My '16 TRD Sport is "meh" offroad

Speaking of, the stock tires sucked

 

Before I go back to a half ton, I'm waiting to see what the new Tundras look like. Only reason I'd need a half ton is to get a travel trailer that the mrs. wants. But then we need to get a bigger house with a bigger yard so we can store it at home. So I'm trying to avoid spending $400k+ for now

 

Agreed. None of my new vehicles were ever allowed to leave the lot with factory tires on them lol

 

This was going to be my first to replace before leaving the dealership, but they had to be jack asses and try to milk me for every penny, so I told them I wasn’t letting them change them.

 

This thread is going pretty well so far. Normally it's

The new Tundra might not be here until 2022 or 23. Should be a 3.5 twin turbo from the rumors. No V8 but I'm okay with it.

Why did you trade the Ram for a Tacoma?

 

Yah I was wondering how it would go haha. I've owned some very capable offroad vehicles in the past. I wasn't trying to say the Taco is a bad offroader, just that the sport didn't feel quite right in the dirt, and I think people got that.

Traded the Ram because I moved up to Seattle for a bit, and I was working in the city. Still wanted a pickup, but no way was I driving a full size truck downtown. Moved back to Nevada and have just kept the Taco for now. Its given me 0 trouble since 2016 and it's been paid for for a while. But you know how it goes. Every few years I get the "itch" to build or buy.

 

I recommend putting a little money into it to make it better off road before trading it again. Like the Bilstein 6112/5160 and 33's. There's a reason why over 50% of the vehicles off road I see are Tacoma's.

But, if you get bored easily and trade every few years, probably no point in modding and spending the money.

 

I'd love to give one of the new Jeep gladiator rubicons a shot. Once it gets a small diesel, it'll tick off every offroad box I would want from the factory.

Aside from the fact that it's a jeep...

Somebody tell Toyota to build a short wheelbase truck with a diesel, two lockers, a LOW transfer case, removable doors, and a solid front axle capable of handling a 35" tire. I'll preorder one tonight.

 

Pull the sway bar off and give it a run. It will ride like a stock OR with less brake dive. I've been hooning mine on and off road with the SBD. No regrets.

 

I like Gladiator's too but somehow fca hasn't figured everything out yet, people are still getting issues with the 2020's. Some have been getting their diesels bought back by fca. The gas ones are still getting bought back despite this many model years already.

I'm waiting for Toyota to make a diesel too but it's not gonna happen, ever. Hybrid is a strong possibility though.

 

Isn’t the wheelBase of the taco shorter than the Gladiator

 

My Sport is the second-best 4X4 I've owned, the first on that list is a 1987 Jeep Commanche with a damn 4cyl. I don't know what in the hell it was about the Commanche but it went over and through things that other trucks at the time couldn't. Must have been something about the wheelbase or power/torque, it was just really good out in the Black Hills. That was one generic ass truck though, meant to haul a small amount of shit from one place to another. I even had the deluxe AM/FM radio in that bad boy. No air, crappy interior.

Almost tying my 2019 Sport was my 1992 Jeep Wrangler with the 4.0. engine. Now that thing was a beast, plenty of power in a light-weight vehicle. The only reason the Tacoma beats it is because my Sport has a much better low gear, at least in my opinion. I would oftentimes get into some really squirrely situations out in the Hills and the Wrangler's low gear was wonky to me.

It could all be in my head honestly, I couldn't afford to pour much money into my vehicles back then but I have complete confidence that I can get in and out of trouble with my Tacoma...plus, it's a damn nice truck to drive as a daily driver.

All the Tacoma really needs, in my opinion, is a bigger V-6. Didn't they used to have one in the early 2000s, I think it was a 4.0? Just something to get the HP up to 285-290 would be a decent improvement. Hell, they drop a small in V8 in these things and they'll destroy the mid size truck market they are already killing.

 

The 2nd gens were 4.0, but it’s my understanding the 3rd gen engine has more power.

and look at the early tundras, it was like a taco with a v8 stuffed in them, it was a gallons per mile type ratio.

 

Second! But long wheel base, I need to carry a toolbox. And also let’s do a 34 gallon fuel tank!

 

You’ll be better off putting in your own suspension and locker than trading it in for an offroad. You sound like you like to upgrade suspension and other stuff from your jeep days.

 

Yah, our new V6s build more power across the spectrum. Just drive it like a 4 banger. Rev the piss out of it and it'll go. Doesn't care about running in the top end of the rpm band.

My brother has a 4.0 and it feels more torquey. I think a lot of us came from older low rpm torque V6s and just haven't quite adapted to spanking the new Toyota. I know it took me a while to figure it out.
Hell, the old Ford 4.0 and the Jeep 4.0 inline feel stronger than the new taco motor, but they most definitely aren't.

 

Ya, I had a 4 banger 2nd gen before getting this, so I am pretty happy. I do miss the 09 at times.

 

You've convinced me....we need a V8 option! A trim model just above a pro and it needs cool stuff like Kings, TRD dual exhaust, special trim upgrades like stitched seats, unique wheels, and a cool name like TRD Predator.

 

I found my 2018 DCLB Sport to be more than capable offroad, I wouldn't call myself an offroader at all but Ive been to some trails where guys in SXS's were shocked that I was so far into the trail system in my Taco lol..
Mind you its got a lift and 33's so maybe thats your answer.

 

I live right at 5200 feet, and coming from town to get home, I go from 4300ft to 5200. At 70mph coming up that hill with cruise control and a stiff headwind, my truck will drop to third gear and just scream its way up there. It doesn't care though.