New member with two new Tacoma's

I recently added two 2014 trucks to my driveway: a DCLB Sport and an Access Cab with Off-Road package.

The Sport is replacing a 2005 Subaru Outback XT Limited with manual transmission, which I will miss driving (but turbo failure in these cars was a deal breaker). However, I decided to get a truck to assist with home remodel projects I need to complete over the next few years. And it will be handy for getting me and buddies to trailheads for my backpacking, alpine climbing, day hiking, nordic skiing, and kayaking adventures. I'm not particularly fond of using it as a daily driver, so long term I will likely add a more appropriate commuter car to the stable. It's not too bad day-to-day, but not really ideal.

I plan to keep this truck fairly stock. I will dump the OEM tires this fall and replace them with Blizzaks or something similar for our wet and icy roads here in Washington. Or I might go with an off-road tire that can be pinned for studs and has good siping. Perhaps I will invest in a spare set of wheels and swap as the seasons change; not sure yet.

The Off-Road Tacoma is my company work truck and replaces a 2005 Explorer. I'm a geologist in the timber industry, so I drive remote logging roads during the week. The Tacoma is a huge improvement over the Explorer. I've replaced the stock tires with the Toyo M-55 - a tire I've been using for 20 years with great success on logging roads. They feel a bit heavy on the Tacoma, however. The truck has been outfitted with the required high and low band radios and CB and I've added cross and side tool boxes to the bed to store my field gear. As far as mods go, I'm basically done. No lift kit or other mods needed given the great stock clearance this truck has.

I love these trucks so far, though I'm a bit disappointed with the lack of features such as outside temp gauge, compass, and head unit brightness adjustment (I run my headlights all the time, so on sunny days I can't see the head unit display).

I have owned one Toyota previously, a 1975 FJ40 LandCruiser. I owned it when I lived in Montana and was a budding geologist back in the late '80s and early '90s. I drove that rig all over the western US. It was fun, though not very practical on the pavement.

I've been a dedicated Subaru owner for the past 25 years, with a BMW M3 tossed in for sporting fun. It feels good to be a Toyota owner again. The Tacoma feels solid and reliable. I have always admired these trucks and now, with hindsight, I'm kicking myself for not getting one sooner.

Cheers,
~Ted

 

Welcome

 

Congrats on the double purchase and welcome to TW. I think pics are in order, especially of the work truck in action.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thanks Greg, Aaron, and Bob. I'll take some pics of both, including the work truck hauling me around the woods.