Tacoma Questions

[CRolandLJ]

Im a jeep guy (2006 Wrangler Unlimited) but having a truck bed and real backseat really fits my lifestyle a little better.

I went and drove a Tacoma today and liked the way it drove so I was going to do a little research and i figured the best place to start is the Toyota section of my favorite website - Expo.

I suppose I'd want at least a 2006 or newer (dont want to trade my jeep in on an older vehicle) so as far as Tacomas go - from 2006 to present - what do i need to look for and what, if anything, should i avoid?

My list of needs
-4 door
-4wd
-not black
-automatic (my wife will drive it some as well)

Thanks in advance for your help. If i decide to go that direction, you can look forward to my build thread and adventures being up here on Expo.

 

[Tbird]

Actually, the best place to find out about the Tacoma, although VERY BIASED, will be at Tacomaworld.com.
Everything in the world you'd want to know, and a hoard of stuff you didn't know you wanted to know, about the Tacoma is there.

I have an 05' Access Cab, Sport, White, 4WD, with a Flippac on it.
The stock rear springs are weak...
The gas mileage is less than you'd expect it to be...
They're very capable off-road vehicles...
They're fun to farkle (mod)...
I think they make a better expo vehicle than a jeep because it's a more versatile starting platform...
They are popular, it's hard to get a good deal on a used one, the aftermarket is huge. You can sink a LOT of money into them...

Go get one and have fun.

Im a jeep guy (2006 Wrangler Unlimited) but having a truck bed and real backseat really fits my lifestyle a little better.

I went and drove a Tacoma today and liked the way it drove so I was going to do a little research and i figured the best place to start is the Toyota section of my favorite website - Expo.

I suppose I'd want at least a 2006 or newer (dont want to trade my jeep in on an older vehicle) so as far as Tacomas go - from 2006 to present - what do i need to look for and what, if anything, should i avoid?

My list of needs
-4 door
-4wd
-not black
-automatic (my wife will drive it some as well)

Thanks in advance for your help. If i decide to go that direction, you can look forward to my build thread and adventures being up here on Expo.

 

[surlydiesel]

Since you're getting an auto, you could get the crew cab with the 6 foot bed. Sad rear Springs on these trucks. No 4WD shift lever. Otherwise, they are fine for most people's use. I guess I will just say go check out a Nissan Frontier as well. Drive one to see how it feels.

-jorge

 

[xjaugie]

I also went from a jeep to a tacoma, and have been glad i did. Just like with Jeeps, once you drink the Cool-aide, you'll be hooked.

 

[southpier]

... the best place to find out ... will be at Tacomaworld.com. ... rear springs are weak... very capable...fun .....it's a ... versatile starting platform...

my '11 had a TSB out (learned @ Tacomaworld forum) and the dealer honored it with less than 3k miles. service manager showed me the cost he bills Toyota = $1,700 +, so it's worth having done.

 

[CRolandLJ]

TSB = Toyota service bulletin?

Thanks for the links and info guys.

I believe I've seen some OME set ups are pretty common for suspension on these trucks?

 

[Plannerman]

X2 with the Tacomaworld recommendation.

A few things to consider. There are two different TRD packages: sport and Offroad. These packages are more than cosmetic. They have different rear ends, different springs, different brakes. The offroad has an e-locker, the sport has limited slip, the offroad does not come in a crew can-long bed setup, the sport has a non-functional hood scoop.

My recollection is that a very effective traction control (a-trac) was added to the offroad package starting in 2009. If you can get it, do so. It is amazing. Almost eliminates the need for lockers. Almost, but not in every situation.

I am also formerly a jeep owner. I still miss my jeep, but I love my Tacoma. These trucks are amazingly capable off the lot.


Sent via fat thumb

 

[CRolandLJ]

great to know about the TRD off road vs Sport.


I feel if I go this way i'd be holding on for a TRD Off Road - although its a bummer about the bed length. This - in stock form or maybe with some slight suspension improvements - would get me anywhere I'd ever want to go but still be cool to cruise across the country on the Interstate to get there if necessary.

You mention a difference in Rear Ends. Besides the e-locker what is the difference and are there any difference amongst other Tacoma trim levels or is it just the TRD OFF Road has a locker and everything else has a limited slip?

 

[Andy@AAV]

I sold my 2006 Unlimited Rubicon and purchased a 2010 Tacoma TRD off road. Each had its strengths and weaknesses. Overall you give up some off road capability to gain a lot of livability (if that's actually a term). Some things to think about:

The TRD off road uses a smaller rear axle than the other models. 8 inch ring gear versus 8.4

After 2009 there are no limited slips, only brake traction control "electronic LSD"

The TRD springs suck if you are adding any weight to the vehicle. Even the TSB springs on my truck are flat.

