What would you do different? I'm getting a new truck.

Don’t get me wrong. I like my truck. But, if I was able to go back in time and tell myself some advice. Stay away from black, yes it looks awesome. But, damn! It’s always dirty and when you wash or wax it. Scratches everywhere!!! I swear I look at it and it scratches. Ahhh!! I should have went with the Cavalry Blue. And then long box. Go long box. Of course stick with the double cab off road 4x4 options. Picture is my current Tacoma

 

Yeah he loves to travel - that was actually taken at an area that I had to do some business and it was a little sketchy...he is a great deterrent to folks looking to do bad things (LOL).

 

Thanks for the info boss. I appreciate you taking the time to explaine all that.

 

After 1.5yrs of financing down, I really wish I would have just not financed a new vehicle and instead bought a 2nd gen (2014-15) used and not needed to finance as much, so that way I could really take advantage of the low mortgage rates, or invested more...etc... But either way im happy in my decision because I came from unreliable craigslist cars that I was scared to drive out of the city for fear of breaking down somewhere, and I am glad to have the peace of mind and not worrying about getting to my destination, wherever that may be.

 

I would have gotten a whole leaf pack to lift the rear instead of the stupid Icon add-a-leaf. The thing is worthless.

 

Ha! I was thinking the same. All dogs just posted that they got some new leafpacks back in. Great price too.

 

6 foot bed if I could start over so I could turn it into a sleeping area with a shell.

 

Nothing.

 

my next truck will be full size either a tundra or F150 since the tacoma is a small truck and the back seat is fine for small people but full grown adults are cramped..i drive 60 miles round trip daily to work and another 600-700 miles home every 3 weeks and it is tight...just saying...

 

OP,

Here are my random thoughts based on my recent purchase of a 2020 TRD OR. I am only throwing this out there as food for thought, since you asked. Hope this helps in some small way:

Quick background: Moved from a 2005 Access Cab to a 2020 TRD OR Double Cab (Short Bed).

I tend to focus on two things: Function (do I need it) and Comfort. That happens when you get older.

I do not have regrets but rather learning experiences. Things that knowing what I now know I might have done differently if the situation presented itself:

1) I would have seriously considered leather. Not a life and death thing but I wish I would have considered it a bit more. Easier to clean, more comfort, etc.

2) I love the electronic seat adjustment. Yeah, again, not life and death, but it makes a big difference to me. Wish it had seat memory but I can live without that. Also, Apple CarPlay has been totally worth it. The functionality has been totally worth it.

3) I swapped the tires -- from the stock tires to a nice set of Nittos. No need for a lift. Truck has everything I need for my off road needs (only about 20%). I do wish I had pushed harder and worked with the dealer to change the tires -- the credit would have been better and I would not have to have sold them privately. Not huge but a little thing to think about if you want to change the tires work with a dealer who will do it for you upfront.

4) I would have not purchased the bed cover. It is a tri-fold. Nothing wrong with it. But when you fold it up to the last third it stores there and you lose easy and quick access to the front third of your bed. Not crucial but I would have just got a bed cover that rolls up and ties. That way you have full access to the entire bed. I don't need it for security so the roll up cover would have been cheaper and better for my use.

5) I only use the truck on the weekend so I tend to add mods as I need them based on functionality. I have a list and I slowly work my way through it based on what I really need. You would be surprised how many things come off the list because you realize you don't need them. Go slowly ... and it will all make sense. Granted, when I do a mod, I want the best one but I want it to be functional. The Meso things ... and all of those chrome delete things ... while really interesting are not worth it to me. But that is just me, of course.

6) I probably would have bought real rock sliders than side steps. The trails I do drive on are not rock or boulder heavy but I probably will move to rock sliders to be safe at some point. Should have bought once on that one.

7) I would have probably purchased the long bed if one was available. I do think that the Double Cab with the long bed is generally too big for my use (especially in NY) so I am happy with the short bed and it does everything I need it to do. However, for car camping -- which we try to do a lot of -- the long bed would have been much more comfortable. I may have ended up with a short bed but I wish I thought that through a bit more.

