Thinking of Getting a Tacoma

Loaded, everything except leather. Huge upgrade from the Jeep and the ride is night and day difference without solid axles..............

 

Ohhh I test drove a loaded 17. It was incredible. Nicely done sir, I am just tad envious.

 

Shame that you missed my truck for sale, I kept it in great shape. Not sure how you'd feel about stick though. New owner is happy.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/sold-25-5k-mgm-2012-trd-or-4x4-4-door-6mt-los-angeles.527054/

As far as the 4.0 vs 3.5, both are great reliable motors. I prefer the lower-end grunt of the 4.0 but it's definitely thirstier.

 

Bummer I missed it, would have been perfect.

So it sounds like both have good motors. How about 3rd gen problems in general? I’ve heard things about rear diff recalls, oil leaks, transmission issues and so on. Are these trends or flukes? And is it best to avoid 2016 due to them being the first year of a new design, or do they seem to be pretty sound?

 

From what I gather, the complaints about the trans are mostly about the auto and how the truck is programmed. In search of efficiency, the truck shifts up to high gears quickly to keep the revs low. But since the motor has a higher powerband, it isn't torquey down low. Because of this, it kicks down and hunts for gears at the first sign of load. For example, let's say you're on the highway and traveling up a slight grade. Cruise control is set to 70. The motor is lugging in 6th gear because it doesn't have enough nuts at low RPM, and sees that it can't maintain 70mph. It kicks down to 4th and the truck surges at high RPM, where the motor is happier. The truck is now traveling at 70mph again and the throttle backs down, and shifts into 6th. The whole process happens over and over again, that's what they mean by "hunting gears". It will keep doing it until you decide to push the shifter over and hold it in 5th. This is why the manual 3rd gen guys are happier with the tune, because they decide when and where to shift and take the auto logic out of the equation. And the 2nd gen motor was grunty enough to hold gears at low RPM.

There has been some work on correcting the shift logic, both from Toyota service bulletins and aftermarket tuning solutions. I haven't been keeping up because I went from a 2nd gen to a 4Runner, but someone may be able to point you in the right direction.

I've heard of a few recalls including the diffs like you mentioned, but I believe most of the first year bugs have been shaken down by now. Any trucks you see on the lot should be fine. Haven't heard of oil leaks being a widespread problem but again, I'm out of the loop.

 

So in theory, there isn’t really an issue with the trans on the 3rd gens, there’s just a different learning curve when driving them compared to 2nd gens.

 

No there is the issue of them coming from the factory low on trans and diff fluids

 

But considering a new truck would be under warranty, that should be an easy fix right?

 

To me, it seems the second overdrive gear puts it at a very low rpm where it has no torque. The Gen2 on the other hand can cruise in overdrive pulling light loads up small grades without downshifting.

 

That’s a good problem to have my friend!

 

So my wife and I found a really good deal on a 2016 Limited. Issue is it was a commuter with the previous owner and has 60,000+ miles, but like I said it’s a really good deal. It’s already got bilstein 5100’s all around w/ paperwork, and new wheels and tires. My concerns are:
-High miles for being a 2016. But in theory if the truck is well maintained (he has all service records) and it’s all road miles, that shouldn’t really be an issue right? I mean, it’s a Tacoma. And I don’t put a ton of miles on my trucks anyways so in a few years maybe he mileage will balance out?
-No locking rear diff. How much of a pain is it to add an ARB locking rear diff, and how much?

If I pursue this truck, what should I be looking for when I inspect it?
And besides shocks, crawl control, and locking diff, what other performance differences are there between a limited and TRDOR? I thought I read something somewhere about greasable U-joints? I’m still new here, enlighten me please. Thanks.

 

I've had both an SR5 non locking diff 4wd and a TRD off road and had both in some tough 4wd situation and both worked well. I'm not so sure the few times you might want to have the locker would be worth paying for the upgrade but I honestly don't know what that costs or entails.

 

If you’re looking for a cheap truck, the Tacoma is likely not the best fit for you. Also, ‘16 is the first year of the new generation so maybe you want to have a real good look at that “deal”. When I bought my ‘13 at 3 years old, I knew I could have bought a brand new ford or dodge for cheaper. But I drive Toyotas and that’s how it goes.

 

Definitely not looking for a cheap truck. Just seems like a lot of truck for the money and well priced apart from mileage.

 

I M O stay away from turd gen look around for 2013,14.15 with some miles on it to stay in your price range u will be happier in the long run and u can hang out on the 2nd gen forum. TW has a lot of good info on any repairs ,maintenance, modifications and there will be Mods with so many things available. Good Luck

 

He wants the fancy new interior of the Turdgen Limited to please the wife cause im sure she aint happy about going from a plush plantinum F150 to a tiny Taco....

 

Dude exactly. She almost vomited when we test drove a 2014... poor thing lol.

I am looking for a white 2nd gen TRDOF but DANG people drive those till they die!

 

Happy wife, Happy life...just saying....

 

So what was the end result here?