The tow package is a worth it for the transmission cooler upgrade.

The stock radio is horrible, couldn't hear music with the windows down.

If I was to start over (only if they can get me a diesel!) I would buy a standard 4x4 and upgrade the springs, add a rear ARB to the 8.4 instead of the TRD package. The only up side to the TRD package is the ATRAK electronic traction system.

 

[CRolandLJ]

thats interesting. What is the upside of going with that smaller diff? Easier to put a locker in the housing?

 

[Andy@AAV]

thats interesting. What is the upside of going with that smaller diff? Easier to put a locker in the housing?

Thousands of 8 inch e-lockers still on the shelf at Toyota.

 

[jeverich]

I sold my 2006 Unlimited Rubicon and purchased a 2010 Tacoma TRD off road. Each had its strengths and weaknesses. Overall you give up some off road capability to gain a lot of livability (if that's actually a term). Some things to think about:

The TRD off road uses a smaller rear axle than the other models. 8 inch ring gear versus 8.4

After 2009 there are no limited slips, only brake traction control "electronic LSD"

The TRD springs suck if you are adding any weight to the vehicle. Even the TSB springs on my truck are flat.

The tow package is a worth it for the transmission cooler upgrade.

The stock radio is horrible, couldn't hear music with the windows down.

If I was to start over (only if they can get me a diesel!) I would buy a standard 4x4 and upgrade the springs, add a rear ARB to the 8.4 instead of the TRD package. The only up side to the TRD package is the ATRAK electronic traction system.

Which is basically what I've done with my Taco..

Bought an '07 CPS (Cheap Prick Special) off of my Dad.

As far as springs, I just did the "Old Man Doug" refurb on a set of newer Toyota leafs. Basically find a donor pack, in this case I used Ford F150 leafs, and add 2-3 leafs per side. Awesome way to get a great set of "like new" leaf springs at about 1/3 the cost of new Old Man Emus. Getting great articulation and ride quality is drastically improved.

Re-geared to 4.88s and put an ARB in my rear diff. It's an "8.4".. This was one of the best things I've done to the truck after upping tires to 255s.

Second what Rocket-Scientist said - the stock speakers suck. Recently replaced mine with Alpine Coaxials after living with crappy music for 125k miles... Huge improvement in sound quality.

It's worth at least taking a look at TacomaWorld - yes, there is a lot of hyperbole over there; but it is a really good reference on all things Tacoma.

And of course, here's a shot of how she sits today. Can't resist.



Be prepared to become addicted.

 

[CRolandLJ]

Old thread, but to update I never ended up selling my Jeep and moving to a Tacoma... but now it's in the mix again as we recently found out I will have a more pressing need for a real back seat as of April 2015...a kiddo. What is the bed length difference between a standard bed and long bed? To be honest i think the dimensions of the long bed look a little goofy for my taste, the CCSB looks best to me, personally, and I can almost never imagine really wanting a longer vehicle than necessary unless I was planning on carrying lots of long things... With that being said i could see a 5 ft bed getting a little small occasionally but mainly just for lumber pick up and shorter trips.

Beyond that someone mentioned no "real" Limited Slip Differentials post 2009...does this mean that likely the best combination post 2009 is to find a TRD OFF Road package with the A-trak traction control...since all the non-TRD off roads would only have electronic (brake controlled) LSDs and no locker? OR is the A Trak available on all Tacomas? I doubt I'll ever truly need a locker, although it'd be nice to have, but some sort of traction control/LSD set up is likely better for ice and stuff like that anyways.

TLDR: Are all 4x4 tacomas available with traction control or just TRD Off roads? What is the difference in bed length for short and long beds?


Also just out of curiousity what type of mileage do you guys get with mostly stock tacomas? I'm not trying to get great gas mileage, my jeep gets 16 ish around town and 18-19 on long highway trips. That neck of the woods is what i'm expecting.

FYI i'm debating between these trucks and the larger but similarly priced late model GM pickups. I love the resell value and slightly smaller size of a tacoma, just gotta decide if i can live with the not so big interior... i'm 6'3" with my shoes off. Any feedback on tall dudes in Tacomas? I test drove one and felt OK, not great but probably good enough.

 

[millerfish]

I'm 6-1 and don't have the seat all the way back. They have a lot of driver leg room. IMO the TRD Off Road with A-TRAC and locked is well worth it