8) I would definitely consider getting a rear bumper. I get the front bumper gladiator look -- and some people really need them -- but I don't. But I will say the rear bumper on the Tacoma is terrible. Cheap plastic. As soon as I get there, I will replace it with a real steal bumper. Much stronger and much more useful for my needs.

Nothing I would do dramatically different but throwing out ideas for you to consider.

Best of luck to you ... and be sure to post back when you finally get your truck!

 

I would have gotten a lighter color - white, silver, etc. Dark colors are a major PITA if you're anal about your paint, showing every little imperfection. I'm happy with everything else in terms of my package. I do wish they offered a sunroof option during the year I bought my truck (I think they started offering it the very next year). I love how much more open it makes the cab feel.

 

Pretty good info guys - and some great insight.
My last new Toyota was a red 1984 - we called them extra cabs then - access cab 4x4 with a 22R 4 banger. That truck lasted me 320,000+ miles.
It cost me $7,200 brand new on the lot.
Then it was a used 1990 SR5 black 4x4 access cab (still no doors on that part then) which lasted me another 272,000 miles until I sold it to my son-in-law who is now restoring it to new. Nothing looks better than a black truck when it's clean and nothing looks worse than a black truck when it's dirty and where I live it's usually dirty...
My camping is typically in the bed of my truck, hence the 6ft bed. I'll spend 2+ weeks at a time up in the mountains, desert, wherever so I like the little
Honda generator idea. Have always used a bivi-bag (retired 30 years from the Army) and good sleeping bag so a shell is not desired but I understand the advantages for those who like them. A roll up tonneau cover will do me just fine.
My driveway is a half-mile long and it gets used so little that I have to mow it, and that's after turning off a couple of miles of gravel so poster hiPSI pretty well nailed how I am and what I do with my trucks!
Looking at a heavier/better bumper set-up both front and rear with a winch. Heavier bumper not so much for how it looks but at about deer-thirty o'clock in the evening it's pretty darn easy to tag one jumping out of the ditch or crossing right in front of you. The winch because I've been down many a forest service/fire road that had a fresh deadfall across it and wrestling trees is not in my plans anymore.
This has been some great info guys and I really appreciate you taking the time to help on this.
Please feel free to add anything else as I often find folks answer questions I didn't even think to ask!

 

You pretty well nailed it my friend...

 

And if you actually off-road, you want a shorter wheelbase. That’s why two door jeeps are so good.

 

wat

I thought the manual was the one thing that fixed all the gripes with the newer Tacomas

 

What would I have done different, not much but one thing I want to bring to your attention is that these mid-size trucks do not ride on the highway like a larger truck. I have a 2020 Limited and since I am coming from 20 years of driving full size trucks I've really noticed how the Tacoma is not as nice on the highway in comparison. It does not feel as planted as a full size truck and it take a little more work to keep it between the lanes so to speak and it's also much louder, both in engine and wind noise. These differences cause more fatigue on long rides as compared to full size so if long rides are the norm for you, test it out and make sure it suits your needs.

Is it enough to make me go back to full size, nah, there are too many other benefits with mid-size but when my lease is up in a year, I will look at other mid-size trucks for comparison and if their highway rides are better, it is going to be a difficult decision.

 

Lol I'm old and I've been to where you're going. Be careful.

 

Only.if you know how to drive one.

 

Yep, agree with all of that but I've been driving Toyota pickups since the early 80s and on my latest test drive of a Tacoma thought I was in a Cadillac! Lots of good things about the old straight front axles (with manual hubs no less!) and very lightweight small trucks back then but the ride wasn't one of them... I do appreciate your comment though - thanks.

 

Yep - this will be my first truck of any flavor with an automatic transmission. Learned on a three-on-a-tree and it was 4/5 speed manuals ever since. A stick is one of the best anti-theft devices going as most car thieving a-holes have no idea how to use one...