What did I get myself into?? Busted Brand-New Tacoma Off-Road....

Took my brand-new (Less than 1800 miles) Tacoma 4x4 Off-Road Package on it's first day trip to do a little sight-seeing and get it into 4-wheel drive some. Had fun testing it out despite a few weird noises. Went to leave the dirt road and put it back into 2High and nothing...... Stuck in 4High. Tried everything. Even called Toyota and the dealer and both had me drive around backwards and turn the wheel to the right. Nothing worked. I was 2 hours (140 miles) away from home and the closest dealer was 80 miles (hour) away.

Dealer assured me I could drive it 4-wheel on the highway to bring it in to see what they can do. I drove it to the closer dealer instead of home. Now I am almost 3 hours away from home. After a couple hours they told me they needed to order one of the actuators but wasn't sure which one but would need to keep the truck for a couple days because they didn't have the parts at the dealer and would have to order them. They at least gave me a loaner to drive back home (3 hours away) and on the way home called me to tell me it is the transfer case actuator and that they ordered it and should have it the next day.

Today is the next day and not only did the part not show up at the dealer it is on back order......... No one can tell me when they will get one in and when my [Brand New] truck will be repaired.

While driving the loaner truck home (they gave me a 2017 crew cab 4x4 Sport with 1800 miles on it) that drove way better than my off-road does. Way more responsive. Way better gas mileage and definitely handled the mountain grades way better than my off-road does.

Two questions:

Is the Sport that much different than the off-road for it to respond that much better and get that much better gas mileage?

Should I have purchased the 4-Runner since I am in a state that has as many mountain grades (Arizona) that we have? Because, I do not like how the off-road is having such a hard time with them and the high RPMs just seems way more struggle than a truck of this caliber should be having. Plus the gas mileage is ridiculously poor.

Stuck in AZ without a brand-new truck and parts on back order.......smh

 

Some have had the transfer actuators go bad, or were bad from the factory and were replaced. The Off Road has a "softer" ride for driving..... well in off road conditions. The Sport is stiffer and more suited to road driving suspension wise. I had a SR5 4X4 and a few months back traded it in for a TRD Sport, and the Sport is miles better in drive ability and overall better truck than the SR5 was. Have not driven a Off Road..

 

Switching my SR5 lease into a TRD Sport and I have to agree. Sport rides way better (mine's also a DCLB so there's that too).

 

I believe the only difference between the off-road and sport as far as ride goes is the suspension. And mileage-wise the sport has the air dam up front which apparently gives that extra 1mpg on the highway. I can't imagine that it could be that noticable?

 

Sorry to hear about the problems, hopefully they get your truck fixed up and back on the road soon.

 

They might have given you a 2WD Sport. If so that would explain the mileage difference.

Good luck.

 

The loaner is definitely a Sport 4x4.

 

What are the numbers?

 

Assuming nothing is wrong with your truck, there is no real reason why either truck would have significant differences in gas mileage or driveability if both are stock. The only thing on the vehicle that could make a difference would be the transmission learning and tire pressure. The drivetrain is the same across them. So outside of environmental issues, I can't think of why there would be a significant difference.

 

They should trade you for the loaner!

 

This.

 

The mileage shouldn't be that noticeable as far as you describe it. The way it drives would be slightly different if the suspension was different which I believe is almost identical. You might have other issues that you are unaware of with the new truck and you might find out later down the road, no pun intended. It might be that your truck wasn't responded correctly or might be trying to compensate because of something else that is going on. Hope that helps and hope your issue is resolved soon.

 

Curious to know what would had cause a new truck meant for off-roading to break an actuator...

OP, keep us updated.
I take mine thru some rough terrains without issues, but if I need to replace a weak point like the needle bearing, I definitely want to know

 

Just clocked 6000 miles on mine today. Love the ride, but best MPG ive seen is 19 on the highway, 17.5 on the streets

95% of my driving is city, so that must be a factor

 

I just test drove the trd off road and the sport. The sport is firmer suspension and handles on road a little better but it is harsher ride when hitting bumps. Off road is not as firm but more forgiving on bumps in road. Sport does not have locking rear diff either. As stated the mpg should be about 1 to 2 mpg better with the air damn. I heard of some taking it off and losing little over 1 mpg. I agree with others though and ride quality should overall not a huge difference,

 

Not that I put a whole lot of faith with the on-board computer telling me what the true mileage is but the best I have seen since I have owned it is 17. Normally, that stupid gauge either says 14.5 or 15. Even after being on the highway for a while.

 

sounds like something is wrong on the off road

 

A lot of people are wishing 3rd Gens still had the 4.0 that is in the 4-Runner. Should I seriously consider switching to the 4-Runner?

 

I would agree with you. It is very sluggish and really has to work hard to even stay at a speed as easy as 65.

 

If you don't need the truck bed the 4Runner is a much better built, higher quality vehicle imo.