Titan to Tacoma??

So I finally have my 06 DC Titan where I want it: PRG (Pro-Comp modified) 6" lift with SAW coilovers in front, 2.5" remote reservoir SAW's in the rear with a leaf pack on 17" black XD Addicts with 35 X 12.50 Nitto Trail Grapplers...now I'm considering trading it in on a new Tacoma.

Due to my afore mentioned mods (tires) my uncorrected (means nothing) MPG's have gone down the shitter (11-12) vs. Tacoma's advertised 20 MPG hwy. This is the catalyst to my thought pattern.

I love the interior space the DC Titan allows me as the entire cab is essentially a large box with no interior volume taken up with drive train hulls, chooncy storage boxes that rarely get used and silly seats that don't fold up out of the way as I've noticed with the Tacoma's. I do however like the driveability and maneuverability of a smaller truck and the fact I can get one with a manual. I also think Toyota's overall quality, fit and finish is better than Nissan (I've owned a 94 PU, 99 Tacoma and an 03 Tundra). I also like the fact that far more aftermarket parts exist for the Tacoma compared to my truck. I do not plan on over-sizing the tires (because of mpg's) but do like the coilover/leveling options and pre-runner style bumpers available.

So for those who've been down this trail before: will I end up regretting my decision and miss the room and capacity my current truck offers? Does the DC short box (w/ tailgate extender) handle a dirt bike? mulch for a weekend project? a 4X8 sheet of xxxx?

Any input from those who know is appreciated. Thanks.

 

If you get a Tacoma, make sure to get the towing package. You get a class 4 hitch, much bigger alternator, bigger battery, higher overall ratnigs for stuff.

Add some $300 firestone airbags, and you can throw anything you want in the bed basically. a 4x8 plywood will NOT fit between the wheel wells though. If you haul plywood around all day this may matter to you.

Your MPGs will prob be the same, most people here seem to get 15-16 city and 18-20 highway. It varies all over the place but that seems to be what I read most. Plus you'd obviously never in the lifetime of the truck make up the trade-in price difference by saving gas.

Tacoma/Tundra are both the most reliable trucks on the market according to JD power recently, so that is something.

That being said I don't own and have never owned a Titan, but good luck on your decision!

 

turnone i went from an 05 titan le to a tacoma. i'm happy with my decision gas milage wise and love my tacoma but i do miss the titan a lot :/ i love both of the trucks tho

 

I had a 2007 F150 and i liked it, never had any problems with it, but after having my taco, i dont miss it

 

Last time I measured, I think there is 42 or 44" (can't remember) in between the wheel tubs, so not enough for drywall or plywood to lay flat. But it still hauls 4x8 sheets very well by resting them on the top of the tailgate and angling them down to the back of the cab.

 

Why not undo all the mods and enjoy the features and capabilities of the Titan with better MPG?

 

Best advise I can give you is test drive it as much as possible. I know a lot of people who come from full size trucks to the Taco and expect it to ride and handle just like a full size. Don't get me wrong Taco's ride and handle great, better then most full sizes IMO, but some don't agree. Whatever the case Taco's last forever, mine is 13 years old with 170k runs like new and everything still works on it.

 

i went from an 05 titan to a 2010 tacoma and i dont regret it. the only thing i miss about the titan is the power that it has; that truck was fast. but the tacoma is easier to park , easier to manuever, cheaper to maintain, and gets better gas mileage. even with the lift and larger tires on my tacoma, i am still getting better gas mileage than i did with the titan. i also appriciate the rear under seat and behind the seat storage that the tacoma has. the titan didnt have that and i had no where to store tie downs, rope, hitch, etc...

 

Sound advice, thanks for your input.

Undoing the lift on my truck is a lofty chore, it's a bracket lift which is a lot of work to undo...that's assuming I hadn't thrown away all my stock componentry. The Titan stock still was only (at best) 17-18 mpg's on the highway.

Yeah, my Titan has decent power but often times when throttling it I can't help but thinking it's just making a lot of noise but ain't going nowhere. Seems like a heavy truck.

I do plan on upgrading the Tacoma's suspension but don't want to go much larger with the tire size for reasons of mpg's. What kind of gas mileage are you (or other folks) getting w/ slightly oversize tires? I'd like to go w/ BFG AT's slightly over stock size.

Thanks all.

 

If you have all that invested in your Titan, and your only issue is mileage, I would consider staying put a couple more years and seeing what the Tacoma redesign offers. Then you will have the option of a new third gen or a used second gen.

I think financing a new truck will wash out any mileage savings and you could wind up spending lot more. And you can get a couple more years out of the money you put into the mods.

Also, consider the Tundra if you are worried about downsizing to a mid-sized. From what I hear, Tundras get about the same real-world MPG as the Tacoma, but they are more $$$. Also, if gas prices climb and stay over $4/gallon, as some experts are predicting for next year, you may find great deals on the Tundra, which is what happened when the new Tundra was rolled out in the midst of the previous gas crisis of a few years back.

 

I'm using 33x10-16s (255-85-16) BFG MT KM2s and the MPG seems to be right in line with what others are getting on stock tires. MAYBE 1-2 MPG lower. If you don't need giant fat tires (which only help if drag racing anyways, skinny tires tent to do better in offroad situations which is why all those expedition vehicles you see on tv use em) then you can get good gas milage, tall tires, and good offroad grip, all from a 255/85R16 tire.

 

i came from a 2006 titan le crew, BT, sounds like you have great set up> PRG products are the shit. I almost ordered from greg but then i realized i always wanted a toyota P/U lifted. milage was never a issue with me. I sold all my toys and the kids moved out of the house so i did not need the big truck anymore.i had mine right where i wanted it, uprev, exhaust and headers, intake blah blah blah. I do miss the power of the titan and the room but the tacoma is more capable as off road IMO being lighter and all.. yes you will miss the room and power, if you do get tacoma get at least a sport model because the basic package like i got> the seats suck ass and uncomfortable as hell. I opted for the 2.7 access cab 4x4, it gets me where i am going> my needs are different from yours, i bought mine to lift it and add aftermarket lifts, lockers etc..... i do not have any regrets.... i loved my titan but i love my tacoma more than the titan....

 

Pictures of your truck?

 

not sure if you wanted OP pic or mine so just in case here's my old Titan.

 

5.7 Tundy's do not get similar mileage to Taco's unless you think 13 MPG's is normal for a Taco.

 

I had an 04 le with a 6" Pro Comp. I have an 05 dclb now and I must say that I really miss the Titan. I miss the interior space, towing capacity and general comfort of the Titan. I also liked how different the Titan was. I see 100 Tacomas a day and only one Titan in my town(my old one). The Tacoma is growing on me but if I had the chance I would probably get another Titan.

 

thats similar to me

 

Well...lift a 5.7 Tundra and run over sized rubber, and you'll be looking at 10.

 

that would suck!

 

My buddy had one and blew the rear diff, said it was a common problem with those. The diff is the smallest for any full size truck. Its even smaller than on the tacoma.