Whoa, who said anything about anything about IRS? I'm talking about coil springs versus leaf springs, that doesn't require going away from a solid axle.
Speaking of capacities, have you seen the extremely weak leaf springs on newer Tacomas? I believe there was even a TSB to replace them, and many have also put in stiffer springs or AAL. A poor leaf spring setup is not better than a good coil spring setup in regards to capacities. Besides, you think that the current Tacoma payload is good?! We wouldn't lose anything in that department by going away from leaf springs.
Then there's the fact that it is a LOT easier to have better handling and ride characteristics at speed with coil springs.
toyotech said:
Sure there are some, but they are in the minority. Given that Toyota will be increasingly marketing this as a lifestyle truck (meaning less work oriented and will probably move upmarket a little), I'd like to request coil springs.
HiLux frame and 80 series rear suspendy bits. Parts bin truck, engineering is already done and proven.
Exactly! Toyota has the parts, has used it on the platform in other applications, and has done all of the engineering. Sure, they would have to massage the packaging to make it work with the truck bed, but they're not starting from scratch.
Toyota makes the Tacoma in a way that it believes best suits potential buyers, in order to maximize sales. Truth is that the average consumer for the Tacoma is different than the average consumer for the Hilux. Now while I do wish that the average consumer in the U.S. was after something like the Hilux, so that I could buy one, I can't fault Toyota for solid business sense and selling a truck that people want. Even if those people should just buy a Highlander that'll suit their needs even better and just leave the darn truck segment alone...
Yes, they used the lightest variation of the truck (regular cab, short bed, etc) with all the options that are conducive to payload and towing numbers, but no other extras, and used a single 150 lb adult as the driver. It has been going on for a while, and many companies were involved, some more than others. I'm just happy that SAE's J2807 standardized tow ratings are starting to pick up steam. When it was introduced not one of the Big 3 stepped up, saying that they would adopt the standard if the others did first, or that they would adopt the standard when they redesigned their trucks. It was completely gutless, and they knew how much their inflated numbers would fall. Toyota was the first to step up with the Tundra.
