From Tundra to Tacoma couple of mods / tweaks needed help requested

I am the proud owner of a new 2015 Double Access TRD Sport Tacoma ShortBox (4x4).

I am in the unusual spot where I had to down size from a 2013 (last year of that body style) to a 2015 Tacoma (last year of this 10 year body style).

This is a hard transition for me as I absolutely loved my Tundra but a new house and an ultra small garage, small driveway and ordinance that stipulates your tires can't be on the grass forced me to downsize.

I originally purchased the Tundra with the intention of buying a Tacoma but after the salesmen told me they are about the same price and I get the 5.7 V8, I drove off the lot with a brand new shiny Tundra.

1. What mod is out there to fix the slamming tailgate, it is absolutely silly that Toyota has an ultra cool tailgate on the Tundra for all these years and a brand new Tacoma has no option for a non slamming down tailgate. I have almost hit my kids twice because I am so used to the Tundra tail gate. Please let there be a mod, how stupid.

2. Cat Back Exhaust: The sport version I purchased doesn't have the Cat Back Exhaust and I am on the fence. I am getting the super charger option (very underpowered IHMO compared to the V8 tundra) but I was curious if the Cat Back offered any real performance gains and if it the volume gain bothered users who spend all day on the phone in the truck.

BTW after seeing the pic's of the 2016 on this site and others I decided the front end of the new Tacoma wasn't for me, I have always like the look of the Tacoma

There are positives and negatives with every vehicle, the Tacoma has a few gains:

1. Tight, it is tighter and more fluid to drive for sure
2. No Bed Hop, I don't care how Toyota spins this issue "heavy springs", bs bad design F-150, Chevy 1500, Dodge , Nissan doesn't have it and my kids almost get car sick when we hit cement roads spaced to HOP the Tundra bed.
3. 110V outlet is kick butt
4. This truck is quiet, the Tundra was more quiet than my Jeep Grand Cherokee 2005 and the Tacoma is ever more quiet.
5. Steering Wheel feels great
6. Seat fabric is much better than the cloth seats in the Tundra.


what I already miss:

Obvious: Size and Power, the Tundra is honestly a beast for 1/2 ton truck and drives very sweet compared to a Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Nissan. the 5.7 V8 is a kick butt engine and you feel it. You could pass anybody on a whim, no issue. You could store a weeks worth of a change on clothes in the console (ok I know the Tacoma is smaller, still the console was awesome).

Odd: non electric driver seat, electronic sliding rear window, tow package electronics, ok, I get it no electronics to fail, but for the price they command today give me a break, on the Tundra if you by TRD you get an electric driver seat etc.... make it an option on the Tacoma for those who want it.

Power: This is my real issue the engine is underpowered and I took it off road today, I was constantly at max rev trying to get it to go, it made it but it struggled. I have already ordered the super charger (gad I hope they get it in) but I didn't think the difference would be this big especially when Tacoma's are about the same price unless you buy the base model.

Any other mods I am not considering let me know please. My wife has given me carte blanche since the garage and drive way issue came about from buying a new house.

 

I came from a limited Tundra, to a limited 4Runner, to a Tacoma. At first I missed a few of the luxuries, but now I really appreciate the simplicity. Since your wife is giving you carte blanche, the supercharger helps with the power difference. Have fun with your Tacoma! Welcome to the site!

 

Welcome to TW!Enjoy that Tacoma!

 

Welcome to TW!

The S.C. definitely gives the truck that extra "get up" that it was missing.

 

Did you end up getting the SC?