My GF is planning to by a 2016 Taco. We'd appreciate some advice.

I'd seriously avoid a new Tacoma, just too many problems. Sounds like what she is going to use the truck for she doesn't need all the new gadgets on the 3rd gen. Get a good used 2014 or 2015 OR and you'll be much happier.

 

What ever she decides please have the OEM tires replaced with some good off road or AT tires.

 

I agree with Jimsc. Don't buy a new 3 gen tacoma. She should get a FJ60 Land Cruiser or an FJ40.
IF she really has her heart set on a new Tacoma then find one with 2000 miles on it that has had all the bugs worked out of it already.

 

Hey I saw this posted to Reddit last night! Good to see that you've come to the true experts for help!

I'd say go find a used 2nd gen with less than 50k miles on it. That might sound like a lot, but i n reality these trucks can and will last far beyond 200k.

The nice thing about getting, say, a used 2013 TRD Off Road is that you'll still get the locking diff and the TRD suspension, but you won't have to worry about all the bugs that come with a first-of-its-generation car. Also, it will be significantly cheaper than a 2016.

 

She is considering the Tacoma to be used as a work truck and you're telling her to buy a 30+ year old FJ?

 

Wait for the 2017 or get something different.

 

I would consider a 4Runner Trail. Out of all current Toyota 4x4's produced, it seems to have minimal to no issues. It has a proven engine, and drivetrain.

If you need space, you can fold down the back seats in the 4Runner for extra room. Plus it still comes with ATRAC, rear locker, and crawl control for those sticky situations.

 

Tires are not that important the OEM tires work just great. In fact they might be the best thing about the truck. I've beat the hell out of them HOPING they'd bust so I can get new ones and they are tough. They do great on desert rocks loose dirt, sand, snow and mud.

Buy something used. SAve some money. A new TRD Offroad is going to cost you 35 to 40k depending on options. You could buy a really nice 4runner or tacoma a few years old without all the problems and save 5 to 10 grand

 

Glad you like them. Now I am going to finish drinking my coffee. It is still a bit early in the morning
Oh and by the way I will have a set of OEM TRD tires and wheels for sale. Let me know if you are interested

 

2 things:
1- 2016 taco is a good truck. I'm just wondering why you would like to get something brand new and send it in the dirt roads all the time. I do, but I could not find a used one at a decent price. It's a Canadian thing.
2- If your GF is serious about getting a taco to go offroad, I would consider upgrading her status to Fiancée... before some guy tries to make his move for the truck!

 

I meant that upgrading from stock tires on the trd OR not necessary

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-tires-good-year-kevlar.431366/#post-12422732

 

Meh. Anyone doing this type of driving

on a regular basis should invest in a good set of A/T tires, minimum. Looks like OP is already aware.

 

Yes that is exactly what i am saying. MY 1986 FJ60 blows away my new 16 DCLB TRDOR Tacoma. Any old Land Cruiser
will be better or just as good as any new Toyota. This is why I bought a new Tacoma. Thought I would have it forever and
not have any issues like my FJ60. Wish i would have checked TW out first before I made the buy, but I am a true Toyota freak
and didn't think I would have any worries. Plus I spend most of my time on ih8mud. Now that I got this new truck I spend most
of my time on here trying to figure out the problems of my new Tacoma..

 

I would spend some money on deer/critter protection in the front and not worry so much about the offroad package. Just get something with 4wd and good tires.

There's nothing worse than smoking a deer way out in the boonies and disabling your vehicle with nobody around. Also, the best winch situation I've seen is doing a long wiring harness/remote and having the winch mounted on a little subframe that can slip into a hitch receiver. On your new deer protection front end, be sure to have them weld a hitch receiver up there. Then when she gets stuck, she can put the winch on either the front or the back of the truck, whichever one makes the most sense at the time. Makes it easier to winch yourself out when you get stuck alone.

 

I do it regularly. I am a hunting guide in AZ.

 

FTMFW

 

I'm not going to entertain the debate about tires or the 3rd gen in here. If that's what you want, keep searching and you'll have reading entertainment for days. I'll just leave you with this thought, or advice. You said she's already been doing this and using company provided vehicles right? What was she driving then, since she's gone into business for herself or is in a position where she needs to provide her own vehicle at the very least, will the driving/working conditions change any at all? If not, how were the company vehicles she used configured? Make sure the new (or new to her) Tacoma is configured the same. As others have said on here, a stock Tacoma is extremely capable right off the lot and you may not need to lift it or upgrade the suspension, put bigger tires and wheels on or anything. Just make sure that the Tacoma is configured the same as what she's already been driving and she should be fine. Now if the work conditions have changed, then you will need to take those changes into consideration.