Hi all new here, got some questions.

Hi all names Chris im new here, i currently got some question's about the new third gens. Since this will be my first taco. I plan on getting a 4x4 4cyl manual ACLB sr when i get home from my deployment in about 8 months from now. And ive been trying to get info and seeing if there are any reviews for the m/t 4x4 4 cyl. and it seems that specific truck is like a unicorn, not many people have it. and no one really has them on the lots where i live in Fl. ive had two wranglers in the past, so i know quite a bit about them, and i was going to get a new jk, but after doing a bunch of research on them, and thinking about long term with them. ive decided to go back to getting a Tacoma because it will be more practical in the long run, and it seems you get more for your dollars with a tacoma compared to a wrangler.

But i had some questions.

1. How is the 5speed manual trans, for the 4x4 4cyl?
2. is this the same transmission as the older tacos?
3. Modification, compared to a TJ or YJ wrangler, are they as easy to mod or about the same for doing modifications too?

Any other info you guys can give me i would appreciate it thanks.

 

1. It is ok. I had one in a second generation, and my main complaint was too high of gearing.
2. Same.
3. Tons of aftermarket support for Tacomas.
4. Thanks for your service to our country.

 

Welcome to TW Chris, and thank you for service. I have a 2015,2.7L, 5spd., access cab. I like it alot, got one of the last 15's, good deal. That being said, I like the power you would get with the v6. I think the great set up would be the v6, with the 6spd manual. Alot of guy's have that setup on a 16, they love it and get good gas mpg's. This just my two cents, just thought I would put it out there, be safe.

 

thanks, and i figured that would be the ideal to get, but ive looked at the other tacomas, and they are out of my price range, unless i lease on of them for the first few years. But i dont see the need of spending the trxa money on stuff i dont really care about. This is my first new truck i ever had. im just happy to be getting somthing that has A/C in it lol. the extra stuff like leather seats, crawcontrol, and blind side warning and a whole bunch of other crap i dont really see the need of spending the extra money on. but the TRDORS, are nice trucks thoe.

 

Manual transmission is good. Auto is almost the same if not better (6speed) because of ECT. I have this configuration, even though I do miss stick.

Same

You CANNOT compare a Taco to a Jeep. Jeeps are way easier to mod, way more companies and aftermarket parts. Suspension is totally different that's why. But Tacos do have a lot of mods available and are fairly easy to do (remember you are dealing with IFS vs solid axle)

I have a built YJ and had a cj-5 and a 99 Tj. Jeeps walk circles around Tacomas any day off road.

 

Might put on your asbestos suit after that one around here. Walk circles around might be an exaggeration.

 

Welcome and thank you for your service. I moved from northern Minnesota to New Hampshire with my 4x4 4 cyl manual and I towed a 6x12 U-Haul trailer(3/4 of the way full) and a motorcycle in the back and I was impressed how well it towed. It was tough, esp in the mountains of norther New York but I was still able to pull nicely on flat highways. Hope that helps!

 

The truck you're looking for may be difficult to find but a dealer should be able to order it for you. If you're stuck on a manual the only option is an sr or a TRD model. I was just looking to see if an sr5 could be built with a manual but it looks like they're only autos. I would drive one before buyIng or ordering though. Others on here have stated that the 4 banger is a dog in these trucks. Good luck with your decision.

 

thanks for the info, i did test drive a sr5 v6 auto aclb. a few month before i left on deployment. and it was only a 2wd, i didnt like the automatic at all, made the truck feel numb and i didnt like that. ive owned a NA miata which that only had 85hp, and it was fun, and it made me learn you dont need 500hp in order to have fun. so same concept applies for the new tacoma im going to get, and my yj had a 4cyl and it mabye made a 100 hp. and i never had a problem 4 wheeling with it. and ive seen lots of older tacomas play in the mud before and i have yet to see one not go anywear a jeep will go, ive seen more jeeps get stuck in the mud at times more, then some tacomas on 33s.

 

It's not the same 5-speed as the 2nd gen. They lowered 1st and 2nd gears quite a bit and they raised 5th gear a little. These changes go quite nicely with the new 4.30 rear gear.

 

My 3.5 drives much better after the transmission update and having the trans fluid topped off. I'm sure this update will be on the 2017's when you get home and you can give it a go again.

 

Sorry but it's a fact. A solid axle is stronger, has more articulation, and service friendly. I don't see Tacomas doing extreme rock crawling or challenges...unless they are SAS. For long travel/racing, IFS is pretty good. Baja is usually always IFS. You must be new.

 

Not all offroad is rock crawling. Welcome to FL.

 

@Freetime I was born and raised in Jupiter, FL- Palm Beach County. I live there still, but currently working in Kansas till the fall. I have a built YJ that goes to all the mud events in FL (Redneck Yacht Club, Triple Canopy, MudJam, Okee Mudfest etc.) Welcome to FL bro. Any experienced Tacoma owner knows you can't compare their suspensions to a Jeep. Two different vehicles for different purposes. I love my 2016 Tacoma, best pickup for me!

 

kinda looks like my old TJ i had. Ive been to all thoes events in FL. I use to trailer my TJ to all of them cause it wasnt street legal. I loved that jeep, but i had to part ways with it. A wrangler no doubt is way better then a tacoma when it comes to 4wheeling. But ive been amazed over the years to see what tacomas or older 4runners are able to do offroad. They certainly hold there own when setup properly and with the right driver. But i think a tacoma is a best of both world. which is why i want to get one. Can still haul the bikes when it comes to heading to the motocross tracks, or for me moving tool boxes around and can still be good enough offroad.

 

Good to know. I was not aware of that change on the 2.7.

 

First, thank you for your service. I have the 2016, SR5, ACLB, 4x4, 4 cyl, AT, and I'm loving it. I had a 2011 Nissan Frontier Pro -4X V-6 and I haven't missed it yet. It was a good truck, but only 16 mpg no matter what. Last night when I arrived at my destination, my dash displayed showed 25.4 mpg. Great value for the money

 

I have a 2013 4 cyl manual non 4x4, and I'm constantly frustrated by the gearing. 5 gear is not very useful unless you drive 80 to 100 mph. And first gear burns the clutch to engage if you have any weight and start from a stop on a decent hill. This truck is geared like a friggin car.

 

Hey Chris,

Welcome to TW, I can only speak on the Jeep parts since I own a V6 AT Tacoma and an 88YJ that is heavily modified.

I would say that the Tacoma so far has been significantly easier to modify. There is a ton of aftermarket support but the biggest difference I have seen is that everything is new and fresh on the Tacoma so its easier to keep all the installs clean. My 88 YJ is pretty easy to work on due to its simplicity but requires significantly more modification. For example, I needed an 8.8 in the rear (Taco doesnt need this) had to weld on spring perches for it, The Jeep also needed an SYE (Taco doesnt need this), the internal wiring on the Jeep is a combination of a rats nest and spider web (Taco wiring has been easy to far). The suspension systems I have seen for the Taco are also pretty simple, YJ runs a shock and leaf and TJ runs Coils but so far the Tacoma lifts are pretty much all bolt on and pretty simple to install. Installing Aftermarket bumpers and armor and all that is super easy as well, again great aftermarket support.

 

Rock crawling is a niche and is done but usually older vehicles that are not DD's, as such there really is no need to rock crawl a Tacoma, its comparing apples to oranges.. Also while solid axles are great, rock crawlers dont do it with the stock D30 or JK D44 up front either...so the argument is moot and for another discussion.