Upgrade Gen 2 to a Gen 3

Traded in my 2013 for a 2017 off road. 3000 miles later I could not be happier with that decision. Have not had any of the issues yet. (Just knocked on wood).

 

This is a decent video comparing all 3 gens... it's interesting if nothing else and detailed.

 

I went from a 2011 SR5 AT to a 2017 TRD Sport MT. Here are my observations:

The 2011 was a road cruiser. At 80 the motor hummed. Lots of power through the entire range. The 2017 rides like a hay wagon. It'll do 80, but more of a soft roar.

The 2011 was not a workhorse. Squishy suspension. Didn't take much in the bed to squat. Would pull great in 4th, but after 60mph it too was screaming. The 2017 doesn't have low-end torque, but plenty of power at highway speed to keep the trailer on the road at highway speed. I put 900lbs in the bed the third day I had it with no noticeable drop in altitude.

2011 was a little more cushy. The 2017 has firm seats and an odd length to the bottom cushion. I've driven the 2011 to Baltimore once, South Dakota 3 times, and at least 50 trips to Kansas City and McCook Nebraska. I don't think I'm as willing to do that in the 2017.

Granted the trim level is different, but the 2011 felt like it had more storage than the 2017.

Tailgate on the 2017 is WAY better than that poor excuse of one on the 2011.

I'm going to miss the ease of oil changes in the 2011.

I may think of more later. Am I happy I upgraded? Sure! But I really don't think it was a seamless transition.

 

I came from a 2015 tundra TRD off road to my Tacoma TRD Off road with premium and technology package and I wouldn't go back if you paid me. There are of course some trade offs with the 3rd gen but in my case I think the pros outweigh the cons.

 

I don't believe you. I'd be shocked if these were significantly different in terms of the frame or suspension. Would love to see side by side shots if you have any.

 

You got a 3rd gen. You got ripped off.

 

I didn't say suspension, In that regard it's basically the same.

http://www.repairerdrivennews.com/2...or-company-in-north-america-first-on-a-truck/

 

I love it compared to my second gen. Time will tell with the reliability, but so far no regrets.

 

i didnt go direct i had a 2015, traded for a wrangler year later traded that for my 2017. i love the 2017 great truck much more comfortable then the 15.

 

Probably a downgrade. Not being cynical, just heard of WAY too many bugs and issues as well as released TSB's to tell you that if you are planning to make the jump from 2nd to 3rd gen, you are asking for a whole new enchilada of issues. Some unknown.

 

I would disagree, respectfully.

I haven't had any "issues" with my 3rd gen, while my 2nd gen had the following problems:

Three radio head units installed in the first year, due to them shorting out.

The Bluetooth in the truck when I drove it off the lot was an aftermarket setup, due to poor performance in 2010 factory systems. And even THAT system was so hit and miss that I simply never used it, unlike my 3rd gen.

Stock tires (Dunlops) had tread separation at 30K miles.

U-joints replaced at 60K because they went to hell.

Two windshields.

Trucks are like girlfriends. They each have their own personality, their own set of issues, and their own special timing to reveal them to you. That doesn't mean that if you find one that's prettier and does more around the house you shouldn't dump the one you have, especially if she gets old, tired, and rusty.

 

I would disagree, respectfully.

I haven't had any "issues" with my 3rd gen, while my 2nd gen had the following problems:

Three radio head units installed in the first year, due to them shorting out.

The Bluetooth in the truck when I drove it off the lot was an aftermarket setup, due to poor performance in 2010 factory systems. And even THAT system was so hit and miss that I simply never used it, unlike my 3rd gen.

Stock tires (Dunlops) had tread separation at 30K miles.

U-joints replaced at 60K because they went to hell.

Two windshields.

I love the last line!

 

I love my 2012 TRD OR! I wish it had better gas mileage though and the rust issues could be fixed for free.. I have a pretty tight budget since we're young newlyweds and just bought a house. What I like about 2nd gens is that it's fairly cheap and getting cheaper to upgrade and tweak! I couldn't afford a new truck payment for what I have with my truck now and still get some goodies for it.

 

I can only imagine the debates that raged when the 2nd Gen came out and people had to decide between sticking with the 1st Gen or going for the 2nd. The fact is that there will never be another 2nd Gen manufactured, but the good thing is that its fairly easy, if you're so inclined, to keep a 2nd Gen running for a very very long time. If you aren't mechanically talented enough than you will eventually be forced into a 3rd Gen (or some other manufacturer) and as the 3rd Gen evolves the issues that have plagued it will fade away. The software used on these intelligent drive trains will allow for those fixes to be applied to the whole generation. We're already seeing this with the 2017s. I've only got about 1000 miles on mine but I did most of those miles over the weekend dragging it up the mountains and back and I have noticed some odd shifting with cruise control engaged but I'd expect that on high grade roads. I engaged ECT and it stopped immediately. I also think its unreasonable to expect to get the best gas milage while rolling through hilly or mountainous terrain so engaging ECT is practical for this situation. My only regret is not getting a Manual transmission. My 2007 was a manual and I'm missing it big time. Not because the Automatic sucks but because I love actually driving the truck. The manual forces you to be more involved in the operation of the vehicle and thus less distracted.

 

I love the last line![/QUOTE]

Two Windshields? .... Or old, tired and rusty?.....

 

I was on the Forums back when the 2nd Gen came out and there were no real raging debates. The 2 things l remember were guys not liking the squared fenders and thinking it was a little big for the trails.

 

Impossible....you mean there was no...Bro threads? Or 30 different howling rear diff threads? Or my truck won't hold a gear threads? Or general bashing threads on the newest truck? Or sold my '16 for a '17 threads?

 

I acquired a 2015 to ensure I wouldn't have to buy a 3rd gen for a long time.

 

Test drove a 2015 the same day I traded my 2010 in for 2017 SR5. The 2015 interior felt smaller to me than the 2017. Happy with my 2017, not looking back!

 

2016 > 2006

Didn't miss my 2nd gen too much, almost everything on the 3rd gen is better, much modern, etc...

Different but better, i love my 2016

Some people don't like the new 3.5 but for me i like it more than the 4.0 and the 3rd gen also tow pretty well