Intro - thinking about a Taco purchase

Well, I've been lurking here for a while as I contemplate becoming a Tacoma owner. I have owned all the American brand trucks, but have stayed with Fords for some time. The government bailout of GM and Chrysler helped me cross them off the list for future consideration, but Ford's quality had me pretty much convinced anyway. The only reason I am considering the jump to Toyota is the desire to find one truck that will do what I currently do with two: an F150 FX4 Supercab and a Ranger XL 2.3L manual transmission 4x2 with a cab high topper/cap. The Ranger gets great mileage and still has some truck capabilities, but towing and traction are not part of that equation. The F150 is comfortable and tows wonderfully, but the 5.4 is a 15-16 mpg vehicle (without anything in tow) and it is rather large. I sold my travel trailer, so an aluminum bass boat and a utility trailer (5x9) are my tows now.

I'm a semi-retired teacher (still do some subbing), so it is normally just the wife and I. I do, however have 5 grandkids with one more on the way, so Grandma probably won't go with a regular cab. I like the extra cab space of the double cab, but hate the tiny box. I have 36.5 acres of hunting/fishing ground near Bellevue, IA, so I do have to haul some stuff. Oh, and the trails to my food plots are pretty darn steep.

Ford hasn't offered a 4x4 Ranger with a 4 banger for years. I had a 2007 with a 4.0 and mileage sucked. I can get within about one mpg with the FX4. I do miss the compact size of the Ranger though. I'm not expecting the 30 mpg I get with my XL (26-27 in the winter), but I'd like to find a 4x4 truck that would tow 2500 to 3000 pounds occasionally and still average over 20 mpg. I don't have $30,000 to spend on a newer F150 which might do it. Is there a Tacoma that would do this? That's what I am here to find out.

I'm pretty good at squeezing mileage out of vehicles. If I can save on licenses, insurance, maintenance and get decent mileage but still have a rugged truck, I would be happy, happy, happy!

 

I bought my first Tacoma today. Picking it up tomorrow. Sad to see my beloved F150 go, but excited about the new truck as well.

2004 xcab 4x4 SR5 TRD.

 

Congrats! Post up some Pics when you get a chance.

 

I posted the pictures I have now in the 1st Generation Forum here:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/303745-debating-going-ford-toyota.html

They are not the best, but it gives an idea of the condition.