One year Anniversary - Comments and Observations

My truck is now one year old. I have about 10k miles on it with a mix of city/highway/offroad/towing and hauling.

Link to Pictures: http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=106891

Things I like

• Easy to park (It's a DCSB)
• Great off road (after adding the Duratraks)
• Comfortable seats
• Entune JBL radio. Sound is good enough for me (I'm actually almost deaf in one ear and have almost zero high frequency hearing)
• Bluetooth connection to iPhone
• Storage cubbies in the cabin.
• Tows my boat, utility trailer with ATV without issue. Both are pretty light, the boat is 3500# wet with trailer.
• Engine is smooth and has good power when convinced (see below).
• Transmission is pretty good, doesn't seem to "overseek" for a gear and is smooth most of the time.
• Easy oil changes.

Things I don't like:

• For a V6, it should get better MPG. I average between 16 and 17. My full size z71 Chevy got that and had a 5.3 V8.
• My truck has the gawd-awful shakes. Comes and goes.
• Seems you have to put far more input to the throttle than other vehicles I own (or owned). The truck will move if you REALLY want it too. Just have to press the gas peddle a lot to convince it get going at times.
• The cab is a bit noisier that my other trucks. Seems to have a lot of wind-rush at highway speeds (and remember I'm half deaf).
• Backup lights are anemic (Fixed with LED bulbs).
• "A" pillar is rather large. I too have visually "lost" objects behind it.
• Joining TacomaWorld has pulled several $$$ out of my wallet! (not the truck's fault, but worth mentioning)

Favorite Mods:

• Probably the least expensive and best mod has been the Rear-view mirror mod that tucks it up closer to the roof. The rear-view is in the way if you're any taller than 5' 0".
• The Duratrak tires made a huge difference in offroading. Places that I feared with the OEM tires I now go through in 2 wheel drive with ease.
• Foglight anytime mod. I hate having a computer telling me when I can use something. Call me a control freak I guess.
• Seat Belt chime mod. Shut up that annoying, escalating beep. Now I can put heavy things on the passenger seat and not have "Nanny" crab at me.

All in all the truck so far has done everything I need it to do. Hope others find this useful.

 

I currently drive an X3 and my 55lb dog rides shotgun. BMW being BMW made it impossible to unplug *anything* in the car without throwing some stupid error that only a dealer can clear for $70 or computer forcing your car back in park. So I picked up a couple of these on eBay. $0.99 for a pair. Free shipping from China. No mods required

 

I thought about doing this, but went they way of the programmer instead. This is a more permanent fix and my passenger doesn't have to fiddle with the buckle.

I did something similar to a car a while back but just pulled a couple of buckles from and junk yard car. Accomplished the same thing.