Is my Tacoma Experiment Over?

If you do the swap yourself, the regear is only $2K if you do the swap out with ECGS. My latest and now favorite mod.

 

I have looked. While I'm considering making a change away from the Tacoma, I'm not 100% there yet.

I have air bags ordered, and I've been told by others that will make a huge difference in how it handles my trailer. I'll know in a couple of weeks. If it really does make a big difference on load handling, then I do have ways to address the power. A tune might buy me some power increase, and I could just continue to drive it like a 4 speed, using the 5th gear only when unloaded and/or going downhill. If those two relatively low cost upgrades make a difference, I would be more comfortable investing the $4k re-gear to give me better access to the power it will make.

If I could get to a 95% solution on towing a 3500lb trailer, then the $5k to $6k investment might be worth it. I just don't have a good feel on whether that's going to be possible with this rig.

I forgot that upgrade. I put the hitch on myself.

 

Thank you! I'll check them out. I'm probably capable of taking on a re-gear.

 

The only meaningful advice I can give: if you like the truck so much look at trading in for a V6. Your current truck is running and doing the job, that gives you time to look for exactly what you want.

The tradeoffs will be cost and lower MPGs. Though Id agree with @3JOH22A power upgrades and gears probably aren't worth it on the 4cly. So you may actually be further ahead putting that budget towards offsetting the cost of a V6 truck

 

Thank you. I am going to see what the air bags do for me. If they really help, then I guess I could pull them off and use them on a V6 truck. I would have gone the V6 route to start, but I wanted something with low miles, an access cab and long bed, no rust, and without a bunch of mods. I just never found it, and I really needed a truck.

 

Could you get by with renting an F150 from Uhaul when you have to tow?

 

Enterprise and Herc will rent you a full-size HD truck for dirt cheap, much easier than trying to buy a new vehicle, and you’re not putting wear and tear on something you own.

 

Thanks for the input. I made a call to ECGS and that path is more doable. So I do have some clarity now and something of a path forward.

1) I'm in no hurry, and my Tacoma isn't going to let me down, so I don't have to rush into anything. I can rent something for big jobs if needed.
2) I'm going to install the air bags and see what difference it makes with handling my trailer.
3) Assuming the air bags help, I will pursue a tune to get improved performance on the 4 banger.
4) If the air bag and and tune have me smiling, I can dig into the re-gear to maximize power accessibility. If I can do it myself, my total cost would for that would be just less than $2k. Or...
5) If I still don't feel like I have my solution, I can take my time looking for a more appropriate rig.

I will try to remember to update this post as I work through the steps above. Again, thank you for going easy on me, being a sounding board, and giving me some solid advice.

 

Yes, and I'm embarrassed I hadn't considered that already.

 

Yes, great suggestion. Just like my response to vssman, I'm embarrassed I hadn't considered that already.

 

Im hearing a lot of double edged complaints

It cant tow or haul-but I don't want to spend money on a truck that can
I really like this truck-but it can only do what i need it to 80% of the time
If I modify it will it fix the issues I'm having?

I think you need to look at your use case for the vehicle and figure out what your priorities and needs are before dumping money into it. trucks now days are multifaceted vehicles, they need to haul the family around, go to the grocery store and soccer practice, they need to tow heavy trailers, and be comfy work rigs, and for some people they need to be offroad vehicles as well.

yes, the V6 will be a huge power upgrade and will come with higher towing and payload numbers.
yes, the v6 will also cost more money, so will an f150, so will an f250. your v6 resale value will also be higher than the 4cyl taco.
no, modifying it will not fix any of the issues you are having. axel size, brakes, frame stiffness, and power all contribute to towing and payload numbers. you cannot fix all of those issues to help your payload numbers.

I currently have a tiny skid loader behind my v6 taco. and its fine and manageable around town but i wouldn't want to haul long distances with it.

if you like the truck, take your parts off of it, bring it back to stock and sell it for a v6. im sure the v6 will make a huge difference in your towing and payload needs. if you need more than 1100lb of payload and 6700lbs of towing capacity, then you should sell it and get a ranger if you like the midsize pickup platform or get a half ton if you want the space.

seems like you impulse bought the 4cyl and need to honestly evaluate your truck usage.

