Tacoma is the cheapest truck quality wise ever produced

I think you'll find that as much as you think older vehicles withstood crashes better than new ones, you're very wrong. Federal crash standards are far better now than they were in the past. For instance:



Which vehicle would you want to be in?

 

*citation needed

 

Interesting!

 

X2. Was not expecting that

 

Very similar to my own experience. My truck was rear-ended by a driver going at, or near highway speed, while I and traffic around had slowed to about 20MPH to get around a police traffic stop. The impact pushed us many feet forward, and destroyed the rear bumper/hitch, the tail-gate, composite bed, and frame. The truck never leaked a drop of any fluid, I drove home after the accident (~120 miles, and am still driving it), and the only trouble code that was set was a 'Left, front impact' as a result of being pushed into the car ahead of us. I'm currently awaiting a full frame replacement after which I plan to drive that truck for many, many more miles.

 

How many times have you crashed?

Cars these days are not engineered to withstand a crash. They are designed to absorb the energy to protect the passengers.

That sums it up pretty well!

The guy in the Belair would have been fucked!

 

The OP is not wrong on many of his points. With that said I own two of them...

 

been in a couple and one just recently and i get your point but newer trucks such as my 07 are put together with thin skins and plastic fasteners and i live off a dirt road and the vibration just rattles those fasteners loose but their motors rock! lol

 

Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner! Most folks don't understand crash energy management. If the vehicle doesn't crumple and dissipate the energy, it will be transmitted directly to the passengers - who will not fare well. And yes, the guy in that Belair would have been killed. Sad that they had to destroy such a nice example though.

 

Glad to hear you also made it through what could have been something much worse When they have to take the cab off of the frame they pretty much strip the interior. It's a great time to soundproof and insulate the interior. With mine, they also had to pull down the headliner so I even put Dynamat on the roof. The only thing the shop didn't Dynamat were the door panels and doors. Turns out a lot of road noise finds its way into the cabin through the doors. Made a huge difference. I also bought an ICON stage two package. To me, the upgrades made the truck much better than new. I couldn't have been and I'm still very pleased.

I certainly would have preferred the truck was never hit and I wish it was me in the truck and not my wife but there was some good to come of a bad situation. If you are so inclined, treat yourself. You won't regret it. Many miles of smiles

 

If l had a truck that l had so many dislikes for, I think I'd sell it. Especially if l disliked it so much that l had the need to start a thread listing them.

That's just me though. I admit that the Tacoma has issues. But, l weigh those issues and either accept them, or trade it in for something else. Unfortunately no trucks are perfect, and we all have to settle on some details.

 

As someone who lives in the rust belt I prefer a plastic gas tank/ bed. Also plastic tanks are much less likely to explode during a crash, metal tanks heat up and can eventually explode but the plastic ones just melt and burn. The bed is just as structurally strong as a steel or aluminum bed, they have been making plane wings and fuselages from composites for decades, its proven technology.

 

I also had a high mileage dakota 300k plus change, but the thing was rusting out from under me. Had a manual v6 4x4. Its a shame they ruined the truck with the next generation.

 

its a shame they all broke down in that one spot....

 

If you have looked under a new one, you would have to agree with the OP. There are no shields on the undercab area. Rear axle looks light and fragile. If it were not for drivetrain longevity and high resale value, they would have trouble selling very many.

 

1) Cheap, weak, rust-prone c-channel frame (steel most likely sourced from China).

Rust issues resolved (mostly). What else is wrong with the frame? Have not heard of it failing on any statistically significant basis. Really, like what is wrong with the frame? Anyone twist it? Bend it? What evidence is there that the frame poses any issue whatsoever?

2) weak leaf springs (steel most likely sourced from China).

Have not heard of them failing on any statistically significant basis.
3) Drum brakes.
they work fine

4) Weak plastic/Composite bed (supposedly for weight saving and rust prevention. Reality is that it's inexpensive to mfg).
bed is tough and works great

5) plastic gas tank and gas tank skid plate, if that's what you want to call it.
I don’t get it. What’s the problem?

5) Super thin crappy paint. Could be
6) Sub-frame that tears apart like paper if you do any off-roading.
news to me - evidence ?

7) Drivers side front diff. needle bearing.
what’s the fail rate?

8) No tailgate lock on second gen. not sure about 1st gens. (how ridiculous and cheap can you get). Who cares

 

I can't stop laughing at all the butthurt guys on here. The OP threw out some bait and got all of you's to bite. Way too easy to get you guys riled up. Relax guys, being so defensive doesn't look good on you lol. I give the OP props for pulling this off. He knew the right thing to say to stir the pot and turn the heat up around here. And you guys bit the hook, line, and sinker. Way to go! lol.

 

Maybe you should have bought a Donkey, they are cheaper and more reliable. Donkeys!!!

 

lol true

 

Taco lovers get butthurt when we know there’s some truth in the grenade but don’t want to believe it