New Tacoma Owner and member

[Spenser]

First, been a long time lurker and first post. You guys have a great site going here. Glad that I can finally jump in here with some questions, comments and request for help.

Currently own a Jeep Commander, built up some with rock sliders, brush guard, aftermarket lights, roof rack and satellite radio. Been the expedition vehicle for the past year, running up and down the east coast and New England. Not, however, the best daily driver.....

So recently reading Rosann's previous post about the high MPG, low foot print vehicle decided to get a 2007 Tacoma, 2wd regular cab as daily driver. Picking it up tomorrow and have to tell you, that thing cant be beat for $15K and getting 27 MPG. My need is what can I do to this thing? Dont like the cheap tires that came with it and would like to upgrade to a little larger size to make it ride better and some new shocks. Other than that, the truck is going to be a great driver and the jeep can sit in the garage for a while. So, please help the new guy, what can I put on this, and what the vendors to support? Any help would be appreciated and thanks for the forum, great place you guys have going here, even for those of us in the east!

 

[asteffes]

Welcome and congrats on the new truck. I would think you could throw some BFG AT-KOs on it for a civilized-yet-capable tire choice. Bilstein probably has a shock that will fit. Maybe put a toolbox in the bed, or a shell over it for more secure storage and that would be a cool little hauler.

 

[Scott Brady]

Welcome to the forum!

With some suspension improvements and slightly taller tire (not any wider) and you should see a nice "trail" improvement without suffering to great on MPG.

It would be great to see some pictures of the Commander too.

 

[98roamer]

???

Just for some clarification, what is you purpose for this truck? A Daily driver or a mix. Being here, naturally, we think of a setup for overland.

If daily with the importances on ride and MPG, put some good stock size tires and good shocks on it. Drive it and see what you want to change. A bed cover will help the MPG alone with putting a rock under the gas pedal: also sync fluids have been discussed in some detail.

If it's for a mix now you're opening a whole new world of mods :truck:

 

[Schattenjager]

So recently reading Rosann's previous post about the high MPG, low foot print vehicle decided to get a 2007 Tacoma, 2wd regular cab

Blasphemy!!! 2WD Tacoma? They make one of those?

JK - with a 2007, stellar warranty and basic daily driver needs, I would personally leave the suspension alone and save $ on extra tires - stay with stock. I bet things settle out for you in a few hundred miles. If not, make a change then. Perhaps a switch to synthetic oils in the motor, tranny and diff would be a good move - especially since your truck is brand new. A K&N air filter is a great thing to have for many reasons. Tinted windows and good tunes could add to your enjoyment.

Cheers!

 

[Spenser]

The truck is going to be a daily driver, replacing my saab wagon that was rear ended and demolished with 198,000 miles on it :REOutShootinghunter I was hoping to get to 250K before it died! Off-road isnt necessary, other than typical dirt roads in the adirondacks and vermont for fly fishing. I am keeping the jeep for winter, and when I need explore and haul people. Really just want a solid daily driver, that handles a little better than stock, and the tires and wheels that came with it looked pretty wimpy, with plenty of open space in the wheel wells for something a little bigger.

Scott-thanks for the reply, I look forward to the Overland Journal, was recent subscriber and also tracking your search for motorcycle. Went through the same discussions you did, thought it was BMW, then KTM enduro and now I am into the Kawasaki/Suzuki DS 650's and also the 400 liquid cooled. Eastern forests are little different than your needs though.

Thanks again to all of the replies.

 

[Spenser]

Schattenjegger-it was all about the MPG! Have a 70 mile commute, and drive about 40k per year between work and play. The gas savings alone between the jeep as daily driver and this almost make up the payment! Besides, it is a Tacoma, and guarantees that people will laugh when I get out of it (since I am 6'4 and 270), kind of like that shriner car thing!

 

[BajaTaco]

Congrats and welcome to ExPo! What tire/wheel size did you get? What gearing? (A/T or manual?)

Here are some ideas:

BFG T/A KO all terrain tires (sized based on questions above)
KYB or Bilstein struts for front
KYB or Bilstein shocks for rear
Demello light bar with a pair of good lights

I would avoid adding lots of things to the truck as the weight will just hamper the power of the 4-cyl and decrease the fuel economy.

 

[Spenser]

The truck is an automatic (wife cant drive a stick and I know that she is going to steal this) and the tires are the 205/70/15, pretty small little guys, but cheap to add snow tires!

 

[BajaTaco]

The truck is an automatic (wife cant drive a stick and I know that she is going to steal this) and the tires are the 205/70/15, pretty small little guys, but cheap to add snow tires!

In that case, a 31x10.5xR15 would add some ground clearance and should be fine with the gearing that comes with the auto. For more of a compromise between added height and fuel economy a 30x9.5xR15 would work well. You might also be able to shed some weight by getting an alloy wheel but make sure to weigh the stock steel wheels and compare with any prospective alloys. If you switch to alloys, that opens more options on tire size, as you could potentially go with 15" or 16" wheels.