 

I mean, you could move the airbags over, but they are a real PITA to install and remove, at least the Firestones are. I don't have huge hands, but not small either and some of the bolts are a pain to get to. I've had them on my last 2 trucks and they worked well with the stock setup. I yeeted them when I did new leafs, though -- they came out pretty quick with a cutting wheel.

The diff swap is not super hard, mostly time consuming. Rear is quick, but front requires a bit more disassembly and a lot of patience when reconnecting the breather lines. I'm older and of average strength, but I still needed a cheap transmission jack from Harbor Freight to get them back in. If you are sticking with stock tire size and do a lot of highway driving over 70 mph, you may want to consider 4.88's. I think 5.29 is perfect for 285/75R16, but I never really go over 75. RPM's are a bit high at 75 and MPG goes down. But 65 is perfect.

 

This was definitely not an impulse buy. I spent weeks looking for the "right" F150, and it had a hidden torque converter problem that took Ford weeks to find and fix. During those weeks without a truck, I looked at a lot of Toyota trucks before settling on this particular compromise. On paper, and unloaded, it has plenty of power. On real world 75mph KS interstates with wind, hills, and semis, a half loaded 3500lb trailer is too much for the engine and suspension. I didn't have the trailer when I bought the Tacoma, and didn't expect to have it. Things change. I'm going to be pulling this trailer sometimes, or a small boat. If I can make it work at a reasonable cost, I'm willing to try.

I appreciate the input. Your thought process is not unlike my own.

 

Thanks for the additional info. ECGS recommended the 4.88s too. If I sell the truck, I'll probably remove the air bags and winch. I think it's easier to sell one in stock configuration.

 

OTT doesn't show my truck model on their web site. I just reached out to them and they confirmed it is not a supported model. I'll be checking the other options too.

 

[QUOTE="I think you need to look at your use case for the vehicle and figure out what your priorities and needs are before dumping money into it.
[/QUOTE]

@4xThad

FWIW, I used to subscribe to the idea that it's better to have too much truck than not enough. Way easier and safer approach than a "use case" evaluation. The F150s were more than I needed most days, but I did have a tandem axle trailer for pulling around a little tractor, and sometimes I hauled plywood and such in the bed. Then my troublesome 2008 F150 with a 5.4 V8 got totaled. I did a bunch of research, and a looked until I found a clean, low mile 2017 F150 with a pre cylinder delete 5.0 V8. I was happy for about an hour. Then it had the hard to diagnose, weeks to get parts, intermittent torque converter rumble/shiver/vibration issue.

By the time Ford had thoroughly pissed me off, my requirements set had changed. I was not really using my trailer and didn't expect I would have a need to tow much. So I did an honest use case evaluation based on my latest priorities and needs. It pointed to a reliable, capable, mid-size truck in short cab, long bed, no rust, low miles, no frills, 4x4, and not too expensive (tall order, I know). I searched, and searched, and reassessed, and then got a deal on my current Taco. The 2.7L was always going to be at the low end on performance, but I'm a grandpa who drives like a grandpa and it actually met all the hard requirements. It was a great fit for about a year.

If I had done a "use case" evaluation, then added a "better too much" factor, I might have avoided this truck, or the Tacoma altogether. But I didn't, and life changed. Judge me if you must (that's part of the standard price for free public advice I guess), but I didn't make a mistake due to lack of self control or total laziness. I'm not uninformed or delusional about truck realities. I'm not yet convinced I even made a mistake. If I can make this little Taco an acceptable 3500lb tow/haul rig for the next 18 months or so, then I should be fine. After that I hope to be back to running around the back roads, camping from the bed, and maybe dragging around a small boat or camper on occasion. Passing by the Ford dealership without knowing or carry about their problems would be a bonus.

Sorry for this extended session. Back to your regular programming, Taco fans.

