New Tacoma Owner. Do's and Don’ts when owning brand new Tacoma??

incorrect

 

Warm it up. 30 seconds in summer, 3 minutes in winter. Don't judge the tranns when cold, it works way better after warm up.

 

Question is why do some of these gen3 tacoma's run much better than others? Back in the day it was possible to see 1 out of 10 new cars run better than the other nine. Its strange with these tacoma's, you'd think a cookie cutter vehicle as such would be no different.

 

Have you driven 9 other tacos, or is this just a judgment from what other people post? I chalk a lot of it up to each individual's preconceptions - what vehicle did they come from, how do they drive, how do they maintain it, what are their expectations and are those expectations realistic?

I came from a v8 T4R with around 275 on the clock and I have absolutely zero performance complaints from the Taco. Compared to my Supra? Sure, it's slower, but it would be silly to compare them. I think a lot of people come from 3 series bimmers and WRXs and expect similar performance, if only in the acceleration category, and find the Taco lacking, which again, is silly.

 

DO- bed mat, undercoat, use 4wd, enjoy the truck

DON'T- put too much weight on the tailgate, make mods simply because others do

 

I'll offer the (probably unpopular) opinion that the majority of the issues are not with the trucks, but with the owners. From unrealistic expectations, to failure to test drive/research to spending too much time here following those who continuously post negativity, it all drives people to find fault. That's not saying that some vehicles don't have genuine problems - all model lines do. But it is, IMHO, totally impossible for the Tacoma to stay at the top of sales and exhibit the long-term lifespan that it does and have all of the problems that float across this page in real numbers.

Like the PEBKAC mantra of computer techs (Problems Exists Between Keyboard and Computer) the Tacoma equivalent is PEBSAD - Problems Exist Between Seat and Dashboard.

Just my own humble opinion based on owning a 2004 Extra Cab OR for 6 years and a 2020 Pro now for 1.5 years.

 

Don’t worry too much about comments folks make here. Sometimes interesting to read but not always accurate and proven. Don’t worry about gas mileage as you can’t really make it better. It’s a cool truck compared to most. A few mods that add to your enjoyment is the way to go. But don’t do upgrades that will cause you frustration in the end. Simple is better. If you have a wife or girlfriend, they will help keep you grounded and talk some sense when you contemplate a light set visible a state away! Have fun with it!

 

yeah, just dont........

 

I've driven my buddies 2019 trd v6 auto..its noticeably slower and less torquey than my 2020. Has some minor vibrations to. I've been in back of several other v6 tacoma's over the last year that have tried to scoot away from my truck. I've blown the doors off some right from the get go, while others i couldn't pass them. I can tell you just from experience driving my buddies 2019, some of these trucks are slower.

 

lubricate your gas door hinges every so often, probably every oil change or sooner. ....very important.

 

Functional modifications would be;

1) bed mat
2) Amazon center console organizer
3) power tailgate lock
4) Meso Customs trash can that fits in the square area.

 

DO:

• Phillips H9 bulbs for your low beams, I used the pigtail adapters rather than modifying the factory connector.
• Clazzio seat covers, they are worth every penny and there is a discount for tacomaworld members
• Huskyliners, spring for the best ones, Exacfit IIRC is what they are called
• MESO gas hole
• power tailgate lock
• AC drain tube mod
• undercoat with fluid film or cosmoline
• lube hinges and latches with fluid film
• get a dash cam
• read the stickied threads in the 3rd gen forum for new owners

Don't:

• let negative opinions on here ruin your new truck for you.

 

Exactly right. There are some that say “it runs like a bat out of hell” while others say “it is a slow turd”. Put both on the dyno and they’ll be within 1% hp/tq.

 

Do the do's and don't the don'ts.....nailed it!!

 

In all honesty, Here's the mods I did to mine within the first six/nine months. Mostly in order of when I did them.

Pre-Ordered With Truck: Roof Rack and Door Sill Protection - mine, oddly, came from the factory with the TRD CAI, it wasn't even on the build sheet, but it was on the truck.

• Bed Mat (carried over from previous truck)
• Ironman Steward ETSY Grill Badge (Mandatory for all TW Members, I think)
• Replaced Free-Flow air filter, with standard Paper Air filter
• Scratched the tailgate on the garage door.
• Fixed Tailgate
• ClearBra on front third of truck, A-pillars, Mirrors and Tailgate
• Window Tint
• Rek Gen then RokBlokx Mudflaps (RokBlokz FTW - much better product)
• Amazon GloveBox and Center Console Organizer
• AJT Designs Vent, 4x4 Knob, Steering wheel Badge Chrome Delete - Also Lunar Rock TACOMA dash insert (Don't judge me)
• GasHole (stupid - don't do)
• AC Drain Mod
• LED Cabin lights, Brake and Backup Lights
• 2LO Mod (MT only)
• USB Mirror to Dashcam Dongle for Dashcam
• Bigger Front Fender Liners
• Maxxis RAZR AT811 Tires (OEM Tires are ghastly. I got stuck in 2" of snow in a flat parking lot)
• Accumulator Defeat (MT Only)

 

Different fuel, oil, and altitude. They all make a difference.

 

Can you provide more info on the front fender liners?

 

Wow. That was really hard to find again. But I really like these things.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-wheel-well-splash-guards-are-ready-to-go.474645/

 

Ain't that what sensors and a computer in these trucks are for.....TO COMPENSATE. Those trucks should run the same everywhere given their locations where used. They do not.

 

haha - nope. Run shit gas, get shit mileage and performance. Come out west and drive at 8k feet of elevation and enjoy 20% power loss.... So many variables...