Halfway through life... I bought my first truck. And it's a Tacoma!

Hello all! 46M/27-year military aviator here. Excited to be part of TacomaWorld.

I've been dreaming about a Tacoma for a few years now. I shopped them last summer, but the stock was very low and it wasn't a smart financial choice at the time. Just a few weeks ago, I was on my way to work on a quiet morning when... BAM! I'm hit & run and left with a disabled vehicle in the middle of town. Uninjured and offered a nice settlement from USAA, I secured my first Tacoma (Silver 21 TRD OR), inbound from the port. I absolutely love the thing! I don't deserve something so nice.

Couple of issues to share and ask about:

1) When I first stepped in the truck bed, I heard a loud zippering sound. I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't know these beds were fully composite. I would have bet money that they were a steel bed with a plasticky liner. Very interesting. I checked underneath, and assume the little nipple (center, rear of the bed) that protrudes through the frame, near the tailgate, was what was making the noise. I think it's good and press fit in there now, cause it was a one-time occurrence.

2) I sometimes hear what sounds like a solenoid click, intermittently while driving, especially in warmer weather. Honestly can't tell if its an electrical thing, or something loose/rattling. I have heard it once or twice while sitting stationary at a traffic light. I've also heard it with the AC and fan turned off, which seemed to isolate that reasoning. Sounds like it's coming from the passenger side but it's so hard to tell if it's from under the seat, the seatwell, or anywhere else. No faults show up, and the truck drives just fine. Could be my aviator ears just trained to listen for every little thing.

3) Lots of clicking under the glove box area when starting the truck. Sounds like a bunch of relays momentarily clicking/resetting or something. Is this normal?

This is a very cool forum you have running here. Hope to learn lots from you in the coming years! Cheers!

 

Number two could be your shift Interlock. Basically the lock that lets the truck shift from park to drive etc. Try softly pushing your brake in and out while the truck is on and in park and see if that's your noise. Welcome to the forum. Hide your wallet!

 

Congratulations and welcome to TW! I got mine I Jan. 2020, so just before the 'thing'......Not sure about the sound #2, but it is a known issue about the dashboard rubbing against the vertical window post cover, it happens to me in cold weather.

 

Halfway through life? Nah. I got mine at 51; also had eyes on it a long time. Welcome to TW but once you're in, you're in!

 

Welcome to TW! Your taco will serve you well for many years!

 

Halfway through life? My heart failed and they told me I've got very few years left to live. I said FucIt! I might as well enjoy my last with a new Tacoma.

FYI, I am 61 now. I've had the Heart pump for 2 years.

 

Where you from?

 

Jacksonville, FL

 

Be sure to check out your regional forum!

 

I hope you've got a lot more left in you, friend. I often obsess about small details that don't really mean much. But I tell myself to be thankful for what I have and be grateful for every day on this earth.

 

Congrats on the new Taco! Thank you for your service!

 

On points #2/3 -

I notice very similar sounds on my 2021. I've chalked it up as normal after 5100 miles. I even notice small clicks while cruise control engages. Must be some electronic process/ solenoid cutting in/out as needed.

 

Congrats and welcome to TW!

 

Congrats to the op on the new tacoma. Probably would of helped to do more research on these trucks to know they had composite beds for years. Imo, buying a 2021 your getting a later gen3 with many of the earlier year bugs worked out. I wanted a gen3 taco since 2016, but kept reading they had a bunch of issues gradually working them out. As far as #2 or 3 your guess is as good as mine, as i haven't heard these sounds from my truck.
Getting back to the bed, its really mandatory to get yourself a bed mat to stop items from sliding around on this slick surface.

 

Congrats and welcome to TW! My tacoma is also my first truck