explaining to the guy who wondered why people beat up on the 3rd gen . Those are the underlying reasons.

 

I expected toyota to use the 4runner motor in the 3rd gens. I also thought the 3.5 would get really good MPG and toyota decided to trade additional power for MPG. but that didn't get better. huh

 

That was me wondering.

Maybe its my perspective but I still don't see why someone would bash a 3rd gen owner unless they are jealous.

Life is too short to shit on someone because you (not you specifically) think their engine and transmission are inferior to yours.

 

But that's the American way!

 

Not shitting on anyone just informing you of what the main issues regarding the 3rd gen are.

 

Which is why I said 'not you specifically'.

 

I Honestly don't think (hardly) anyone thinks the 3rd gen is a piece of shit, just a lot of complaints about the drive train/engine. I'd own one, just think the engine choice in particular was a bit strange...

 

The Colorado had the 5.3 V8 for a couple years in their prior gen (which was a lot for that truck).

Now they are using an 8 speed auto with a slightly revised 300hp V6. Keep in mind that even the Chevy guys complain that engine needs to rev up to make power; I think the peak fork is +4500 RPMs and in the mid to high 200’s.

If Chevy offered a manual 4x4 with the V6, I would have seriously considered it before getting my 2015.