 

@4xThad

FWIW, I used to subscribe to the idea that it's better to have too much truck than not enough. Way easier and safer approach than a "use case" evaluation. The F150s were more than I needed most days, but I did have a tandem axle trailer for pulling around a little tractor, and sometimes I hauled plywood and such in the bed. Then my troublesome 2008 F150 with a 5.4 V8 got totaled. I did a bunch of research, and a looked until I found a clean, low mile 2017 F150 with a pre cylinder delete 5.0 V8. I was happy for about an hour. Then it had the hard to diagnose, weeks to get parts, intermittent torque converter rumble/shiver/vibration issue.

By the time Ford had thoroughly pissed me off, my requirements set had changed. I was not really using my trailer and didn't expect I would have a need to tow much. So I did an honest use case evaluation based on my latest priorities and needs. It pointed to a reliable, capable, mid-size truck in short cab, long bed, no rust, low miles, no frills, 4x4, and not too expensive (tall order, I know). I searched, and searched, and reassessed, and then got a deal on my current Taco. The 2.7L was always going to be at the low end on performance, but I'm a grandpa who drives like a grandpa and it actually met all the hard requirements. It was a great fit for about a year.

If I had done a "use case" evaluation, then added a "better too much" factor, I might have avoided this truck, or the Tacoma altogether. But I didn't, and life changed. Judge me if you must (that's part of the standard price for free public advice I guess), but I didn't make a mistake due to lack of self control or total laziness. I'm not uninformed or delusional about truck realities. I'm not yet convinced I even made a mistake. If I can make this little Taco an acceptable 3500lb tow/haul rig for the next 18 months or so, then I should be fine. After that I hope to be back to running around the back roads, camping from the bed, and maybe dragging around a small boat or camper on occasion. Passing by the Ford dealership without knowing or carry about their problems would be a bonus.

Sorry for this extended session. Back to your regular programming, Taco fans.[/QUOTE]

You don’t have to justify your choice to me. What I was gathering from your statements above is that you like having a basic 4x4, long bed, Tacoma and your current truck needs more power to suit your payload needs. You’re used to v8 pickups which is why a handful of folks recommend a 5.7 tundra. A V6 taco had a larger rear axel, 8”, a TRD offroad and pro had an 8 1/4” diff, and the v6 had a 6 lug axel shaft with 30 splines as opposed to your 5lug axel (I think). All of these small details add up to a truck that sounds like it would better suit your needs.

 

I think it t depends on what you want and what you are trying to do with the truck. I would have no problem and wouldn't think twice about buying an f150 if I was towing all summer and I lived in big snow country. Son has a 5.0 one and it's a blast to drive. I have towed with it for him a couple of times, and you hardly know anything is back there. It's got the plow package, GVW-something package, back-up assist camera-something-package, XLT 4x4 Sport, Tow pkg and HD something else package.... Beautiful truck. But I don't need an f150 now: too big.

Love my Tacoma, but if I did need the Ford, I'd buy it in the Super-Duty clothing in a heartbeat and never look back.

 

You don’t have to justify your choice to me. What I was gathering from your statements above is that you like having a basic 4x4, long bed, Tacoma and your current truck needs more power to suit your payload needs. You’re used to v8 pickups which is why a handful of folks recommend a 5.7 tundra. A V6 taco had a larger rear axel, 8”, a TRD offroad and pro had an 8 1/4” diff, and the v6 had a 6 lug axel shaft with 30 splines as opposed to your 5lug axel (I think). All of these small details add up to a truck that sounds like it would better suit your needs.[/QUOTE]

My Tacoma does have the 6 lug axle. Don't know about any of the rest. It's actually a darn solid truck. Heavier than I expected, and it feels like a real truck until you load it up. Just checking your various posts, I do believe I think like you on many topics. And I honestly do appreciate your advice, especially regarding Tacomas. I'm not offended by your posts, and I hope you're not offended by mine. Cheers!

 

While an F150 would be darn handy over the next few months, it's not in line with where I want to be long-term, and I don't want to support their "profit first, quality if you're lucky" business approach if I don't need to. (Hopefully Toyota hasn't started down that path now.) If I can get through this current challenge, and I think I can with some of the suggestions I've been given, I will have my little 2.7L manual for a long time. If I can't, then I'll adjust and press on.